BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living
A fully accredited online design for outdoor living degree; offering students a more in-depth and professional approach to specific design projects, focussed on exterior living spaces.
Globally Recognised
Fully accredited by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)
Study Duration
3 years flexible online learning. Study anytime, from anywhere
Excellent Tutor Support
Unlimited access to your personal tutor
Course Summary
The BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living not only prepares you to become qualified interior designer but provides you with the specialist skills required to design the seamless transition of the interior space to the outdoors. This course includes all the core modules from the BA (Hons) Interior Design with specialist modules dedicated to outdoor living studied in the final year. Core modules include research and contextualisation, space planning, the history of interior design, creative lighting, show home design, & furniture & furnishings.
Specialist modules include design technology & materials, plants & planting for outdoor living and a final outdoor living project to add to your professional portfolio. The degree also includes all elements of the client brief and professional practice to prepare you for your future career in the design industry.
What our Students Say
Course Breakdown
You will study 11 modules for the Online BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree.
Module 1 - Research & Contextualisation
Research & Contextualisation
Interior design is a vibrant and exciting industry, and within this module you will be introduced to world leaders in both residential and commercial design. Research underpins all good design projects therefore this module will introduce you to the skills and methods needed to undertake this research. You will gain a comprehensive knowledge of interior design and its history through the ages; knowledge which you will be able to apply to future modules.
Module 2 - Space Planning
Space Planning
However beautiful a space, if it is not functional it will not work for the user. Form and function is essential for good design. In this module you will learn how to design a space to meet the requirements of its function. You will learn how to plan and design an efficient, comfortable and safe space within a number of different briefs for both residential and commercial interiors. You will also start to learn the importance of development work at the initial stages of a project and how a concept will aid the design process.
Module 3 - Design in Historical Context
Design in Historical Context
To understand the present, you need to understand the past, and in this module you will be encouraged to actively research heritage buildings within your local area, utilising some of the skills developed in the research module. This module examines the factors that have played a part in the development of interior design since the Renaissance and gives you the opportunity to recreate some of the most fascinating design styles throughout history.
Module 4 - Creative Lighting and Technology
Creative Lighting and Technology
Good lighting and the creative use of technology is integral to any good interior design project. This module will cover the vast array of products and technologies which can be used within a space to create a dynamic yet functional scheme for both residential and commercial projects. You will further develop the scheme produced in your Space Planning module, adding lighting and audio-visual technology to an already developed furniture plan, ensuring that the space is fit for the purpose identified by the client.
Module 5 - Sustainable Design and Technology
Sustainable Design and Technology
Regardless of the sector you decide to specialise in, you will need to understand how and when to use sustainable products, materials and technologies, as this is a growing concern among clients. As a designer you need to be able to offer your clients the same range of options whilst being conscious of current environmental issues. Within this module you will address these issues and discover a range of architects and designers who specialise in eco-friendly interiors, all whilst exploring the world of restaurant design.
Module 6 - Home Staging and Show Home Design
Home Staging and Show Home Design
There are many factors which influence the sale or re-sale of residential properties, and in this module you will focus on how to design interiors that sell! By designing two different properties for clients who will not be the intended residents the way in which you communicate your ideas will be different. As part of this module you will learn how to produce letters to clients, design packs and 3D visuals.
Module 7 - Professional Practice
Professional Practice
In this module you will be given the tools you need to create your own design practice and a marketing plan specifically tailored to you and your chosen career path. You will also explore the importance of branding to a business, and be given the opportunity to develop your own brand, which can form part of your portfolio and used to develop your future career prospects. You will also have the skills required to work within an existing practice at a professional level.
Module 8 - Major Design Project
Major Design Project
Through the development and presentation of a major design project, this module will allow you to apply everything that you have learnt so far. Working from concept, to development, through to completion, you will produce a great range of work to include within your portfolio. There is a choice of different client briefs, allowing you to tailor the direction of your project to your specialist field of degree study. For this module, you will also complete work experience, which will give you a unique insight into the design industry.
Module 9 - Design Technology & Materials
Design Technology & Materials
This is the first of the specialist Design for Outdoor Living modules, and here you will be able to start tailoring your portfolio towards your specialist sector. Within this module you will explore the principles of outdoor living and designing the transitional space between the indoors and out. Selection of products, materials, finishes and furniture for outdoor living are also covered. You will also start to explore environmental issues, durability of materials and installation techniques.
