BA (Hons) Interior Design

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 student 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:

Where can a design degree take you? 

• 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

  • 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.

  • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (TDD500)

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Stage 1 Placement Preparation module and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

• Optional placement year

• International Exchange or Placement

  Core modules

  • Design Industry Placement (TDD651)

    A period of professional training of 24 weeks or more spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• 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.

  Core modules

  • Common Dissertation: Critical Practices (ADA600)

    The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

  • External Factors and Feasibility (TDD606)

    This module encourages students to challenge and develop their professional practice skills, and their emergingdesign identity, by conducting distinct projects concurrently. A significant external project brief and a self-initiatedproject brief develop a platform of knowledge and experiences on which the character of their graduating portfoliowill be based.

  • Major Project (TDD607)

    Students identify, plan, evolve and review a summative design project in the programme and awardspecialism. It allows a substantive body of work celebrating all the learning outcomes and specific skills setsattained. The project culminates with a 1 to 1 viva with an external examiner and a degree showexhibition.

  Optional modules

  • Interior Consolidation (IND600)

    This compact module offers students the option to develop their professional practice skills to a higherlevel. Professional and creative attributes are developed to prepare students for the evolving future ofdesign practice. Sustainability principals are blended with increased knowledge and understanding ofbusiness and project management issues that have relevance to Interior Design practice.

  • Extended Dissertation (TDD600)

    This module offers students the option to develop an Extended Dissertation that builds on a proposal,structure and literature review generated within the Critical Practices module. It provides the opportunityfor extended in-depth research and to write an illustrated dissertation. Students use their creative andanalytical skills on a concentrated topic area, with a word count of 8/10k

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 programme specification_7192

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

A level
A minimum of two A levels; General Studies accepted.

International Baccalaureate
26–28 points overall.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
MMM-DDM (any subject, preferably Art and Design).

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification, it is vital that you provide our Student Recruitment and Admissions team (admissions@plymouth.ac.uk) with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

All access courses
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at merit and/or distinction.

T level
Merit in digital production, design and development.

GCSE
Mathematics and English Language grade C.

Other
Portfolios are required, ideally with face-to-face interviews. International applicants can email their portfolios, followed by a telephone or web interview. Students who can demonstrate excellent design skills and capabilities may receive improved offers.

English language requirements. 

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications, please refer to our tariff glossary. 

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.