Bachelor’s Degree vs Diploma: Which is Better for Aspiring Designers?

As interior design gains recognition as a viable and respected career path, more students in Mumbai are exploring their options soon after Class 12. Naturally, one of the first decisions they face is not about where to study—but what kind of program to choose.

Should you go for a full-fledged bachelor’s degree in interior design?

Or is a diploma a faster, more practical route?

This question matters—not just because of time or fees, but because it shapes how you’ll grow as a designer, how the industry will perceive you, and what doors will open down the line.

In this article, we break down the core differences between the two pathways, examine what each one offers, and help you understand which direction best suits your personal goals—especially in a fast-paced city like Mumbai.

Understanding the Basics: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree vs a Diploma in Interior Design?

Let’s begin with a simple distinction.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design—such as the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) or the B.Voc (Bachelor of Vocation)—is a government-recognized undergraduate program that typically lasts three to four years. It blends theoretical learning, studio practice, real-world exposure, and portfolio development.

On the other hand, a Diploma in Interior Design is often a shorter-term program—ranging from six months to two years, depending on the institute. While it may offer some skill-based training, it lacks the academic depth, studio rigor, and industry readiness a degree provides.

At NIF South Mumbai, Medhavi Skill University runs and offers both the B.Des and B.Voc in Interior Design, ensuring academic credibility, industry alignment, and future mobility.

To make the decision easier, here’s a side-by-side comparison.

Bachelor’s Degree vs Diploma in Interior Design

Feature	Bachelor’s Degree (B.Des / B.Voc)	Diploma in Interior Design
Duration	3–4 years	6 months to 2 years
Recognition	UGC-recognized undergraduate degree	Varies; often not degree-equivalent
Eligibility	12th pass (any stream)	10th or 12th pass
Depth of Curriculum	Comprehensive—studio, theory, software, projects	Basic—limited to technical or visual topics
Career Scope	Studio jobs, higher education, freelance, entrepreneurship	Entry-level jobs; limited academic progression
Portfolio Development	Continuous and mentored	Often minimal or self-driven
Industry Exposure	Internships, critiques, site visits, guest lectures	Often theoretical or software-based only
Advancement Options	Can pursue Master’s programs in India or abroad	May need to restart studies to qualify for postgrad
Long-Term Value	Recognized as a professional degree by industry	Treated as a skill certification, not a full qualification

 

Where the Bachelor’s Degree Wins

A degree in interior design isn’t just longer. It’s better structured to prepare students for what the profession demands today.

Deeper Learning and Thoughtful Progression

At institutes like NIF South Mumbai, the B.Des and B.Voc programs offer students a gradual but rigorous learning curve. You don’t just learn how to design—you learn why design matters. You’re introduced to:

• History of spatial design
• Behavioral studies and user psychology
• Lighting, acoustics, and environmental systems
• Budgeting, execution, and client communication
• Digital and analog methods of representation

This layered, immersive education cannot be compressed into a six-month or one-year diploma.

Stronger Portfolios

A student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree has years of studio work, critiques, and project-based learning behind their portfolio.

By the time they graduate, they’ve:

• Solved real design problems
• Worked in teams
• Presented to mentors
• Revised work based on feedback
• Built a narrative through their projects

This results in a portfolio that is not just a collection of visuals but a demonstration of spatial thinking and professional maturity.

Diploma students often lack this continuity, resulting in uneven or superficial portfolios.

When Does a Diploma Make Sense?

It’s important to note that diplomas are not irrelevant. They’re useful for certain types of learners or goals.

For example:

• If you’re already a working professional in another field and want a quick skill upgrade
• If you want to test your interest before committing to a longer course
• If you’re looking to specialize in a narrow area like interior software or modular furniture

However, a diploma will always be a limited option for students fresh out of 12th who want a career in interior design, not just a technical familiarity with it.

You may still have to pursue a full degree later to qualify for better jobs or postgraduate study.

The Industry Viewpoint: What Recruiters Prefer

Today, design studios, real estate developers, and collaborative agencies look for graduates who can:

• Handle spatial planning with logic
• Use software accurately and in context
• Communicate ideas to clients
• Manage execution timelines
• Work within a team and under critique
• Handle live projects from concept to completion

This is not the kind of readiness that a diploma course can provide.

Graduates of NIF South Mumbai’s B.Des and B.Voc programs are consistently preferred in placements and internships because:

• Their portfolios reflect growth and self-awareness
• They’re trained to think through site constraints and client feedback
• They have exposure to live work, not just classwork
• They understand that design is iterative, not fixed

A diploma holder might be good with a few tools, but a graduate with a degree is ready for the studio.

What About Further Studies or Working Abroad?

If you want to study for a Master’s degree in design, architecture, or related fields—especially overseas—you must have a recognized undergraduate degree.

Diplomas rarely qualify. Many students who complete a diploma eventually return to do a full B.Des or B.Voc to make themselves eligible.

So, if long-term academic or international mobility matters to you, a degree is the wiser—and often more economical—choice in the long run.

A Word on Time and Value

Some students worry about the time commitment of a degree. Why spend three or four years when a diploma takes just one?

But in design, speed is not strength. Employers look at what you know—not how fast you finish.

Rushing through a diploma can cost you later in terms of:

• Career stagnation
• Lower starting salaries
• Fewer growth opportunities
• No post grad options

Conversely, a degree offers more structured support, better mentorship, deeper exposure, and higher long-term value.

At NIF South Mumbai, the design journey is not hurried—it is carefully designed to turn young learners into thoughtful professionals.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better for Aspiring Designers?

If you are:

• A student finishing 12th
• Serious about building a career in design
• Looking for creative work with structure and mentorship
• Interested in future study or launching your practice someday

Then, I would like a bachelor’s degree in interior design, especially one like the B.Des or B.Voc at NIF South Mumbai—is the better, more future-focused choice.

A diploma might feel like a shortcut. But a degree gives you the skills, credibility, and depth that creative industries reward.

Admissions are now open for B.Des and B.Voc in Interior Design at NIF South Mumbai, both run and offered by Medhavi Skills University.

To understand which program fits your goals best—or to get personal admission guidance—visit

www.nifsouthmumbai.com

Because the course you choose doesn’t just shape your next three years. It shapes the designer you become.