Module 10 - Plants & Planting for Outdoor Living
Plants & Planting for Outdoor Living
This module will focus on the selection and placement of plants and planting to further enhance an environment and how they can be displayed to maximise both the interior and outdoor areas of your design. As part of this module you will create a range of drawings, from development sketches to your final design, with final presentation boards which will form part of your portfolio to display your skills in this specialist sector.
Module 11 - Research & Independent Study
Research & Independent Study
Building on the skills and understanding you have developed in previous modules, and with the support of your tutor, you will be given double the amount of time of previous modules to focus on a design and research based project of your choosing. This will be the culmination of your course and you will be able to add visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and technical drawings to complete your extensive portfolio, together with a written dissertation.
Is This Course For You?
This course is the ideal next step for students who have already successfully completed the Diploma in Professional Interior Design or Garden Design with the National Design Academy, hold an equivalent UK or international qualification in a design subject or alternatively, have a portfolio of relevant industry experience.
Direct entry students, transferring students from other institutions, and international students are all welcome. There are no term times – so you can apply and start at any time.
- Already completed an NDA Professional Diploma?
- Hold an equivalent UK or international qualification?
- Have a portfolio of relevant industry experience?
- Apply now and take the next step in your interior design career!
Flexible
Affordable
Online
Internationally Recognised
A Trusted & Accredited Qualification
NDA has over 35 years experience in teaching interior design and over 35,000 alumni from over 100 countries. This course is a trusted way to help pursue your passion and kick-start your career.
This Online (BA Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree is awarded by our academic partners De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU).
Entry Requirements
To be accepted on our Online BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree you will need the following qualifications.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold at least one of the following:
- Professional Diploma with the National Design Academy in any subject
- Level 3 Diploma, City & Guilds, NVQ, BTEC, HNC in a Design subject or equivalent.
- A Level in Art and/or Design equivalent.
- Art & Design Foundation Year (university or college).
- Portfolio of previous Interior Design experience.
- International Baccalaureate Art & Design equivalent.
- High School Diploma containing Art & Design with portfolio.
- International equivalent qualification.
English Language
The course is taught in English, so international students will require a good standard of written English to study. IELTS average 6.5 or TOEFL score of 550 is usually required, however all students are considered on an individual basis as we are aware that many international students have already been taught in English at school, college or university.
Don't Meet The Requirements?
No problem! If you do not have the required qualifications to study a degree you can study an NDA Diploma either online or in-studio, for a guaranteed place on one of our online Bachelor’s Degrees afterwards. Please view our Diploma Courses for more information.
Final year 'Top-up Degree':If you have already studied an FdA, BTEC, HND, or international 2 year degree or equivalent in Interior Design or relevant design subject or have professional interior design experience you can enter directly onto the final year. Find Out More
Online BA (Hons) Degree Pricing
Fees and payment options differ depending on whether you are a UK resident or an internationally based student.
UK Students
Student Loan
Most Popular
£0*
*No Upfront Fees
Covers Full £5,495 Course Fee. Fully fund your learning, with a student loan.
Pay in Full
One-Time Payment
£5,495*
On Enrolment
*Fee per level/year subject to change after 1st August each year
Spread the Cost
10x Monthly Payments
£575
£5,750 in Total*
Breathe easy. Spread the yearly cost of your course over 10 months.
*Monthly payments include admin fee
International Students
Pay in Full
One-Time Payment
$7,650* (USD)
On Enrolment
Make one easy payment to cover the full yearly cost of your course.
Save $600 by paying in full
*Fee per level/year subject to change after 1st August each year
Spread the Cost
10x Monthly Payments
$8,250 (USD)
In total per year*
Spread the yearly cost of your course.
$1,500 on enrolment + 9 x $750 monthly payments.
*Monthly payments include admin fee
You Can Afford to Study a Degree
UK Undergraduate Student loans are the most popular way for NDA students resident in the UK to study as they cover the entire cost of their degree.
Loans are not based on income or means tested and most students in England & Wales will qualify (Scotland & NI have different arrangements).
How Will You Study Online?
Swipe tabs to navigate.
Responsive Learning, Designed For You.
Offering a fully responsive learning experience our course content can be opened, studied and enjoyed on any device, from anywhere in the world.
Virtual Learning Studio
How do you learn online, you ask? It’s simple: introducing our Virtual Learning Studio, or VLS for short. The VLS is our exclusive, online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities.
Students can rewind and re-watch until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!
Personal Tutors
Every National Design Academy student has a Personal Tutor to guide them through their qualification.
You have unlimited access to your tutor and can contact them by email, telephone, Zoom, Teams or in-person as often as you wish.
