Self-test: Is the course "Techniker HF Bauplanung / Technikerin HF Bauplanung" with a focus on interior design the right course for me?
Are you interested in an interior design course? Would you like to know whether the interior design HF course really meets your expectations and whether you are on the right track?
Then take our free and non-binding self-test now.
For each of the possible answers "Yes", "Partly" and "No", you will receive appropriate information that will show you the next steps. You will receive the result at the end of the self-test, where you will also receive a link to suitable providers, i.e. schools, as well as helpful tips on the question "How do I find the right school?".
Note: In fall 2022, the HF technician courses (formerly "Techniker HF [Fachrichtung]") received a separate framework curriculum and a new title for each specialization. The course "Technician HF Construction Planning (specialization in interior design)" is now called "Technician HF Construction Planning".
The universities of applied sciences still have the option of offering specializations - such as interior design. You can find out more about this in the test.
Interior designers HF (technicians HF construction planning): What does your day-to-day work look like?
Interior designers HF (Techniker HF Bauplanung, Fokus Innenarchitektur) work in architecture or interior design offices or construction companies for interior design projects, where they take on management responsibility if they have sufficient professional experience. Depending on the size of the company, they are responsible, for example, for the management of projects or the management of derivations. They can also become self-employed.
Interior designers HF design, plan and create public, private, temporary and mobile interior spaces, such as business premises, restaurants and hotels, doctors' surgeries, offices, schools and rooms in the leisure and residential sectors. Their responsibilities range from creative and design work and the preparation of quotations and concepts through to construction submission, preparation, implementation, monitoring, administration, cost control, invoicing and acceptance.
In order to create the corresponding room concepts, interior designers HF look at the existing room structures and other circumstances, such as the proportions, existing materials, accessibility and functional characteristics of the rooms (number of sockets, placement of radiators, etc.). They also take other factors into account when creating the concept, such as the client's ideas and wishes, budget requirements and building regulations.
Interior designers HF work closely with the client and other specialists, such as electricians, plumbers, painters, craftsmen, acoustics experts, fire protection experts and environmental consultants. In this way, they also act as a link between the various stakeholder groups such as clients, authorities, customers, etc.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as an interior designer HF?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this HF course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing the HF interior design course, take a look at theEducational counseling offerfrom Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
So you don't like all activities. Think about which ones interest you the most and which ones don't. Remember: in practically every job, there are activities that are less interesting. It is important to make sure that these do not predominate.
Take a look at the relevant job advertisements, because not every job involves all tasks. You may find an advertisement that only asks for the tasks that interest you. Then you are still on the right track with this training.
If you don't like these activities at all, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Would you like to find your vocation? Then take a look at ourGuide "Finding your own calling"and benefit from helpful information and tips.
Target group, personal characteristics and skills: Who is the interior design HF course at a university of applied sciences suitable for?
Are you passionately creative and interested in design and interior design? Are you not afraid of technical issues and aspects, such as the use of appropriate design software and tools? Are you detail-oriented, work precisely and like to take the lead? Are you good at dealing with different stakeholder groups and do you find this interdisciplinary aspect enriching for yourself and your professional activity? Are you also interested in business management tasks such as preparing quotations, administration, invoicing, budget monitoring, etc.?
Then studying interior design at a university of applied sciences is the right choice for you.
The target group for this interior design HF course includes professionals from the fields of architecture, interior design, civil engineering, spatial planning and landscape architecture who want to increase their career and salary opportunities with a sound education and a federally recognized HF diploma.
You should have the following personal qualities and skills for the job:
- Creativity
- Spatial thinking
- Analytical thinking
- An eye for the big picture, but also for detail
- Meticulous way of working
- Technical understanding
- Communication skills
- Customer orientation
- Good time management
- Reliability
- Sense of responsibility
- Ability to work in a team
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this interior design HF course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! Find out in the next step whether you meet the admission requirements to start the interior design course.
