Online Bachelor's Top Up Degree
BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Top Up
A fully accredited online design for outdoor living top-up 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
12 months flexible online learning. Study anytime, from anywhere
Excellent Tutor Support
Unlimited access to your personal tutor
Course Summary
Top-up your existing FdA, BTEC (Level 4&5), HND or International 2 year degree to a full BA (Hons) with just one year’s online study.
The BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Top-Up Degree consists of the final 3 specialist modules of the full 3 year BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living. Specialist modules include design technology & materials and how to source and specify for outdoor spaces, plants & planting for outdoor living and how to use plants to enhance your outdoor design.
You will also complete a research project and a final design project on outdoor living to add to your professional design portfolio. You can add these specialist outdoor design skills to your existing interior design knowledge for a career as a specialist designer.
What our Students Say
Course Breakdown
You will study 3 modules for the Online BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living Top Up Degree.
Module 1 - 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 2 - 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 3 - 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?
Already hold an FdA, BTEC (Level 4&5), HND or International 2 year degree in interior design? You can top-up to a full BA (Hons) Interior Design with just one year’s online study. This is an ideal route to a career as a professional interior designer or to progress onto master’s degree level.
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.
- Hold an FdA, BTEC (Level 4&5), HND or International 2 year degree?
- 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 Top Up 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 Top Up Degree you will need the following qualifications.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold at least one of the following:
- Foundation Degree in Interior Design, or equivalent design subject.
- BTEC (Level 4&5), HND or international two year degree in a design based subject.
- CV and portfolio of Interior Design experience.
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) Top Up 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 £6,195 Course Fee. Fully fund your learning, with a student loan.
Pay in Full
One-Time Payment
£6,195
On Enrolment
Spread the Cost
10x Monthly Payments
£645
£6,450 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
$7,950 (USD)
On Enrolment
Make one easy payment to cover the full yearly cost of your course.
Save $650 by paying in full
Spread the Cost
10x Monthly Payments
$8,600 (USD)
In total per year*
Spread the yearly cost of your course.
$1,625 on enrolment + 9 x $775 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) 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) Interior 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;
- Establish your own interior design practice.
- Work as a freelance designer in the 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 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.
