BA (hons) Interior Design with Diploma in Creative Professional Development (Foundation Year)

At Norwich University of the Arts, Interior Design is very much a hands-on, studio-first experience. From the moment you start the course, you are learning through doing — sketching ideas, building models, experimenting with materials, and developing spaces in environments that feel close to real design practice. You will spend a large part of your week working in shared Interior Design and Architecture studios, which helps you think spatially, collaborate naturally, and gain confidence presenting your ideas just as you would in a professional setting.

As the course progresses, your practical skills are strengthened through structured design projects, technical workshops, and digital facilities that support both creative exploration and professional standards. You are encouraged to test ideas, make mistakes, and refine your work through feedback, group discussions, and critiques. Cross-disciplinary experiences such as Interchange Week allow you to step outside your subject, work with students from other creative courses, and develop a broader design mindset that employers value:

This is how experiential learning is built into the degree:

• Studio-based learning every week: You work primarily in dedicated Interior Design and Architecture studios, developing concepts, layouts, and models in a collaborative, design-focused environment.

• Real project briefs: The course is structured around design projects that reflect real interior challenges, helping you understand how people experience space, light, materials, and sustainability in practice.

• Group projects and critiques: You regularly work alongside classmates, take part in group tutorials, and present your ideas during crit sessions, building confidence in communication and teamwork.

• Hands-on workshops: You develop practical skills through workshops focused on technical drawing, model-making, and material exploration.

• Digital and CAD facilities: You use specialist digital labs and computer-aided design facilities to support 2D and 3D visualisation, spatial planning, and professional presentation of your work.

• Interchange Week: Dedicated interdisciplinary weeks where you take part in workshops, talks, and creative challenges with students from across the university, encouraging fresh thinking and experimentation.

• Photography and presentation: Access to a photography studio allows you to document your work professionally, helping you build a strong portfolio.

• Final-year degree show: In your final year, you complete a major integrated design project and showcase it at the university’s graduate exhibition, giving you real exposure to industry professionals and potential employers.

• Careers and employability support: Throughout the course, the university’s Business and Employability Team supports you with career planning, internships, freelance pathways, and next steps after graduation.

 Facilities You Will Use

As an Interior Design student at Norwich University of the Arts, you have access to specialist creative spaces that support every stage of the design process:

• Interior Design and Architecture studios

• Design workshops

• Laser cutting facilities

• 3D workshops

• Photography studio

• Digital and media labs

• Large-format printing facilities

These spaces are designed to help you move seamlessly from idea to model to final presentation.

A degree in Interior Design from Norwich University of the Arts opens doors to creative careers where you shape how people experience spaces every day. Graduates go on to work across interior, spatial and experiential design roles, using the strong practical skills, portfolio development and industry exposure built into the course. Whether you see yourself working in a design studio, retail environments, exhibitions or performance spaces, this course is designed to help you transition confidently into the creative industries:

Common career paths for graduates include:

• Interior Designer

• Experiential or Spatial Designer

• Visual Merchandiser or Window Designer

• Exhibition or Scenography Designer

What really strengthens your future prospects is the way employability is embedded throughout the degree:

• Dedicated employability support: Norwich University of the Arts’ Business and Employability Team supports you throughout your studies — helping with portfolio development, career planning, interview preparation and guidance on internships, freelance work and graduate roles.

• Strong graduate outcomes: Around 92 percent of Norwich University of the Arts graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating, reflecting the university’s strong focus on career readiness.

• Graduate salary progression: Design graduates typically start on entry-level creative salaries in the UK, with earnings increasing as experience grows — showing clear long-term progression within the industry.

• Industry-connected learning: Through live briefs and real-world project work, you gain experience responding to industry expectations and building a professional network before you graduate.

• Creative reputation and alumni network: You become part of a well-established creative university with graduates working across interior design, architecture, exhibitions, and the wider design sector.

• Long-term degree value: The course is recognised within the creative industries and equips you with transferable design, communication and problem-solving skills that remain valuable as design practices evolve.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing BA (Hons) Interior Design, many students choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level. You could progress to a Master’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Design Innovation or a related creative discipline, either at Norwich University of the Arts or another specialist institution. Some graduates also move into research-focused study or professional development routes, allowing you to specialise further and strengthen your career prospects as you grow within the design field.