Student Support Team
We also have a dedicated Student Support and Administration Team to help deal with any other queries such as payments, student loans advice and anything else you may need a helping hand with.
Our Student Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17:00 (UK Time).
Group Tutorials
All delivered online via zoom, join NDA tutors and like-minded peers to discuss interior design topics, course content and gain valuable live feedback.
As a Degree level student, you are offered a group tutorial for each module and also receive advice on how to progress once you complete your course.
Online Forums
Once you enrol, you will also have the opportunity to join our dedicated NDA Facebook discussion group. Student cohorts will often set up their own Whatsapp chat groups to communicate also.
Students enjoy discussing their design projects, encouraging others and offering advice, as well as sharing work and offering top tips for approaching modules.
What's Next?
An NDA BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree will provide you with the knowledge and design skills to start your own interior design business, the qualification to progress to a Master’s Degree or why not both! Find out more below…
Progression
Successful completion of your NDA BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree provides a guaranteed place on our Master’s Degree, MA Interior Design with Practice Management, with a generous Progression Scholarship.
All NDA Degrees are validated by De Montfort University (DMU).
You can study flexibly, around your new career in Interior Design. With a Master’s Degree you will be qualified for a senior or management role within the design industry.
Careers
The NDA BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree is designed to help you start your own Interior Design business. Many of our Degree students start their own business and then progress to study for their NDA Master’s Degree flexibly alongside their client projects. With an NDA Degree you can;
- Establish your own commercial or residential interior design practice.
- Work as a freelance designer in the exciting world of interior design.
- Work within a design or architectural practice.
- Work within a property development company as a home staging/ show home designer.
Stay On, Study & Save
We love to watch our students succeed, those that complete one of our Short, Diploma or Degree courses gain access to our Progression Scholarship giving you money back for continuing to study with us.
Alternatively, our courses are built with business in mind, giving you the skills to begin work as a freelance designer in the exciting world of Interior Design.
Save £500/$600
On your next course, T&Cs apply.
Progression
Guaranteed
Student Success Stories
Hear what our amazing students have to say about how they have succeeded within the industry once completing their online design degree with the National Design Academy.
In terms of the future for me, I feel incredibly excited, I feel empowered by the course and in a position where I can take on most design jobs an imprint on the world!
From professional rugby player to professional interior designer
View Full Student Spotlight
The skills learned in writing my dissertation certainly helped me in writing my book, 'My Happy Place' which focusses on sustainable and humane design for life and work.
Since finishing my degree, I have moved to an incredible design company, who offer both interior design and commercial kitchen design. At ABDA, I get to combine my 11 years of commercial kitchen design with my new interior design skillset.
I’m also going to start looking for a job where I can work on real projects for real clients.
Progressed from Diploma to Bachelor's and now to Master's Degree
View Full Student Spotlight
I am now working as a freelance Interior Designer in Manchester. At the moment I am working on a beauty salon and spa, transforming the reception areas and treatment rooms.
I would actually like to develop a new design type, like a modern Islamic and Contemporary Arabian style, also we have a plan to expand to Dubai.
Studying with the NDA definitely enabled me to work in this particular area. I think it is a unique challenge for a retail designer to create an environment that really expresses a brand, the core of a brand.
Added an interior design provision to her existing business
View Full Student Spotlight
In terms of the future for me, I feel incredibly excited, I feel empowered by the course and in a position where I can take on most design jobs an imprint on the world!
From professional rugby player to professional interior designer
View Full Student Spotlight
The skills learned in writing my dissertation certainly helped me in writing my book...
I’m also going to start looking for a job where I can work on real projects for real clients.
Progressed from Diploma to Bachelor's and now to Master's Degree
View Full Student Spotlight
I am now working as a freelance Interior Designer in Manchester. At the moment I am working on a beauty salon and spa, transforming the reception areas and treatment rooms.
I would actually like to develop a new design type, like a modern Islamic and Contemporary Arabian style, also we have a plan to expand to Dubai.
Studying here definitely enabled me to work in this particular area. A unique challenge for a retail designer is to create an environment that really expresses a brand, the core of a brand.
Added an interior design provision to her existing business
View Full Student Spotlight
Student Gallery
A sample of work completed by our talented BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Degree students.
Get Equipped
To complete your NDA BA (Hons) Degree, you’ll need access to the right tools – and we’ve got you covered! Be sure to read our full Equipment & Resources page before you apply.
NDA also offers specialist Online Short Courses in Exterior Design, Software (CAD) and AI for Interior Design. Perfect to upskill your design provision before or alongside your BA (Hons) Degree study.
