Interior Design BA (Hons)

Why choose this course?

Kingston University is ranked No.1 in the UK for interior design* in the Guardian University League Tables 2023 (*covers interior design and product and furniture design).

This course lets you create dynamic and thought-provoking interior environments. You'll develop practical skills so you can create imaginative spaces that meet the needs and enrich the experience of modern life. You'll also build your technical knowledge to help you practice professionally.

You'll get to work in purpose-built design studios and have access to a dedicated art and design library.

You'll benefit from links with design studios, cultural institutions, entrepreneurs and community groups. They often set projects for students, awarding placements or prizes to the best.

Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
3 years full time W250 2024

This course is now full for 2023 entry – please apply for 2024 entry.

For 2024 entry, please submit your application before the UCAS deadline as this course may not be in a position to consider applications submitted after this date.

Please note: We do not accept applications for Year 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6) entry onto this course.

Location Kingston School of Art, Knights Park

Reasons to choose Kingston

  • We're ranked No.1 in the UK (The Guardian University Guide League Tables 2023) within the Interior Design subject area.
  • All our projects are developed collaboratively with entrepreneurs, developers, community groups and some of the best design studios in the UK.
  • You'll work in newly-refurbished, purpose-built design studios and have access to a dedicated art, design and material library and impressive modelling and fabrication facilities.

The Art School Experience

As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.

Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.

Two students collaborate on a design project.

What you will study

This studio-based course comprises a series of projects increasing in complexity. It will give you an understanding of light and colour, materials, space and volume. Projects range from the design of temporary events to exploring the long-term reuse of buildings.

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Optional year

Final year

Year 1 introduces the principles of interior design. Recent projects include designing an event within a 17th century palace and the radical reuse of a former department store and disused steel works.

Core modules

Ideation and Communication

30 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the principles of ideation and communication in interior design. You will undertake a range of projects, workshops, experiments and exercises to expand your knowledge, challenge preconception and to stimulate confidence and risk taking. You will communicate this project work and other exercises appropriately through a range of newly acquired and developing visual communication skills. The emphasis in this module is on expanding creative outlook and approach and in developing core communication competencies that underpin interior design practice.

Design Process

30 credits

This module introduces you to the full interior design process in context. It addresses the significance of research, observation, documentation, evaluation, idea generation, concept development, iteration and communication. It also introduces you to core interior design considerations including proportion, ergonomics, scale, function, form, structure and spatial organisation. Conscious awareness and practice of all aspects of the design process is understood as the means for the successful development of project work from inception to resolution. 

Materials and Construction

30 credits

This module will introduce you to the principle of the workshop and studio as integrated creative environments for the interior designer. The workshop is seen as an extension of the design studio, with special facilities for particular activities, such as the 3D workshop and digital media workshop. This principle is explored in the context of materials and construction and their impact on the interior through a series of projects centred on physical (and digital) modelling. Digital modelling facilitates physical modelling which is used to explore materials and construction through scale representation and the model's own attributes. Judgements are made on model aesthetics and communication. The modelling process develops basic workshop skills and refines an awareness of attention to detail.

Material characteristics and properties, manufacturing processes and technologies are also introduced and explored. The module simultaneously grounds you with key competencies and subject context knowledge.

Situating the Interior: Themes in Design History

30 credits

Through image-based lectures, discussions and study visits, this module presents a thematic history of designed spaces, situating in particular the emergence of the interior in modernity. Themes include: relations between design practices and professions, relations between politics, labour, craft and technology, taste and display, consumption and design, and spatial concepts within and beyond architecture. Each session is intended to address particular ideas and practices that have shaped our contemporary understanding of designed spaces as part of meaningful social, cultural and economic activity. The module engages with critical texts to allow students to examine the relationship between theory and practice, and to develop an understanding of how designed spaces emerge and are situated as cultural responses to modernity.

Year 2 focuses on the processes of interior design. Projects have included developing a hotel attached to the International Space Station and the redesign of transport interchanges in collaboration with Transport for London.

