Program Overview

Interior Design with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Course Description

The course is for anyone who is inspired and moved by interiors and inquisitive enough to find out how to realise these technically. Studying interior design at Derby will help you develop your design skills to create functional and unique spaces with strong spatial identities. You’ll learn how to best use specific spatial qualities, i.e. forms, texture and materials, lighting, colour, architectural components, objects and placement of these, enabling you to make your ideas become a reality. You’ll be inspired to work in a way that is environmentally responsible, memorable and experiential.

Preparing you for a career in interior design

The roles and responsibilities of an Interior Designer will see you become involved from the initial brief to the final build of a project which could be an existing building, an urban interior or a self-standing entity such as an exhibition or set-stage. The course is dynamic and co-creative, in that it welcomes students’ own voices/cultures and values risk-taking and experimentation. It further aims to equip students with all the relevant skills and knowledge ready for the ‘real’ world upon graduation.

What you will study

• Foundation Year
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)
• Year 3

Core modules

• Creative Studies
• Creative Technologies
• History and Theory of Creative Practice
• Creative Skills: 2D and 3D Making
• Negotiated Project

Professional accreditations and affiliations

The BA (Hons) Interior Design programme is accredited by the SBID (Society of British and International Design). It is also affiliated with IE (Interior Educators) and members of the teaching team are affiliated with the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design).

The Degree Show 2025: Made It

Our Degree Show offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very best of emerging contemporary art and design practice from our final year students.

Networking and collaboration opportunities

This course sets itself apart from other interior design courses by offering unique collaborating opportunities with other disciplines in national/international partners. Collaboration with design disciplines may include working with other programmes in the university to design and manufacture interior artefacts or to create bespoke interior products. International collaboration will be through international vertical studio projects (joint projects between Level 4 to Level 6 cohorts). This course is affiliated with Interior Educators and members of the teaching team are affiliated with the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) to ensure we stay up to date on current events taking place in the country.

Real world learning

In addition to your lectures and seminars, you will take part in live projects which build upon your ‘real’ world learning and will contribute to your credibility as an interior designer. Live projects to date include:

• Repurposing of an old barn to a contemporary wedding venue for Victoria Brown;
• design of Bohn’s restaurant interior now located in Nottingham;
• design of 1st Crack coffee shop and the design of S.H.E.D. a mobile transforming shed that is travelling the country for the next two years. You will also be able to obtain Building Information Modelling (BIM) training by your second year and construct an online portfolio in readiness for DPP and/or final year and graduation.

How you will learn

You’ll learn in well-resourced, professional design studios at Britannia Mill. Resources include ISKN tables, Macbook Pros, large format scanners, drawing boards, as well as the arts and design library.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is 100% coursework based including practical production and oral presentation work, along with written assignments. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to write a dissertation on a subject of your choice and work on self-negotiated and independent creative projects.

Who will teach you

• Melissa Di Giovanni, Programme Leader

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Careers

A key aim of this programme is to prepare you as a graduate for the professional world of interior designers and we would anticipate that a number of you will seek to pursue your career through either freelance or consultancy practice drawing on the opportunities presented through the curriculum to collaborate with other design-related disciplines.

Entry requirements

• UCAS points: 72
• A Level: DDD
• T Level: Pass
• BTEC: MMP
• GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional costs and optional extras

• Interior design materials for making (card, vinyl, acrylic), presentation materials (marker pens, inks, etc.), show printing of student work, production of prototype and final models, production of RP models. Approx. costs - Year 1 = £150, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300 (Costs determined by student)
• Additional materials (printing, stationery, portfolio sleeves, folders, USBs/hard drives etc.) approx. costs - Year 1 = £150, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300
• Printing of design work Year 1 = £100, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300
• Drawing equipment general 'toolbox' (marker pens, pencils, scalpels, layout pads etc.) £50-£75 each year. A toolkit list will be sent out to you at the start of the year with all equipment requirements
• Student promotion materials, approx. £75

How to apply

• UK students: Apply through UCAS or directly to the University
• International students: Apply through our online application portal or through one of our trusted local representatives.