Why study this course?
The Interior Design (with preparatory semester) BA (Hons) is an exhilarating practice-based course responding to the rapid pace of the interiors industry. You’ll be able to experience working on a wide range of projects spanning everything from commercial and workspace projects to museums and educational spaces. This course will equip you with knowledge of the latest research in interior design and related fields, while introducing you to industry professionals who will enrich your learning experience with their knowledge and expertise.
This course is ideal if you know you want to study interior design but need some introductory study before starting an undergraduate degree. On graduation you’ll receive the same title and award as students who study our standard interior design course.
You will complete this degree in three years, starting in September. Following the preparatory semester you’ll join students starting on the standard course in January. This means that Year 1 will consist of three semesters and you’ll be required to study at the University during some of the summer between Year 1 and 2. During the subsequent two years of your studies you’ll follow the same schedule and study the same content as students on the Interior Design BA (Hons) course.
While you may make a considerable saving in time and fees by choosing this route over a four-year degree with a foundation year, do be aware that you’ll have to budget for the additional semester in your first year.
More about this course
You will complete our Interior Design (with preparatory semester) degree in three years, starting in September. Following this preparatory semester you’ll join students studying the standard three-year course in January.
The preparatory semester will ensure you are fully prepared for the degree course, equip you with the fundamental skills in drawing, modelling, IT platforms and visual communication that you will need to make the most of the degree.
The course is very practice-orientated and you’ll get an opportunity to undertake a work placement at a London-based design practice. On the work placement you’ll be able to develop skills and gain contacts you’ll need to begin a successful career in interior design.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Critical & Contextual Studies 1 (Interiors) (core, 30 credits)
Design Principles for Interiors (core, 30 credits)
Interior Design: Industry and Context (core, 30 credits)
Interior Materials and Technologies (core, 30 credits)
Introduction to Interior Design: Practice (core, 30 credits)
Spatial Design Development (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Critical & Contextual Studies 2 (Interiors) (core, 30 credits)
Design Details (core, 30 credits)
Human Scale (core, 30 credits)
Interior Technologies and Production (core, 30 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Critical & Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (Interiors) (core, 30 credits)
Integrated Design Practice (core, 30 credits)
Major Project Realisation: Interior Design (core, 30 credits)
Project Design and Development for Interiors (core, 30 credits)
Where this course can take you
This course will prepare you to work with confidence as a specialist in a design or architectural practice. On entering the workplace you will find your role requires a range of skills and experience beyond the purely creative. The collaborative nature of the projects you’ll complete whilst studying are ideal for preparing you for interacting with other professionals and performing construction industry processes.
Recent graduates have been employed by design companies including Gensler, BDP, Turner Bates, Black Sheep, Fitch, AI Architects, Woods Bagot, Foster and Partners, Seen Displays, Areen, My Beautiful City and Avante Garde.
There are also graduates who have chosen to work for set designers, interior design magazines and in museum and gallery curation.
Others have chosen to continue onto postgraduate study. Graduates of this course are well-suited to pursuing further studies in interior design, sustainable design, architecture and environmental design and strategic brand management at postgraduate level. There are a variety of suitable courses, such as:
- Interior Design MA
- Environmental, Sustainable and Regeneration Design MA
- Architectural History, Research and Writing MA
- Public Art and Performance MA
