Interior Design

From the outset, you'll develop design proposals, working across a range of interior spaces such as restaurants, hotels, retail spaces and museums. In today's design world, sustainability is paramount. Finding new uses for old buildings is a key skill. 

Design Studio projects form the core of the course, and you're supported through seminars and lectures to develop knowledge of contemporary interior design practice. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about teamwork and client relationships by working on "live" projects with external audiences or collaborators. 

Historical and critical studies modules allow you to learn about the history of design and develop key writing and communicating skills, leading to an extended essay in your final year.

You'll explore the professional world through Professional Context modules, developing knowledge of contemporary designers, how they work, and the projects they have completed. This will include visits to factories, production companies, studios, exhibitions, and recently completed projects.

Year one
You'll begin by undertaking design projects to learn fundamental skills in observation, measured surveys, drawing, and knowledge of materials and structures.

Year two
You'll continue with design project work, which will require you to develop your drawing, CAD, and model making skills to effectively communicate your ideas and design proposals in presentations and formal critiques.

Year three
In your final year, a project that includes the construction of an element of your design work at full size will enable a more in-depth understanding of construction and the tactile qualities of materials.

Assessment is 100% based on coursework, presented at the end of each of the modules. At this point you’ll receive summative feedback, so you’ll know how to improve or develop your work.

Throughout the module, you'll receive formative feedback through individual and/or group tutorials, seminar sessions, and group critiques. Feedback is given verbally and /or in written format.

All feedback aims to enable you to improve your work, and you'll receive the summative feedback and marks within three weeks of the completed module submission date.

As you progress through the course, teaching methods will change to deliver the intended learning outcomes of the modules. In general, Interior Design teaching involves methods such as:

• Studio engagement
• Taught practical sessions
• Individual and group tutorials
• Active participation through seminars, group work, and directed learning
• Practical workshop introductions
• Lecture series
• Directed or self-directed projects
• Live projects
• Engagement in using both hand and digital processes
• Study trips
• Personal presentation, display, and documentation of work.

Self directed learning is facilitated through materials on Minerva – Bath Spa University’s Virtual Learning Environment – and other web-based resources. You’ll also have access to our specialist art and design library.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

The range of professional destinations for Interior Design graduates is very broad. As well as the more traditional roles in architectural and interior design practices, many graduates go on to work in other specialist design fields such as:

• Exhibitions and trade fairs
• Retail and shopfitting
• Theatre and stage
• Film and TV production.

Practical skills developed through the course can also lead to careers in model making, animation, lighting design, and other related disciplines.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

As a BA Interior Design student you’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:

• Our student service point at Locksbrook where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire out equipment for free and collect Library resources
• Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
• Specialist technical workshops across all of art and design
• Access to studio space where you can work on projects and refine your practice