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Studying interior design degree guide

If you often look at a room and visualise how it could be designed better, you may be suited to a degree in interior design. It’s a practical subject that enables you to bring your creative visions to life.

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
03 Nov 2022

For every building that goes up, an interior designer is needed to turn the inside into something practical and pleasing to the eye. As long as buildings continue to be erected across the planet, there’ll always be a need for people with design skills. Whether it’s designing the interiors of hotels, sporting facilities or commercial office blocks, there’s a whole range of projects you could be working on.

What do you need to get on an interior design degree? 


Average entry requirements for interior design are:

  • UCAS points: 128–112
  • A-levels: AAB–BBC
  • Scottish Highers: AABBB–BBBB
  • BTEC Nationals: DDM–DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 34–26

Most unis will ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in an art-related subject like art, fine art, graphic design or textiles.

What interior design degreees can you study?


Degrees in interior design include:

  • BA Interior Design
  • BA Interior Architecture and Design
  • BA Interior and Environmental Design

What topics does an interior design degree cover?


Common modules for interior design include:

  • Digital communications
  • Visual communications
  • Creative analysis
  • Observation and surveying
  • Drawing for design
  • Environmental design
  • Manipulating space
  • Design devices
  • Interior strategies
  • Design integration

What do you learn studying an interior design degree?


Studying an interior design degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:

  • Creative design
  • Visual and spatial awareness
  • Sustainable design
  • Trend analysis
  • Construction
  • Industry software and tech

More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include:

  • Project management
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Presenting

What professional accreditations can you get with an interior design degree?


Some interior design degrees are accredited by bodies like the Chartered Society of Designers. These organisations aim to give support and guidance to designers at every stage of their career.

What can you do with an interior design degree?


Interior design graduates can be employed in many sectors, like education, retail, commerce, hospitality, media and residential. Some jobs interior design graduates go into include:

How long is an interior design degree?


An interior design degree usually takes three years to study. However, some unis give the option of a sandwich year (industry placement), which will increase your course to four years.

How will you be assessed?


Interior design courses usually involve assessment through:

  • Exams
  • Coursework
  • Practical design projects
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations

What are the postgraduate opportunities?


Your options for further study include:

  • MA Interior, Architectural and Spatial Design
  • MA Interior Design
  • MA Product Design
  • MA Design and Interiors
  • MA Furniture Design

What alternatives are there to an interior design degree?


Not sure if an interior design degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects: