Interior architects create the atmosphere and identity of spaces in which we live, work, rest and play.
Accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) and delivered by academics who are members of the Interior Educators Network, our creative, hands-on course is designed to explore the design and development of internal spaces, in relation to their overall architectural composition.You'll develop an understanding of how form, structure and light are used to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
You'll work on a variety of projects, including live briefs set by industry, that will help you develop the professional skills, knowledge and experience needed for a successful graduate career as an interior architect.
Why study this course?
- Our course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), recognising the quality and relevance of our course content.
- Benefit from our Building Blocks financial package, supporting you throughout your time at NTU and enabling you to make the most of your studies. As well as money towards the cost of your course materials, you'll also benefit from study trips and live projects, included in the cost of your course fees, free personal protective equipment (PPE) and a pre-paid printing allowance.
- Work in our inspiring RIBA award-winning buildings, offering industry-standard facilities and studios, including a dedicated model-making studio.
- Benefit from our outstanding employment rate. 98% of our BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design sandwich students are in work or further study, just six months after graduation (DLHE, 2015-2016).
- Explore local and international interior architectural practice, with inspiring trips – both in the UK, and abroad to destinations such as Venice, Berlin and Rotterdam – included in your course fees.
- Take part in live design projects, with briefs from real clients. Recently students worked with the internationally-renowned architectural practice Hawkins\Brown, on a project exploring ideas for artist's studio space.
- Exhibit your work at our final year Degree Shows and also at the graduate show FreeRange in London, attended by industry experts and prospective employers.
- Hear visiting industry experts talk about their work; previous visitors have included Kinnersley Kent Designs, Peldon Rose, Studio I-AM, Fitch and Checkland Kindleysides.
- Study on a course with outstanding student satisfaction; 100% of our sandwich BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students are satisfied with the quality of their course (National Student Survey, 2017).
- Network with industry professionals and display your work at our annual Architecture Exchange employability event.
- Gain vital skills and experience in the workplace by undertaking a one-year placement. The majority of our placement students also receive a salary.
How you're taught
How will I learn?
- Based on 40-hour weeks during term time, you'll spend approximately 10 hours per week in scheduled learning. Course content is delivered through lectures, studio projects, study trips and live briefs.
- Study group tutorials are structured to replicate the team meetings often found in design practices. You will also be involved in self-directed project work with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
- Outside of timetabled sessions, you'll need to undertake self-direct independent study. This will include preparing for lectures, researching, completing coursework, developing a portfolio, and directed reading to expand your knowledge.
Trips and study visits
Our Interior Architecture and Design course takes a global perspective; you'll gain design inspiration on study trips both in the UK and abroad, the cost of which is included in your course fees. Recent trips have included visits to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and international visits to Venice, Rotterdam and Berlin. These will help you understand and apply what you've learnt in a real-world context.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed via coursework, consisting of individual projects, presentations, and a portfolio.
Contact hours
A full-time student on average can expect to spend 1200 hours a year learning which will typically be broken down as follows:
Careers and employability
Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the interior architecture and design industry. Through working on real projects from industry, field work, and regularly updated course content, you'll be equipped with the skills and experience to carry with you for the rest of your professional career.
Where do Interior Architecture and Design graduates from NTU work?
NTU has a strong architecture alumni community, with many graduates working in senior positions in leading national and international companies. Recent graduate roles include interior architects, junior designers, interior designers and consultants, at companies including: Foster + Partners, BDP London, Tom Dixon Studio, Dalziel & Pow, Fitch, Atelier New York, Macaulay Sinclair, Argent, Leonard Design Architects and HLW International.
Hannah Scrimshaw, BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design graduate - working as an Interior Architect at Lungfish Architects
Our Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Throughout the year, our Employability team runs a series of events specifically for students studying in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. Our Architecture Exchange events brings together current students and prospective employers for an evening of presentations, table discussions and networking. We also run a Property, Design and Construction Fair, offering employers the opportunity to advertise graduate roles to our final year students.
Excellent placement opportunities
NTU is ranked sixth in the UK for the number of sandwich undergraduate students studying Architecture (HESA, 2015/16).
By choosing our sandwich (4 year) route, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement during your studies, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience within the industry. The majority of placement students receive a salary. 98% of our of BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design sandwich students are in work or further study, just six months after graduation (DLHE, 2015-2016).
Where can I work?
Students typically gain placements in interior design agencies across the UK and abroad, including Italy and New York.
Our recent placement students have worked at the following global companies: Dalziel + Pow, Sawaya and Moroni, Italy, FITCH, Atelier, New York, Bisset Adams, Found Associates, Hirsh Bedner Associates and Johnson Naylor.
You will find diverse jobs available within the industry and our students have covered the spectrum, including Interior Designer, Design Intern, Design Assistant, and Student Placement Designer.
Gain an extra professional qualification
Successful completion of the 36 weeks leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice, which will further enhance your CV.
Facilities
Dedicated resource centre
Students in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment have access to a dedicated resource centre. This centre, based in the Maudslay building, enables students to undertake private study in a facility equipped with computers, large format plotters and desk space, together with journals and publications – both current and archived.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
Books and library resources
Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within Architecture. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.
Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Bonington Art Shop
Our specialist in-house art shop is based in the Bonington building. Run by experienced and friendly University staff, the shop stocks a wide variety of arts and crafts materials to support your project work.
Take a look at our full gallery of facilities for Architectural Design students.
