Course overview
Foundation year Work placement
Study interior design at Teesside University
Student Lisa Harrison talks about her experience of studying interior design
About the course
Develop your practice as an interior architect, a professional role that combines creative design with structural change and the enclosure of space. You consider the client and users’ needs, the function of space, building construction, inclusive design and ideas generation alongside how people interact with their surroundings including homes, offices, schools and hospitals.
Whilst studying interior architecture and design degree here at Teesside University, you work in a dedicated design studio with access to high-quality computer-aided design (CAD) and industry-standard workshop facilities. You develop your professional and creative skills and knowledge in architectural drawing techniques, building regulations, materials and technology, lightening design, 2D and 3D visualisation, sustainability, building information modelling (BIM) and the history of architecture.
What you learn
To prepare you as an interior architect, you work on live projects and can enter prestigious design competitions such as the Royal Society of Arts. Recent live projects have been working with a national charity to design an urban farm, designs for a leading eye hospital and concepts for breakout spaces within a commercial office. You network with industry professionals and have the opportunity for national and international educational visits.
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art
You study at our School of Arts & Creative Industries, led by Teesside University and MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), an international contemporary museum and gallery. You gain a full artistic experience, learning in a social space that inspires dynamic ideas, fuels collaboration and allows you to build local, national and international networks with industry professionals for your future interior architecture and design career.
Top three reasons to study interior architecture at Teesside University
1. This course is recognised as a Society of British & International Interior Design National Centre of Excellence.
2. You have your own design studio space to work in.
3. You work on live briefs in response to real-world projects.
Teesside is ranked joint 17th out of 73 institutions for Design & Crafts in the Guardian University Guide 2021. (121 institutions participated.)
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Building Design: Structures and Technology
Interior architects need to develop an understanding of how buildings are constructed – the use of materials, legislation and regulation, and the programming of building projects. You familiarise yourself with the relevant regulatory texts and apply your learning and knowledge to a design exercise.
You gain a foundation in computer aided design (CAD) work, an introduction to the use of computers as design tools, and shown how to use industry-standard software. You become familiar with 2D representations of space and identify the advantages and disadvantages in their use.
Design Project; Residential Space
You gain a basic understanding of the processes, methods of working and design communication involved within a practical interior design framework for a residential space. You experience the analysis of a given building space, understand the needs of a client and explore the translation of initial ideas into finished design proposals. The project takes you through a typical interior scheme from concept to completion.
You gain the skills to visually communicate your design ideas using a variety of 2D and 3D architectural drawing techniques. Plans, elevations and sections are covered as well as calculating scale and introducing some rendering skills.
You look at prototyping design ideas through 3D modelling and communicating with users and clients through making and constructed detailing. Technology is now available through laser and plasma cutting as well as Rapid Prototyping and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machinery – you explore these tools and their applications in the making of scale models as well as full scale end production.
MIMA History of Art, Design & Architecture
You are introduced to key art, design, architectural and cultural histories that are central to studying a creative subject. You explore a range of contexts and influences including art historical, ecological, critical theory, industrial, technological change, social and political movements, examining the changing face of art and design and informing your future research.
Year 2 core modules
Building Design: Analysis and Regulation
During this module you will analyse and compare the performance and design of selected existing buildings. You will consider the construction type and style, building performance and how it might conform to various parts of the Building Regulations. Aspects relating to the theme of sustainability will be covered and you will consider the application of state-of-the-art technologies.
You learn advanced digital design techniques, experimenting with form, space, texture and light as a digital entity. You develop a greater understanding of industry-standard software and rendering tools, enabling you to represent your design ideas in accurate 3D representations illustrating your appreciation of surfaces, objects, materials and illumination.
Develop your understanding of building a career in the creative industries through key skills in creative leadership, collaborative entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Design Project: Commercial Space
You look outside of the studio to observe, make links and understand situations – considering how design can be a progressive force that impacts and improves lives and environments. You are introduced to the design of commercial spaces, extending your knowledge and appreciation of the variety of scenarios that design professionals work within.
From post war to the current day, the built environment is an area of rapid change and contextual debate. This module develops your knowledge of both UK and international design within historical, political, economic, social, technological and legislative contexts.
You develop your project management and collaborative skills within a practical entrepreneurial context, to an external brief or competition. You develop skills in project management, teamwork, managing interdisciplinary practice, applied research methods and the design process. Projects evolve from the analysis of problems and situations, allowing you to engage in work-related experiences and develop professionalism and self-management.
Optional work placement year
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
You develop your critical thinking and an understanding of current issues and debates in the field of building rehabilitation and conservation. You explore a variety of themes to extend skills in building research, analysis of existing buildings, independent study and communication as you investigate and develop ideas around the construction industry.
You apply analytical skills to reflect upon and evaluate research through a minor design project, and through this iterative practice prepare a personal standpoint for progression towards your final major project.
Building performance and sustainability has become increasingly important in building design and refurbishment. You are introduced to the concepts and measurement of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and some of the design technologies that the process can utilise.
This module aims to enable you to bring your design project ideas to fruition, considering all aspects of research and development. You will be encouraged to demonstrate a high level of professional competence in the realisation of your projects and to have a deep understanding of the social and theoretical context in which you are practising.
On completion of your design development and your completed final project, as a group you will organise your work for presentation in either a physical or online digital exhibition involving technical work, interior visualisation, model making and the specification of materials, furniture and finishes.
Major Project: Research and Development
The selection, scope and focus of the final project is agreed through negotiation with tutors to ensure appropriate levels of complexity, rigour and acceptable ethical content. You explore and define the parameters of your own professional practice and research interests. You develop understanding and gain experience in research as both an academic discipline and as part of the creative process, leading to a final design project.
As spatial designers you work within the boundaries, contexts and histories of existing buildings and therefore need to develop skills in research, contextualisation, critical thinking and communication. You undertake extended independent research on a topic of personal interest within the broad field of spatial design.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The practice-based elements of all our design courses are taught in a studio environment, supported by a full range of digital resources and workshop facilities. These provide real hands-on experience using equipment and processes which are up to date. In addition to this, we also encourage independent and student-centred learning. Any theoretical work is primarily delivered through illustrated lectures and seminars where you have the opportunity for collective discussion.
How you are assessed
The work you produce is assessed. Design projects are a key feature and there are no separate written exams. Assessment is undertaken against carefully defined criteria and often involves a critique of project-based assignments - this is a process widely used in the design field and allows for staff and peer group appraisal.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Call us on 01642 738400 about our entry requirements
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
As a graduate you can pursue a career in interior architecture or interior design as a practitioner working for the retail, commercial, exhibition, performance, leisure or domestic sectors, or you might continue to postgraduate study.
Work placement
A work placement officer and the University's award-winning careers service help you with applying for a placement. Advice is also available on job hunting and networking.
By taking a work placement year you gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment. Transferable skills include communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
An increasing number of employers view a placement as a year-long interview and, as a result, placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process.
Potential benefits from completing a work placement year include:
- improved job prospects
- enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
- a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
- a better degree classification
- a richer CV
- a year's salary before completing your degree
- experience of workplace culture
- the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.