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Online BA (Hons) Top Up
Design for Outdoor Living

Online
BA (Hons) Top Up

Design for Outdoor Living

Start Date

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

Course Duration

12 months
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) Top-Up Degree in Design for Outdoor Living 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.

Who Should Do This Course?

Those who wish to top-up their FdA, BTEC (Level 4&5), HND or International 2 year degree to a full BA (Hons) Design for Outdoor Living with just one year’s online study. This is an ideal route to a career as a specialist interior designer or to progress onto an M.A.

Direct entry students, students transferring from another institution and international students with equivalent qualifications or alternatively, those with a CV & portfolio of relevant industry experience, are all welcome to apply; all applications are treated on an individual basis. There are no term times – so you can apply and start at any time.

Successful NDA students completing this BA (Hons) top-up will receive a guaranteed place on the MA Interior Design with a generous progression scholarship.

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) ‘top-up’ degree online in approximately one year others may take a little longer and a few may need the maximum study time of 3 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) Interior Design degree is awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

What Will I Study?

You will study three modules for this BA (Hons) Top-up Degree

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.

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.

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.

Module 1

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

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

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.

Student Gallery

A sample of work completed by our talented design for outdoor living students

Take Your Career to the Next Level!

After you top-up to a full BA (Hons) you will be offered a guaranteed place on the online M.A. Interior Design with a generous progression scholarship.

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.

What's Next?

Career

Student Spotlights

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

BA (Hons) Top-up Degree Tuition Fees

UK Students

Top-Up your Fda, HND
or BTEC to a BA (Hons)
with 1 year's online study
Tuition Fee £5,950
There are 3 ways for
UK students to pay
for their Top-Up Degree

UK
Student Loan

  • COVERS ALL TUITION FEES
No Upfront Fees!

One Payment

£ 5,950 On Enrolment
  •  

10 x Monthly Payments

£ 620 Per Month*
  • £6,200 in total
* Monthly payments include admin fee.

International Students

Top-Up your 2 year
degree to a BA (Hons) with 1 year's online study
Tuition Fee $7,950
There are 2 ways for
International students
to pay for their Degree:

One Payment

$ 7,950 On Enrolment
  • Save $650 by paying in full
Most Popular

10 x Monthly Payments

$ 8,600 IN TOTAL*
  • $1,625 on enrolment
  • + 9 x $775 monthly payments

* Monthly payments include admin fee.
International fees in US Dollars.

Ready to pursue your passion Interiors & Design for Outdoor Living?

What Our Students Say...

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

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