MA Interior Design

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Royal College of Art

Program Overview

The MA in Interior Design at the Royal College of Art gives you the freedom to explore how interior spaces shape people’s experiences — from the intimacy of a single room to the scale of entire urban environments. It’s perfect for students who want to tackle big social and environmental questions through imaginative, research-driven design, experimenting with materials, sustainability, and future ways of living.

Curriculum Structure

Term 1 – Primer & Media Studies

You start by exploring the fundamentals of interior design in Primer, questioning what interiors can be and developing your own critical approach. In Media Studies, you learn how to use analogue and digital media to communicate your ideas, building a toolkit for presenting your designs effectively.

Term 2 – Platforms, AcrossRCA & Elective

Next, you focus on a theme through Platforms — choosing from superREUSE, superMATTER, or superFUTURES — and developing a project that reflects your own interests. AcrossRCA gives you the chance to collaborate with students from other programmes, tackling real-world challenges together. You also select a School-wide elective to broaden or deepen your perspective, making your learning flexible and personal.

Term 3 – Independent Research Project

In your final term, you create an Independent Research Project, a self-directed design brief that brings together your research, experimentation, and unique creative voice. You’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work, engaging with the public and showcasing your ideas in a real-world context.

Focus Areas

Reuse, material experimentation, speculative futures, spatial social justice

Learning Outcomes

You’ll develop the ability to critically question what interiors mean, carry out rigorous research, communicate through making and media, and define a professional identity that reflects your personal design practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This is a prestigious RCA-awarded MA, giving you a globally recognised qualification from one of the world’s leading art and design universities.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

RCA graduates are highly sought after — many become design leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in creative industries worldwide. Its School of Architecture is especially renowned for producing influential thinkers and practitioners in interior and spatial design.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At RCA, learning isn’t just about ideas on paper — it’s about making, experimenting, and seeing your designs come to life. You’ll spend most of your time in studios and workshops, using everything from traditional craft tools to cutting-edge digital technologies. The programme encourages collaboration, interdisciplinary projects, and public exhibitions, so you graduate not just with a portfolio, but with real-world experience and confidence in your creative practice.

Here’s how your learning is hands-on and immersive:

Platform-Based Studio Work: Work within one of the three design “superPLATFORMS” — superREUSE, superMATTER, or superFUTURES — developing research-led, experimental projects that reflect your personal interests.
Workshops and Fabrication Facilities: Access wood, metal, plastic, and resin workshops, plus digital fabrication labs to bring your ideas into physical form.
Technical Support & Guidance: RCA’s skilled Technical Services team helps you safely and confidently use machinery and tools.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Join AcrossRCA projects, working with students from other programmes to tackle real-world challenges and broaden your perspective.
Exhibitions & Public Showcases: Present your Independent Research Project (IRP) publicly, gaining feedback and experiencing your work in a professional context.
Lectures, Seminars & Mentorship: Learn from both academics and practicing designers, blending theory with real-world insights.
Library & Research Resources: Use the RCA Library, including its Colour Reference Library and extensive archives, to support your research and inspire your projects.
Digital Tools & CAT Zones: Access high-performance computers, software training rooms, and specialist digital tools to enhance your design work.

These experiences ensure that by the time you graduate, you’re not only a thoughtful designer but also a confident, practice-ready professional.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from RCA’s MA Interior Design leave ready to shape the world of interiors in exciting and innovative ways. You could work as an Interior Designer, Design Researcher, Creative Director, or Exhibition / Installation Designer, using your skills to create spaces that are functional, inspiring, and socially conscious. The programme equips you not just with design expertise, but with the confidence and professional insight to thrive in a range of creative careers.

Here’s how RCA supports your career journey and helps you step into the professional world:

University Support for Employment:
- The RCA Careers Service gives personalised guidance on portfolios, CVs, and interviews.
- Through InnovationRCA, you can turn your ideas into a startup, with support on intellectual property, business advice, and incubation.
- As part of GenerationRCA, the alumni network provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and ongoing career support.
Employment Stats & Career Impact:
- 74% of alumni say their time at RCA helped them achieve their career goals.
- 90% of working graduates use skills and knowledge gained at RCA daily in their jobs.
- 83% rated RCA highly for preparing students for life after graduation, including career advice and networking.
Industry Connections & Entrepreneurial Opportunities:
- Many students work on live briefs or exhibitions, collaborating with cultural institutions and creative organisations.
- InnovationRCA links you to the design industry, providing mentorship, networking, and pathways to launching your own studio or business.
- RCA’s community of designers and researchers offers ongoing inspiration, contacts, and professional support.
Long-Term Accreditation Value:
- Your degree comes from the globally respected Royal College of Art, giving your CV strong credibility anywhere in the world.
- The programme combines research-led teaching with practical design experience, ensuring you graduate as a confident, thoughtful professional.
Graduation Outcomes:
- Alumni work in design consultancies, run their own studios, contribute to cultural and exhibition projects, or pursue research and academic roles.
- Careers vary widely, from socially engaged spatial design to entrepreneurial ventures in creative industries.

Further Academic Progression:
After this MA, you could pursue a PhD in Design, Architecture, or Spatial Practice, focusing on research or teaching. Alternatively, you could specialise further with another postgraduate degree in areas such as sustainable architecture, urban design, or material innovation, giving you an even sharper edge in your chosen field.