Interior Design degree – BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Interior Design BA (Hons) from Bath Spa University enhances students' skills in creating aesthetically pleasing interior spaces for various industries, including retail, hospitality, and education. Emphasizing creativity and client-centricity, this program prepares students for careers in architectural design, exhibition design, and related fields.

Program Outline

Interior Design BA (Hons) - Bath Spa University

Degree Overview:

This BA (Hons) Interior Design course focuses on enhancing the aesthetics and qualities of interior spaces. The program explores how interior spaces are used and experienced, providing creative solutions to client briefs while satisfying client needs and manipulating spaces to fit a purpose. Students will apply their design skills to a broad range of interior design sectors, such as hospitality, retail, workplaces, exhibitions, and more.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• Year One (Level 4):
• Communications 1: Observation, Survey, Drawing:
Students learn fundamental skills in observation, measured surveys, drawing, and knowledge of materials and structures.
• Design Studio 1: Retail / Space and Light: Students develop design proposals for retail spaces, focusing on space and light.
• Professional Context 1: Knowing Designers: Students gain knowledge of contemporary designers, their work, and completed projects.
• Communications 2: Model Making / Structures: Students develop model-making skills and learn about structures.
• History and Context: Introduction to Material and Visual Culture: Students learn about the history of design and develop key writing and communication skills.
• Year Two (Level 5):
• Design Studio 3: Leisure and Hospitality / Construction in Detail:
Students design for leisure and hospitality spaces, focusing on construction details.
• Design Studio 4: Environment and Services: Students design for environmental and service-related spaces.
• Professional Context 2: Students continue to explore the professional world of interior design.
• Design Studio 5: Industry Live / External Audience: Students work on "live" projects with external audiences or collaborators.
• Design: Contemporary Issues and Practice: Students explore contemporary issues and practices in interior design.
• Year Three (Level 6):
• Visual and Material Culture: Final Study:
Students undertake an extended essay exploring visual and material culture.
• Design Studio 6: Scale 3D, Hands-on Making: Students work on a project that includes the construction of a design element at full size, gaining a deeper understanding of construction and materials.
• Professional Context 3: Students continue to explore the professional world of interior design.
• Design Studio 7: Final Major Project: Students complete their final major project, showcasing their skills and knowledge.

Professional Placement Year (UCAS code: HH20):

• This optional year provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience through one to three placements over a minimum of nine months.
• Students work with the Careers and Employability team to secure placements and develop a development plan.
• Upon returning to university, students submit a Placement Portfolio for assessment.

Integrated Foundation Year (UCAS code: HH21):

• This optional year is designed for students who need to develop their ideas, skills, and confidence before starting the degree program.

Assessment:

• Assessment is 100% coursework-based, presented at the end of each module.
• Students receive summative feedback on their work.
• Formative feedback is provided throughout the modules through individual and group tutorials, seminar sessions, and group critiques.
• Feedback is given verbally and/or in written format.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include:
• Studio engagement
• Taught practical sessions
• Individual and group tutorials
• Active participation through seminars, group work, and directed learning
• Practical workshop introductions
• Lecture series
• Directed or self-directed projects
• Live projects
• Engagement in using both hand and digital processes
• Study trips
• Personal presentation, display, and documentation of work.
• Self-directed learning is facilitated through materials on Ultra (Bath Spa University's Virtual Learning Environment) and other web-based resources.
• Students have access to the specialist art and design library.

Careers:

• The range of professional destinations for Interior Design graduates is broad.
• Traditional roles include working in architectural and interior design practices.
• Graduates also work in specialist design fields such as:
• Exhibitions and trade fairs
• Retail and shopfitting
• Theatre and stage
• Film and TV production.
• Practical skills developed through the course can lead to careers in model making, animation, lighting design, and other related disciplines.

Other:

• The course is taught at the Locksbrook Campus, a Grade II listed building designed by Nicholas Grimshaw.
• Students have access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:
• A student service point where they can purchase materials, hire equipment, and collect library resources.
• The well-stocked library at Newton Park.
• Specialist technical workshops across all art and design disciplines.
• Studio space for project work.
• Students can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which provides global awareness and an international dimension to their student experience.
• The university is one of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, providing all students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.

|Fees | Cost| |---|---| |UK full time| £9,250| |UK part time | £4,625 | |International full time | £17,585 | |Professional Placement Year- UK | £1,850 | |Professional Placement Year- International | £3,517 |