Interior Architecture and Design Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Atlantic Technological University Sligo

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Interior Architecture and Design at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo is a dynamic Level 8 full-time degree that blends creativity, technical skill, and spatial problem-solving to prepare you for a career shaping inspiring interior environments. You’ll learn to design functional, beautiful interiors that respond to people, culture, and place—from residential spaces to public and commercial projects—under expert guidance in dedicated studio spaces.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in interior architecture and design through studio-based learning. Modules such as Interior Architecture Studio, Cultural Context: Interior and Furniture, Design Fundamentals, and Digital Media for Design introduce essential theory, materials, detailing, and professional communication, while developing your creative and technical skills using tools like AutoCAD and SketchUp.

Year 2
Year 2 deepens your design thinking and technical knowledge as you tackle more complex studio projects. You’ll study Advanced Design Representation, Architecture Technologies and Environment, and Environmental Psychology for Design, while advancing your digital media skills with software like Revit. This year strengthens your ability to address real-world design challenges confidently.

Year 3
In your third year, you can expand your experience through work placement, study abroad (Erasmus+), or an extended Interior Architecture and Design Studio project. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills professionally or gain international perspectives, helping you develop your portfolio and practical understanding of the industry.

Year 4
The final year focuses on professional preparation and personal design identity. With modules such as Interior Architecture Studio: Thesis, Research for Design and the Arts, and the creation of a Reflective Portfolio, you will complete a major design project and refine your design voice, ready for employment or postgraduate study.

Focus areas:
Creative studio design, interior materials and detailing, digital design tools (AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit), environmental psychology for space, architecture technologies, research thinking, professional communication.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to conceptualize and execute innovative interior architecture solutions, use industry-standard design media and digital tools, understand cultural and environmental contexts of design, conduct research to support creative decisions, and present a professional design portfolio.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is recognised at NFQ Level 8 and aligns with European interior architecture education standards. ATU’s interior and design programmes maintain links with the European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA) and the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI).

Reputation (employability rankings):
Students benefit from strong practical experience and exposure to real design challenges, including industry placements and international experiences. Recent student projects from this programme have been showcased in the Dezeen Schools Show, a respected international design showcase.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At ATU Sligo, you won’t just learn design in lectures—you’ll be immersed in real creative work from day one. The programme is hands-on and studio-focused, allowing you to develop practical skills through real projects, professional tools, and opportunities to collaborate with communities, industry experts, and international peers. You’ll have access to dedicated design spaces, advanced software, and professional workflows that mirror the real-world practices of interior architects and designers, helping you build confidence, creativity, and teamwork.

Experiential learning opportunities include:

Dedicated studio environment: Work in vibrant studios designed for interior architecture and design, with one-to-one guidance from tutors and space to develop your ideas visually and physically.
Industry-standard software: Learn and apply essential digital tools such as AutoCAD for technical drafting, SketchUp for 3D modelling, Photoshop for visual communication, and Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Work placement opportunities: In Year 3, complete a placement in a professional studio or practice, gaining hands-on experience with real client projects.
Annual field trips: Participate in study trips to European design capitals such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, or Milan to experience landmark architecture and interior environments firsthand.
Community and live projects: Engage in collaborative briefs that involve real clients, community-based projects, and interdisciplinary work across the Yeats Academy of Arts, Design, and Architecture.
Design exhibitions and competitions: Showcase your work publicly and gain confidence through exhibitions and international design events.
Creative hub facilities: Study within ATU’s arts, design, and architecture hub, with access to specialist labs, including Apple Mac suites and workspaces that support both digital and analogue production.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared to step into creative and professional roles where they shape interior spaces and environments. Many find themselves working as Interior Architects, Interior Designers, Exhibition Designers, or 3D Visualisation Specialists, while others explore careers in Furniture or Lighting Design or in Hospitality and Retail Interiors:

University career support: ATU’s Career Development Centre provides guidance from early in your studies through to graduation, including help with CVs, interview preparation, employer events, and networking opportunities to connect you with potential employers.
Employment outcomes: Graduates are equipped to work in interior architectural practices, design studios, architectural firms, and specialist design consultancies, with their portfolios and studio experience making them highly attractive to employers.
Industry connections: The Yeats Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture actively involves students in exhibitions, live client briefs, competitions, and other collaborative projects, helping you build professional contacts and real-world experience before you graduate.
Accreditation value: The programme is recognised at NFQ Level 8 and aligned with professional bodies such as the European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA) and the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI), giving your qualification credibility nationally and internationally.
Graduate outcomes: Student projects from the programme have been showcased in international design exhibitions, highlighting the practical, high-quality skills you will develop throughout your studies.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, many students choose to continue their studies with a Master of Arts in Interior Architecture at ATU, including specialisations in creative practice. Others explore postgraduate programmes nationally or internationally in fields such as spatial design, architectural technology, or 3D visualisation, further enhancing their expertise and career potential.