Why BA (Hons) @ AKTO

Study Program

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INNOVATION & SPECIALIZATION

AKTO’s BA (Hons) Interior Architecture programme is the only undergraduate programme in Greece that gives students the option to choose a specialization at the end of the first year, depending on their research and professional interests. The chosen specialization is also reflected on the degree. The specializations are:

• Interior Architecture: Spatial Design

• Interior Architecture: Sustainable Design

• Interior Architecture: Retail Design

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AKTO constantly supports its graduates through the Career Office and its extensive network of partners. Graduates of the programme have established themselves in the field of Interior Architecture & Design, contributing dynamically to contemporary design. They work at leading creative and architectural firms, construction companies, and international organizations, and are recognized in professional competitions and awards. Many graduates have grown into important professionals in the field, with successful careers in Greece and abroad.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS

The programme is enriched with educational visits to museums, exhibitions, architectural and creative firms, as well as leading companies in the field, ensuring direct connection with the job market. In addition, themed educational trips are organized in Greece and abroad, offering valuable experiences and stimuli that broaden students’ understanding of architecture and spatial design.

CONNECTION WITH THE JOB MARKET – REAL WORK PROJECTS

AKTO’s connection with the job market is strengthened through strategic partnerships with leading companies, organizations, and bodies, which assign creative projects and competitions under real working conditions and strict professional standards. In this way, students are able to develop skills, apply their knowledge, and achieve recognition both nationally and internationally. At the same time, every academic year includes visual arts activities and participation in important artistic events, supporting institutions that promote the Arts and Culture.

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & COMPETITIONS

The experience is broadened through workshops and collaborations with universities and architecture schools abroad, such as the Architectural Association (AA) and Sharjah University of Design. At the same time, participation in architecture competitions in Greece and abroad strengthens students’ professional profile and opens new prospects in the creative industry.

RECOGNITION

AKTO’s international recognition is confirmed through significant distinctions. In the international competition of the Cumulus Association, in collaboration with the Italian magazine Ottagono, AKTO was named one of the eleven best Design schools in the world. In addition, according to research by DOMUS Magazine, AKTO was included among the 100 top Architecture & Design educational institutions in Europe. The Italian magazine, which for almost a century has been setting trends and heralding artistic movements, included AKTO in its special edition “Europe’s Top 100 Schools of Architecture & Design,” recognizing its contribution to Design and Architecture education.

The purpose of the programme is to prepare high-level, capable professionals who can approach Interior Architecture and Design with an inventive and critical spirit. Balancing between Science and Art, the programme combines the conceptual and theoretical with the practical side of Architecture and Design. It strengthens learning and follows an experiential and exploratory methodology. It places emphasis on observation, identifying problems, and evaluating them, in order for the right decisions to be made. It combines the real with the imaginary, the tangible with the intangible, in a complete synthesis.

With this spirit, the programme places great emphasis on the methodology of composition and provides you with the cross-disciplinary knowledge related to presentation and promotion, such as managing Design in a global context. At the same time, it strengthens your oral and written communication skills, as well as your ability to present original solutions based on international practices. The programme gives you knowledge of the principles and historical development of Architecture, construction methods and techniques, materials for small- and large-scale construction, as well as an understanding of Design and its practical applications. It equips you with a wide range of practical skills, so that you are able to serve any field in the study and design of spaces, as well as a broader professional community with a related subject.

The programme offers students the opportunity to choose a specialization path from the 2nd year, which will be clearly stated on their degree, in order to go deeper into the theoretical and technical knowledge in their fields of interest. In this way, it gives them the opportunity to focus on their design work, their portfolio, and their CV, so that they are even more competitive in the job market after graduation.

 

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr so we can send you the Detailed Study Guide.

Here you can view the Programme Specification And Curriculum Map For Interior Architecture.

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by AKTO, awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University London.

YEAR 01

In the first year you will take 6 core modules (3 per semester).

Class schedules are mainly in the morning and early afternoon, in order to smoothly support the transition into the new academic reality, giving members of the student community the necessary “space” for systematic practice, guidance, and intensive presence in the studios. At the same time, this schedule also makes it easier for those who have recently completed secondary education to be smoothly integrated into the daily study programme.

At the end of the first year you will have the opportunity to choose one of the three available specializations offered in the second year of study:

• Interior Architecture: Spatial Design

• Interior Architecture: Sustainable Design

• Interior Architecture: Retail Design

At AKTO we provide study guidance throughout the year, so that you are fully informed about the academic content of each specialization, as well as the professional prospects awaiting you upon graduation. In this way you will be able to make the best choice based on your interests and professional aspirations.

