Interior Design

Available with:

  • Foundation Year


Course Summary

The course offers a broad range of opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge within the progressive discipline of interior design. Alongside gaining a comprehensive understanding of design principles and concepts within the context of interior spaces, you will also develop your expertise and proficiency in discipline-specific skills, including digital drawing techniques using industry-standard software.   

You will be taught by experienced academics, industry professionals and technical support staff. This ensures that the course actively reflects the demands of contemporary interior design practice. Whilst the course is delivered over three years as a full-time student, you can elect to undertake a year in industry between the second and third year of your studies, further embedding relevant employability skills into your degree. All students are allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will provide academic and pastoral support throughout your time at University.

The Kingsway Creative Campus has well-resourced spaces, including a dedicated interior design studio, specialist workshops, learning resource centre and café, fostering a creative and collaborative environment in which to study.

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What You'll Study

The Creative Industries, Media and Performance Foundation Year route encourages you to operate as a creative community, developing new skills while learning from each other. You will build knowledge of your chosen area alongside transferrable practical and academic skills to support future employment.

Students have access to a wide range of specialist facilities. For art, design and innovation students this includes painting and sculpture studios, 3-Dimensional design, printmaking workshops, sewing and fashion workshops and graphic design suites. The performing arts and media students are introduced to our television studios, music production studios, editing facilities, green screen, the ‘black box’ and the ‘white box’.

  • Term 1: Introduction to Creative Spaces
  • Term 2: Creative Practices in Art and Design
  • Term 3: Originating a Creative Project

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The BA (Hons) Interior Design course contains a blend of specialist and interdisciplinary modules at each level of study. 

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will be introduced to fundamental principles of design where you will gain an introductory understanding of the historical and contemporary context within which Interior Design sits as a discipline. You will develop design thinking skills through project work and to support the communication of design, you will gain specialist 2D and 3D digital drawing skills. 

Modules

This module introduces the key aspects of your subject area, including foundational knowledge, problem-solving skills, effective communication, personal responsibility, and the development of important attributes required for employment within and beyond the creative and cultural industries.

This module will enable you to apply your skills and knowledge to a specific design challenge. You will have the opportunity to apply your subject specific knowledge and expertise in multiple areas of creative practice.

You will have access to workshops and production facilities to produce an outcome to the themed brief.

Chinese: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE in Chinese or equivalent. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

French: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed A-Level or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

French: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

German: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module enables students with A-Level German or equivalent to further develop their grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

Subsidiary Language for Beginners (20 Credits) Option

This module provides the opportunity to study a new language from scratch and introduces you to basic grammar, vocabulary and cultural contexts. You will apply the language to practical situations using both oral and written skills. 

 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Year 2 (Level 5) builds upon this foundation with more complex learning to develop a deeper understanding of spatial design and material considerations, alongside further enhancing your professional and technical skills. Additionally, there is an opportunity to work collaboratively whilst an experiential learning module prepares you for the workplace. 

Modules

This module explores contemporary cultural and critical issues in both current and future design practice, encouraging you to engage with themes such as ethics, responsibility, and technological advancements. You will have the opportunity to apply your research to practical, real-world problems while collaborating across disciplines. Emphasising interdisciplinary teamwork, the module enables you to work with students, academics, and technical demonstrators from various design fields on shared projects and challenges. Through this process, you will critically examine the societal and cultural factors that shape design, developing a deeper understanding of its role in addressing complex future challenges.

This module will provide you with the practical and theoretical underpinning of professional practice in your specific subject, enabling you to identify and develop key employability attributes and skills in preparation for your future career.  

You will spend several weeks working collaboratively with other students across the School for the Creative Industries on one major project or several smaller projects in a professional ‘simulated real world’ working environment.  Projects will be contemporary, topical, externally focussed and often involve partnership with outside agencies. The module will provide you with opportunities for immersive learning and the chance to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.

The module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a 140-hour work placement*. This placement is complemented by a number of school-delivered sessions designed to develop their employability, professional practice, and students' understanding of their career options. Students learn to reflect on the nature of creativity within their studies, and gain awareness of how this is valued and relevant in modern workplaces. 

*in some cases, evidence of considerable relevant graduate-level work experience may be accepted as an alternative to completion of the stipulated placement.

This module enables you to build upon the knowledge and understanding of design principles and processes gained at Level 4 alongside advancing your creative and technical communication skills. You will be given the opportunity to respond to spatial design challenges within specific contexts in order to develop a deeper understanding of spatial solutions, interior materials, finishes and components. Embedded into the module is an opportunity to enhance your technical drawing, 3D modelling and visualisation skills using industry standard CAD software, key to developing and communicating your own concepts. The project work will equip you with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding of interior practice required to take on a more complex design project at Level 6. 

Choose one of the following:

  1. Professional Placement (40 Credits) Optional
  2. Term abroad (40 Credits) Optional
  3. One of the following Language options

Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills (40 Credits) Optional

  • The multiple facets of global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Culture shock
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Experiential Overseas Learning (40 Credits) Optional

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

  • The multiple facets of Global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Theories, models and strategies of learning

Theories and models Intercultural competence

  • Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
  • Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
  • Experiential learning models
  • Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

  • Enhanced independence
  • Improved command of multicultural behaviour
  • Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development
  • Team building and team work

Part B: Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. 

Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

Or you can choose ONE of the following:

  • University Placement Year Optional
  • Subject Placement Year Optional
  • International University Placement Year Optional

 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3 (Level 6), you will have the opportunity to undertake an independent major project which applies the knowledge and skills acquired throughout your studies. This is complemented by a module that focuses on portfolio development and prepares you for future employment. 

