Who should do this course?
Anyone who is serious about becoming an interior designer or seeking to work in design-related areas and who have relevant qualifications or experience. Mature students with extensive experience in the interior design profession can also receive recognition through this qualification.
If you have to juggle family commitments, full-time or part-time work and want the flexibility offered by studying part-time by distance learning, then this is the course for you.
Although the course is studied via online distance learning, your certificate will not show this - it's identical to certificates presented to full time home students.
Our BA (Hons) Degree is validated and awarded by Staffordshire University. Staffordshire University is a higher education corporation under the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988. If you would like to learn more about Staffordshire University, please browse their website; http://www.staffs.ac.uk/ and if you still have further questions, please do not hesitate in contacting us.
Entry requirements
If you wish to apply for the BA Honours Degree in Interior Design (incorporating the Foundation Degree) you will need to submit a detailed CV and list your qualifications (copies of certificates will be required).
The following qualifications enable you to take the course:
- NOCN Diploma in Interior Design or similar (all NDA Level 3 Diploma students are guaranteed a place on the course)
- NOCN Diploma in Professonal Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings (after a two day conversion course)
- Successful completion of an Art Foundation Year
- A Level in Art, Art & Design or similar
- NVQ 3 in Art & Design
- City & Guilds Interior Design or equivalent
- An equivalent qualification
- Suitable experience in the design profession
If unsure, please ring.
If you have extensive experience in interior design and can supply a portfolio of work, this may remove the need for formal qualifications. Please contact the Director of Quality and Business to discuss any qualifications you may have.
All our courses are delivered in English, so you must be able to prove that you have sufficient skills, particularly in written English eg IELTS average 6 or TOEFL score of 550. Please contact us with details of any other English language qualifications.
Where can I study & how long will it take?
All courses offered by the National Design Academy are distance learning, so you don't need to come to the UK for any part of your studies with us.
Enrol at any time and work flexibly to suit your lifestyle. The Foundation (Levels 4 and 5) part of the Degree takes an average of 2-3 years, with the final (Level 6) part of the BA (Hons) taking an average of 12-18 months.
If you have a planned trip to the UK and you would like to attend one of our Workshops, you are more than welcome, please have a look at the ‘Workshops' section for further information.
What will I achieve?
Level 4 (Year 1 full time equivalent) University Certificate of Higher Education
Level 5 (Year 2 full time equivalent) Foundation Degree in Interior Design
Level 6 (Year 3 full time equivalent) BA Honours Degree Interior Design (awarded by Staffordshire University)
Please note that the certificates do not mention that the course was studied via distance learning, it is in the same format as for those who have studied at the University.
Our BA (Hons) Degree is validated and awarded by Staffordshire University. Staffordshire University is a higher education corporation under the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988. If you would like to learn more about Staffordshire University, please browse their website; http://www.staffs.ac.uk/ and if you still have further questions, please do not hesitate in contacting us.
When can I start?
You can enrol at any time and set your own start date.
Assessment
You will not have to take an exam! Your tutor will assess your assignments as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio is moderated by a Staffordshire University External Examiner. The course assignments are mainly practical and will not involve extensive essay or thesis writing.
Each Module is self-contained, and has its own assessment, it has distinctive educational objectives and clearly defined content.
After my course
You can progress into a number of different areas including:
- Study route - A Masters Degree, PhD or access a host of graduate training programmes
- Career route - You can become a freelance designer, start your own domestic or commercial practice including the retail & hospitality industries orwork as a qualified interior designer within an interior design or architectural practice. Other fields open to you will be interiors home staging, window display, show home designer, design journalism, exhibition designer, lighting designer, retail buyer for the design profession, interiors specifier, theatre or TV set design or teach interior design.
As the BA Honours Degree is studied part-time, you can combine both study and career routes.
Fees
£3,800 per level; Total for Levels 4-6 £11,400
Fees are reduced by £300 per level when full payment is made prior to start date. Payment per level in full is £3,500
Fees can be paid in instalments; Deposit £380 per level followed by 10 monthly payments of £380 = £3,800 per level
Course details
Assessment; There are no exams, your tutor will assess your assignments and your portfolio is moderated by the Open College Network (OCN).
