MA Interior Design

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

De Montfort University

Program Overview

The MA Interior Design at De Montfort University is perfect for creative thinkers who want to shape how people experience space. You’ll explore how interiors can tell stories, influence wellbeing, and respond to social and environmental challenges — all while developing your own unique design voice through a major project or work-based brief.

Curriculum Structure

Early Stage: Creative Foundations
You’ll start with the Creative Interior Design Studio, diving straight into hands-on projects that challenge you to explore ideas, materials, and sustainable design solutions. Alongside this, Research & Design Methodology equips you with the tools to investigate and communicate your concepts with confidence.
Developing Specialisms
Next, you’ll choose a focus, like Narrative Spaces, Technology for Design, or UX & UI. Here, you experiment with cutting-edge tools such as CAD, virtual prototyping, and digital manufacturing — exploring how technology can bring your interior visions to life.
Strategic Application
In Strategic Interior Design Proposal, you’ll develop a major project or brief, combining creative ideas with practical business and marketing strategies. This is where your research meets real-world application, preparing you for a professional portfolio-ready project.
Final Stage: Major or Work-Based Project
In the last phase, you either take full ownership of a Major Design Project or collaborate on a Work-based Project with a company or organisation. You’ll refine your professional skills, showcase your creativity, and produce a project that demonstrates your readiness for the design industry.

Focus Areas

Storytelling through space, sustainability, digital technologies, user experience, and professional design practice.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll gain advanced research skills, learn to create strategic and sustainable design solutions, master digital tools for prototyping, and communicate your ideas professionally — preparing you for careers in design studios, consultancy, or even independent practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While not formally accredited by a single professional body, this program is designed with industry standards in mind, offering work-based projects and real-world design experiences that make you highly employable.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

DMU is proud of its Gold rating in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework, reflecting top-quality teaching and learning. Graduates of this MA have gone on to work with leading design firms like Conran Design, Foster + Partners, and Kelly Hoppen, building careers across interiors, exhibitions, and experiential design.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At DMU, the MA Interior Design isn’t just about theory — it’s about making your ideas real. From day one, you’ll be working in dedicated design studios and workshops, experimenting with materials, digital tools, and new ways of shaping space. You’ll gain hands-on experience through real design briefs, group collaborations, and optional work placements, preparing you for the professional world while helping you discover your own creative voice.

Here’s how your practical learning comes to life:

Creative Studios & Workshops: Work in the Vijay Patel Building’s specialist spaces, including prototyping workshops and model-making studios, where you can bring your concepts to life.
Digital & 3D Tools: Access high-spec PC labs with CAD, 3D modelling, animation, and multimedia software to explore and visualize your designs.
Emerging Technology: Experiment with virtual prototyping, digital manufacturing, and CNC tools in the Technology for Design module.
Collaborative Projects: Join group design projects like Narrative Spaces, developing multi-layered proposals with your peers.
Work-Based Placement Option: Apply your skills in a real design company, tackling projects that combine research, creativity, and strategy.
Research-Led Practice: Develop and execute a Major Design Project or Strategic Interior Design Proposal, backed by primary research and professional insight.
Library & Learning Zones: Use the Kimberlin Library and creative learning spaces for research, ideation, and collaborative work.
Digital Technology Hub: Explore media labs, virtual production suites, and cutting-edge digital environments that support innovation.

This blend of studio work, digital tools, collaborative projects, and industry experience ensures you graduate ready to make an impact in the interior design world.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from DMU’s MA Interior Design opens doors to exciting creative careers. Many of our alumni step into roles such as Interior Designer, Exhibition Designer, Design Consultant, or Design Strategist, working in studios, agencies, or independent practice. With hands-on experience from live projects and optional placements, you’ll graduate ready to make a real impact in the design world.

Here’s how DMU helps you get there:

Career Support: The DMU Careers Hub offers tailored guidance, including one-on-one coaching, CV and portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and even immersive VR interview practice with Bodyswaps.
Strong Employment Outcomes: Graduates have gone on to work with top design firms such as Conran Design, Kelly Hoppen, Foster + Partners, and Pinewood Studios.
Work Placement Opportunities: You can choose a year-long placement to gain real-world experience, make industry connections, and bridge your academic learning with professional practice.
University–Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with creative organisations like Phoenix Square, Curve Theatre, and Leicester Print Workshop allow you to work on live projects, giving your portfolio a professional edge.
Long-Term Career Value: Beyond technical skills, the course develops strategic thinking, research ability, and sustainability expertise — all highly valued by employers. DMU also supports alumni through DMU for Life, helping you continue your career growth even after graduation.
Graduate Success: Many MA Interior Design alumni have advanced into senior design roles, started their own studios, or pursued research at PhD level.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep learning, the MA provides a strong foundation for PhD or MPhil studies in design or related fields. Your final project and research experience make you a strong candidate for advanced academic study, and DMU offers ongoing support to help you make that leap.