 
Student Spotlight: Samantha Fabian – Professional Interior Design
From Art to Interiors. A Creative Evolution Rooted in Nature 🌿 For Samantha Fabian, design has always been more than a skill – it’s a language
As a not-for-profit foundation, we are so confident in the price of our Diploma’s that if you can find the same level of education for less, we will match it!
Dive deeper with our Ultimate Design Mastery Bundle – Interior, Exterior, CAD. Enrol now, save 10%
No previous qualifications required! Age 16+ and an interest & enthusiasm for interior design.
14 weeks of home study 
including 20 x bi-weekly
online sessions (via Zoom)
With twice weekly live Zoom classes, the Online Fast-Tracked Diploma combines the intensive pace of the ‘In-Studio Fast-Track’ Diploma and the convenience of the ‘Online Flexible’ Diploma. This 14 week course is ideal for those students wanting to study from home and speed up their learning in a live environment.
The Level 3 Diploma in Professional Interior Design provides you with the skills and qualification to work professionally as an interior designer… without having to go back to school full-time allowing you to balance the demands of work and family life.
The skills you’ll learn can help you carry out design projects for yourself or for family and friends, prepare you for work as a designer, or enable you to pursue further studies in the subject.
This course is Ofqual Level 3 accredited and globally recognised, meaning you can work legally as an interior designer or gain enough educational credits to study a Bachelors Degree if you so choose.
 
															For students who want all the benefits of remote online learning, but are also looking for more structure and live interaction with tutors and peers, the ‘Online Fast-Track’ course offers an ideal mix.
Because the course is delivered fully online, it means students can study from anywhere in the world without the need to travel or commute and attend a full-time course. But it also adds the valuable element of live lectures online with tutors and other students, to cover key content and enable discussions.
You will study eight dedicated Units during this Professional Diploma
 
This unit introduces you to the fundamental elements and principles that are common within a successful design scheme and how they are adopted by Professional Interior Designers today. You’ll learn how and why interior design has changed over time and to identify key interior design trends. What you learn in this unit will provide an essential foundation to underpin your future designs. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit will spark your creativity by giving you the opportunity to play with colour. You’ll explore practical colour theory to enable you to design both historical and contemporary colour schemes. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit covers the wide and exciting range of surface finishes now available to create fabulous interiors. You’ll explore the versatility and impact of materials for walls, floors and soft furnishings and how to use them to create an effective design scheme. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit shows you how to plan the space for a room design. From initial sketches to final layouts, you will visualise and present design solutions to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit focusses on the limitless range of furniture and accessories available to the Interior Designer. You’ll learn to recognise key styles in furniture and accessory design and how to select and source appropriate furniture and accessories to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit explores the potential of creative lighting in interiors and develops your knowledge of lighting design, including traditional and contemporary products. You’ll learn how to choose lighting for your schemes and how to deal with suppliers. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit explores the diverse possibilities for a career in the Interior design industry and helps prepare you to work successfully in the professional environment, whether this be in an established practice or setting up an interior design business. With a focus on your personal and professional development, you will consider the steps you should take to achieve your own progression ambitions. This unit also includes:-
 
For this final unit of the course, you bring together all your newly learned skill by producing conceptual designs to create a wonderful interior design scheme for a new client. When complete, your work will form an asset to your developing portfolio to show future clients. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit introduces you to the fundamental elements and principles that are common within a successful design scheme and how they are adopted by Professional Interior Designers today. You’ll learn how and why interior design has changed over time and to identify key interior design trends. What you learn in this unit will provide an essential foundation to underpin your future designs. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit will spark your creativity by giving you the opportunity to play with colour. You’ll explore practical colour theory to enable you to design both historical and contemporary colour schemes. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit covers the wide and exciting range of surface finishes now available to create fabulous interiors. You’ll explore the versatility and impact of materials for walls, floors and soft furnishings and how to use them to create an effective design scheme. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit shows you how to plan the space for a room design. From initial sketches to final layouts, you will visualise and present design solutions to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit focusses on the limitless range of furniture and accessories available to the Interior Designer. You’ll learn to recognise key styles in furniture and accessory design and how to select and source appropriate furniture and accessories to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit explores the potential of creative lighting in interiors and develops your knowledge of lighting design, including traditional and contemporary products. You’ll learn how to choose lighting for your schemes and how to deal with suppliers. This unit also includes:-
 
This unit explores the diverse possibilities for a career in the Interior design industry and helps prepare you to work successfully in the professional environment, whether this be in an established practice or setting up an interior design business. With a focus on your personal and professional development, you will consider the steps you should take to achieve your own progression ambitions. This unit also includes:-
 