Core modules

Interior Practice

30 credits

The aim of this module is to give students an insight into professional practice issues and scenarios closely associated with interior design. The main areas covered centre on selection and specification and project management. It is understood that one of the roles of the interior designer is to select and specify furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) as well as lighting, colour and finishes. These choices naturally have a huge impact on interior space and need to reflect a sensitivity and appropriateness to context. It is also understood that considerable effort has been made to formalise the practice of interior design and bring it closer in line with recognised professional practice procedure, notably exemplified by architecture. The practice of interior design is considered across the spectrum.

Interior Context 1

30 credits

The aim of this module is to give you an insight into professional practice issues and scenarios closely associated with interior design. The main areas covered centre on selection and specification and project management. It is understood that one of the roles of the interior designer is to select and specify furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) as well as lighting, colour and finishes. These choices naturally have a huge impact on interior space and need to reflect a sensitivity and appropriateness to context. It is also understood that considerable effort has been made to formalise the practice of interior design and bring it closer in line with recognised professional practice procedure, notably exemplified by architecture. The practice of interior design is considered across the spectrum.

Interior Context 2

30 credits

The aim of this module is to explore interior contexts in greater breadth and detail through practical project work. The module is a natural continuation of the Level 4 (Year 1) Design Process module. It is intended to expand outlook and increase awareness of theoretical positioning and recognises that the most engaging and resonant projects do not occur in isolation as hermetic events, but recognise their context and communicate viewpoint contributing to broader subject and topical discussion. A number of diverse attitudes and approaches with clear parameters are offered according to context eg social, commercial, cultural, environmental, political. You explore these through practical project work, synthesising all previous learning in the process and contextualising your personal design vision and ambition.

Critical Issues in Interior Design: Research and Practice

30 credits

This module builds on the historical and thematic content introduced at Level 4 and emphasises the theorisation of interior design practice. A series of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, screenings and visits informs and supports your own emerging research interests and the development of independent visual and academic research skills that cross history/theory and design practice. Lectures and seminars will deepen critical and theoretical engagement with contemporary issues in interior design. Seminar tasks and assessments are carefully designed to foreground projects that support the location of interior design as a discipline. Research methodologies are introduced though case studies and practical activities that reflect the issues explored through the module's content.

You can choose to study or work abroad through the University's Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus programme during your degree.

Your final year focuses on the practice of interior design. You'll complete a dissertation, a portfolio and a major design project. This project will reflect everything you've learnt and will be the most significant expression of your personal design vision. Examples of recent projects include designing pop-up events with Speedo for the Rio 2016 games and the creative reuse of former factories, hotels and performance venues.

Core modules

Major Design Project

60 credits

The Major Design Project is the course 'capstone' project. It provides the opportunity to consolidate and practise all prior learning during your time on the programme in a culminating design expression of your personal interior design journey. You have full responsibility for authoring the Major Design Project, from inception through to completion, and for demonstrating skills in defining, analysing and developing a substantial response to an individually-defined interior design issue of interest. A formal proposal document is produced as part of the module to map out and justify individual intention.

The research and documentation of the project is an integral part of the submission. It reflects the process as well as the critical analysis and methodology of the research itself. The practical project work evolves, directly informed by the research. Individual project interests are wide ranging and critically considered. Final project resolutions are supported by a carefully composed and edited project document recording process and reflection. This module forms a bridge to your future study or career.

Practice Profile

30 credits

The aim of this module is to enable you to present a personal practice profile alongside your course portfolio to promote employability. You research the broad contemporary interior design and design media scene to understand current practices, discourses and trends with a view to positioning their own future career aspiration. The practice and comment of specific exemplar studios, thinkers and other sources are referenced.

You refine your formal course portfolio and tailor an individual profile presenting your own work and outlook in broader context. The profile contains an integrated body of work representing the module research, edited/re-presented course study outcomes and new material as appropriate, interests, observations, critical comment and transferable skills (skills that may not be directly evident in a body of creative work). The practice profile reflects critical industry awareness, personal identity and viewpoint communicating to its desired audience accordingly. The means of communication is a key consideration and should fully explore both digital and analogue options and strategies.

Dissertation: Research and Reflection

30 credits

Building on the links between research and practice embedded at Level 5, the Critical and Historical Studies (CHS) Dissertation: Research and Reflection module focuses on in-depth research, critical enquiry and reflection on questions and critical issues emerging in students' own practice, and pertinent to the practice of their own discipline.

