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BA (Hons) Interior Design is concerned with the occupation of space, how it is used and importantly, how it is experienced. We promote the understanding and subsequent remodelling of existing spaces, in order to create meaningful interventions.
This course views interior design as a distinct, rigorous practice. Through archite...
3 years full-time · 4 years with placement year and/or overseas study
The distinctiveness of the BA (Hons) Interior Design at Manchester School of Art lies in its passion for collaborative and entrepreneurial ventures, which are supported and embedded through the School's award winning Unit X.
As an interior specialist, you will more often than not collaborate with a number of like minded practitioners to manifest your ideas and we believe the School of Art's environment is the perfect setting to nurture these endeavours, which allow students to network and professionalise their practise throughout their time on the course.
As well as the core Interiors curriculum which is underpinned by contextual lectures, students on each level of the course undertake Unit X. Students have taken part in a number of highly successful live projects with clients such as the Manchester International Festival and the Royal Northern College of Music, in collaboration with our contemporaries in graphics, product design, product design and craft, textiles and fashion. We further embrace this opportunity for collaboration on an international level, having collaborated with institutions abroad for example ESAD, Portugal, on interventions and installations for the Lisbon Design Biennale, or hosting events with international visitors in our Stirling Prize nominated building. The course also runs regular optional study trips to key cultural cities such as Berlin and New York or to deign/architecture festivals such as Venice Biennale, Lisbon Design Biennale, Milan Furniture Fair and Amsterdam for Dutch Design Week.
The core elements of the course are taught by practising designers and architects, touching on all aspects of interior design such as interior architecture, exhibition design, scene/set design or object/element design.
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
National Student Survey 2024 (NSS)
The first year of the course fosters creative, divergent and critical thinking from the view point of the interior, allowing students to fully engage and explore the experience and atmosphere of spaces. Students learn to express their ideas, primarily through freehand drawing and model making and communicate their ideas through digital software such as Photoshop, InDesign and Sketch Up.The first year of the course fosters creative, divergent and critical thinking from the view point of the interior, allowing students to fully engage and explore the experience and atmosphere of spaces. Students learn to express their ideas, primarily through freehand drawing and model making and communicate their ideas through digital software such as Photoshop, InDesign and Sketch Up.
At Level 4, this module encourages some collaborative, interdisciplinary practice and shared experience. There are lectures and talks from key research staff, students and external experts. Teaching will be in the form of tutorial groups, weekly meetings and presentations. The set projects will vary from year to year and are designed to be responsive to current creative opportunities.
An exploration of contextual and cultural issues, and occupation of space to design interiors using practiced methods of design development and process, problem solving, creative experimentation and technical design techniques.
An introduction to a foundation of architecture and interiors initiated through observation, research and creative interpretation of the built environment, to challenge own intellectual curiosity and visually communicate emergent ideas.
Situating design thinking and communication methods in the professional realisation of design projects, and development of communication styles through visual and technical presentation and reflection and self and peer evaluation.
The module introduces a range of broad over-arching themes and concepts – historical, cultural, social, political, environmental and economic – to inform your knowledge and understanding of Design as integral to positive or negative change.
Professionalism is embedded in all aspects of the course through visits from respected professional critics from industry, Live projects and Unit X. Students are also supported and encouraged to seek self-directed work experience in vacation periods. Students have undertaken work experience in Manchester for companies such as Stephenson-Bell, Ian Simpson Architects, Start Judge Gill and Sheppard Robson, and in London for Imagination, Johnson-Naylor, Conran+Partners, Casson-Mann, Virgile+Stone to name a few. Many enterprising students use the vacation to seek work experience abroad and opportunities have arisen in Japan (Klein-Dytham) and Dubai (Paul Bishop Design), Australia and the US.
The second year of the course deals with the pragmatic requirements and materiality of the discipline, teaching students to investigate narrative and occupation of spaces through technical CAD drawing, model making, freehand drawing and material investigations. Projects are underpinned by the disciplines regulatory requirements such as Building Regulations and prepare students for a professional audience, with a number of live projects and appraisals with studios such as Sheppard Robson, 5 Plus and Start JG. Students may undertake a work placement at the end of the second year.