SEMESTER 01 | MODULES

• Introduction to Interior Architecture & Design

• Concepts of Interior Architecture & Design Practices

• Design Principles & Processes

SEMESTER 02 | MODULES

• Parameters of Interior Design: Theory & Practice

• Design Thinking in Interior Architecture

• Methods & Exploration in Interior Architecture

 

YEAR 02

In the second year you will take 2 core modules (1 per semester) and 2 specialization modules (1 per semester), depending on the direction/specialization you chose at the end of the first year.

Maintaining morning and early-afternoon schedules ensures a steady study pace and intensive depth in both studio and theoretical subjects, thereby supporting skills development and personal progress at this critical stage of study.

The teaching modules per direction are listed below:

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: SPATIAL DESIGN

SEMESTER 03

• Architectural Composition

• Spatial Design: Urban, Landscape & Interior Space

SEMESTER 04

• Strategic Practices in Interior Architecture

• Spatial Design: Exploring Public & Private Space

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

SEMESTER 03

• Architectural Composition

• Sustainable Design: Building Reuse & Sustainable Approaches

SEMESTER 04

• Strategic Practices in Interior Architecture

• Sustainable Design: Ecological Construction

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: RETAIL DESIGN

SEMESTER 03

• Architectural Composition

• Retail Design: Commercial Space Design

SEMESTER 04

• Strategic Practices in Interior Architecture

• Retail Design: Retail Display & Design Management

 

YEAR 03

In the third year you will take one specialization module in the fifth semester of study and two core modules in the fifth and sixth semesters. You will also have the opportunity to carry out your Research Project on a topic of your choice, as well as to create your own design work on the same topic.

During the development of your research project you will receive consistent guidance and supervision both from your instructors and from your fellow students, aiming to achieve a high level of results and develop a steady work rhythm throughout the semester.

Classes take place both in the morning/early afternoon and in the late afternoon/evening, allowing for substantial research and practical work, while also making it easier for members of the student community to be professionally active. During the third year, having already developed important skills and built a strong portfolio, many students stand out and become active in the job market, through freelance or part-time collaborations, both in Greece and abroad.

In addition, you will have many opportunities for professional practice through Real Work Projects, in collaboration with major agencies, brands, and art and cultural organizations in Greece and abroad.

The teaching modules per direction are listed below:

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: SPATIAL DESIGN

SEMESTER 05

• Research Project

• Spatial Design: Professional Development

SEMESTER 06

• Final Major Project

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

SEMESTER 05

• Research Project

• Sustainable Design: Professional Development

SEMESTER 06

• Final Major Project

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE: RETAIL DESIGN

SEMESTER 05

• Research Project

• Retail Design: Professional Development

SEMESTER 06

• Final Major Project

Interior Architecture is a contemporary term that seeks to define the process of designing, organizing, and shaping space, focusing on both functionality and aesthetic experience. At AKTO, this approach is directly connected to Architecture, as a science that surrounds, organizes, and defines the field of Interior Architecture, Decoration, and Composition. It is a discipline that spans every scale of design, from urban space to interior configuration, progressively specializing its approach toward the smaller scale.

The relationship between people and space lies at the heart of this practice, evolving over time under the influence of social, political, and economic conditions. Interior design is not just about form, but also about the interaction between the individual and their environment, balancing functionality and emotional impact.

Within this framework, Interior Architecture examines the dual nature of the human being — both physical and mental — combining anthropometric data with sensory experiences. Science and art coexist toward a shared goal: creating spaces that respond to human needs and improve everyday life.

This theoretical approach is reflected in the educational philosophy of the programme, where theory and practice are combined to produce meaningful, applicable results. AKTO’s programme seeks to shape well-rounded creative personalities, capable of composing, researching, and developing through different design perspectives. Students’ initial enthusiasm and creative impulse evolve into mature design skills, shaping well-rounded professionals.

Human-centered design is the foundation of this educational approach, strengthening creativity and critical thinking. Education acts as a tool of culture, promoting conscious, innovative design thinking that shapes the future of Interior Architecture.

Dr. Evangelos Kanellopoulos
Programme Leader, BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture

At AKTO, distinguished Greek architects, interior designers, and art theorists teach, recognized for both their academic and artistic work. Specialized professors and PhD holders, together with research staff, pass on innovative and in-depth knowledge to students, responsive to the changing needs of society, technology, and the market. AKTO’s academic team helps students express themselves through a free and bold spirit of inquiry and research, aiming for social benefit both domestically and internationally.

