Interior Design
BA (Hons)

The course is for anyone who is inspired and moved by interiors and inquisitive enough to find out how to realise these technically. Studying interior design at Derby will help you develop your design skills to create functional and unique spaces with strong spatial identities. You’ll learn how to best use specific spatial qualities, i.e. forms, texture and materials, lighting, colour, architectural components, objects and placement of these, enabling you to make your ideas become a reality. You’ll be inspired to work in a way that is environmentally responsible, memorable and experiential.

Preparing you for a career in interior design

The roles and responsibilities of an Interior Designer will see you become involved from the initial brief to the final build of a project which could be an existing building, an urban interior or a self-standing entity such as an exhibition or set-stage. The course is dynamic and co-creative, in that it welcomes students’ own voices/cultures and values risk-taking and experimentation. It further aims to equip students with all the relevant skills and knowledge ready for the ‘real’ world upon graduation.

You will gain exposure to the wide field that is interior design, exploring various spatial typologies such as residential interiors, commercial interiors i.e. retail, corporate, set-stage and exhibition design and hospitality, as well as exploring adaptive reuse/regenerative design to name but a few, with a focus on employment opportunities open to an interior design graduate. You will also learn how to collaborate nationally/internationally, and design bespoke artefacts and furniture to compliment your interiors and generate the appropriate visual documentation required for each stage of the design. You will also get to understand how people relate to space and objects, by being exposed to ergonomics, and learn to design spaces that are functional and in accordance to building regulations and health and safety legislation.

Networking and collaboration opportunities

This course sets itself apart from other interior design courses by offering unique collaborating opportunities with other disciplines in national/international partners. Collaboration with design disciplines may include working with other programmes in the university such as Textile Design through the design and manufacturing of interior artefacts or Product Design in the creation of bespoke interior products. International collaboration will be through international vertical studio projects (joint projects between Level 4 to Level 6 cohorts). We are also affiliated with Interior Educators and BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) to ensure we stay up to date on current events taking place in the country.

Real world learning

In addition to your lectures and seminars, you will take part in live projects which build upon your ‘real’ world learning and will contribute to your credibility as an interior designer. Live projects to date include: Repurposing of an old barn to a contemporary wedding venue for Victoria Brown; design of Bohn’s restaurant interior now located in Nottingham; design of 1st Crack coffee shop and the design of S.H.E.D. a mobile transforming shed that is travelling the country for the next two years. You will also be able to obtain Building Information Modelling (BIM) training by your second year and construct an online portfolio in readiness for DPP and/or final year and graduation.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn in well-resourced, professional design studios at Britannia Mill. Resources include ISKN tables, Macbook Pros, large format scanners, drawing boards, as well as the arts and design library. 

You will also be able to make full use of the traditional 3D workshop facilities (wood and metal) at Markeaton Street and the latest 3D computer software. You’ll have access to specialist textiles equipment and machinery in the Digital Design Hub such as the laser cutter and digital fabric print facilities in the textiles department.  

We also showcase at Free Range in London along with 50 other Interior Design institutions giving you the opportunity to display your work at one of the largest graduate shows in Europe.  This valuable experience will help you to prepare for a career in interior design. 

How you will be assessed

Assessment is 100% coursework based including practical production and oral presentation work, along with written assignments. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to write a dissertation on a subject of your choice and work on self-negotiated and independent creative projects. 

Degree Show

Every year students from the School of Arts celebrate their time at University by showcasing their work at an end of year Degree Show at Markeaton Street and across the City of Derby. The Show usually runs throughout June and is a fantastic opportunity for potential employers, friends, family, industry and members of the public to see exciting creations by the next generation of artists, designers, creators and makers from Derby. The Show takes the form of:

• An exhibition at Markeaton Street
• A Fashion and Textiles catwalk (usually at Derby Theatre)
• A Film Premiere (usually at QUAD)
• Theatre Performances (usually at Derby Theatre)
• A Music show at a variety of venues

Take a look at highlights from the 2019 Degree Show.

September 2020 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - DMM
• Access to HE Diploma 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6

We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.

Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.

2020/21 Fees

* The fees stated above are for the 2019/20 academic year; fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

A key aim of this programme is to prepare you as a graduate for the professional world of interior designers and we would anticipate that a number of you will seek to pursue your career through either freelance or consultancy practice drawing on the opportunities presented through the curriculum to collaborate with other design-related disciplines.

This course will provide you with an opportunity to examine different sectors within the commercial and residential interior design, enabling you to gain an understanding and appreciation of the many facets and opportunities that are open to an interior design graduate. 

After graduation you’ll be prepared for a career in interior design with endless opportunities to choose from such as:

• Styling and window/retail display  
• Cinematic interior styling along with TV sets  
• Set-stage design and exhibition design 
• Retail design, e.g. fashion, gifts, jewellery stores, computer and gaming stores, etc.  
• Corporate design, e.g. offices 
• Hospitality design, e.g. bars, restaurants, coffee shops 
• Health and leisure design, e.g. hotels, spas, sport facilities, etc. 
• Interior consultant and sourcing 
• Bespoke furniture designer 
• Kitchen design

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

Included in your fees

• Use of workshop resources, 3D imaging software and site visits. Materials kit, paper, card, basic modelling materials are provided
• Additional access to wider University Arts’ facilities including equipment loan store and other facilities, such as digital print workshops traditional 3d making workshop, laser cutter, CNC and basic RP facilities
• Compulsory study visits to local and Regional Construction/ conversion opportunity buildings
• Participation in design competitions and live projects
• Participation in University Degree Show and the London Graduate Show

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Interior design materials for making (card, vinyl, acrylic), presentation materials (marker pens, inks, etc.), show printing of student work, production of prototype and final models, production of RP models. Approx. costs - Year 1= £150, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300 (Costs determined by student)
• Additional materials (printing, stationery, portfolio sleeves, folders, USBs/hard drives etc.) approx. costs - Year 1= £150, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300
• Printing of design work Year 1= £100, Year 2 = £200, Year 3 = £300
• Drawing equipment general 'toolbox' (marker pens, pencils, scalpels, layout pads etc.) £50-£75 in each year. A toolkit list will be sent out to you at the start of the year with all equipment requirments
• Student promotion materials, approx. £75

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Specialist software/hardware - approx. £1500 (laptop with software licences)
• Travel for work placement opportunities (costs will vary dependant on location)
• International trips approximately £350 per year

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.