MA Interior Design

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

London Metropolitan University

Program Overview

The MA Interior Design at London Met is designed for creative thinkers who want to make a real impact through interiors. It’s perfect for graduates from interior, spatial, or architectural backgrounds — or anyone passionate about shaping spaces that respond to people, culture, and society. You’ll develop your creativity, carry out original research, and design with purpose, building a portfolio that reflects your unique perspective.

Curriculum Structure

Design Project Development
You’ll start by tackling a live design brief, often with real clients, where research, idea testing, and concept development are key. This hands-on approach helps you understand the full cycle of a professional design project while exploring your own creative voice.
Theoretical and Contextual Work
In Interior Contexts, you’ll look at how people, objects, and space interact, using media, texts, and spatial analysis to inform your designs. Meanwhile, Research Methods: Success in Design teaches you how to conduct and reflect on rigorous research to support your design decisions.
Change & Material Exploration
Modules like Design for Change explore how design affects behaviour and wellbeing, while Material Culture lets you dive into the meaning and impact of objects in everyday life — skills that feed directly into thoughtful, human-centered interiors.
Professional Application
In your final module, Project as Professional Practice, you’ll pull together a polished, client-ready design proposal. This gives you experience in presenting your work professionally, combining research, creativity, and strategy to create a compelling, viable solution.

Focus areas: “interior research, social & political context in design, material culture, behavioural change through design, professional design practice”

Learning outcomes: “develop advanced research skills, create conceptually-rich and context-sensitive designs, communicate your work professionally, and critically reflect on materials, culture, and user experience”

Professional alignment (accreditation): While not formally accredited, the course aligns closely with professional practice through client-facing projects, research-led design, and real-world applications.

Reputation (employability / rankings):

London Met emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and real-world project experience.
Alumni have gone on to work at top design firms like Gensler, Perkins and Will, BDP, Woods Bagot, Benoy, and TP Bennett, across residential, retail, public, and cultural projects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At London Met, the MA Interior Design is all about doing, not just thinking. You’ll be working in vibrant studio environments, taking on real-world design briefs, and collaborating with peers from a variety of creative disciplines. With hands-on facilities and expert guidance, you’ll test materials, experiment with digital tools, and develop projects that feel truly professional from the start.

Here’s how your learning comes to life:

Design Studio Culture: You’ll spend most of your time in dynamic studios, working on projects grounded in real social, political, and cultural contexts, mirroring the professional design world.
MakeWorks Workshops: Access specialist workshops and digital labs for 3D printing, CNC routing, wood and metal fabrication, upholstery, model-making, and more — perfect for bringing your ideas to life.
Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Setting: Work alongside students from architecture, product, and furniture design, learning from different perspectives and approaches.
Research‑Driven Projects: Modules like Research Methods: Success in Design and Design Project Development help you back up your creative ideas with solid research.
Professional Presentation: In Project as Professional Practice, you’ll produce client-ready design proposals, learning how to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
Exhibition Opportunities: Your final project will be showcased in London Met’s postgraduate and research exhibition, giving you exposure to both the public and professionals.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Newly refurbished studios, digital workshops, design labs, IT suites, and a central library provide the perfect environment to explore, experiment, and innovate.
Global Exposure: While field trips aren’t guaranteed, the School has strong international links, giving you a broader perspective on design practices worldwide.

This hands-on approach ensures you graduate with real-world experience, a strong professional portfolio, and the confidence to thrive in the creative industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MA Interior Design at London Met opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers. Many of our alumni move into roles such as Interior Designer, Design Consultant, Spatial or Exhibition Designer, or Design Strategist. With hands-on project experience, live client briefs, and a portfolio full of professional-level work, you’ll be ready to step straight into the creative industries or even launch your own practice.

Here’s how London Met helps you get there:

Tailored Career Support: The Careers Service offers guidance, networking opportunities, and workshops designed specifically for creative students to help you prepare for your next step.
Industry Connections & Alumni Network: Graduates have gone on to work at top firms like Gensler, Perkins + Will, TP Bennett, BDP, Woods Bagot, and Benoy, giving you a clear picture of the types of employers who value this degree.
Real-World Project Experience: Live client briefs and research-led projects ensure that your portfolio reflects professional standards and practical problem-solving skills.
Local & Global Design Contexts: Based in London, the course connects you with both local design opportunities and international perspectives, preparing you for diverse cultural, commercial, and public sector projects.
Long-Term Career Value: Beyond technical skills, the course equips you with critical thinking, conceptual development, and research abilities that support lifelong growth and leadership in the design field.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni pursue careers in workspace design, exhibitions, retail, residential, public spaces, digital design, cultural institutions, marketing, and education.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, the MA provides a solid foundation for MPhil or PhD research in design through London Met’s School of Art, Architecture & Design, helping you develop deeper expertise and research credentials for an academic or specialist career.