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BA Interior Design with Foundation Year

University of Derby

About this course

BA (Hons) in Fashion Design, exploring spatial narratives and interior environments. Core topics include Design & Creative Practice, Ethics & Professional Practice, Global & Comparative Perspective, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students learn BIM-based professional visual documentation and explore adaptive reuse of existing spaces. The programme concludes with a Level 6 Design Portfolio underpinned by personal research investigation.

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.

Institution
University of Derby
Level
undergraduate
Subject
Interior Design with Foundation Year
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
W25F
Typical offer
A-level DDD
Median salary
£24,500 after 5 years

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

See the highest paying Art, Design, Music & Drama degrees in the UK →

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
  • Creative Studies
  • Creative Technologies
  • Creative Skills: 2D and 3D Making
  • Creative Project
  • Developing Practice
  • Academic Skills and Personal Development
  • 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year at University of Derby?

The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 102 UCAS points.

Is BA Interior Design with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year at University of Derby?

57% of students continued into their second year, and 23% left higher education.