Interior Architecture and Design BA (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
The course encourages conceptual thinking beyond the mundane but always marries designs to reality. This ensures students find employment across the many sectors of interior architecture, whether in retail, hospitality and leisure, workplace design, civic and culture or exhibition design.
Creativity:
You will be challenged to develop innovative and experimental solutions, transforming spaces through material understanding and user insights.Making:
An emphasis on making, both physical and virtual, underpins the course and ensures that graduates are both digitally fluent and materially sensitive.Employability:
You will be supported to develop the skills, knowledge and resilience required to enter industry. You will build a sophisticated design portfolio over the course of your studies, with the aim of giving you access to opportunities for employment or further study.
Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Studio Culture:
Our studio-based course will allow you to explore, create, collaborate and develop the skills required to design innovative spaces, supported by peers and guided by experienced practitioners. (Staff subject to change).Analogue & Digital:
We deliberately strike a balance between traditional hand-processes and emerging technologies. You will participate in workshops for drawing, and model making, along with CAD, 3D computer modelling and animation. Traditional workshops sit alongside facilities for laser cutting, CNC milling and 3D printing4
.International Network:
Our students go on to find employment in a variety of fields and professions including Interior Architecture, Lighting Design, Exhibition Design, Concept Design, Theatre and Stage Design and Project Management. Gain an international perspective with our international collaborative institutions, who provide opportunities for shared learning and the potential for travel and study abroad2
. Our visiting speaker programme makes use of our extensive alumni and industry network2
.Sustainability
: In a finite world you will be in a great position to help lead the world with sustainable solutions to architectural problems. Adaptive reuse of buildings as opposed to demolition and rebuild, will become a must and Interior Architects and Designers will be highly sought after.Professional Accreditation and Awards:
The course has been accredited by The Society of British & International Interior Designers (SBID) as a Centre of Excellence1
. Our students have won awards at national exhibitions and events including Free Range and New Designers.Accreditations
The Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID)
This course is accredited by The Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID) for the 2023/24 intake. Please visit the
SBID website
for further information.More than just a degree
Coming to University for the first time is very daunting and you never know what to expect. However, the first day of the Interior Architecture and design course was great. The tutors really made me feel welcome and part of a team and I had great opportunities to meet new people on the course, who are now my lifelong friends. The work was really interesting and allowed us to use and explore out imaginations
Grace Dettmar, 2022
Program Outline
Year one
Year two
Placement year
Final year
In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline where you will develop knowledge and skills to do with creating spaces, digital skills and tools, and materials, among others.
Modules
Drawing and Making Spaces - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to the fundamental drawing and making skills, tools and media used in the development and communication of ideas in spatial practice.
Compulsory
Creative Exploration - 20 credits
This module will aim to challenge you to apply your newly acquired technical skills within a specific context.
Compulsory
The Language of Space - 20 credits
This module will invite you to observe, analyse and appreciate designed structures and spaces, contextualising their practice within the continuum of architecture past and present.
Compulsory
Digital Skills 1 - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to the digital skills, tools and media used in the development and communication of ideas in spatial practice.
Compulsory
Materials and Structures - 20 credits
This module will invite you to gain a greater understanding of the materials, processes and elements used to build, finish and furnish sustainable structures and spaces.
Compulsory
Designing Spaces - 20 credits
This module will challenge you to apply your developing skills and understanding to the design of a space for a specified user.
Compulsory
In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:
Modules
Branded Spaces - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to the considerations and complexities involved in designing branded spaces.
Compulsory
Digital Skills 2 - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to advanced digital skills, tools and media used in the development and communication of ideas in spatial practice.
Compulsory
Professional Development - 20 credits
This module aims to guide you through the process of portfolio building in preparation for upcoming professional/international opportunities
2
.Compulsory
Research and Analysis - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to the various sectors found within the Interior Architecture and Design profession.
Compulsory
Creative Consolidation - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to methods of conceptualising and ideation leading to the manifestation and realisation of 3D spatial solutions.
Compulsory
Collaborative Design - 20 credits
This module will challenge you to work collaboratively to develop comprehensive spatial responses to an external brief.
Compulsory
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement
2
can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee
3
of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.Modules
UK Work Placement – 0 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement
2
undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.Optional
International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement
2
undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.Optional
Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor.
Modules
Final Major Project: Definition and Direction - 20 credits
This module is an exploratory module, where you will be encouraged and guided into finding information helping to define your Final Major Project.
Compulsory
Final Major Project: Investigation - 20 credits
This module engages you in the evaluation and validation of information generated and discovered for your project. You will explore a range of tasks and identify design opportunities.
Compulsory
Final Major Project: Conceptual Synthesis - 20 credits
This module is a discovery module. You will formulate, test, and crystallise concepts to give direction and meaning to design decisions and proposals.
Compulsory
Final Major Project: Development - 20 credits
This module is based on making final design decisions. Ideas, drawings and processes are tested and scrutinised. Concept ideas are realised and construction techniques implemented.
Compulsory
Final Major Project: Resolution - 40 credits
This module is the culmination of the learning experienced during the course. You will integrate research outcomes, concept decisions and design outcomes to inform a major piece of Interior Architecture and Design work.
Compulsory