BA (Hons) Interior Design

The Interior Design programme provides students the opportunity to develop their creative and artistic talent within a unique, explorative and highly design-focused course structure where the main emphasis is on international contemporary design.

Throughout the programme, students are educated in design awareness, ability and critique, method construction and the technical characteristics required to advance a career in the vast and complex industry of interior design.

Why study Interior Design at Heriot-Watt University’s Dubai Campus?

• Strong links and support from a broad range of design industrial partners both in the UAE and within our global network.
• Practical based programme addressing in detail all aspects of the interior design sector.
• Unique British design education with an emphasis on high academic standards where students are exposed to design-focused collaborations with industry experts.
• Praised highly for considerable active press and media coverage received over last three years.
• Voted number one in Scotland for art and design and number eight in the UK.

Accreditation

The Dubai Campus is accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and fully licensed to teach its degrees in Dubai. All graduates receive a British degree that is accredited by Royal Charter in the UK.

Course content

DETAILED COURSE GUIDE

First year

The first year provides an introduction to the discipline of interior design research and conceptual approaches across the project briefs. Students also gain core skills through industry related projects and collaborative group work. Students are encouraged to develop individual strengths and skills in the analysis and evaluation of their work as well as through Creative and Contemporary Studies.

Second year

Students further develop their design ability and technical skill sets whilst undertaking advanced courses in Design Studio, Contemporary and Contextual Studies, Technical Studies and Building Services. During second year, students further refine their design techniques and progressively develop key disciplinary attributes across design enhancement, construction learning material and, notably, through the use of professional drafting software.

Third year

Students are exposed to a higher level of interior design industry experience through a broad range of projects, competitions and collaborations to further develop their skill set and knowledge base. Students will undertake studies in Interior Design Business in Practice, Environment and Behaviour, and Interior Design for a Commercial Context as well as the staple Design Studio and Creative and Contemporary Studies courses.

Fourth year

Students themselves control the final year topic and channel the direction of their own project, which forms the main body of work for the BA (Hons) degree. A full interior project of work is researched, designed and produced alongside an academic report. This report complements the creative and professional body of work, which is aimed at a specific user function and specialist sector, to demonstrate a comprehensive level of understanding and knowledge of the interior design industry.