Modules

This module provides you with the opportunity for an in-depth exploration of a design topic of personal interest. You will select a research question and conduct a thorough investigation using a range of research methods to uncover key insights and present potential opportunities. By the end of the module, you will have developed a research-driven approach to addressing a design challenge that enables new perspectives and innovative ways of thinking. This may or may not relate to your Major Project.

The focus of this module is to build your workspace readiness through the development and production of a visually exciting Curated Portfolio-to-Go and complementary self promotion materials. Work produced for this module can be used to target ‘identified’ areas of prospective career opportunity and enhance your readiness to enter the workplace.

The design of interiors involves  wide ranging considerations including factors such as spatial adaptability, inclusivity, design for well being and sustainability all within the context of evolving technologies, lifestyle changes and environmental challenges.  Following on from your knowledge gained on spatial typologies and material specifications for interiors at Level 5, the purpose of this module is to gain an advanced understanding of current and future focussed issues informing interior design practice. You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of design criteria such as ergonomics, interior lighting, material specifications and acoustic solutions as a means of creating inclusive, healthy and sustainable interior environments. Your  graphic and technical drawing skills will be further improved, enabling you to present your design ideas to an advanced level.  Following this module you will embark upon your Major Project with an opportunity to consolidate your learning and apply the skills and knowledge gained to a complex design  project. 

Careful evaluation and selection of materials alongside the effective resolution of detail is critical to the success of an interior scheme and fundamental to the role of an interior designer in practice. This module follows on from the Major Project providing opportunities for you to investigate part of your Major Project in greater detail. You will resolve the detail of a selected part or parts of your project alongside the professional specification of materials, finishes and fixtures. A critical evaluation of design criteria such as functionality, sustainability, impact on human health alongside aesthetic and haptic considerations will enable you to make thoughtful and appropriate decisions about your own scheme. 

Effective communication is fundamental to detail design and thus you will apply your creative and technical knowledge and skills gained in previous modules to effectively communicate your details and material specifications  in a professional manner. The outcomes of this module will deepen and enhance your understanding of contemporary and futured focussed  interior design practice. 

In the Major Project module you will undertake a self directed interior design project allowing you the opportunity to demonstrate your creativity and demonstrate your design and technical skills gained on the course to date. Informed by your own area of interest within the discipline, you will develop a project brief and design proposal in response your self directed research.  Through  iterative design development and critical reflection, you will produce a body of work evidencing the development, resolution and communication of your proposal. Following the completion of the Major Project , you will be able to further develop the material and detail of selected parts of your scheme in the next module.  You will get the chance to exhibit your project as part of an annual end of year degree show to showcase your talents to prospective employers.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours are, on average, between six and twelve hours per week depending upon Level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. 

If studied, the Foundation Year, as with the following years of study, will be taught in three 10-week blocks across an academic year. Each block will comprise of a large 40-credit subject-specific module that includes a breadth of topics and subject skills. You will have on average 12-14 hours of contact time per week during the Foundation Year. There may be variations to this where subject practical or specialist space teaching is included.

The course is predominantly studio-based and is mostly delivered through in-person learning as a result. Online learning is only offered on occasion when this is more appropriate for content, delivery, or accessibility. You can expect to take part in studio sessions, lectures, workshops, and CAD-based learning sessions. 

You should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

The course is assessed through ongoing coursework and there are no written exams. There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that you will be exposed to the different types of tasks you might encounter in the workplace. These will include:

  • portfolios of design project work,
  • visual and verbal presentations,
  • illustrated reports and written pieces.

We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare you for graduate-level employment.

We try to keep costs low; however, there may be some minimal costs attached to the purchase of some basic equipment and materials throughout the degree. Whilst there is appropriate computer provision at the University for all to use, you may choose to purchase a laptop or desktop capable of running the specialist software used in the course. 

We do have yearly national and/or international field trips which, whilst subsidised, are paid for by the student. This cost will depend on the location and length of the trip. Note that the trips are optional, and you are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core – building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Creative Campus, Kingsway Tours

Study at our Creative Campus, Kingsway, home to some outstanding art, design and performance-based courses for the University’s School for the Creative Industries. Scroll through our 360 tours to explore our state-of-the-art facilities.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Shortlisted applicants will be required to produce a portfolio and attend an interview.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 UCAS points 

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in one of the following subjects: Art & Design, Fine Art or Textiles.

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma (Art and Design): MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points including 4 in HL Visual Arts

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 including Art

Scottish Highers: CCDD including Art and Design

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma (Art and Design) – Pass overall

T Level

T Level (Craft and Design): Pass (D or E on the core)

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

Study the final year of an undergraduate degree

If you have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification, e.g. a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, then we may be able to consider you for the final year (Level 6) of one of our degrees. Topping up your HND or Foundation Degree will typically take one further year of study and will lead to a full BA (Honours) degree.

To apply for the final year of a degree on a full-time basis you will need to submit an application through UCAS.

For international applicants, please refer to the entry requirements listed on the "Your Country/Region" pages. To be considered for advanced entry into relevant degree programmes, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to a Level 5 or Level 6 in the UK, in a related subject area

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who You'll Learn From

Lynne Bell

Senior Lecturer
Lynne Bell

Where You'll Study Creative Campus, Kingsway, Chester

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates of Interior Design at Chester might look to pursue careers in a range of sectors. Amongst others, these might include residential, commercial, hospitality and exhibition design.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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