For this final unit of the course, you bring together all your newly learned skill by producing conceptual designs to create a wonderful interior design scheme for a new client. When complete, your work will form an asset to your developing portfolio to show future clients. This unit also includes:-
A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students
The 14 week course consists of a 8-week study period that covers each of the 8 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week. Also upto 4 ‘Independent Study’ weeks within the duration to allow students to complete assignments.
Study Week Course Schedule
International students (non-UK) – Please check the timings of each course in your country. All courses are listed in UK (London) Timezone.
Accreditation
At the National Design Academy, we fully believe in the importance of accreditation. After all, what value is there in investing time and money into a course if it doesn’t offer a recognized qualification? The Diploma course is accredited by AIM Qualifications, an independent accrediting body for UK courses, and is recognised globally. It offers a level-3 UK qualification that allows to you work as a professional interior designer or start your own design business.
UK residents pay approximately 50% course fees and funding from the UK government will pay the rest.
No up front fees to pay! If you are aged 19+ and have lived in England for 3+ years you are eligible.
Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended design equipment required to complete your NDA Course, all available through the NDA Art Shop at student prices!
Successful completion of your NDA Diploma provides a guaranteed place on one of our online BA (Hons) degrees with a generous Progression Scholarship. Degrees are validated by De Montfort University (DMU).
For those who wish to continue their study at an on campus university, all NDA Professional Diplomas carry a UCAS tariff point value. You can top up any existing UCAS points you may have with points from an NDA Diploma.
Diploma in Professional Interior Design = 24 UCAS tariff points.
The NDA Diploma in Professional Interior Design is designed to help you start your own Interior Design business. Like the Diploma course itself, you can work flexibly for your clients around your family commitments and gradually expand your business.
Many of our Diploma students start their own business and study for their degree flexibly alongside their client projects.
 
From Art to Interiors. A Creative Evolution Rooted in Nature 🌿 For Samantha Fabian, design has always been more than a skill – it’s a language
 
Designing Spaces That Feel as Good as They Look: Meet Esmée For Esmée, design isn’t just about how a room looks, it’s about how it moves
 
A Deep Dive into Creativity and Resilience At the National Design Academy (NDA), we believe education has the power to transform lives. Our students come from
Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA
3 Payment Options
*includes admin fees
*Includes admin fees
International fees in US Dollars
16th October 2025 to 26th January 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Thursday 16th October @ 6pm (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 20th October @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Thursday 23rd October @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 27th October
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 3rd November @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 6th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 10th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 13th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 17th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 20th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 24th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 27th November @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 1st December
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 8th December @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 11th December @ 6pm (UK Time)
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 15th December @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 18th December @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Weeks commencing 22nd & 29th December
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 5th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 8th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 12th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 15th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 19th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 22nd January @ 6pm (UK Time)
Final hand-in of assignments
Monday 26th January 2026
31st October 2025 to 10th February 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Friday 31st October @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 4th November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
>Friday 7th November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 10th November
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 18th November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 21st November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 25th November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 28th November @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 2nd December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 5th December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 9th December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 12th December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 16th December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 19th December @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Weeks commencing 22nd & 29th December
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 6th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 9th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 13th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 16th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 19th January
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 27th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 30th January @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 3rd February @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 6th February @ 12:30pm (UK Time)
Final hand-in of assignments
Tuesday 10th February 2026
20th November 2025 to 3rd March 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Thursday 20th November @ 10am (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 24th November @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 27th November @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 1st December
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 8th December @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 11th December @ 10am (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 15th December @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 18th December @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Weeks commencing 22nd & 29th December
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 5th January @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 8th January @ 10am (UK Time)
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 12th January @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 15th January @ 10am (UK Time)
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 19th January @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 22nd January @ 10am (UK Time)
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 26th January @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 29th January @ 10am (UK Time)
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 2nd February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 5th February @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 9th February
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 16th February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 19th February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 23rd February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 26th February @ 10am (UK Time)
9th January to 21st April 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Friday 9th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 13th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 16th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 19th January
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 27th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 30th January @ 6pm (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 3rd February @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 6th February @ 6pm (UK Time)
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 10th February @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 13th February @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 16th February
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 24th February @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 27th February @ 6pm (UK Time)
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 3rd March @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 6th March @ 6pm (UK Time)
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 10th March @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 13th March @ 6pm (UK Time)
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 17th March @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Friday 20th March @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 23rd March
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Tuesday 31st March @ 6pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Tuesday 7th April @ 6pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 13th April
22nd January to 4th May 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Thursday 22nd January @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 26th January @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 29th January @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 2nd February
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 9th February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 12th February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 16th February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 19th February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 23rd February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 26th February @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 2nd March
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 9th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 12th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 16th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 19th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 23rd March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 26th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 30th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 2nd April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 6th April
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 13th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 20th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 27th April
5th February to 18th May 2026
1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
Thursday 5th February @ 10am (UK Time)
Interior Design & the Role of the Designer
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 9th February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 12th February @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 16th February
Using Colour in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 23rd February @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 26th February @ 10am (UK Time)
Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 2nd March @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 5th March @ 10am (UK Time)
Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 9th March @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 12th March @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 16th March
Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 23rd March @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 26th March @ 10am (UK Time)
Creative Lighting in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 30th March @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 2nd April @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 6th April
Professional Practice in Interior Design
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 13th April @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 16th April @ 10am (UK Time)
Professional Interior Design Project
2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 20th April @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Thursday 23rd April @ 10am (UK Time)
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Monday 27th April @ 10am (UK Time)
Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 4th May
2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session 
Monday 11th May @ 10am (UK Time)
Final hand-in of assignments
Monday 18th May
Dive deeper with our Ultimate Design Mastery Bundle – Interior, Exterior, CAD. Enrol now, save 10%
UK students pay approximately 50% of the full course fee – the balance is funded by the UK Government’s Adult education budget (AEB).
The National Design Academy is the only design school to be able to offer this funding as our Diplomas are all fully accredited by AIM Qualifications.