Over the module, students will initiate and develop an individual research topic; identify and evaluate appropriate archives, bodies of critical literature, visual/material sources and research methods; manage their study time; engage with and respond to tutorial dialogue and peer feedback, and apply critical and analytical skills to produce a 7-8000 word written Dissertation, supported by a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Gallery of student work

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2024

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

Level 3 qualifications, including Art and Design subjects (i.e. A-levels, BTEC Diploma, Access Diploma, IB Diploma, etc.). The preferred entry route is to first take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or recognised equivalent course.

Typical offer 2023

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

Level 3 qualifications, including Art and Design subjects (i.e. A-levels, BTEC Diploma, Access Diploma, IB Diploma, etc.). The preferred entry route is to first take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or recognised equivalent course.

Additional requirements

Entry onto this course will require submission of a digital portfolio as part of the application process. Further details about the portfolio will also be sent via email after submission of application.

See portfolio guidance below for more information about how to prepare your portfolio.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English Language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5.

Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from a recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Portfolio guidance

Alongside the UCAS application and personal statement, applicants are required to send a portfolio of 20-25 pages with an additional 10 pages outlined below.

Digital portfolio format

Your portfolio will need to be in landscape orientation and saved/uploaded as a PDF file.

You may have an animation or moving image/film which can be uploaded to Vimeo, Flickr or YouTube. Please supply theses links in your portfolio and make sure they are active and work on all platforms.

Digital portfolio content

Your portfolio should be unique and personal and reflect your design interests plus the activities and methods you have undertaken, in other words, your process.

Subject knowledge

We pride ourselves on attracting a diverse range of applicants and our studio environment thrives off that unique mix of creative talent. We have applicants from backgrounds in design, architecture, fine art, crafts and project management.

You do not need to show conventional ‘interior design' work. You do need to share your understanding of the subject and what excites you about the possibility of creating environments and experiences for other people.

Show a place/space that has meaning to you. It is useful for us to see if applicants engage with interiors and are inquisitive about why and how they are designed and made in a particular way.

Creativity

We are looking for people with practical and intellectual ideas, storytellers who challenge process and play with visual language. Evidence how you develop your ideas through sketchbook work plus photographs/film of rough models and prototypes.

Making and prototyping

Kingston is interested in you presenting your ideas through making and working with a range of materials as part of the creative process. It is useful if applicants present making and exploring ideas digitally and physically.

Including experimentation with a range of different materials process and techniques – e.g. drawing, printmaking, collage, 3D, digital works, photography, moving image.

Digital skills

We support CAD and other software skills; however, it is good to understand some software skills you are already developing.

Narrative, storytelling, or sequential work

E.g. a series of images that are sequential, comic/graphic novel works, a story told in a single image, animation, moving image.

Drawing from life

E.g. observational drawing, life drawing or drawing on location.

Additional 10 pages to include in your portfolio

  • Please include five pages or images which show a project that has somehow been transformational in your development as a creative. This should be presented from the beginning (brief) to end (outcome), showing the process of how you got there. You may consider selecting a project where you tried out a new way of working and it was successful or you got great feedback from your peers and tutor or perhaps it was a real failure but you learnt a great deal in the process.
  • Use the last five pages or images to show us visually who you are, what you are interested in or what inspires you. Choose one thing that we should know about you. To make, take or find images that visually communicates this to us. E.g. drawings of a location you find inspiring, paintings of a hobby you enjoy, photos event or moment you find interesting, or make a model of a favourite possession.

How will your portfolio be reviewed?

Due to the possibility of travel restrictions relating to Covid-19 the Kingston School of Art (KSA) courses will not be able to undertake interviews. The Course staff team and student panel will undertake the selection process, considering the quality of your creative practice presented in your portfolio, your personal statement and your UCAS application with your supporting references.

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Modules will be delivered by means of lectures, seminars, workshops, group critique, individual tutorials, demonstration, projects, briefings, study visits, peer learning, independent learning and study skills.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

Time spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity

This is indicative for an average week and delivery does vary across the academic year.

