Key Information

Full-time

2 years

Typical Offer

View

School

Lincoln School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

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Course Code

INARPPMA

MA Interior Architecture and Design with Professional Practice

A professional practice year in industry offers you the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge you develop during the course, and to gain valuable hands-on experience and industry contacts.

Key Information

Full-time

2 years

Typical Offer

View

School

Lincoln School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

View

Course Code

INARPPMA

Welcome to MA Interior Architecture and Design with Professional Practice

This MA programme is designed for art, architecture, and design graduates who wish to specialise in creative approaches to the making of interior.

The design studio is the vehicle for the delivery of a teaching and learning strategy which is largely project-based. This allows for the presentation of the studio as a simulated interior architecture and design consultancy. Students act as design associates in a firm with an established ethos, knowledge base, culture, documentation standards, and design approach under the direction of a team of managers.

The second year takes this approach further and will be spent working full-time in an interiors practice offering an opportunity to utilise your skills and knowledge while gaining valuable industry experience and contacts.

A one-year version of this course is also available. Visit https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/inardsma/ for more details.

How You Study

MA Interior Architecture and Design is a full-time course with intakes in October and February.

All students enrol on the Master's programme. You may then elect to take a stage qualification or pursue the full programme. The full programme comprises of four compulsory modules. There are no elective modules.

The programme offers two pathways: Treatise by Practice and Treatise by Research; both pathways are designed to provide a platform to progress to further employment in interior consultancies or to advanced study at doctoral level. In both pathways, students will partake in research and design activities.

Postgraduate-level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in studio, lectures, and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least three hours in independent study. This is a full-time programme and students are expected to dedicate 40 hour per week to the course. For more detailed information, please contact the Programme Leader.

Delivery:

Contact Sessions (25%)

- Seminar: a classroom session focussing on a particular topic or project; typically a tutor-led group discussion.
- Tutorial: a meeting involving one-to-one supervision, with feedback or detailed discussion. Students must be prepared and bring discussion points/agenda items and project management documentation.
- Supervised work: students work independently but under supervision in a studio.
- Peer-to-peer: students explain their ideas to each other and participate in shared learning/working activities.
- Charrettes: students participate in directed design activities/exercises under supervision.

Self-directed learning (75%)

- Fieldwork: practical work conducted at an external site; such as building surveys, accessing archival information (physical and digital), and other forms of data collection.
- Projects: students plan and execute their own projects.
- Library: students conduct independent reviews of subject literature in the library.
- E-learning: students complete prescribed online learning activities in their own time.

Studio meetings take place on Mondays, and studio work on Fridays. Research seminars are presented on a Monday for the first six weeks in Term 1 and 2. These are supported with theory seminars for the first six weeks in Term 1 and 2. Fieldwork and self-directed study is scheduled for the remainder.

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Interior Design Process 4.1: Preparation 2023-24INT9007MLevel 72023-24This module allows students the opportunity to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired in Interior Research Process 4.1 and Practice and Collaboration 4.1 and apply them in an individual project of their own choice. Students consider advanced practical, technical, and theoretical issues pertinent to interior design (specifically in the response to existing built material); the purpose is to enable the student to determine a design-research project. This initiates the linear, lean-design approach followed in the programme. This module determines if the programme will be completed through the Practice Route (Option A) or the Research Route (Option B).CoreInterior Design Process 4.2: Definition 2023-24INT9008MLevel 72023-24This module allows students the opportunity to integrate the imaginal interior approach introduced in Practice and Collaboration 4.2 in their design-research. This module is completed through the Practice Route (Option A) or the Research Route (Option B) as determined in Interior Design Process 4.1. For students on the Practice Route, design conceptualisation is considered as the creation of secondary meanings which are assigned to use-objects. The design process is continued through the technical development and resolution of the project as spatial response to an existing structure. Students on the Research Route may conduct a design-research study in the form of a critical investigation into their field of interest (as defined in the Certificate Stage). The issues under investigation will comprise an area of inquiry which will be expanded upon in the final stage of the programme (Master's Stage).CoreInterior Design Process 4.3: Interior Treatise 2023-24INT9009MLevel 72023-24This module, the final stage in the Master's programme, provides students the opportunity to produce a substantial body of work and significantly extend their knowledge, skill, and professional abilities. The resultant interior treatise gives considerable scope for expressing original thought, creative ability, and independent achievement. The completed interior treatise will be an original and independent piece of work, but it should build on, and include the successes of the preceding modules. It should demonstrate understanding, critical analysis, and original thinking, as well as academic and professional communication skills. In conclusion, students present their work through the display of an academic poster and visual presentation in support of the verbal defence.CoreInterior Research Process 4.1: Design-research Methods 2023-24INT9010MLevel 72023-24This module provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of basic design-research processes, research ethics, and a critical framework for the foundation of design-research questions and strategies. In this module, students identify a design-research problem which is based on theoretical-, technical-, and/or practical knowledge areas. The interior treatise which will be completed in the Master's programme is based on this design-research problem.CoreInterior Research Process 4.2: Direction 2023-24INT9011MLevel 72023-24This module provides students with the opportunity to extend the Certificate Stage through practice-led design research. In this module students will complete an in-depth study based on personal practice in a specialist area of interior design. The output is aimed at either the Practice Route (Option A) or the Research Route (Option B) as determined in Interior Design Process 4.1. For students on the Practice Route, design conceptualisation is supported by compiling the associated content (second-order meanings) which will be attributed to the inhabitable interior. Students on the Research Route completes a literature review. The issues under investigation will comprise an area of inquiry which will be expanded upon in Interior Design Process 4.2.CorePractice and Collaboration 4.1 2023-24INT9012MLevel 72023-24At the commencement of the Master's programme, this module allows students time to settle into a new learning environment and to be introduced the student-led ethos of the University. Students complete a range of tasks, under set parameters, while gradually attaining freedom to control their own learning. During the first phase of the module, students receive skills training (such as building information modelling, project management, and architectural drawing convention). In the second phase, they complete an historic survey in a group context. A series of lectures delivers applied theory on the alteration of existing buildings.CorePractice and Collaboration 4.2 2023-24INT9013MLevel 72023-24This module allows students the opportunity to further develop transferable and practical skills. During the first phase of the module, students receive additional skills training (particularly focussed on Building Information Modelling and its application in collaborative settings). In the second phase, in a group project, they design a commercial venture in an existing architectural envelope in an urban context. A lecture introduces the imaginal interior as design strategy, this is augmented through independent study of applied theory.CoreInterior Professional Practice Year 2023-24INT9014XLevel 72023-24The University of Lincoln is committed to providing academic programmes with high vocational relevance and maintains links with industry partners. The Interior Professional Practice Year aims to give students a continuous experience of full-time work in an interiors practice, which augments the simulated practice which is followed in the programme. The Interior Professional Practice Year constitutes a minimum of 48 weeks work placement during an academic year (including appropriate holiday allowance), funded by full-time paid employment, during the second year of study. All students on the Interior Professional Practice Year as part of their full-time postgraduate taught study will remain enrolled with the University during the period of placement and receive support.Optional

How you are assessed

Formative assessment occurs regularly throughout the programme by means of student critiques, draft written assignments, and progress reviews. Summative assessment is via project presentation supported by written project documentation.

Assessment Feedback

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Programme Fees

Programme-Specific Additional Costs

For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional, you will normally be required to pay your own transport, accommodation, and general living costs.

There are additional costs associated with this course. These will vary depending on the scope and ambition of the research and practice carried out by each student on the programme

With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

First or second class honours degree or equivalent professional experience.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

Research Areas and Topics

The course is supported by the research endeavour of the Critical Heritage and Place Consumption Research Group. (https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lsd/research/criticalheritageandplaceconsumptionresearch/)

Students develop their own projects, within set parameters. Projects are conceptualised as the critical response to existing built heritage (this includes contemporary and historic buildings which can be considered as heritage at risk or as underutilised resources).

Studio production incorporates knowledge-based practices, is inquiry-based, and can be described as research-engaged design. In this, the course fully embraces ‘Student as Producer’ as an organising principle.

Features

The design process utilised on the course is based on the imaginal strategy defined by Konigk (2015) and Scott’s (2008) process of altering architecture.

The programme is focused on the critical response to cultural heritage: students produce contemporary and progressive interior outputs. All modes of alteration (installation, insertion, intervention) and additions are possible, but preservation and new build is prohibited. The emphasis is on change of use adaptive-reuse (which distinguishes interior architecture and design from conservation and architecture).

Postgraduate Events

Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.

Find out More

Career Opportunities

The programme offers two pathways: Treatise by Practice and Treatise by Research. Both pathways are designed to provide a platform to progress to further employment in interior consultancies or to advanced study at doctoral level.

The treatise that is prepared as the result of the practice route displays the characteristics of a ‘professional master’s degree’ as defined by the QAA (2015:5): it aims to enable graduates to qualify for entry into the profession of interior design (this may be subject to the requirements of the profession in various jurisdictions) and to provide development opportunities related to advanced employment in interior design.

The treatise that is prepared as the result of the research route displays the characteristics of an ‘advanced study master’s degree’ as defined by the QAA (2015:4): it aims to prepare graduates to advance their careers through further academic or professional study or for entering employment of a different kind in interior design.

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Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At the University of Lincoln, we strive to ensure our students’ experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have adapted to Government guidance to keep our students, staff, and community safe. All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in England were lifted in February 2022 under the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, and we have embraced a safe return to in-person teaching on campus. Where appropriate, face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the use of digital tools and technology and may be complemented by online opportunities where these support learning outcomes.

We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance make this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed. For more information about how we are working to keep our community safe, please visit our coronavirus web pages.

The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.