For the Foundation Degree, you will study 8 Modules. Each Module is worth 30 credits, making up the 240 credits required to earn the Foundation Degree in Interior Design (FdA).
Each Module should take approximately three months to complete, although there is some flexibility. If you are able to attend workshops this will help speed your progress.
Module 1 - Research Methods & Visualisation 1
Start your journey tracing the fascinatinghistory of interior design. This Module will alsoshow youthe work of the world's best contemporary interior designers and provide you with all the research skills you will need.
Module 2 - Interior Design Principles 2
This Module develops your design communication, management and drawing techniques. You willexamine inspirational examples of best practice from established designers to illustrate the importance of developing your own individual style.
Module 3 - Creative Lighting
Good lighting is fundamental to the success of an interior design scheme. In this Module, discover the enormous range of lighting products, manufacturers and design effects - the tools of any designer. Apply specialist lighting techniquesto kitchen design.
Module 4 - Domestic Space in Historical Context 3
This Module looks at residential interior design through such fascinating influences as Elizabethan, Italian Renaissance, Baroque and many other historicalmovements and influences which continue to shape the society in which we live.
Module 5 - Design & Technology
Within an interior design scheme, it is often necessary to remove walls, enlarge windows and doors or raise/lower ceilings. This Module will help you to understand the requirements for planning consent.Responsible and sustainable design is an increasingly sector of the interior design market. We look atthe differing, sometimes contradictory, approaches to ethical and ecological design.
Module 6 - Exhibition Design 4
We look at exhibition design, a fascinating and diverse sector of interior design.Projects can range from small trade exhibition stands promoting new designers or products to large public museums and private galleries of design/fine art.
Module 7 - Interior Design Professional Practice
The Module focuses on starting your own interior business and looks at the marketing and management of a professional interior design practice. You will learn how to accurately cost and select products, tender for jobs and produce a business plan with financial forecasts. You will have the opportunity to observe the NDA 'Private Clients' interior design practice.
Module 8 - Furniture & Furnishings
Furniture is often the most visible element of any interior design scheme. Explore the rich history of furniture and furnishings and become familiar with the major international suppliers, designers andmanufacturers.Textiles are also a highly visible component of an interior design scheme. Discover how textiles have been used throughout history both practically and ornamentally.
If you want to gain the BA Honours Degree in Interior Design, you will need to complete three additional Modules.
It is estimated that the first 2 Modules should each take approximately 5 months with a further 6 months for the Interior Design Project.
These are:
Module 1(a) Professional Practice: Option 1 (30 Credits)
The Professional Practice Module includes such essential information as: costing and budgeting, marketing, product specification and tendering. Also covered are legal, professional and compliance issues, business planning and financial forecasting.
or
Module 1(b) Exhibition Design: Option 2 (30 Credits)
Exhibition design is a fascinating and diverse sector of interior design. Projects range from large public museums and private galleries to trade exhibition stands promoting products as diverse as motorbikes or cosmetics.
Module 2 Research Study Project: Preparation & Completion (30 Credits)
This Module includes the identification, planning and preparation of self-directed (with guidance) research study. You will look at ways in which the research study may be implemented including formatting, synthesis and presentation of text-based research.
If you exit at this point you would achieve BA Interior Design, however, most students progress to BA Honours Interior Design. To achieve this you will also need to complete a 60 Credit Independent Study Project.
Module 3 Interior Design Project: (60 Credits)
This Final Project Moduleisdelivered byindependent study with guidance and support provided by the Tutors to develop your individual skills and areas of interest.
Essential Equipment
- Laptop, PC or Mac to access the course online via the VLS
- Broadband internet connection
- Internet browser: Internet Explorer 7 (or above) or Firefox
-
Digital camera
- Drawing pen and pencil
- Scale rule with 1:10, 1:20 and 1:50 scales (approx £8)
- Adjustable set-square (approx £16)
- Pastels, crayons, watercolours, etc.
- A3 paper
- A2 drawing board
- Recommended reading book list
All books, non-electronic equipment & other recommended equipment is available in our online Art Shop at special student prices.
