Interior Design BA (Hons)

This course offers strong industry links with a programme of exciting ‘live’ projects and opportunities for work placements which often result in job offers at the end of the programme.

Overview
About the course
Structure
Fees
Entry requirements
Applying

Interior design is concerned with the creative construction and organisation of 3D space, and with the techniques and conventions of communicating those ideas and intentions. Interior designers bridge the gap between architects and the communities who live and work within designed spaces.

Why should I do this course?

This course offers strong industry links with a programme of exciting ‘live’ projects and opportunities for work placements which often result in job offers at the end of the programme.

What's covered?

Subjects you will study include:

Year 1

technical drawing and materials processes
visual research
design concepts and principles
construction technology
interior design studies

Year 2

retail design
exhibition design
industry research
professional development
cultural context
interior model-making
building conversion and adaptation
literature reviews
dissertation proposals

Year 3

dissertation
final major project comprising a feasibility report
architectural model-making
professional practice

How will my work be assessed?

Teaching Methods

You will have a timetable of approximately 13 hours per week but will be expected to devote 40 hours per week to your studies.

The course is delivered largely in practical design centres and drawing studios, with staff frequently working with you individually, helping you to develop your own unique design style and identity.

Assessment Methods

You will create a range of individual and group projects to provide you with relevant experiences of work and help you build an impressive professional portfolio to help you secure graduate employment.

What can I do after this?

Many students find employment immediately after finishing their studies and most often this is through work experience or the contacts made on the course. The range of graduate career destinations is diverse, from working as designers for companies such as Zebra and KSS and DEGW, to property development and construction.

Careers

Arts, crafts and design

Construction

Management and planning

Performing arts, broadcast and media

Year 1: The subjects studied in the first year form a firm foundation for the specialist subjects studied during years two and three. You will learn core skills in technical drawing and visual research, including photography and digital manipulation techniques, plus 3D model-making and construction techniques. The projects you will undertake during year one teach the desired skills in a variety of creative contexts and allow you to gain confidence in the development, fabrication and communication of your design ideas.

You will develop technical drawing skills using CAD and practise image manipulation using Photoshop and 3DS Max. You will also study observational drawing, model making, report writing and conduct industry research.

Areas of study: Include technical drawing and materials processes, visual research, design concepts and principles, construction technology, interior design studies.

Year 2: This year refines the skills learnt in year one and covers a range of subject specific projects including retail, exhibition and restaurant design. Model-making underpins the practical processes, whilst a strong emphasis is placed on the use of CAD drawing and visualisation software. ‘Live’ projects with industry contacts enrich the curriculum, giving you invaluable experience, such as designing for a retail environment and a trade show stand, and working with graphic design students on a fast-food kiosk. You will also consider your dissertation proposal.

Areas of study: Include retail design, exhibition design, industry research and professional development, cultural context, interior model-making, building conversion and adaptation, literature reviews and dissertation proposals.

Year 3: This is the most challenging year as you showcase your individual creative skills in a final major project that aligns with your interests on the course. This comprises a feasibility report outlining initial research and planning, a design portfolio and presentation portfolio which culminates in the degree show in which you present your work in an exhibition. Through the planning and production of this final project, you have the opportunity to focus your academic skills prior to entering the workplace.

Areas of study: Include dissertation, final major project comprising a feasibility report, architectural model-making, professional practice.

Low-cost higher education

Our fees are well below the national average and are among the lowest in the region, so studying with us is great value for money!

Click for more about higher education funding.

Entry requirements

160 UCAS Points.
GCSE English at grade C or above (or equivalent)

Candidates will also be required to demonstrate their suitability for the programme via a portfolio based interview. Portfolios should include examples of recent project work and may reference a variety of media.

If you are a mature student and have worked independently for a significant period, we may be able to offer you a place on the programme purely on the strength of your portfolio interview and relevant experience.

Full-time courses

Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course.

Part-time courses

Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address:

HE Admissions
South Essex College
Freepost SMU 110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS1 1BR

Click for more about applying for your course.