- If you do not belong to the target group, you cannot directly aim for the Federal HF Diploma for Interior Designers HF (Technician HF Construction Planning, Focus Interior Design). Take a look at other technician courses or courses in the field of design and interior design. Perhaps there is a course on offer that is aimed precisely at people like you. You can find a selection here.
- Do you not have a professional background in engineering/construction, but are interested in further training in management tasks? Then take a look atfollowing page. Here you will find an overview of possible leadership/management training courses.
- If you are interested in the subject but do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, it will be difficult. You are unlikely to meet the requirements of the job, which will sooner or later affect your motivation and enjoyment of the job as well as your performance. Perhaps you could use your skills in a different technical or creative field? Look out for other further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the HF interior design course at a university of applied sciences
In order to be admitted to the HF interior design course (HF construction planning technician with a focus on interior design) at a university of applied sciences, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) as a draftsman EFZ with the specializations: Architecture, civil engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, spatial planning
Or
- EFZ from another profession or another upper secondary level qualification or another equivalent qualification as well as relevant work experience in the field of construction planning of at least 1 year.
And
- For part-time studies: 50% employment in the field of construction planning*
Note:
- Many schools offer various preparatory courses, e.g. in mathematics, so that you can refresh your knowledge in an optimal and targeted manner and are thus well prepared for the HF course.
- The admission requirements for studying interior design at a university of applied sciences (HF) can vary slightly from school to school. This is because the HFs decide independently on the admission procedure. They set out the admission procedure in their study regulations. They must comply with the relevant legal basis. You can find more information on this in the answers.
- Educational achievements that have already been completed can be credited if minimum conditions are met. If necessary, this can shorten the duration of the construction planning course. The school of your choice will be happy to provide you with information on this.
* In full-time training, work experience and the transfer from specialist training to practice is regulated by internships integrated into the course.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Then you can start the HF course to become an interior designer HF (HF construction planning technician with a focus on interior design).
Courses at universities of applied sciences (HF):The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula that have been jointly developed by education providers and industry associations (they are the sponsors of the framework curriculum) and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the universities of applied sciences adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their HF courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.Hereyou will find a list of recognized HF degree courses.
- If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have a foreign qualification / certificate, please contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), which is responsible for checking the equivalence of foreign qualifications. You can find out how to do thishere.
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for the interior design HF course at a university of applied sciences (HF), clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
- If you have too little or no relevant professional experience, you have the following options:
- Look for suitable jobs where you can gain experience with the help of professional job boards.Hereto find out how best to proceed with your job search.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of construction planning/interior design, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Courses at universities of applied sciences (HF):The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.Hereyou will find a list of recognized HF degree courses.
- If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have a foreign qualification / certificate, please contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), which is responsible for checking the equivalence of foreign qualifications. You can find out how to do thishere.
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for the interior design HF course at a university of applied sciences (HF), clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
- If you have too little or no relevant professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereto find out how best to proceed with your job search.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of construction planning/interior design, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Courses at universities of applied sciences (HF):The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.Hereyou will find a list of recognized HF degree courses.
Subject matter, content and skills taught in the continuing education course in interior design HF
Participants in an interior design HF course at a higher technical college (Techniker HF Bauplanung, Fokus Innenarchitektur) deal with the following topics:
- Building technology
- Building organization
- Color and form theory
- Design and presentation
- Building technology
- Construction
- Construction phases
- Construction processes
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statics
- Applied computer science
- Law
- Business administration
- Accounting
- Risk, project and personnel management
- Communication
- Environment
- Sustainability
- Occupational safety
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, as the course content may vary from school to school. This is because, although the learning content is basically based on the "Construction planning" framework curriculum*, the HFs have a certain amount of leeway in how they structure it. It can therefore vary from school to school which learning content they cover, how in-depth they cover it and how they wish to designate the modules and subjects. Finally, the schools can define specializations within the framework of a maximum of 10% of the total learning hours, such as in the field of interior design.
But beware. The protected title "Certified Technician HF Construction Planning" remains unchanged.
* The framework curriculum is drawn up by a sponsoring body, which also periodically checks that it is up to date and of high quality. The body responsible for the framework curriculum is made up of the organization of the world of work (OdA): theSwiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA)theAssociation of Swiss Architects (BSA)theAssociation of Independent Swiss Architects (FSAI)theSwissEngineering STVtheSwiss Association of Consulting Engineers (usic)and theAssociation of Swiss Interior Designers / Architects (VSI.ASAI)and the representative of the training providers: the Conference of Higher Technical Colleges KHF-T.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! An interest in the subject is the best prerequisite for successfully completing further training to become an interior designer HF (Techniker HF Bauplanung, Fokus Innenarchitektur).
You can look forward to exciting and informative hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
Are there just a few subjects or topics that you don't find so exciting and could do without? That's not so tragic and is the case for most people. If necessary, you could also form a study group with other people from your class. It is usually easier to learn together in a group, as you can motivate each other and master more boring and/or difficult subjects.
However, if you cannot identify with many topics or even an entire field of study, you should attend an information event on interior design training at a university of applied sciences and clarify your questions with the school management. Find out exactly what is taught and how deeply you need to familiarize yourself with the subject matter.
If you struggle with many of these subjects, this is not the right course for you. Take a look at other further education courses or attend an information event on the HF Interior Design course and clarify whether you really think these subjects are right for you.
Costs and financing of further training
You can expect the following costs for the four- or six-semester interior design HF course at a university of applied sciences:
- Tuition fees*Between CHF 17'000 and CHF 26'700.
- Fees for additional certificatesSome schools offer the opportunity to obtain further certificates during your studies, for example in project management. You can find more information in the answers.
- Other extra costsSome schools charge additional fees, for example for enrolment, the student ID card, any preliminary courses, teaching materials, school documents, etc. Contact the school of your choice straight away and ask for a detailed list of all the costs involved in studying to become an interior designer HF.
* The amount of tuition fees or semester fees depends on the school and your canton of residence. The fees stated here apply to students residing in the canton of study. Students from other cantons will have to pay higher tuition fees.
Please note the following:
Courses at universities of applied sciences (HF) are financially supported (subsidized) by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following requirements apply in order to receive cantonal subsidies:
- at least two years of residence in the canton
- The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).
The cantonal subsidies are usually regulated by the school; these subsidies are usually already included in the tuition fees stated by the schools.
Question 5:
Are you able to finance between CHF 17,000 and CHF 26,700 for your studies?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount for the HF interior design course in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount if you pay in full in advance. Some schools also offer a special price if you book very early.
- You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
- Hereyou will find an overview of project management training with IPMA certificate and suitable providers.
- Ask the schools first about the actual costs (including extra costs) and the possibility of paying in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the interior design HF course (Techniker HF Bauplanung, Fokus Innenarchitektur) at a university of applied sciences (HF).
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
- Hereyou will find an overview of project management training with IPMA certificate and suitable providers.
- First ask the schools about the actual costs of studying interior design and the possibility of paying in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
- Hereyou will find an overview of project management training with IPMA certificate and suitable providers.
Duration of study, number of learning hours, forms of learning, teaching times, teaching format and learning effort
Duration of study:four semesters (full-time with integrated internships) or six semesters (part-time with at least 50% employment).
Number of learning hours:Between 3600 learning hours (with relevant EFZ) and 5400 learning hours (without relevant EFZ).
Forms of learning:The learning hours of the HF interior design course are divided into academic and practical components. A basic distinction is made between the following educational components:
- Contact studies: e.g. traditional classroom teaching
- Guided self-study: e.g. exercises, reading assignments, research tasks
- Individual self-study: e.g. preparation and follow-up work, independent learning
- Practical experience: Practical experience in relevant fields of activity with a workload of 50% (for the part-time course)
- Internships: e.g. internship in a real field of work (for full-time studies)
- Qualification procedures: e.g. intermediate examinations, graded term papers
Lesson times:The schools set their own teaching times, so there may be differences from HF to HF. As a rule, classes in part-time studies take place on one working day or two evenings per week, sometimes also on Saturdays. In full-time studies, lessons usually take place every day.
Teaching format:This also depends on the school. In addition to traditional face-to-face teaching, many also offer online and hybrid teaching. You can find an overview of the different teaching formats herehere.
Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons" for training as an interior designer at a HF. This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful degree. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
Perhaps you could get together with other course participants from the class to form a learning group? The exchange with like-minded people and the commitment to meet at a fixed time to learn together can be very motivating.
If you do not have that much time to devote to training as an interior designer at a university of applied sciences, get in touch with the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than six semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
During the Interior Design HF course, you will have to pass various assessments. These can be semester or interim examinations, for example, or semester or project work that is assessed.
The school determines the details of these learning objective assessments independently; there may therefore be differences. The grades you achieve in the learning objectives assessments are included in the final grades.
Do you meet all the qualification requirements? Then you are admitted to the final qualification procedure. This is made up as follows:
- Practice-oriented diploma thesis: It should have a practical or economic benefit and is recorded as one of the professional field-specific competencies.
- Oral and/or written examinations: The diploma thesis is presented by the candidates to a panel of experts, after which it is defended by the candidates in an expert discussion.
The universities of applied sciences specify the details of the implementation and execution of the (final) qualification procedure in their study regulations.
Diploma and title
If the candidates have passed the final qualification procedure, they will be awarded the HF diploma. They are then entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Certified Technician HF Construction Planning".
- In French: "Technicienne diplômée ES en planification des travaux / Technicien diplômé ES en planification des travaux"
- In Italian: "Tecnica dipl. SSS progettazione edile / Tecnico dipl. SSS progettazione edile"
The recommended translation in English is: "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Construction planning". This is not a protected title.
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the interior design HF course for the HF diploma?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new qualification as an interior designer HF (Techniker HF Bauplanung, Fokus Innenarchitektur):
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this interior design course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
You can find suitable offers here:
Do you suffer from exam anxiety and is this possibly the reason for your insecurity? Here, too, you can get appropriate support to learn suitable techniques and also experience the positive sides of exam anxiety. You can find suitable providershere.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new qualification as an interior designer HF:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Contribute your questions actively, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the final examination, but would like to study interior design at an HF (Höhere Fachschule), it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
You should also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training or by learning appropriate mindfulness and relaxation techniques, which can be helpful if you have exam anxiety, for example. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the interior design HF course leading to a federally recognized HF diploma does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Interior designer HF (Techniker HF Bauplanung mit Fokus Innenarchitektur) is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as an interior designer HF (Techniker HF Bauplanung mit Fokus Innenarchitektur) doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or doesn't fit well in organizational terms?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Interior design training at a university of applied sciences (HF) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Schools with interior design HF training"
How do I find the right school for me?
- To help you decide which interior design training course is right for you, take a look at ourGuide: "How to choose the right training provider". At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to be clarified, which will help you to keep an overview.
- Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous reviews from former participants of various courses. Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can view exactly the reviews that interest you.
This interior design course at a university of applied sciences seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Schools with interior design HF training"
How do I find the right school for me?
- Among other things, ourGuide: "How to choose the right training provider". At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to be clarified, which will help you to keep an overview.
- Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous reviews from former participants of various courses. Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can view exactly the reviews that interest you.
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Schools with interior design HF training"
How do I find the right school for me?
- To help you decide on further training in interior design, take a look at ourGuide: "How to choose the right training provider".At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to be clarified. This will help you to keep an overview.
- Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous reviews from former participants of various courses. Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can view exactly the reviews that interest you.
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin