BA (Hons) Interior Design
Manchester, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
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Introduction
Interior Design is about transforming spaces, using artistic flair and logic. These spaces can vary in type and scale from vibrant city centre restaurants and elegant high-street shops to high-end art galleries and domestic environments. In this course, you will develop skills in creativity and technology to help you transform your ideas into spaces and experiences that are inspirational and captivating to those who use, encounter and live within them.
This BA Interior Design degree will allow you to explore all aspects of the design process, from design through to construction. You’ll be taught by experienced specialist tutors, as well as benefit from the input of expert design professionals through guest lectures with Industry partners who have included Koncept Interior Design, The Penketh Group, and Egger Laminates alongside study trips such as visits to Ardmac Construction sites, the Milliken carpet factory and showroom, and Carlick furniture manufacturers.
The Interior Design course is project-focused within purpose-built studios and workshops where you’ll be surrounded by like-minded creatives and professionals. We teach you how to focus on contemporary design issues, culture and professional design practice. You will also undertake lectures and seminars where you’ll explore and discuss design ideas, throughout the course, you’ll develop digital skills using Industry-standard 2D, 3D and multimedia computer applications. Our creative studios are found within our New Adelphi Arts and Media building in the heart of the Salford University Peel Park Campus along with fully equipped workshops which contain 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutting machines and more.
Our graduates work in all areas of design, including architectural and interior design practices, large retail organisations, construction departments, as well as film and TV companies. We have alumni working in premier design organisations such as BDP, Claremont Group Interiors, TP Bennett, Leach Rhodes Walker, and Sheppard Robson to name just a few. Our graduates have worked both locally and internationally, with some pursuing opportunities as far afield as Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco.
You will:
- Be able to specialise in the areas of interior design that particularly interest you
- Learn from industry trained tutors who have led successful careers in Interior Design and Architecture and engage in real world projects, live briefs, and industry placements
- Work towards creating a high-quality portfolio of work that can be shared with potential employers when you enter into your career
Ideal Students
This is for you if...
- You want to improve your visual communication skills such as drawing and 3D computer visualisation.
- You are imaginative and creative and would like to produce innovative designs.
- You want to learn technical skills and the professional process involved in the interior design industry.
Curriculum
From design for commercial building interiors, to design for temporary structures such as exhibitions and film and TV sets, this interior design degree will give you a broad understanding of how to transform spaces using artistic flair and logic.
You’ll study a combination of studio-based design modules and academic modules which will shape your practical and theoretical understanding of the subject. During studio-based modules, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded students and professionals, working in a creative studio environment to plan and bring your design ideas to life. Whereas your academic modules, lectures and seminars will allow you to absorb and consider the theory behind interior design.
Your BA in Interior Design begins with a course of projects designed to stimulate your creativity and develop your design thinking. You’ll get comfortable with spatial awareness, as well as the materials and structures required to make your vision a reality. In addition to your design projects, you’ll also have the opportunity to gain experience in computing for design, extend your awareness of visual communication and workshop practice, along with developing an understanding of cultural and theoretical studies relating to design.
In your second year, in addition, to design you’ll also focus on employability and technical know-how. Your practical skills will be developed through further design projects and you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement to get real-world experience in interior design. This will be a fantastic chance to work with an external organisation and build a highly desirable experience for your CV.
Your third year is all about your own personal interests and career aspirations in Interior Design. Whichever direction you want to take your career in, you can focus your final project reflecting on this, which is an excellent opportunity to show what you can do and to put all of your learning into practice.
The course has links with the architectural and interior design industry and is taught by tutors who have led well-established careers in the field. We often invite key figures and specialist design professionals to deliver guest lectures and contribute to the teaching and learning experience. As part of your study in interior design, you’ll visit developments, buildings, practices, and showrooms.
Year one
- Design Principles and Interventions
- Representation
- Creating Spaces
- Exploring Design Contexts
Year two
- Architectural Technology and Sustainable Design
- Specialist Design Project
- Developing Design Contexts
- Industry Practice
Year three
- Regeneration
- Feasibility Report
- Self-Directed Project
- Applied Design Contexts
Career Opportunities
What can you do with an interior design degree? When you graduate from our interior design university course, you’ll be equipped for a range of careers in the interior design field. We have seen graduates go on to work in all areas of design, including architectural and interior design practices, large retail organisations, construction departments, as well as film and TV companies. These graduates have worked both locally and internationally, with some pursuing opportunities as far afield as Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco.
Thanks to our strong industry links, this course can provide a stepping stone for students who want to work in the design community. We have alumni who work in premier design organisations such as BDP, Judge Gill, Stephenson Bell, Leach Rhodes Walker, and Sheppard Robson to name just a few.
You may also choose to follow a more general graduate route into training, office design and retail – or continue your studies at the postgraduate level in interior design.