The module enables you to further develop the research themes and skills gained in year 1, to identify and investigate specific concepts and challenges that directly inform your evolving area of design research and practice.
A pragmatic exploration and reasoning into the poetics of the design spatial experiences.
Situating design thinking and communication methods in the professional realisation of projects. The consolidation of new skills into a new pallet that defines the students unique design approach and personal design language through a technical understanding of materials and structures.
This module explores collaborative and interdisciplinary art and design practice. You will have the opportunity to engage in a range of external-facing learning opportunities which will encourage collaborative, interdisciplinary practice and shared experience; this may take the form of spending time outside of the University and working within the creative community and the public domain.
An exploration into the poetics and reasoning for the design of spatial experiences. Students will learn tools and tactics to communicate imaginative ideas and create design narratives that inspire new ways of thinking.
Professionalism is embedded in all aspects of the course through visits from respected professional critics from industry, Live projects and Unit X. Students are also supported and encouraged to seek self-directed work experience in vacation periods. Students have undertaken work experience in Manchester for companies such as Stephenson-Bell, Ian Simpson Architects, Start Judge Gill and Sheppard Robson, and in London for Imagination, Johnson-Naylor, Conran+Partners, Casson-Mann, Virgile+Stone to name a few. Many enterprising students use the vacation to seek work experience abroad and opportunities have arisen in Japan (Klein-Dytham) and Dubai (Paul Bishop Design), Australia and the US.
The third year of the course starts to bring together the poetics of first year and the pragmatics of second year to develop a students own practice in preparation for their future career. Students undertake one or two self-initiated major studio projects, which are underpinned by a theory based extended essay and the collaborative Unit X. Students have project appraisals from studios such as Johnson Naylor and HMKM, and undertake studio visits and portfolio surgeries in preparation for future employment. They also take part in the final degree show, which is the culmination of their three years of study.
This module comprises of the composition, research, development and technical refinement of a major interior design project based on personal design interests, possibly related to the extended essay. Main components include analysis of host building and occupant, development of appropriate concept and design programme, organisation of space, consideration of building regulations, element detailing, material and furniture specification, verbal and visual professional communication.
On the third year Unit X, there is a student authored final project leading to a showcase of finished work. The module includes a brief generated by the student, which leads to the presentation of a significant body of final work. Collaborative and interdisciplinary work can be incorporated into the project in relation to the professional context and ambition of the student.
This module draws upon key ideas and research methods developed in years 1 and 2 to research and establish a substantive individual position for a personal and or professional design practice. This will establish the theoretical framework to inform and underpin the development of your studio practice and support your future graduate ambitions.
Professionalism is embedded in all aspects of the course through visits from respected professional critics from industry, Live projects and Unit X. Students are also supported and encouraged to seek self-directed work experience in vacation periods. Students have undertaken work experience in Manchester for companies such as Stephenson-Bell, Ian Simpson Architects, Start Judge Gill and Sheppard Robson, and in London for Imagination, Johnson-Naylor, Conran+Partners, Casson-Mann, Virgile+Stone to name a few. Many enterprising students use the vacation to seek work experience abroad and opportunities have arisen in Japan (Klein-Dytham) and Dubai (Paul Bishop Design), Australia and the US.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application.
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or Level 2 Functional Skills English pass
Please see our digital portfolio requirements page for guidance on preparing and submitting your portfolio.
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Please see our digital portfolio requirements page for guidance on preparing and submitting your portfolio.
Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
Full-time fee: £21,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Optional estimate: £600
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing. Total optional cost: £600
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersGraduates from the course go on to work all over the world and have gained successful employment for design agencies and architectural practices such as Johnson Naylor, Sheppard Robson, 5plus Architects, Fosters + Partners, Conran + Partners, Imagination, Casson-Mann, HMKM, Start JG and 20.20 Design. Because of the wide and diverse skill-set taught as part of the course's curriculum, Interior Design graduates have also established other careers within the professional creative industries including exhibition curation, TV and theatre stage set design, furniture design, brand design, event and project management, architecture, teaching and postgraduate study.
You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.
UCAS code(s)W250
Institution code: M40
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You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
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latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
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