BA Interior Design
About this course
BA (Hons) Interior Design is an undergraduate degree focused on spatial design, visual communication and technical competencies for interior environments. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice, Design & Creative Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes options for a placement year, a year abroad, or a foundation year. The first year covers the foundations through Critical Context: Exploring Global Context & Spatial Typologies, Visual and Professional Practice: Imagination to Visualisation, Designing Spatial Narratives: Introduction and Exploration, and Toolkit: Structural Layers & Materials. The second year builds on these concepts with Critical Context: Context Specific Investigations, Visual and Professional Practice: BIM for Promotion, Designing Spatial Narratives: Contextualised Interventions, and Toolkit: Technical Services & Drawing Systems. The final year involves advanced study in Critical Context: Probing and Interrogating Multi-Contexts, Visual and Professional Practice: Networking Strategies, Designing Spatial Narratives: Reimagining Existing Space, and Toolkit: Sustainable Strategies & Innovation, alongside Applied Professional Practice and Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 39 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 84%
- Organisation and management: 61%
- Learning resources: 77%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 57%
- Gained a higher qualification: 19%
- Left higher education: 23%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 39 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 76%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 1%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Design occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 9%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 8%
- Skilled trades occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 180 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 55%
- West Midlands: 23%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 11%
- Other qualifications: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by The Society of British and International Interior Design for the purposes of preparing the student for a career in professional interior design. Students on a SBID accredited course receive free student membership for 3 years leading to a 1 year professional membership post-graduation.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Applied Professional Practice
- Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice
- Critical Context: Exploring Global Context & Spatial Typologies
- Visual and Professional Practice: Imagination to Visualisation
- Designing Spatial Narratives: Introduction and Exploration
- Toolkit: Structural Layers & Materials
- Critical Context: Context Specific Investigations
- Visual and Professional Practice: BIM for Promotion
- Designing Spatial Narratives: Contextualised Interventions
- Toolkit: Technical Services & Drawing Systems
- Critical Context: Probing and Interrogating Multi-Contexts
- Visual and Professional Practice: Networking Strategies
- Designing Spatial Narratives: Reimagining Existing Space
- Toolkit: Sustainable Strategies & Innovation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Interior Design at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £19,000 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £28,500. The £24,500 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Interior Design at University of Derby do next?
92% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Interior Design at University of Derby?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Interior Design at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 102 UCAS points.
Is BA Interior Design at University of Derby accredited?
Yes. Accredited by The Society of British and International Interior Design for the purposes of preparing the student for a career in professional interior design. Students on a SBID accredited course receive free student membership for 3 years leading to a 1 year professional membership post-graduation.
Does BA Interior Design at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Interior Design at University of Derby?
57% of students continued into their second year, and 23% left higher education.