Program Overview

Introduction to Spatial and Interior Design

The Spatial and Interior Design program at the University of Kent is a comprehensive course that equips students with the expertise, digital fluency, critical thinking skills, and confidence to shape the spaces of the future. This course is designed for creatives who want to transform the spaces we live, work, and socialize in.

Key Information

• Start: September 2026
• Location: Canterbury
• Study Mode: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• Fees (per year): UK: ｣9,790, International: ｣23,500
• Typical Offer: BBC / 96-112 UCAS points

Course Overview

The course integrates theory, design history, and critical reflection to help students develop an informed, thoughtful, and original approach to spatial design practice. Through live projects with industry partners, research-led practice, and collaboration with other creatives and experts, students will develop a distinctive creative voice and a portfolio that sets them apart in the job market.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three stages, each with compulsory modules that cover various aspects of spatial and interior design.

Stage 1

• Design Formation: An introduction to the iterative design process, focusing on hands-on activities and the adoption of a bottom-up approach.
• Fundamentals and Visual Communication: Exploration of key interior design elements through lectures and weekly exercises, with a focus on visual communication techniques.
• Responsive Design: Analysis of contextual parameters influencing design, with a project involving the design of a temporary installation for the city of Canterbury.
• Digital Experimentation: Introduction to digital tools, including modeling, rendering, and emerging technologies like AI and 3D printing.
• Sustainable Design: Examination of the relationship between ethical considerations and design decisions, emphasizing sustainability.

Stage 2

• Adaptive Design: Strategies for adapting existing buildings to new uses, focusing on historical contexts and materials.
• Critical History: Immersion in the history and theory of the discipline, examining conventions, social context, and broader cultural implications.
• Design Intervention: Research and Exploration: Site-specific research and experimentation, setting the stage for future design projects.
• Building Technology, Light and Material: In-depth examination of interior building construction materials and systems.
• Design Intervention: Design Implication: Development of design concepts, considering client needs, construction demands, and regulatory constraints.
• Career Paths: Exploration of various interior design career paths, including emerging opportunities and traditional paths.

Stage 3

• The Big Project (Research): A comprehensive project synthesizing all knowledge and skills acquired, tailored to meet professional standards and personal creative vision.
• Interior Futures: Immersive Technologies: Exploration of innovative technologies such as Interactive Systems, Smart Materials, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR).
• The Big Project (Experimentation): Application of new media and animation tools to develop immersive concepts, testing them on an actual site.
• Thesis Research: Specialized topics within the contemporary Interior and Spatial Design landscape, deepening engagement with critical design debates.
• The Big Project (Capstone): Transformation of conceptual designs into tangible, innovative solutions.
• Dissertation: Essential skills to launch and manage a design-related business, covering business planning, branding, client relations, and marketplace strategies.

Entry Requirements

• UK: 96-112 UCAS points, with typical offers including BBC at A Level or DMM in BTEC Nationals.
• International: 112 tariff points, including Visual Arts or Design Technology at HL 5, with English language requirements such as IELTS 6.0.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry: UK (｣9,790), International (｣23,500), with potential increases in subsequent years.
• Fees for Year in Industry: ｣1,905.
• Fees for Year Abroad: ｣1,430.
• Additional Costs: Materials for hand-drawn and printed computer drawings, physical models, site visits, and potential field trips.

Your Future

Graduates can pursue careers in interior and spatial design, retail and hospitality, visual merchandising, stage and set design, and digital fields. The program's focus on professional practice, portfolio development, and real-world briefs ensures employability and prepares students for advanced studies or immediate entry into the design industry.

Related Courses

• BA Architecture
• BA Graphic Design