Interior Design BA Honours
Learn how to design successful, commercially focussed interiors from industry professionals while using state-of-the-art facilities on a course rated 100% for student satisfaction
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Viewing course details for 2024 year of entry
- Code
- W251
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2024
- Fees
- £9,250 (UK) | £16,600 (INT)
- Duration
- 3 years full-time
- Course Leader
- Jon Mortimer
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Entry Requirements
- 112-128 UCAS points
- Placement year
- Optional
- School / Department
- School of Design
Top 2 university in the UK (THE Young Universities 2022)
Why choose Interior Design BA at Middlesex?
Obsessed by interior design? We are too. Together we'll develop your creative and practical skills to turn your imaginative ideas into the foundations for a rewarding career. You'll learn how to think and work like a designer alongside fellow creatives.
Jon Mortimer who leads this course has been both a professional Interior Designer and design educator for over twenty years. His specialisms include the design of hotels, spas and leisure spaces, restaurant design, exclusive residential design, and retail and exhibition design. He also worked on the design of a private island in the Caribbean
In addition to the three-year course, you can develop your practical experience with a one-year placement as part of our four-year sandwich option. You'll develop practical experience which will boost your career prospects and lead to a highly-regarded additional qualification – an Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice: Interior Design.
Based on our leafy north London campus, you are only a short tube ride away from central London where you will be inspired by its many fabulous and interesting spaces, both ancient and modern.
What you will gain
Set yourself up for an exciting, successful and creative career. Past graduates have gone on to work in interior design practices, architectural designers, specialist studios and prestigious design companies such as Brinkworth, Virgile and Partners, Dalziel and Pow, 20.20, Silver and Co. and Fitch.
Year after year our students produce outstanding industry-standard work and leave the course with an impressive portfolio to launch their careers.
What you will learn
Interior design is an exciting, fast-moving and responsive creative industry, transforming spaces such as Retail (Shops), Hospitality (Hotels), Workplaces, Residential (Housing) and Public Spaces such as Libraries.
You will learn to design stylish interiors with character and atmosphere, understanding modern functionality and exploring current and future trends. With a focus on professional approaches to the development of design, including site analysis, trend analysis, understanding customer needs and expectations, methods of spatial planning, detail design, sustainable use of materiality, constructional awareness, professional drawing standards and visualisations - this Interior Design course aims to prepare students for a successful and exciting career.
3 great reasons to pick this course
The curriculum focuses on seven core learning strands which are developed progressively throughout the course.
Research – Cultural, historical, political and social-economic contexts and how research and analysis of these contexts inform the design process and decision making.
Process – How the design of interiors is initiated, from the inception of a design concept through the process of design development to resolution and communication of the design proposal.
Design – The highest standards in design, recognising creative currency, innovation and design quality relative to contemporary Interior Design practice.
Making – The importance of materiality in interiors and how, and from what, interior environments are formed, fitted out and finished in order for designs to function and be appropriately experienced with an economic, ethical and ecological conscience.
Communication – How the design of interiors is coherently communicated and represented across a range of media and techniques, from freehand drawing to advanced visualisation programmes.
Practice – Professional standards and practice procedures applied to Interior Design, and how professional skills are deployed in the relationship with audiences, clients, markets, uses, consumers and participants in interior environments.
Employability – Self-evaluation and personal career development and employability opportunities within interior Design and related professions.
About your course
This module will introduce the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation. You will explore the important role of form, materiality, colour and light in the making and experience of interior environments. You will also focus on representation and communication methods in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research, precedent and inspirational reference and new interior design proposals.
This module will introduce fundamental principles of design thinking and the design process, relative to the practice of brief-led Interior Design, through the study of fundamental elements of the interior in a series of separate, but inter-related, design projects. You will be able to explore approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to reflective design practice.
Building on prior learning in the Fundamental Contexts and Skills module, this module will allow you to interpret research as a fundamental tool in the design process and introduce research methods and tactics necessary to result in an appropriate response to the design brief. You will evaluate the importance of the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation in the process of designing interiors, as well as evaluate the important role of materiality in the formation of the interior and the experience of interior environments. You will interpret representation and communication methods in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research, precedent and inspirational reference and creative proposals in response to briefing material.
Building on prior learning in the Fundamental Practice module, this module will allow you to evaluate understanding of underlying principles in design thinking and the design process to produce comprehensive and coherent design proposals for whole interiors. You will also be able to interpret approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to reflective design practice.
Building on prior learning in Interpreting Contexts and Skills module, this module will allow you to develop established techniques of research used in the design process and develop research methods and tactics necessary to result in an appropriate response to design briefs set in the Developing Practice module. You will also develop an understanding of the historical, contextual and critical basis of art, architecture and design and its analysis and interpretation. You will enhance your understanding of materials and construction technologies and processes used in formation of the interior and the experience of interior environments. You will effectively develop methods of representation and communication, and acquire new competences in a range of media necessary and appropriate to clearly illustrate design research and creative proposals in response to briefing material.
Building on prior learning in the Interpreting Practice module, this module will allow you to apply developed thinking in design and process into coherent design proposals for a range of commercial interiors, studied and communicated in comprehensive detail at various scales through to 1:1. You will also effectively develop approaches, methodologies and strategies that are appropriate to critically reflective design practice.
Building on prior learning in the Developed Contexts and Skills module and the Developed Practice module, this module will allow you to establish the essential role of in-depth research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, within site generic commercial Interior Design Projects. You will produce project outcomes that illustrate embedded, contextual research within the design process focused on client needs and user experience, applied to the design of commercial interiors and branded environments. You will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of professional practice standards and procedures, and develop your understanding of employability opportunities, self-evaluation and personal career development.
Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to utilise employment experience to provide an insight into the work, methods and operation of a professional design practice. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge to personal and professional practice, as well as have the opportunity to advance your professional knowledge and skills by experiencing a professional design practice working on real projects.
Building on prior learning, this module gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the work, methods and operation of a professional design practice. You will be able to use the skills and knowledge acquired during the course to personal and professional practice, as well as having the opportunity to advance your professional knowledge and skills in the context of a professional design practice working on real projects.
Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to evidence advanced research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, pertinent to Interior Design study through the production of a comprehensive research portfolio. You will critically review and develop an individual process of design, from inception, through design development, to the production of a coherent, detailed design proposal and portfolio. You will reflect upon creative currency within contemporary Interior Design practice to support the delivery of the design proposals for commercial interiors and branded environments of the highest standards. You will explore the important role of materiality within the experiential quality of interiors with an economic, ethical and ecological conscience, within a contemporary context, as well as synthesise your personal and professional approaches to the communication of proposed interior spaces through the use of an advanced range of techniques, and media. Your individual standards and skills, related to professional practice procedures will be reinforced, acknowledging issues of operation, management, advanced literacy and numeracy.
Building on prior learning, this module will allow you to consolidate the key role of advanced research into cultural, historical, political and socio-economic contexts, within responsible commercial Interior Design Projects. You will critically review and develop an individual process of design, from inception, through design development, to the production of a coherent, detailed design proposal and portfolio ready for employment. You will be encouraged to reflect upon creative currency within contemporary Interior Design practice to support the delivery of design proposals of the highest standards, as well as reinforce the important role of materiality within the experiential quality of interiors with an economic, ethical and ecological conscience, within a contemporary context. You will focus on synthesising your personal and professional approaches to the communication of proposed interior spaces through the use of an advanced range of techniques, and media. Your individual standards and skills, related to and reflecting upon professional practice procedures will be reinforced, acknowledging issues of operation, management and responsibilities of advanced literacy and numeracy.
Building on prior learning and professional practice experience, this module aims to reinforce the use of materials and technologies for the architectural construction and operation of interiors. You will critically review concepts of design thinking and the processes and practice of brief-led design and embed environmental and performance issues in the architectural construction and use of interiors. You will be able to strengthen your contextual and critical basis of design and its analysis and interpretation as well as synthesise the communication and representation of architectural interiors in a range of media. This module also aims to consolidate your personal approaches to reflective and professional design practice.
To find out more about this highly regarded course, please download the Interior Design BA Honours specification (PDF).
We review our courses regularly to improve your experience and graduate prospects so modules may be subject to change.
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Teaching
Our students learn most effectively working on design projects, the content of which closely mirrors that in the professional world, with practical problems to solve and creative opportunities to be taken. These projects are an opportunity for you to show us how you are applying what you are learning as well as showcasing your individual creativity and originality. We will review your work at regular tutorials where we will collaborate on how to continuously improve your work.
You'll learn also to benefit from support through one-to-one discussions, where you will be able to gain the insight of professional designers to help you develop your own 'voice'. The clearly structured and timetabled modules allow you to balance your on-campus time and your independent study where you can progress your ideas in a way that best suits your lifestyle.
You will be taught through a combination of supervised studio time, tutorials, lectures and practical workshops. Lectures target important concepts within design history and contemporary practice, and allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific disciplines.
You will receive direct personal feedback on your progress on each studio module on a weekly basis, allowing you to get the support you need to develop.
You will also have access, to dedicated design studios which replicate the commercial environment, included desktop computers loaded with specific software, and also to the 24-hour Library Building, Sample Materials Room, 3D workshops (general, metals, ceramics), 3D printing studio, digital media workshops, and photography studios throughout your course.
Work is divided into credits of approximately 10 hours of study time. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits.
You will be studying at our north London campus in Hendon.
