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Online BA (Hons)
Heritage Interior Design

Online BA (Hons)
Heritage Interior Design

Start Date

Enrol at any time & choose your start date. No term times or semesters.

Course Duration

Three years
flexible online study

Assessment

No exams — Tutor assessment
of design projects & moderation
by De Montfort University

Affordable Fees

Low fees, and monthly payments for all self paying students (student loans available for UK students)

Course Summary

The BA (Hons) Heritage Interior Design course is for those who are passionate about interior design with a special interest in heritage or period properties.  Not only will you gain the core skills required to be a professional interior designer you will also learn the specialist skills that are essential in order to design interiors for heritage properties.

The course takes you through the history of interior design, to modules on space planning, traditional design techniques, heritage conversions, furniture, design & technology for listed buildings and will provide you with a solid background in business advice and professional practice to prepare you for your future career.  You will complete a final heritage design project which can form part of your professional portfolio as you enter your exciting career in heritage interior design.

Who Should Do This Course?

This course is the perfect progression for students who have already successfully completed the Diploma in Professional Interior Design with the National Design Academy or a UK or international equivalent qualification in a relevant design subject. This is also ideal for those with a portfolio of interior design industry experience wishing to specialise in the heritage sector. 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.

Successful students completing this BA (Hons) will be offered a guaranteed place on the NDA online M.A Interior Design with a generous progression scholarship.

It will allow students to build on their existing knowledge of interior design whilst specialising in the design of heritage and period properties. These skills are rare and much in demand within the global design industry and NDA offers the only degree course available covering this specialist area.

Background – NDA BA (Hons) Student Work

Learning Online

Study flexibly online through our bespoke virtual learning studio (VLS)

The VLS is our exclusive, online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This provides links to other online resources and may contain videos, images, quizzes and lectures.

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!

The majority of NDA students will complete their BA (Hons) Degree online in approximately 3 years, others may take a little longer and a few may need the maximum study time of 8 years.

Support & Guidance

Personal Tutors

Every NDA 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, Skype 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–Friday from 9am–5pm UK Time.

Assessment

You will not have to take an exam! Your tutor will assess your design projects as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio is moderated by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) who will award your degree.

Student Loans

UK 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).

Accreditation

The BA (Hons) Heritage Interior Design degree is awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

What Will I Study?

You will study eleven modules for the BA (Hons) Heritage Interior Design

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.

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.

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.

Traditional Design Techniques

When working with heritage properties it is important not only to be sympathetic but authentic; in this module you will explore the specialist techniques and finishes used when restoring or recreating historic interiors, and learn how these can be applied. You will also learn about the modern techniques used to recreate historic interiors, when the original materials are unavailable or unsafe.

Design & Tech for Listed Buildings

There are a range of constraints, procedures and processes involved in the restoration of heritage interiors, however after completing this module you will have a better understanding of these and be able to apply this knowledge to your own design work. You will be introduced to the criteria used to assess a listed building, and organisations who are ultimately responsible for the welfare of heritage buildings.

Wall, Floor & Window Treatments

Walls, floors and window treatments are integral to any interior scheme, and in this module you will discover how these three elements can help you to create a scheme specifically for a heritage interior. Throughout this module you will be introduced to techniques used in different periods, however the module will culminate in the creation of a Georgian interior scheme, giving you a range of visuals to add to your portfolio.

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.

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.

Heritage Conversions

Using what you have learnt so far, in this module you will be tasked with finding a heritage building in your local area and producing a concept that converts this into a usable and authentic space which is reflective of the property’s history. You will explore the importance of protecting and enhancing a buildings history whilst developing a space which is style and appropriate for contemporary living.

Research Study

It is at this stage of the course that you will truly get to choose the direction of the work you produce, starting with the research of a topic close to your heart. If there is an area of design that you are passionate about, then this is an exciting opportunity to incorporate this into your degree. Within this module you will write a dissertation, with the support and guidance of your tutor, who by now will have a great understanding of you and how you study. This dissertation will then feed into your final module; the independent study.

Independent Study

Building on the topic you have developed in the Research Study module, with the support of your tutor, you will be given double the amount of time of the previous modules, to focus on your chosen design based project. This will be the culmination of three years of hard work and will bring together all the skills you have learnt along the way. This module will provide you with visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and technical drawings to add to your portfolio.
Module 1

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

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

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

Traditional Design Techniques

When working with heritage properties it is important not only to be sympathetic but authentic; in this module you will explore the specialist techniques and finishes used when restoring or recreating historic interiors, and learn how these can be applied. You will also learn about the modern techniques used to recreate historic interiors, when the original materials are unavailable or unsafe.
Module 5

Design & Tech for Listed Buildings

There are a range of constraints, procedures and processes involved in the restoration of heritage interiors, however after completing this module you will have a better understanding of these and be able to apply this knowledge to your own design work. You will be introduced to the criteria used to assess a listed building, and organisations who are ultimately responsible for the welfare of heritage buildings.
Module 6

Wall, Floor & Window Treatments

Walls, floors and window treatments are integral to any interior scheme, and in this module you will discover how these three elements can help you to create a scheme specifically for a heritage interior. Throughout this module you will be introduced to techniques used in different periods, however the module will culminate in the creation of a Georgian interior scheme, giving you a range of visuals to add to your portfolio.
Module 7

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

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

Heritage Conversions

Using what you have learnt so far, in this module you will be tasked with finding a heritage building in your local area and producing a concept that converts this into a usable and authentic space which is reflective of the property’s history. You will explore the importance of protecting and enhancing a buildings history whilst developing a space which is style and appropriate for contemporary living.
Module 10

Research Study

It is at this stage of the course that you will truly get to choose the direction of the work you produce, starting with the research of a topic close to your heart. If there is an area of design that you are passionate about, then this is an exciting opportunity to incorporate this into your degree. Within this module you will write a dissertation, with the support and guidance of your tutor, who by now will have a great understanding of you and how you study. This dissertation will then feed into your final module; the independent study.
Module 11

Independent Study

Building on the topic you have developed in the Research Study module, with the support of your tutor, you will be given double the amount of time of the previous modules, to focus on your chosen design based project. This will be the culmination of three years of hard work and will bring together all the skills you have learnt along the way. This module will provide you with visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and technical drawings to add to your portfolio.

Student Gallery

A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants should hold one of the following:

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 course guide for more information about NDA Diploma courses.

What's Next?

Career

Student Spotlights

The interior design industry is growing year on year and the demand for specialist heritage interior designers is on the rise globally. Have a look through our Student Spotlights to see what they have achieved.

BA (Hons) Tuition Fees

UK Students

BA (Hons)
3 Year Degree
Tuition Fee £5,250* Year One
3 ways to pay
for UK students:

UK
Student Loan

  • COVERS ALL TUITION FEES
No Upfront Fees!

One Payment

£ 5,250 On Enrolment
  •  

10 x Monthly Payments

£ 550 Per Month*
  • £5,500 in total
* Fee per level/year subject to change after 1st August each year.
* Monthly payments include admin fee.

International Students

BA (Hons)
3 Year Degree
Tuition Fee $7,650* Year One
2 ways to pay for
International students:

One Payment

$ 7,650 On Enrolment
  • Save $600 by paying in full
Most Popular

10 x Monthly Payments

$ 8,250 IN TOTAL*
  • $1,500 on enrolment
  • + 9 x $750 monthly payments

* Fee per level/year subject to change after 1st August each year.
* Monthly payments include admin fee.
International fees in US Dollars.

Ready to pursue your passion for Heritage Interior Design?

What Our Students Say...

Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA

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