Meet the members of AKTO’s Interior Design Academic Team

Tuition Fees & Registrations

For the Full-Time undergraduate study programmes, the academic year has one (1) intake period, starting in October. For the Open College undergraduate study programmes, the academic year has two (2) intake periods. The first period is in October, followed by the second period the following February.

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information about intake periods.

Read below for information about tuition for AKTO’s undergraduate programmes:

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for further clarification about tuition and payment methods.

Candidates for the undergraduate study programmes must hold a Greek Lyceum Leaving Certificate or an equivalent secondary education qualification from abroad, such as an IB Diploma, A levels, or GCSE. Citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union or the Schengen Agreement must obtain a student visa or residence permit before enrolling. For candidates whose native language is not Greek, the language proficiency requirement is level B2.​

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information about the enrollment requirements.

At AKTO, we accept applications for transfers and admission via qualifying exams in every enrollment period. The process includes an interview and a presentation of a portfolio from the candidate’s previous academic path. Interested applicants can be admitted to an advanced semester or year of study and complete their studies through AKTO’s programmes.

Read detailed information about the transfer process to AKTO

AKTO subsidizes students with scholarships, tuition discounts, or even full subsidies, depending on the enrollment period, available places, and social criteria.

Read detailed information about:

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information.

Facilities & Services

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AKTO, recognizing the pedagogical challenges and contemporary demands of education, offers its students a range of benefits to help them, both with their studies and with their social life. These benefits include:

Read in detail about all the benefits AKTO offers

AKTO uses the most popular and up-to-date platform for synchronous and asynchronous learning, in partnership with Microsoft: MS Teams. Students can install the application either from the Play Store / App Store on mobile phones, or from the website on computers. Teams can also be used from all modern browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox), with Chrome and Edge recommended.

Learn more about the Technical Specifications and the Technical Support Office

Career Prospects & Academic Progression

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With the rapid development of technology, the demands, challenges, and opportunities are great for the contemporary Interior Designer, who, following emerging new Interior Design Trends, can find many professional opportunities in commercial spaces, homes, all kinds of entertainment and leisure venues, exhibition spaces and commercial stands, shop windows, storefronts and shop interiors, canopies, display stands, and event sets, always pursuing innovation through design proposals that are friendly to both the environment and people.

The field of Interior Architecture is developing in a particularly favourable environment, mainly due to the growth of construction activity in our country, both in new builds and in reuse/renovation projects. The field makes use of new digital tools in a free, global market, offering design and planning services wherever there is demand. Interior Architecture and Decoration supports young professionals who function as creative “multi-tools,” since they gain architectural and construction knowledge as well as specialization in small-scale work, decoration, and Retail & Detail Design. Digital skills are cultivated, both at the level of architectural design and in three-dimensional realistic renderings and presentations. At the same time, students gain a broad theoretical background that strengthens them communicatively and helps document their compositions. The academic environment is not limited to classrooms and lecture halls, as it is supported by partnerships with well-known universities abroad, seminars, lectures, workshops, etc. Finally, taking on real projects from established, well-known companies already during the academic period prepares students with the creative drive and confidence needed to meet contemporary international professional challenges.

Graduates of the Interior Architecture programme work professionally as staff members or freelancers at businesses such as:

  • Architectural design firms
  • Construction companies
  • Commercial companies
  • Digital design / photorealistic rendering firms
  • Decoration firms
  • Professional space design
  • Commercial space design
  • Exhibition stand design
  • Specialization in renovations – reuse projects
  • Residential design
  • Building organization, decoration of event spaces
  • Set design
  • Shop window design
  • Education sector

AKTO’s Careers Office helps graduates connect with the job market and a wide range of professional activity across various fields. AKTO Alumni is the largest 360˚ Art & Design community in Greece.

AKTO’s university Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, awarded in collaboration with Middlesex University London, are recognized as professionally equivalent, in accordance with Presidential Decree 38/2010, as amended by Law 4093/2012, 4111/2013, 4205/2013, and 4635/2019. Middlesex University London is recognized by DOATAP as an institution equivalent to Greek Higher Education Institutions, while our graduates’ degrees have been recognized by A.T.E.E.N. Holders of these degrees are able to take part in ASEP competitions, in accordance with Article 13 of Law 4148/2013.

Read more about the Recognition and Accreditation of AKTO’s University Degrees

Graduates of the undergraduate programmes can continue their studies in AKTO’s Postgraduate Programmes, validated by Middlesex University London. As graduates of AKTO College, and members of our alumni community, they receive the AKTO Alumni tuition subsidy if they choose to continue their studies in AKTO’s study programmes.

Read more about the Academic Progression of AKTO’s Undergraduate Studies graduates

AKTO experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8chV_tbwl8