BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design

Level One

History and Theory of Architecture and Design

This Module covers the development of architecture, art and design from ancient times through to the present. Visual research, analysis and presentation techniques are developed alongside text-based academic techniques.

Design Primer

Exploratory in nature, this module focuses on essential 2D and 3D design skills and their interrelationship in spacial composition. The module will introduce students to the study and practice of analytical and measured drawing, orthographics, model making and the concept of design language through the exploration of line, plane, space, form and human scale.

Design Process

Students build on a range of essential design skills that can be applied to projects. The generation of design langage is enchanced and developed by the introduction of spatial narrative supported by text, images and an introduction to the use of light, materials and construction.

Interior

Students focus on applying basic 2D and 3D skills to the design of a small interior environment. Projects will be based within an existing building and students will explore integrative strategies essential to successful design.

Level Two

Design and Society

This module introduces theories about interior, architectural and urban space. The course recognises that the role of the designer includes not only the considerations of the formal qualities of the designed object or environment in relation to its immediate audience but also encompasses a broader set of responsibilities to society as a whole.

Studio1: Space & Form

The aim of module is to develop and enhance the common design skills and practice based processes explored in year 1. A series of fundamental design skills ; namely those of problem solving through drawing, making and réalisation, are married to an analysis of function, site, context and contemporary spatial theory.

Studio 2 : Insertion & Intervention

Insertion and Intervention are conceived as key themes which open a significant debate within Interior Design. Interior Designers often have to respond to the parallel, yet divergent, disciplines of designing temporary/transient spaces and spaces of longevity. One discipline, that of insertion, is concerned with the transient space, often existing only for a time and contextually dependent on notions of trend. By contrast, intervention is concerned with designing spaces of longevity and permanence. Spaces of intervention are often legitimated through their relationship to site, context, community, sustainability and function.

Studio 3: Definition & Direction

The broad aim of this module is concerned with the consolidation and honing of student’s interests and skills developed throughout the second year studio projects. In essence, the module permits the individual student to develop one of their prior design responses to a high level of detail and specificity.

Level Three

Research Projects

Students demonstrate the management of two independent, self-managed research projects. They are required to take full charge of their programme of study and become increasingly empowered to investigate, interrogate and challenge as they become more knowledgeable.

ID Option project

The module offers a number of options which will vary year on year. Students will be asked to reflect on their learning and direction, consider the projects on offer and propose a topic of study.

Project proposals may either be linked to the major project subject area, or completely independent of it. Suitable competitions and one off live projects will also be offered as they present themselves.

ID Major Project

The Major project allows the student to synthesize their experience and interests through the definition, negotiation and implementation of a self directed programme of design investigation, research and development leading to the presentation of a major project proposal. The project affords the opportunity to engage with ideas and issues which the students finds relevant to their own emerging interests as designers and is combined with the Research Projects and Technical Studies modules to form a comprehensive design project.

Professional Studies

This module combines with the Research projects and Major Project modules to form a comprehensive design project and affords the opportunity to undertake a detailed exporation of selected technical issues pertinent to the subject area.

The module also intoduces the main admininistrative, legal and financial aspects of Interior Design practice, together with the professional responsibilites of the practicing designer.

Level One

Three-dimensional thinking is explored through a variety of media during level one of study, as well as the study of history and theory of architecture and design.

Level Two

At level two students are introduced to a range of social relationships and responsibilities which face the designer. CAD skills in two-dimensional and three-dimensional modelling are enhanced. At this stage students have the opportunity to study a particular interior type in some depth, allowing a choice of subject to be made between the permanent and the temporary in design.

Level Three

The comprehensive design project at level three is the culmination of the degree study and should demonstrate students’ acquired skills as designers. The project should reflect students’ area of particular interest and direction and affords the opportunity to undertake and resolve a major piece of work. Students are also introduced to the main administrative, legal and financial aspects of interior design practice.

Graduates from this Interior Design programme are employed in various branches of architecture and design. The type of work is very diverse and includes retail and leisure design as well as private interiors. Opportunities also exist in exhibition, theatre and set design.

• Studio culture - Teaching is studio based allowing students to take responsibility of their own space and to engage freely with each other. The studio based culture prepares students for their future careers and ensures they have a stimulating and creative place in which to work
• Interdisciplinary student-centred environment
• CAD integrated into project work
• Relevant study visits; both national and international.

The School of Architecture is located an award-wining building designed by Rick Mather. The School offers a quality, dynamic, multidisciplinary, 3-D design environment, founded on the research and consultancy interests of its staff.

Applicants will need to have one of the following:

• 280 UCAS points, with a minimum of 100 points (i.e. B or above at A-Level) in a relevant art/design subject
• Foundation Art and Design (Pass) 
• Equivalent Scottish, Irish or Overseas qualifications 
• An equivalent qualification to those listed above, i.e. Access to Higher Education Certificate.

All applicants will be required to have at least five GCSEs, including a pass in GCSE English Language and evidence of an art/design subject. Mature students with relevant experience and/or portfolio of work are selected on individual merit.

Some applicants may be called for interview, whereby they will have opportunity to go through their portfolio with a member of the academic team.

Within their portfolio’s applicants should demonstrate both practical skills (such as pencil drawing techniques, computer-aided design drawing, photography, model-making, use of colour, perspective drawing or technical drawing) and an awareness of Interior Design practice, both past and present. What we are really looking for is passion and a genuine enthusiasm for the subject.

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding