Interior Architecture and Design

Interior architecture is a distinct, rigorous practice that requires a specialist way of thinking about how we occupy complex spaces and how the elements of space are brought together at a human scale both to accommodate and to delight. This position facilitates you to become fluent in the creative act of design while supporting you to become well versed with your professional practice. In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of all 2017 graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months.

We are fascinated by the way people inhabit existing and new spaces, both at the scale of the home and at the scale of the city. Interior architecture is a distinct, rigorous practice that requires a specialist way of thinking about how we occupy complex spaces and how the elements of space are brought together at a human scale both to accommodate and to delight.

It's the collaborative nature of professional practice that guides this course. It's the only interiors course where students work alongside architecture students. This link is underpinned by how and what you study and by the design practitioners who work with you to help you to develop your design skills and thinking.

You'll develop specialist skills in the areas of observational and spatial drawing, computer drawing, model making and technological and material investigations. Alongside making design proposals we ask you to comprehensively research, analyse and articulate the culture and context in which your design thinking is being applied.

As you progress through this course, you'll develop your own individual enquiry, creative approach, critical thinking and deepen your understanding of design processes. We encourage you to combine intellectual and creative ambition with detailed resolution of your work and to test how to communicate your ideas effectively to your peers and in the wider world.

Our teaching programme is supplemented by study trips, practice visits, design workshops and weekly lectures by designers and architects. Where possible, we link with The Projects Office, to other areas of the University and with our established international partners. The course is part of a suite of interiors BA awards, allied to both architecture and design schools.

Assessment

You are assessed via your portfolio presentations, illustrated documents, a dissertation, essays, seminar papers and tests.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBC in three A levels from relevant subject areas in the arts, humanities and social sciences (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National Diploma in an art related subject with DDM and at least five merits in the final year, excluding common skills entry from appropriate Foundation and Access and courses will also be considered) plus a portfolio review
• GCSE English grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

We look for potential in spatial design, creative imagination and visual or constructive aptitude, together with motivation and ability to complete the course. If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Architecture and Interior Design Extended Degree (with Foundation Year).

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Interviews

Students must pass a portfolio interview where they'll be required to demonstrate an interest in, aptitude for and knowledge of the field of architecture, or where not possible submit portfolio of art and design work for review. Please be aware that digital portfolios cannot be viewed at the interview. The interview day includes a general introduction a tour of spring house and you'll have the chance to meet a variety of staff and talk to students.

After the course

The collaborative nature of this course prepares you to work with confidence as a specialist in design or architectural practice where interacting with other professionals and construction industry processes requires a range of skills and experience beyond the purely creative.

Recent graduates have been employed by design companies including Brinkworth, Casson Mann, Claudio Silvestrin, Conran Design Group and Softroom. Other graduates have chosen to continue to study architecture or design at postgraduate level. Every student on our three interiors courses has the opportunity of a work placement at a leading London design practice. In 2016 students were placed at 50 design companies including Foster + Partners, Gensler, turnerbates and Sundae.