Online Bachelor's Degree
BA (Hons) Retail Design
A fully accredited online retail design degree; offering students a more in-depth and professional approach to specific interior design projects, focussed on retail 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) in Retail Design contains some of the core modules from the BA (Hons) Interior Design but also includes specialist modules about designing specifically for the retail sector. It takes you from the history of interior design to space planning, creative lighting and sustainable design & technology. Specialist modules include branding, visual communication and merchandising, the customer experience and in the final year a choice between exhibition design or retail space in a wider context.
The degree also provides you with a solid background in business advice and professional practice to prepare you for your future career as a specialist in the retail design industry. You will complete a final retail design project for your professional portfolio to help you enter your exciting career as a retail design specialist.
What our Students Say
Course Breakdown
You will study 11 modules for the Online BA (Hons) Retail Design 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 - The Customer Experience
The Customer Experience
Ever wonder what makes for a good customer experience? In the first of the specialist modules you will be given the opportunity to explore this topic, considering the relationship between the retailer and the customer, and how this is affected by the lifestyle of the customer. You will undertake the development of a concept, using a selected target market and a space chosen by yourself. This is an exciting opportunity to tailor your portfolio towards the sector you wish to work within, creating presentation boards, drawings and rendered visual images.
Module 4 - Branding
Branding
Branding is one of the key considerations within retail design, and good branding can make or break a retailer, big or small. In this module you will focus on the development of branding and discover how this can be applied to a retail environment. You will also start to develop an understanding for the importance of branding when positioning a business within the market place.
Module 5 - Visual Communication & Merchandising
Visual Communication & Merchandising
Another key consideration within retail design is visual communication and merchandising, as this will affect the way that the products are viewed by the customer. There are many elements that effect this, including layout, circulation and positioning of products. Within this module you will gain an understanding of how established brands use a range of methods and techniques within the retail environment, and explore these yourself through development sketches and drawings.
Module 6 - 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 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 9a (option) - Exhibition Design
Exhibition Design
This module has two study options, which allows you to choose a project for your portfolio within the area of design that appeals to you most. Option 1 is exhibition design and within this you will explore the two main exhibition approaches; commercial trade shows and exhibitions within a gallery space. There are many elements to explore, including the visitor experience and branding.
Module 9b (option) - Retail Space in a Wider Context
Retail Space in a Wider Context
Within this module you will start to consider the design of a retail space within a wider range of environments. These may include; hotels, museums and galleries, exhibition venues, visitor’s centres, and airports. The same considerations need to be made, however on a much smaller scale. You will produce a design for a pop-up retail space, creating a range of sketches, technical drawings and visuals for your portfolio.
Module 10 - Research Study
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
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.
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 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) Retail Design Degree is awarded by our academic partners De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU).
Entry Requirements
To be accepted on our Online BA (Hons) Retail Design 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.
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) Retail Design 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) Retail Design 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) Retail Design 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;
- Work as a freelance designer in the dynamic world of retail or exhibitions.
- Work within a retail or exhibition design practice.
- Work within a retail development company.
- Work as a retail specialist within an architectural practice.
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 BA (Hons) Degree with the National Design Academy.
I was looking at universities from all over the world and actually, the National Design Academy seemed to be the most professional one...
Managing Director of 5 Star Plus Retail Design and former NDA student
View Full Student Spotlight
It was my first time to learn online and at first I was worried how to communicate with my tutors and friends, but I was really surprised how I was really supported by my tutors.
My tutor is an absolute star. Her feedback is so helpful, and if I have any queries, she answers them constructively. She also pushes me to get the best out of me...
I can’t wait to start working in a professional setting, so I can learn from different designers, develop my skills and give my own creative input in the design process.
I was looking at universities from all over the world and actually, the National Design Academy seemed to be the most professional one...
Managing Director of 5 Star Plus Retail Design and former NDA student
View Full Student Spotlight
It was my first time to learn online and at first I was worried how to communicate with my tutors and friends, but I was really surprised how I was really supported by my tutors.
I can’t wait to start working in a professional setting, so I can learn from different designers, develop my skills and give my own creative input in the design process.
My tutor is an absolute star. Her feedback is so helpful, and if I have any queries, she answers them constructively. She also pushes me to get the best out of me...
Student Gallery
A sample of work completed by our talented BA (Hons) Retail Design 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.