  • Year 1: 60%
  • Year 2: 55%
  • Year 3: 50%

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

Type of learning and teaching

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 550 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 650 hours
Year 2
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 500 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 700 hours
Year 3
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 420 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 780 hours

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises practical presentations and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios and dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

Type of assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1
  • Coursework: 100%
Year 2
  • Coursework: 100%
Year 3
  • Coursework: 100%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 50 students. We provide one to one tutorials on a weekly basis. This is complimented with group tutorials and practical skills workshops with approximately 25 students per class.

Gallery of student work

Who teaches this course?

This course is taught in the Design School, Kingston School of Art. Our staff are practising designers, researchers and academics who'll enrich your student experience with contemporary issues, events and challenges. Influential guest speakers reinforce the currency of the course, providing the latest insights into practice.

Course fees and funding

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International Year 1 (2024/25): £18,400
Year 2 (2025/26): £19,200
Year 3 (2026/27): £19,900

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International Year 1 (2023/24): £16,500
Year 2 (2024/25): £16,800
Year 3 (2025/26): £17,100

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Bursaries

Lynne Holland Award for Interior Design 

Each year, first and second year students are invited to be considered for the Lynne Holland award scheme. Successful applicants are awarded £5,000 towards their tuition fees.

The award is open to all students; UK and International. 

It is anticipated that this award scheme will last until 2022.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Materials and equipment

Materials for the development and experimentation of your projects in the studio and workshops will cost between £100-£200 per year. You will also need to purchase tools, which will serve you for the duration of your studies, at a cost of £50. 

For model-making, it is estimated that you will spend £40-£80 per year on foam board and cardboard materials. You will also be required to make a one-off purchase of an interior model-making tool set which will cost between £25-£40.

For the duration of your studies, you will need a laptop (estimated costs start at £500). The minimum specification of the laptop is CPU 2.6 GHz+, 8GB Memory RAM. The laptop will also need to support 3D CAD software for your course, such as Revit, SolidWorks, KeyShot, Vectorworks and 3D Photoshop, which the university will provide you with access to.

Field trips

There will be some site and industry visits which will incur an estimated cost of £12.70 per visit.

There is an optional international study trip which will cost approximately £300 depending on the destination.

Facilities

You'll use our studio spaces and facilities to experiment and explore new ways to push the boundaries of projects and open discourse across disciplines.

Collaborative and multi-disciplinary teamwork is actively encouraged between students, across faculty courses, international institutions and with industry. 

Throughout the course, you'll be encouraged to explore and develop expertise in current design approaches, techniques, media, and application including branding, editorial, interactive design, packaging and 3D design, advertising, information design, digital moving image, sustainable and experiential design.

Skills and techniques such as typography, photography, moving image, printmaking, rapid proto-typing, analysis and research, human factors, presentation, interactive and graphic software all support project work by helping realise solution-led ideas.

After you graduate

Our graduates develop careers in interior and architectural design practice, exhibition, scenography and brand environments. Examples of employers include Brinkworth, Universal Design Studio, Casson Mann, Squire and Partners, and Fitch.

Follow the links below to explore some of the possibilities that are open to you as a designer after graduating from Kingston: 

What our external examiners and collaborators say

Students are encouraged to experiment and stretch the boundaries of what they think they know, in order to provide for themselves outcomes that they did not know existed.

Alan Phillips, Former External Examiner

Browns is thrilled with the results and with your professionalism. It was a truly great collaboration!

Joanna Galanis, VM & Display Director for Browns

The course continues to produce strong results with the best students producing work of a very high quality.

Jason Holley, Former External Examiner and Director at Universal Design Studio

The team from Kingston won Browns over with a combination of engaging narrative, ambition and a commitment to quality.

Retail Design World

Links with business and industry

Live industry projects enable us to ask important questions and innovate within a professional context. 

Our students have worked on projects with Transport for London, Nissan, the European Space Agency, Speedo, Vitra, Ted Baker, Browns, The Office Group, English Heritage, the Greek Ministry of Culture and City Authorities across the UK.

We benefit from partnerships with leading UK Design studios including Brinkworth, Universal Design Studio, David Collins, KKD, Found Associates, Squire & Partners, Casson Mann, Wish & FITCH.

 

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.