BA (Hons) Interior Design with Foundation

Graduates from our course are adaptable and flexible and are working at major design consultancies, running their own businesses, working as freelance designers, or have moved into education or postgraduate research.

Our design projects and programme of employability and creative industry skills create graduates who are skilled, knowledgeable and professionally aligned to today's job opportunities.

This course produces students who have gone on to successful careers within interior design and architectural practices, such as:

• Fosters and Partners
• Soho House Group
• the BBC
• Yoo Interiors (Starck & Hitchcox)
• Kelly Hoppen Interiors
• HLM Architects
• and workplace specialists Interaction.

What can you do with a design degree?

The course is designed to encourage visual exploration and creative discovery within an engaging and vibrant studio setting. Upon successful completion of the foundation course, you will join the undergraduate BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design or BA (Hons) Interior Design programme equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete an undergraduate degree.

Key features of BA (Hons) Interior Design

• User-centred. Our approach puts people – and sometimes cats – at the centre of the design process. You will develop an inclusive and diverse approach and build awareness of the psychological impact of space on the health, wellbeing, productivity, and happiness of individuals and communities.

• Sensory and immersive. We craft interiors that explore the sensory and immersive impact of space, materials and systems and how they contribute to the user experience.

• Future-focused. We encourage you to take today’s issues and develop new ways of living. We utilise technology in content, delivery, presentation and documentation and explore the digital frontier of space with virtual and augmented reality.

• Expert-led. Our lecturers run their own businesses or have professional experience working for clients like Lego, British Airways, LG, Sony, major museums and architects.

• Making at the core. From model making to 1:1 prototyping, you’ll explore materials to understand their application and performance and how to utilise their sensory characteristics with access to a range of traditional and high-tech digital fabrication workshops.

• Innovation in delivery. You’ll work in an interdisciplinary design studio learning with and from other three-dimensional design specialisms and benefit from a blended learning environment, which includes team teaching and podcast delivery of content.

• Diverse. You’ll work on a broad range of interior design projects across a range of scales from strategic planning down to fine detailing and across sectors including residential, workplace, hospitality, branded and thematic spaces, as well as exhibitions and the public realm.

Successful completion of your foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design or BA (Hons) Interior Design, or one of the following visual communication-related degree programmes after a successful interview:

• BA (Hons) Fine Art
• BA (Hons) Creative Media
• BA (Hons) Photography
• BA (Hons) Illustration
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography
• BA (Hons) Digital Media Design
• BSc (Hons) Digital Media Design
• BA (Hons) Game Art and Design.

• Foundation year

• You'll become part a vibrant creative community through an engaging learning environment with a focus on active exploration and discovery across a wide range of methods and media. Working in our open-plan studio, you'll learn by doing, putting teaching into practical outcomes. Upon successful completion of this year, you'll enter the first year of the BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design or BA (Hons) Interior Design.

  Core modules

  • Materials, Methods and Media (ADA001)

    This module will introduce students to various techniques, materials and mediums through practise-based experiments, play and problem solving. You will be introduced to different creative processes and methods of working that will help you to develop your ideas and engage in critical and reflective practice.

  • Image, Type and Narrative (ADA002)

    Students will experiment with media, photography and typography to explore the relationship between image and word. This module enables students to gain knowledge within subject areas and explore the importance of developing an independent voice. Projects will become increasingly student driven as they develop their ability to propose ideas and solutions through self-directed inquiry, discovery and production.

  • Risk and Resolution (ADA003)

    Students will consolidate their skills, knowledge and understanding in initiating, researching, developing and presenting a final project and exhibition. This module will also enable students to continue to research and develop their strengths as an independent art and design practitioner and prepare them for their next stage of study.

  • Critical Themes in Art & Design (ADA004)

    This module introduces students to transformative phases within the historical and contemporary context of art, design, photography and media. Students will learn to ask critical questions and find answers through information gathering, reading and research. Through articulating responses, students will be introduced to academic conventions in preparation for progression to further Higher Education.

• Year 1

• In your first year, you create innovative, practical, and future-focused spaces. You gain a hands-on understanding of processes, materials and construction using traditional and digital fabrication methods at a range of scales from model making to 1:2:1 prototyping. We introduce a range of software packages and interact with other design disciplines.

  Core modules

  • Stage 1 Placement Preparation (FAPY100)

    If you’re undertaking a company placement in your third year, this module helps you find a suitable placement, and prepares you for the placement itself.

  • Interior Discovery, Exploration, Enquiry and Culture (IND400)

    Through the development of a portfolio of project work, Interior Design is introduced relative to the varied nature of three-dimensional design. Studio practice is linked with historical, cultural and critical contexts. Processes of discovery, exploration and enquiry introduce specialist design knowledge, core skills and stimulate reflection. The module informs and broadens the student’s awareness of the subject of Interior Design within an interdisciplinary studio context.

  • Introduction to Studio and Workshop Practice (TDD400)

    Students will be introduced to the wide range of materials and processes available to them as designers, and will have the opportunity to develop workshop skills in the selection and processing of materials. Students will also be introduced to CAD and digital presentation software and gather a wide range of presentation skills to develop their confidence and ability to communicate confidently, effectively, clearly and efficiently.

  • Design Carousel 1 (TDD450)

    This Level 4 module runs in parallel with a Level 5 module, enabling collaborative cross-year interdisciplinary learning. It provides the opportunity to choose a project brief from a range of options to stimulate reflection of individual disciplines and specialisms, and adds breadth to individual portfolios. Working with senior peers enables the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, and establishes cross year interdisciplinary peer learning opportunities within the design studio.

• Year 2

• In your second year, you begin to shape your career path by working on design projects to establish your skills as a designer. We explore methods, ideas and themes, and gain a deeper understanding of the design industry with live projects. You set up your own exhibitions and build a portfolio, becoming proficient in design processes, computer-aided design, digital and traditional fabrication and communication methods.

  Core modules

  • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (FAPY200)

    Building on the Level 1 module (FAPY100), this module continues to support you with the search for your placement and preparation for the placement itself.

  • Interior Specialist Exploration and Culture (IND500)

    This module develops specialist knowledge and professional practice skills in Interior Design relating to design for the public realm. Project work explores branding, public space, urban landscape and regeneration. The module includes Design Culture exploration of major issues and concepts affecting design with the development of research, critical evaluation and contextualisation skills as a primer for Level 6 dissertation modules.

  • Interior Specialist Skills and Progression (IND501)

    This module develops specific skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to the practice ofInterior Designers. Project work develops fundamental perceptions of the body in space, the notion of scales and inhabitation, and associated contextual and cultural issues relating to contemporary design practice. Project work is structured to introduce and develop discipline specific technical skills in 2D and 3D.

  • Design Carousel 2 (TDD550)

    This Level 5 module runs in parallel with a Level 4 module to enable collaborative cross-year interdisciplinary learning. It provides the opportunity to choose a project brief from a range of options to stimulate reflection of individual disciplines and specialisms, and adds breadth to individual portfolios.Working with junior peers develops interpersonal and organisational skills valued by professional practice, and sustains peer learning opportunities within the design studio.

  • Common Challenge: Interdisciplinary Design (TDD560)

    This module celebrates the interdisciplinary nature of professional design practice and acknowledges the role designers can play in addressing the big challenges posed by complex sustainability themes and issues relating to global society, culture and ecology. Interdisciplinary teams contribute to a series of Design Sprints inspired by a proposed theme or issue to produce individual and group work.

• Final year

• In your final year, you work on your major project and dissertation to take your specialism deeper and develop an individual philosophy. You develop your network to deepen your understanding of the industry and visit design practices like Mystery, Pearson Lloyd, and Foster Associates. You also exhibit your projects at our Degree Show and national events such as New Designers.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA Hons Interior Design with Foundation programme specification 7104

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

This programme offers access to study at university for those students who may not have the standard entry profile for BA study. Equally, it is designed for those returning to study who have relevant work/professional experience but not the required academic profile for Level 4 entry. It is also suitable for Level 3 learners whose subject choice does not include the necessary background but who are otherwise academically capable. 

T levels: Pass in any subject.

We will accept other pre-entry qualifications or combinations of different qualifications. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet these minimum entry requirements. We welcome individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and previous educational or professional experiences, including those with non-standard qualifications.