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Typical weekly breakdown
During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:
- 12 hours of supervised design studio including group/one-to-one tutorials and skills workshops
- 12 hours of untutored open studio access
Independent learning
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.
Independent learning
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.
Teaching vs independent learning
Here is an indication of how you will split your time:
Year 1
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 600 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 50% | 600 | Independent learning |
Year 2
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 600 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 50% | 600 | Independent learning |
Year 3
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 45% | 540 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 55% | 660 | Independent learning |
Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus.
Your learning will be assessed regularly by the following methods. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good approximate guide.
| Year | Coursework | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 70% | 30% |
| Year 2 | 70% | 30% |
| Year 3 | 70%* | 30% |
* dependent on options taken in final year.
The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.
There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. Assessment is through digital or printed presentations of project designs and models or written essays and reports. Research and contextual analysis is key to the development of strong and appropriate design ideas and supporting research forms an important part of the assessment.
Summative assessment is carried out through the review of individual final portfolio submission for each module.
The grades from the summative assessments result in your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.
Percentage of course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined in the following table:
| Level 4 | 100% coursework |
|---|---|
| Level 5 | 100% coursework |
| Level 6 | 100% coursework |
You will receive feedback on the formative assessment, and written summative assessments. Feedback on examination performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.
We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.
Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreHow can the BA Interior Design support your career?
Our graduates leave Middlesex with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully take up roles with interior design practices, specialist studios and consultancies, building and property companies, advisory agencies, and the design departments of public and commercial organisations.
Graduate employers
Some of the graduate career destinations include prestigious design companies such as Brinkworth, Virgile and Partners, Dalziel and Pow, 20.20, Silver and Co. and Fitch.
The creative industries sector is currently one of the fastest-growing employment markets and graduates can take advantage of the many opportunities for design-related roles and activities across the built environment sector, as well as in education, media, retail and entertainment.
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has put us in the top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money 2023 and a top 10 university for producing CEOs (Novuana, 2023).
Global network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Postgraduate study?
The course will also prepare you for further postgraduate and specialised study in interior design, interior architecture, architecture, the built environment, design history and theory, visual culture, and design management.
If you are interested in this course you might also like to find out about our MA Interiors course.
Entry requirements
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way. We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.
Qualifications
- UCAS Points
- We accept students with a wide range of qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Our most common entry qualifications can be found below: 112-128 UCAS points
- A-level
- BBC-BBB
- BTEC
- DMM-DDM
- Access requirements
- Overall pass: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
- Combinations
- A combination of A-Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 112 - 128 UCAS Tariff points
Our entry requirements page outlines how we make offers.
Foundation year
If you don't meet the entry requirements, why not consider our Foundation in 3D Design course to help you prepare for the full degree?
Mature students (over 21)
We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications if you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.
Academic credit
If you have a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to join us in year two or three. Find out how you can transfer courses.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements. Find out more about prior learning accreditation.
Qualifications
We welcome students from the UK, and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
112-128 UCAS points
We accept a wide range of international qualifications such as A level and International Baccalaureate. You can find out more on your country's support page. If you need help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. That's usually an IELTS 6.0 qualification (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections). And, if you need help, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
We will consider all applications on their individual merit; successful applicants should demonstrate suitability, dedication and fitness for their chosen programme of study. All candidates are asked to submit evidence of previous production and creative practice, normally presented as a portfolio.
Interviews
As far as possible, students are required to attend an interview. The interview itself will last around 15 minutes but you should allow for the whole interview process to take a working day as we will spend some time at the beginning explaining our course ethos and philosophy to you in a group, with the opportunity for you to ask us questions about the course and life as a Middlesex student.
You will also be offered the opportunity to view the facilities and meet appropriate staff and students. We use the interview to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests, and to explore why you want to study with us.
We have more tips and advice to help you prepare and do your best on the day.
Portfolio
You should also bring a full portfolio to the interview. We've put together a short video to help you prepare your portfolio:
Please apply via UCAS using this UCAS W251.
Need help with your application? Check out our undergraduate application page.
The following fees are for the 2024/25 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time: £9,250
Part-time: £77 per taught credit
International students2
Full-time students: £16,600
Part-time students: £138 per taught credit
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders
- Use of 3D workshops and materials required for module or project outcomes
- Compulsory visits to museums and galleries.
The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:
- Your personal art materials and equipment
- Printing at larger than A3 sizes, or on non-standard paper in the Reprographics area and binding. This may be subsidised or paid for if the output required is specified for the project/module.
- Additional, specialist materials for the 3D and advanced digital workshops for individual output
- Optional field trips and visits which are normally subsidised by the programme (generally and approximately up to 50% of the cost).
Scholarships and bursaries
To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:
- MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
- Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
- Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Speak directly with one of our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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Unistats information
Discover Uni provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Middlesex.
Please select 'see course data' on the following course option to view the full Unistats data for Animation.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.