Search
Close this search box.

Online (via Zoom)
Fast-Track Diploma

Professional
Interior Design

Online (via Zoom)
Fast-Track Diploma

Professional
Interior Design

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!

Entry Requirements

No previous qualifications required, just an interest & enthusiasm for interior design

Course Duration

14 weeks of home study
including 20 x bi-weekly
online sessions (via Zoom)

Next Course Date

26th March - 9th July
12.30pm - 3pm (UK Time)
Tuesday & Friday

UK Student Loans

No up front fees to pay!
If you are aged 19+ and have lived in England for 3+ years you are eligible.

Assessment

No exams!
Tutor assessment only

Course Summary

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.

We have over 35 years of experience in teaching interior design and over 35,000 alumni, this course is a trusted way to help you pursue your passion and kick-start your career as an interior designer

Why Learn Online?

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.

What Will I Study?

You will study eight dedicated Units during this Professional Diploma

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

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:-

  • The 7 design elements of good design
  • Interior Design history and contemporary practice
  • The role of an Interior Designer and different project types
  • Professional presentation boards
  • How to write a short design report

Using Colour in Interior Design

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:-

  • Basic colour principles and terminology
  • The impact of colour in a design scheme
  • The psychological importance of colour in an interior space
  • Historical and contemporary colour trends
  • Creating a successful interior design colour scheme

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

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:-

  • The characteristics and suitability of different materials
  • Sourcing and using materials to develop a design scheme
  • Practical skills to represent colour, pattern and texture
  • How to visually present your design ideas

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

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:-

  • Understanding the space and the client brief
  • Traffic flow and zoning of space
  • Developing floor plans by hand
  • Creating elevations by hand
  • Practical sketching and hand drawing techniques

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

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:-

  • Understanding of different furniture and accessory styles, historical and contemporary
  • Influential practitioners and design movements
  • The characteristics and suitability of furniture and accessories
  • Choosing and sourcing items
  • Producing furniture layouts

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

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:-

  • Understanding different lighting products and lamps
  • Task, ambient and decorative lighting
  • Lighting levels for room design
  • Cool and warm lighting
  • Creating a lighting scheme for a furniture layout
  • Applying symbols appropriate to industry lighting plans
  • Developing a lighting plan to meet a client brief

Professional Practice in Interior Design

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:-

  • Being employed, self-employed and setting up an interior design service
  • Portfolio development
  • Working with others in a professional environment
  • Effective marketing and promotion
  • How to charge for your design service
  • Studying for a degree

Professional Interior Design Project

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:-

  • Developing a design concept
  • Creating a colour scheme
  • Selecting surface finishes
  • Space planning, including furniture and accessory arrangements
  • Creating a lighting plan
  • Professional presentation techniques
Unit 1

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

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:-

  • The 7 design elements of good design
  • Interior Design history and contemporary practice
  • The role of an Interior Designer and different project types
  • Professional presentation boards
  • How to write a short design report
Unit 2

Using Colour in Interior Design

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:-

  • Basic colour principles and terminology
  • The impact of colour in a design scheme
  • The psychological importance of colour in an interior space
  • Historical and contemporary colour trends
  • Creating a successful interior design colour scheme
Unit 3

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

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:-

  • The characteristics and suitability of different materials
  • Sourcing and using materials to develop a design scheme
  • Practical skills to represent colour, pattern and texture
  • How to visually present your design ideas
Unit 4

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

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:-

  • Understanding the space and the client brief
  • Traffic flow and zoning of space
  • Developing floor plans by hand
  • Creating elevations by hand
  • Practical sketching and hand drawing techniques
Unit 5

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

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:-

  • Understanding of different furniture and accessory styles, historical and contemporary
  • Influential practitioners and design movements
  • The characteristics and suitability of furniture and accessories
  • Choosing and sourcing items
  • Producing furniture layouts
Unit 6

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

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:-

  • Understanding different lighting products and lamps
  • Task, ambient and decorative lighting
  • Lighting levels for room design
  • Cool and warm lighting
  • Creating a lighting scheme for a furniture layout
  • Applying symbols appropriate to industry lighting plans
  • Developing a lighting plan to meet a client brief
Unit 7

Professional Practice in Interior Design

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:-

  • Being employed, self-employed and setting up an interior design service
  • Portfolio development
  • Working with others in a professional environment
  • Effective marketing and promotion
  • How to charge for your design service
  • Studying for a degree
Unit 8

Professional Interior Design Project

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:-

  • Developing a design concept
  • Creating a colour scheme
  • Selecting surface finishes
  • Space planning, including furniture and accessory arrangements
  • Creating a lighting plan
  • Professional presentation techniques

Student Gallery

A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students

How Is The Course Run?

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

Please Note: This is an intensive, fast-track course. If you are unable to commit to the course schedule, other study options are available.

Available Course Dates

International students (non-UK) – Please check the timings of each course in your country, using our handy Timezone Converter below. All courses are listed in UK (London) Timezone.

  • 26th March - 9th July
    12.30pm - 3pm (UK Time)
    Tuesday & Friday
Afternoon
  • 16th May - 26th August
    10am - 12.30pm (UK Time)
    Monday & Thursday
Morning
  • 21st June - 1st October
    6pm - 8.30pm (UK Time)
    Tuesday & Friday
Evening
  • 18th July - 28th October
    12.30pm - 3pm (UK Time)
    Monday & Thursday
Afternoon
Timezone Converter
Choose Date & Time:
- :
From Timezone:
To Timezone:
Converted Time:

Timezone Converter
Choose Date & Time:
- :
From Timezone:
To Timezone:
Converted Time:

A Recognised Qualification

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.

Fees & Funding...

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.

What Will I Need To Study?

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!

What's Next?

Higher Education

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.

Careers

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.

Student Success Stories...

Ready to pursue your passion for Interior Design?

What Our Students Say...

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

UK Students

3 Payment Options

Student Loan

  •  
COVERS FULL COURSE FEE
£1,800
Find Out More...
£ 50 Admin Fee Only
  • (Refunded on course completion)
OR
Full Course Fee £1,800
Access
UK Government Funding
You Will Save £600

One Payment

£ 1,200
  • (On Enrolment)
OR

3 x Monthly Payments*

£ 450 PER MONTH
  • (£1,350 in total)

*includes admin fees

International Students

2 Payment Options

One Payment

$ 2,425 ON ENROLMENT
  • Save $250 by paying in full
  • Limited spaces available!
Most Popular
OR…

3 x Monthly Payments

$ 2,675 IN TOTAL*
  • $1,125 on enrolment
  • + 2 x $775 monthly payments

*Includes admin fees

International fees in US Dollars

Course Schedule

26th March to 9th July 2024

Induction Session

1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.

Tuesday 26th March @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 1

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 2nd April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 5th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 8th April

Study Week 2

Using Colour in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 16th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 19th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 3

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 23rd April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 26th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 4

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 30th April @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 3rd May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 5

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 7th May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 10th May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 6

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 14th May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 17th May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 20th May

Study Week 7

Professional Practice in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 28th May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 31st May @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 8

Professional Interior Design Project

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 4th June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 7th June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 10th June

Q&A Week 1

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 18th June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 21st June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Q&A Week 2

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 25th June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 28th June @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 1st July

Course Completion

Final hand-in of assignments
Tuesday 9th July

Course Schedule

16th May to 26th August 2024

Induction Session

1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.

Thursday 16th May @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 1

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 20th May @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 23rd May @ 10am (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 27th May

Study Week 2

Using Colour in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 3rd June @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 6th June @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 3

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 10th June @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 13th June @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 4

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 17th June @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 20th June @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 5

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 24th June @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 27th June @ 10am (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 1st July

Study Week 6

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 8th July @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 11th July @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 7

Professional Practice in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 15th July @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 18th July @ 10am (UK Time)

Study Week 8

Professional Interior Design Project

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 22nd July @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 25th July @ 10am (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 29th July

Q&A Week 1

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 5th August @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 8th August @ 10am (UK Time)

Q&A Week 2

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 12th August @ 10am (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 15th August @ 10am (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 19th August

Course Completion

Final hand-in of assignments
26th August

Course Schedule

21st June - 1st October 2024

Induction Session

1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.

Friday 21st June @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 1

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 25th June @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 28th June @ 6pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 1st July

Study Week 2

Using Colour in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 9th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 12th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 3

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 16th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 19th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 4

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 23rd July @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 26th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 5

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 30th July @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 2nd August @ 6pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 5th August

Study Week 6

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 13th August @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 16th August @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 7

Professional Practice in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 20th August @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 23rd August @ 6pm (UK Time)

Study Week 8

Professional Interior Design Project

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Tuesday 27th August @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 30th August @ 6pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 2nd September

Q&A Week 1

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 10th September @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 13th September @ 6pm (UK Time)

Q&A Week 2

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Tuesday 17th September @ 6pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Friday 20th September @ 6pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 23rd September

Course Completion

Final hand-in of assignments
Tuesday 1st October

Course Schedule

18th July to 28th October 2024

Induction Session

1 hour Live Online Induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.

Thursday 18th July @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 1

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 22nd July @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 25th July @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 29th July

Study Week 2

Using Colour in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 5th August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 8th August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 3

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 12th August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 15th August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 4

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 19th August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 22nd August @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 26th August

Study Week 5

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 2nd September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 5th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 6

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 9th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 12th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 7

Professional Practice in Interior Design

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 16th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 19th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Study Week 8

Professional Interior Design Project

2.5 hour Live Online Tutorial
Monday 23rd September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 26th September @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 30th September

Q&A Week 1

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 7th October @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 10th October @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Q&A Week 2

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Monday 14th October @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

2.5 hour Live Online Q&A Session
Thursday 17th October @ 12.30pm (UK Time)

Independent Study Week

Self-study to complete assignments
Week commencing 21st October

Course Completion

Final hand-in of assignments
Monday 28th October

Achieve your Diploma with a student loan

Thinking about studying our Professional Interior Design Diploma? We’re a non-profit organisation that believes in breaking down financial barriers for your design aspirations.

That’s why you can now finance any three of our Interior Design Diplomas with an Advanced Learner Loan.

We place cookies on your device to help make this website better and improve your experience. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Please see our data protection policy for full details.