The 5 Best Online Schools for Interior Design in Calgary

If you want to advance your career in interior design but don’t have the time or energy to attend in-person classes, online schools are your best bet. 

To be a certified interior designer in Calgary, you need the right credentials and education. And we already found promising online schools for you to help you get started. 

The Cost of Interior Design Online School

Total program tuition for Calgary online interior design courses may vary depending on course equivalencies. To give you an idea, the tuition costs for each online school on our list are listed below.

Online School	Cost
The Interior Design Institute	Pay in full: $999 Monthly plan: $1,099 ($183.17 per month) Weekly plan: $1,099 ($45.79 per week)
Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) - Calgary	Full program tuition: $36,064
University of Calgary Continuing Education	Full program tuition: $3,600
LaSalle College Vancouver	Full program tuition: $39,870
Yorkville University	Full program tuition: $69,300

How We Picked the Best Online Schools for Interior Design in Calgary

You’re only a few scrolls away from learning what makes them the best online schools for interior design in Calgary. But before that, here are the criteria we used to assess them:

Teaching methods – We looked at a range of courses that include adequate workshops in the corresponding specialties. We also looked at how they teach students (combining both theoretical and practical learning), whether through modules, or group or individual discussions. 

Flexibility and convenience – With picked schools with a flexible schedule of online classes with a reasonable timeframe for completing modules. It’s also preferable they have accessible learning materials online.

Student support – A good online interior design school should have technical support teams available at all times. Prompt and accurate response is highly valued as well. 

Tuition and fees – We chose schools that offer reasonably priced interior design courses, including tuition and related fees (e.g. application fees). Having convenient payment options is also a plus.

1. The Interior Design Institute

Teaching methods	4/5
Flexibility and convenience	5/5
Student support	5/5
Tuition and fees (A higher score means better value)	5/5

For any online school, we find quality and convenience highly important factors. Thankfully, The Interior Design Institute brought us many online learning features – most of which we find adequate and effective in their purpose.

For instance, they have high-definition video content that’s almost a minimum requirement in this digital era. They also have no fixed start dates which eliminate intake timelines, allowing interested students to enroll anytime. 

Going deep into their interior design course, they focus on providing students with constant training. They do it through modules followed by an exercise after each one.

The course also covers all essential topics such as lighting, space, harmonious palettes, and working with clients. We like that they also teach how to work with future customers – it’s a practical skill that doesn’t often get taught anyway.

Additionally, the assignments provide students with the foundation for their first professional portfolio. The online school even has a free website portfolio so students can display their work.

The final module, in particular, prepares students to establish their own interior design firm. In our opinion, this perfectly wraps up the entire learning journey, although real-life results are, of course, not positively guaranteed. 

While the program is intended to be completed in 24 weeks, students have 12 months to complete it. You get to learn at your own pace, which we think is advantageous for online-oriented learners. 

Now, the quality of their course aside, the level of student support they offer is what we think makes the school so unique. Throughout the course, students have 24/7 access to the Student Support team. 

And if that’s not enough yet, you also get a personal tutor who will assist and mark your assignments. Learning support is truly available when you most need it. 

Customer Reviews

Relevant information, exceptionally qualified

This course is excellent! They present a wide range of relevant information relating to the industry. The module tasks give you a great opportunity to engage with the workflow you will experience as a professional designer. My tutor was exceptionally qualified and a wonderful help through the entire process. I would rate it 10/10 for the entire course. – MELFORT TATTOO SHOP

Direct, amazing support

To all who wish to have a future in interior design, this is the course for you. The course is so direct and equips you with all the tools you will need for your craft. The Interior Design Institute helped to remove barriers and gave me the self-confidence I needed to move forward in this field. Willpower and the amazing support you will receive will help you to be inspired and help you to succeed. I never realized how many avenues of interior design there were, and the class helped me see exactly who I am in the industry and where it will take me in the future, so now my journey begins. – Christine interiors

2. Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) – Calgary

Teaching methods	5/5
Flexibility and convenience	5/5
Student support	4/5
Tuition and fees (A higher score means better value)	3/5

The Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) is one of the most well-known interior design schools in Calgary. They offer both online and on-campus courses that are known for their industry-driven education and training.

VCAD’s Interior Design program can be completed over six 12-week terms. The core objectives  introduce students to design principles, color theory, space planning, drafting, and industry-standard software. 

All of this will prepare students to design residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. As you can see, the application of the learning outcomes is pretty flexible – something we find useful during the career-hunting stage. 

Another good thing about the program also incorporates business concepts. Students will learn how to build a portfolio and communicate with potential clients once they’ve built a credible profile. 

Actually, the school has proven itself with a large number of successful interior design alumni (which you can see when you visit their website). Assuming you follow this success rate, you’re looking at a bright future ahead.

It’s also worth noting that VCAD’s Interior Design program has the same curriculum for online and in-person courses. So, whether you’re already enrolled and want to switch to online study, or you want to enroll in an online course for the first time, you’ll get the same education.

Unfortunately, their high-quality interior design course is extremely costly. Because VCAD is a for-profit institution, its tuition is on the higher end of the spectrum with its six-term Interior Design program costing approximately $36,064.

Customer Reviews

Super professional, so much support and advice

I had a very fast start to starting the Interior Design program, Preston Maurice has been there to help me from the start from getting to know me, to starting me almost a month after applying. He has been super professional and he is an awesome mentor! He has provided me with so much support and advice along the way. – Haylie Marie

Readily available, made the process easier

Awesome place. I am currently in the Interior Design program. If you are going to enroll definitely ask for Lanny. He  has been readily available to help me out whenever I have any issues, has been sure to inform me of everything and has generally made the process so much easier. I just started classes on monday and I am loving it so far! – Becky Marshall

3. University of Calgary Continuing Education

Teaching methods	4/5
Flexibility and convenience	4/5
Student support	5/5
Tuition and fees (A higher score means better value)	4/5

University of Calgary Continuing Education offers both online and in-class continuing education for interior designs. But this remote course is a better fit for those who are currently working in a visually creative field.

Looking at their curriculum, their courses are best if you need more solid credentials to advance in your career. With that said, we find that interior design newbies are better off with other schools that offer comprehensive courses. 

Their general program covers a wide range of design disciplines, including interior design and decorating. Four core courses are taught here including Colour Theory, Design Principles, Drawing, and History of Design. 

If you want to learn more than just the fundamentals of design, you can enroll in their certificate in visual design program with a focus on interior design. 

However, because this is only a certificate, it’s important to note that it differs from undergraduate and graduate programs. But the best thing about this is that it levels the playing field and allows you to work towards your dream career.

All in all, 250 hours are required to finish the program. This includes core courses for 120 instruction hours, 80 hours from the Interior Design stream of options, and 50 hours from other specializations.

Finally, the University of Calgary Continuing Education offers online courses that are of the same high quality as traditional classroom courses. So, expect to put in the same amount of effort as in traditional classroom courses.

Customer Reviews

One of the best institution of learning in Canada. It’s a place to consider when obtaining a new degree or stepping upper comes into you mind – Atuoha Anthony

4. LaSalle College Vancouver

Teaching methods	5/5
Flexibility and convenience	5/5
Student support	3/5
Tuition and fees (A higher score means better value)	2/5

Although located in Vancouver, LaSalle College Vancouver’s online interior design program is available to all domestic students. The course is online anyway, plus we find them truly great for 

aspiring interior designers in Calgary.

Despite the fact that the curriculum is delivered entirely online, it closely resembles the on-campus program at LaSalle College Vancouver. Students can relax knowing they’re receiving the same quality education.

Also, if you want to study interior design but have to work in the morning, we believe this is an ideal school for you. The synchronous classes happen in the evenings, making them a strong option for your situation.

Now, unlike the other online schools on our list that start with the basics, LaSalle College Vancouver dives right in. They immediately teach students the fundamentals of 3D design and AutoCAD (a key software used by interior designers worldwide) in the first semester.

The interior design program at the school is open to anyone who has completed high school and is familiar with technology and remote learning. All you need to have with you are basic drawing tools, creativity skills, and, of course, money.

Their interior design diploma program will roughly cost you a total of $39,870, which is significantly higher than the other schools on our list. However, because they have a more extensive curriculum, it appears to be fair enough, at least for us.

Customer Reviews

A decision that changed my life! […] They really help with building your career and achieving your goals. —Sukhman Grewal

5. Yorkville University

Teaching methods	4/5
Flexibility and convenience	5/5
Student support	3/5
Tuition and fees (A higher score means better value)	3/5

Yorkville University is offering a Bachelor of Interior Design Degree that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). It’s an actual Bachelor’s Degree, so it’s definitely meant for a more “serious” endeavor. 

It’s 100% online so there’s no need for on-campus visits at all throughout the program. The degree takes three years to complete, but it’s possibly less for those who have transfer credits that they may accept.

In addition to the full online interior course, students can choose their course load and study at their own pace. They can do their studies during the day, evenings, or weekends – something that’s ideal if you have a part-time job. 

When it comes to the course itself, they have the resources that cover both current industry design skills and knowledge of the business side of interior design. Well, we’re expecting no less in a degree program.

Of course, thanks to the school’s industry-connected faculty, students are able to achieve their career objectives. Not to mention that most of them are professionally certified in Canada and the U.S.

Overall, Yorkville University is perfect for those who want to earn an interior design degree online. Job placement rates are positive too, so there’s that to look forward to in the coming years once you complete the program.

Customer Reviews

HI, I graduated from this university and this offers best quality education. – Justin Pop

FAQs About Online Schools for Interior Design in Calgary