Do you want to learn how to transform spaces? This innovative Interior Architecture and Design degree course covers a broad range of design possibilities, ranging from reordering to transforming space.
Situated within Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, our course will provide you with the facilities and education that you’ll need to succeed within the industry, as well as excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and networking with industry partners.
This four year programme has been specifically designed to allow you to undertake additional level 3 study designed to ensure you are successful on your chosen degree course.
After successful completion of your foundation year, you will have the flexibility to switch (should you wish to change direction) onto a number of related undergraduate degree courses within Birmingham School of Architecture and Design.
Our BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course provides you with the skills to transform or give new life to spaces, as well as teaching you how to plan and design creative interiors.
You will look at hierarchies and relationships between different spaces, describing these relationships in new ways. This industry-aligned degree course offers you the opportunity to study and practise the adaption and re-use of space within new and existing building stock, while also addressing aesthetics, human needs, materiality and more, as well as the ephemeral qualities of atmosphere, character, colour, light and shade.
Alongside the regeneration of existing space, you will discover new interior environments, in a broad range of industry sectors, such as hospitality, retail, leisure and residential, using an experimental approach to design to develop the refined techniques required for effective space planning, conceptual design, development, visualisation and the refurbishment of space.
Our next Open Day for this course will take place on Saturday 21 March 2020. Register your interest to see our facilities and speak to our staff and students. We'll be in touch once booking is open.
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Concerns is an annual publication by Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. In this issue, you can view final year student work and read more about the activities within the School.
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
88 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level. |
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Typical Offers (UK students) | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements | |
A level | CCD. A maximum of three subjects are considered. Other 6-unit qualifications can be considered in lieu of one or two A-level subjects.
Must be taken alongside A Levels, BTEC QCF and/or OCR Cambridge Technical, to total 88 points minimum. |
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma |
MMM | |
Access to HE Diploma | 60 credits overall - 15 credits at level 2 and 45 credits at level 3. Construction, Planning, Built Environment subjects preferred but other subjects also considered. | |
Scottish Higher |
Achieve a minimum of 88 tariff points achieved from either five Highers or a combination of two Highers offered with two Advanced Highers. | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme |
Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall. Students who do not complete the IB Diploma and who achieve the minimum of 11 points from two Higher Level subjects, will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates. | |
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate |
Must be offered along with either two A-levels or two BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diplomas of 88 tariff points. Cannot be offered as a standalone qualification. |
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma |
MM. Can be offered along with either one A-level or one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma qualification to achieve a minimum of 88 tariff points. | |
Scottish Advanced Higher |
Achieve a minimum of 88 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. | |
Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements | |
IELTS |
Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
Applications from mature students (21+) with alternative qualifications and/or considerable work experience will be considered on their merits.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
You are not required to submit a portfolio for this course.
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items. Many of these activities are essential and compulsory parts of your learning experience.
The link below gives you an estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on your course. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): |
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): Modules include: |
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits): |
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules: |
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). Showcase your work to industry leaders looking for new talent, such as Free Range London, presenting yourself as a design aware industry ready interior designer. |
In the first year, you will gain invaluable skills in drawing, model-making and concept modelling in our industry-standard studios and workshops.
Taught by experienced practising designers, our interior design course mixes practice with theory, so you can create links between concepts and materials while strengthening your design skills across key industry sectors.
Computer simulation and design is covered by using software such as the Adobe Design Suite, VectorWorks and other 3D rendering tools.
The flavour of your second year is all about creativity and employability. You’ll have the opportunity of internships and live project work, giving you excellent industry connections and experience.
You’ll learn about design and its application while enjoying study trips, the chance of overseas study, international design competitions, and working with clients on real world industry projects.
In your third year you’ll have the opportunity to showcase the skills you have obtained throughout this degree course by embarking on an in-depth design project in an area of personal interest to you, combined with an opportunity to exhibit at our graduate show. Emerging as a design aware and employable graduate.
You will spend two full days in the design studio as followed:
This degree course is a member of interior educators. Interior Educators (IE) is an organisation established by academics representing well-established Interior design courses from across the UK. It is a unique group in that it provides a forum for debate and the exchange of ideas and practice effecting the education of designers of interior space. IE has created Interior Educators Student (IES), represents students on a national level, to graduation and employment. Through IES students can build their own online portfolios, view Interiors specific jobs as well as receiving advice from leading practitioners.
You can choose to continue your study in higher education by enrolling on one of our postgraduate courses in Design Management, Interior Architecture and Design, or Design and Visualisation.
You will get the chance to participate in field trips organised by the school. For first year students, you’ll get the experience to visit somewhere within the UK and the trip is organised by the staff and the students.
Our expert staff will help you stand out from the crowd by developing your competitive and transferable interior design skills.
Through our work in live project collaborations, networking and competition success, we have developed strong links with organisations including: RBS Ltd, Tektura, Hartman, Petainer, Hi Macs, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency, Orangebox, KI, & Herman Miller to name a few.
Our graduates also have the chance to take part in training programmes as a Designer in Residence, or enjoy an international exchange opportunities.
You will learn how to confidently present your skills to employers as a designer in interior or architectural practices, and illustrate your strengths working in exhibitions, events design, or as a set designer for theatre or film.
During your second year there is a work placement opportunity, which is designed to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place or a live case study, and to critically reflect upon your learning and future options in that context.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Freelance Designer and Painter
When I was looking for a university I was already 23, so I didn’t want to waste my time with bad choices. I did precise research about universities I could apply to, and chose Birmingham City University because it had a good reputation and I had read a lot of positive opinions from students.
I enjoy everything about the course – I have a passion for design and creating new spaces, I like to explore things, and I love to work with people with similar attitude.The tutors are really helpful and every time I need advice or help I receive it. English is my second language but I never felt any different – any doubts, questions or problems, the staff were there to help.
Due to our overseas interest our graduates, progression is on an international scale, providing graduates with the opportunity to work all over the world including countries such as Norway, Russia, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey, Japan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, UK and China.
Birmingham School of Architecture and Design are proud to be a part of the local design community, and have strong links to many companies across the UK. As an multi-disciplinary school we promote that ethos in everything we do, and work strongly with Professional Companies to ensure we are up to date with industry practise and standards.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
When you join Birmingham City University, the first thing you will notice is the high standard of our campuses. With an investment of £340 million across our buildings and facilities, we are committed to giving you the very best learning environment to help shape your experience.
You’ll be based in the multi-million pound Parkside building – part of our City Centre Campus – with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. We offer facilities which will accurately reflect the work environment you will enter after graduating. These include Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and a computer-generated Virtual Building Site, creating real life scenarios for you to work on.
While based in The Parkside Building, you will get sharpen your CAD and digital visual communication skills, prototyping and digital production, while also having access to a range of specialist software, workshops, computer and project learning laboratories, and a social learning space.
You’ll also benefit from:
From industry-standard software, to our workshops and studio spaces, everything you need will be at your fingertips from day one. Working with our expert technicians, you'll be supported from concept through to completion.
All of our staff come from an industry background and bring a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience.
All of this gives you access to the latest thinking, creativity and professional networks.
As a qualified architect, Korina has worked in many practices in UK, Italy and Greece on a variety of commercial and residential projects. Apart from her academic position, she is working as a freelance architect taking on projects that require unique spatial configurations and design solutions. As an academic she has worked in a variety of higher education institutions in London, Brighton and Norwich. For BCU she holds the position of the Course Director for the Interior Architecture and Design course.
Maria is a lecturer specialising in Interior Architecture and Design. Her PhD research focuses on ‘Dynamic Cartography. Body and movement in the architectural space.’