BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arts University Bournemouth

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) teaches you to transform existing spaces through a mix of creativity, architectural thinking, and technical understanding. It’s ideal for students who want to design environments that feel meaningful, functional, and visually striking — balancing structure, atmosphere, human experience, and sustainability.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year introduces you to how interior spaces can be reimagined through adaptation, reuse, and creative reinterpretation. You’ll develop essential design skills such as sketching, model-making, digital representation, and analysis of materials, light, sound, and spatial experience. Early studio projects help you understand how narrative, identity, and user experience shape the way spaces are designed.

Year 2
In year two, you take on more complex interior architecture challenges where you consider context, regulations, user wellbeing, environmental performance, and construction methods. You’ll explore how structure and materials support your design decisions, while studio collaborations push you to refine your technical ability and creative direction. This is where your understanding of space becomes more confident, detailed, and professionally aligned.

Year 3
Your final year gives you the opportunity to define your own design voice. You’ll complete a major project that integrates everything you’ve learned — from conceptual development to technical resolution — creating ambitious and fully realised interior architecture proposals. Alongside this, you refine your portfolio, conduct research, and evaluate your creative practice to prepare for entry into the design industry.

Focus Areas
Adaptive reuse; narrative-driven design; materiality and sensory experience; sustainability; human-centred environments; environmental technologies; digital modelling and fabrication.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to design sophisticated interior environments that respond to structural constraints and human needs; craft spaces with strong narratives and experiential qualities; apply knowledge of materials, environmental design, and construction; and communicate ideas through professional drawings, models, and digital presentations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The course is recognised by the Society of British Interior Design (SBID) and aligned with standards of the European Council of Interior Architects and Designers (ECIA), connecting students to respected professional networks.

Reputation (Employability & Facilities)
AUB is renowned for its studio-based creative education, offering hands-on learning, industry-focused projects, and access to exceptional workshops and digital labs. Students benefit from placement opportunities in the second year, strong industry links, and a curriculum that prepares them for careers in interior architecture, commercial interiors, experiential design, exhibition and museum design, set design, hospitality spaces, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) learn through an immersive, studio-based education that mirrors professional practice. They work in dedicated design studios, experiment with materials in specialist workshops, and use industry-standard software to bring concepts to life. Throughout the course, students participate in spatial design projects, model-making, technical detailing, and real client-inspired briefs, giving them the confidence to think creatively while solving real interior architecture challenges. Collaborative projects with other AUB disciplines further enrich their experience, helping them understand how designers, makers, and digital specialists work together in the built-environment industry.

Key Experiential Components & Facilities

Software & Digital Tools
- Students gain proficiency with Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite for drafting, spatial layouts, concept development, and presentation.
- 3D digital modelling and rendering are supported through access to advanced tools such as SketchUp, Rhino, and V-Ray.
- Technical experimentation is encouraged using digital fabrication processes, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC equipment.
Studios & Workshops
- Learners work in dedicated Interior Architecture and Design studios, designed to mimic professional design environments.
- They can access extensive AUB workshops equipped for model-making, woodworking, metal fabrication, casting, and prototype construction, supporting both conceptual and technical exploration.
- On-site digital production labs offer facilities for high-quality printing, digital scanning, and materials testing.
Project-Based Learning
- Each year features a sequence of design projects, from small-scale interventions to large-scale commercial and public spaces.
- Students undertake live or industry-set briefs, giving them the chance to respond to real client needs and contextual challenges.
- Group projects encourage teamwork, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration with students from architecture, modelmaking, and visual communication.
Professional Experience & Industry Links
- Guest lectures, portfolio reviews, and workshops are delivered by practicing designers, interior architects, and industry partners.
- Students are encouraged to engage with work placements and networking opportunities, strengthening their professional readiness.
Field Trips & Site Visits
- Study visits introduce students to contemporary interior spaces, exhibitions, and architectural landmarks, broadening their understanding of spatial design in different contexts.
- Local site visits support technical learning related to construction details, material use, and environmental design.
Research & Specialist Learning Support
- Students benefit from AUB’s research-active staff and access to expertise in sustainability, materials exploration, digital workflows, and creative practice methodologies.
Library & Learning Resources
- The AUB Library provides extensive physical and digital collections in architecture, interior design, construction, materials, and design theory.
- Access to journals, case studies, and technical standards supports both academic and practical project development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) develop strong creative, spatial, and technical design abilities that prepare them for careers across the interior and built-environment industries. Many move into roles such as interior designer, space planner, exhibition or set designer, or adaptive-reuse specialist, with average early-career earnings of around £24,500 within 15 months of graduation.

Here is how AUB supports students’ long-term success:

University services for employment: AUB’s Careers and Employability team assists with portfolio development, interview preparation, industry networking, and access to internships and creative placements.
Employment & salary stats: Approximately 88% of graduates from design-related disciplines at AUB are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Typical earnings at this stage average around £24,500, with many graduates progressing into skilled creative roles.
University–industry partnerships: The course benefits from professional connections with the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) and the European Council of Interior Architects, giving students exposure to practising designers, industry insights, and opportunities to build valuable contacts.
Long-term accreditation value: The BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design is accredited by SBID, and students receive free SBID student membership throughout the course, followed by a year of professional membership after graduating — a significant advantage when entering the industry.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni often secure roles in interior design studios, exhibition and events design, theatre and set design, retail and commercial spatial design, or adaptive reuse projects that transform existing buildings into new functional environments.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, graduates may continue to master’s-level study in subjects such as interior design, architecture, creative spatial practices, sustainable environments, or other specialised design disciplines. The SBID accreditation also provides a pathway toward advanced professional memberships and industry-recognised qualifications in interior architecture and design.