BA(Hons) in Interior Design
UWE Bristol
Key Information
Campus location
Bristol, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 15,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* home students per year: £9250 | international students per year: £15250
Introduction
Build an impressive portfolio, real-world experience, project management skills and the technical expertise needed for a successful career in interior design.
Why study interior design?
Interior design is an exciting field that bridges the boundaries between architecture, art and design.
Interior designers take a holistic approach to space, designing every element from structural interventions to specifying materials. Working to a level similar to that of an architect, they design for the retail industry, commercial offices, art galleries, private homes and the hotel and leisure sector.
Working in this industry is exciting and varied. To succeed, you'll need creative flair, professional acumen and real practical skills.
Why UWE Bristol?
BA(Hons) Interior Design degree teaches you the professional skills you need to work in the interior design industry.
You'll be based at Bower Ashton Studios, as part of our City Campus, which includes renowned contemporary art centres Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed. Exceptional facilities and resources include industry-standard digital studios and fabrication workshops.
This is a technical learning course, with a focus on lighting, heating, ventilation and acoustics. You'll learn to work with traditional tools and the latest technology and develop the skills to design lighting, furniture, materials and entire interior projects.
Learn to view spaces differently and seek new design opportunities within them. Push the boundaries of what interior design means and what it can achieve.
Regular guest lectures and events will help you explore work opportunities. Develop your own independent projects and follow live briefs set and assessed by professionals in the field. This Interior Design course gives you the opportunity to spend a year in the industry gaining real-world experience. You can also take on work experience and placements throughout the degree, including international exchange.
Focusing on the areas that most interest you, you'll graduate with an impressive portfolio, and the skills to succeed as an interior designer.
Where can it take me?
This Interior Design degree course offers excellent preparation for a professional career in commercial and domestic interiors, retail, leisure and exhibition design.
You could also choose to specialise in furniture, product or lighting design, materials or architecture-scale projects.
You could go on to postgraduate study, including our MA in Design.
Program Outcome
Placements
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.
We have strong links with companies across the region and beyond, including Arno, I Am Associates, Wylde IA, Amarelle, AMH, Claremont, AWW Architects, The Bush Consultancy, 2 Feet Below, Corian, Vescom, Abet Laminati, Interface and Altro Flooring.
There are a number of opportunities for you to do a 40-week paid sandwich placement after year two. Completing a placement year is valuable because it allows you to gain real-world experience and skills that increase your employability.
Throughout your course, there will be opportunities to take professional practice and work experience modules, where you'll undertake work placements, internships and volunteering.
Study exchanges with European colleges of art and design are available as part of the EU-funded Erasmus/Socrates programme. You can also spend a placement year in industry after Year two.
Get help to find your placement and support from department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Fieldwork
You'll visit industry locations, trade fairs and renowned interior locations throughout your degree. We give real sites to all of our design projects and run regular study trips to studios and galleries, including the RWA, V&A, and Design Museum.
We make trips to Clerkenwell Design Week and 100% Design, along with study trips abroad. In recent years, we've been to Berlin, Copenhagen and Paris.
Career Opportunities
By tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
This degree is excellent preparation for a career in commercial and domestic interiors, retail, leisure, and exhibition design. You could also choose to specialise in furniture, product or lighting design.
Some graduates go on to set up their own freelance design businesses.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Curriculum
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You will study:
- Introduction to Interior Design
- Exploring Practice in Interior Design
- Professional Practice and Work Experience in Interior Design
- Visual Culture 1
Year two
You will study:
- Developing Practice in Interior Design
- Visual Culture 2
Plus, optional modules from:
- International Exchange or Developing Practice in Interior Design 2
- Professional Practice and Work Experience in Interior Design 2 or Collaborate
Final year
You will study:
- Preparation for Extended Study in Interior Design
- Extended Study in Interior Design
- Professional Practice and Work Experience in Interior Design 3
- Visual Culture 3
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.