Interior Design BA (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Architecture and Interior Design
- Undergraduate
Begin your career in interior design with the Interior Design BA (Hons) degree course from Kingston University. We are ranked No.1 in the UK for interior design* in the Guardian University League Tables 2023 (*covers interior design and product & furniture design) and No.1 in London (Times Good University Guide 2024) within the Art & Design subject area.
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Find your style with our purpose-built design studios
You'll use our studio spaces and facilities to experiment and explore new ways to push the boundaries and open discourse across disciplines.
Throughout the course, you'll be encouraged to explore and develop expertise in current design approaches, techniques, media and applications. These include branding, editorial, interactive design, packaging and 3D design, advertising, information design, digital moving image, and sustainable and experiential design.
A variety of skills and techniques will support your project work by helping you to realise solution-led ideas. These skills include typography, photography, moving image, printmaking, rapid proto-typing, analysis and research, human factors, presentation, interactive and graphic software.
The course continues to produce strong results with the best students producing work of a very high quality.
Student work
Why choose this course
This course lets you create dynamic and thought-provoking interior environments. You'll develop practical skills to enable you to create imaginative spaces which meet the needs and enrich the experience of modern life. You'll also build your technical knowledge to help you practise professionally.
You'll work in our newly-refurbished, purpose-built design studios and have access to our dedicated art, design and material library, and impressive modelling and fabrication facilities.
You'll also benefit from our links with design studios, cultural institutions, entrepreneurs and community groups. These often set projects for students, awarding placements or prizes to the best.
For example, 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.
In addition, you’ll be able to take advantage of our partnerships with leading UK Design studios, including Brinkworth, Universal Design Studio, David Collins, KKD, Found Associates, Squire & Partners, Casson Mann, and Wish & FITCH.
Kingston is ranked No.1 in the UK for interior design* in the Guardian University League Tables 2023 (*covers interior design and product & furniture design).
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
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.
Year 1
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
30.00 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.
30.00 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.
30.00 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.
30.00 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.
Year 2
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
30.00 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.
30.00 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.
30.00 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.
30.00 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 for example, 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.
Optional year
You can choose to study or work abroad through the University's Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus programme during your degree.
Final year
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
30.00 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.
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.
30 credits
Building on the links between research and practice embedded at Level 5, the Independent Research Project in Critical and Historical Studies 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, you will initiate and develop an individual research topic; identify and evaluate appropriate archives, bodies of critical literature, visual/material sources and research methods; manage your study time; engage with and respond to tutorial dialogue and peer feedback, and apply critical and analytical skills to produce an output of 5-6,000 word (or equivalent) representing the culmination of your research project. You will be supported by a series of lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates from our Interior Design BA (Hons) degree course go on to careers in interior and architectural design practice, as well as exhibition, scenography and brand environments. Examples of employers include Brinkworth, Universal Design Studio, Casson Mann, Squire and Partners, and Fitch.
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within the Interior Design BA (Hons) course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience. As the demands of modern employment continue to evolve, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate.
The programme aims to provide 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
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
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.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 40% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 37% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 26% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
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.
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.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £19,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £20,300 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £21,100 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, 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.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Winch Design Scholarship
The Winch Design Scholarship is a 100% fee waiver and a bursary of £5,000 per year of study for one undergraduate student, studying either an Interior Design BA (Hons) or Product & Furniture Design BA (Hons).
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Student work
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.
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.
Browns is thrilled with the results and with your professionalism. It was a truly great collaboration!
The team from Kingston won Browns over with a combination of engaging narrative, ambition and a commitment to quality.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
