Postgraduate Interior Design: Q&A

CONTENTS

• What is interior design?
• Why choose this discipline?
• How do I become an interior designer?
• Pathways into interior design
• What postgraduate courses are available?
• What are the entry requirements for a master's in interior design?
• Tell me about teaching, learning and assessment
• Career progression: what can this qualification lead to?
• Professional accreditation
• Funding

What is interior design?

Interior design is a combination of both art and science; with an overriding objective of creating attractive interior spaces in buildings and homes. It considers layout, clever use of lighting, colour schemes, fabrics and furniture choices: attempting to create aesthetically pleasing physical spaces, while speaking to human perceptions and interactions with interior environments. As such, interior designers create a narrative, through their vision and design choices, which could be anything from industrial chic to more traditional styles; all the while, telling a story and creating a dialogue between interior spaces. Underpinning this, is the fundamental principle of creating interior enironments which are conducive to living, working or more commercially orientated objectives. This field requires creativity, technical know-how and an understanding of psychology: the neuroscience behind human behaviours and the effect interior spaces have on mood, feelings and behaviours.

As an interior designer, you will be tasked with creating aesthetically pleasing spaces that combine functionality, sustainability and knowledge of health & safety and building regulations. This is a multidisciplinary field; moreover, it is closely related to architecture. As such, it makes it a viable alternative route for those who have studied architecture at undergraduate level, building on an established skillset that focusses on the shape and design of spaces both inside out.

Why choose this discipline?

Studying interior design at postgraduate level will deepen your understanding of the discipline by enhancing your technical design skills and provide you with the professional knowledge you need to work in this dynamic and contemporary industry. Courses provide opportunities to network and gain industry know-how.  

Interior design is a distinct career path, one that sets itself apart from other design-based disciplines through the ability to shape entire environments, spaces and areas through a combination of technical knowledge and creative vision. This unique capacity to influence contemporary living, makes it a particularly popular and a highly competitive field. Interior designers can also turn their hand to a variety of sectors and project types, working closely with other professionals ranging from architects to curators, product designers and marketing experts, structural engineers and more. It’s a unique field of applied design, and studying it at postgraduate level will provide you with the credentials, skills and knowledge to access one access a wide range of interior design roles and settings from residential to commercial, cultural or artistic, making it a rewarding career for those with a passion for creativity, transforming spaces and problem solving.

How do I become an interior designer?

There are multiple routes into interior design, as the subject is well-suited to graduates and professionals coming from a number of different subject areas. The subjects typically needed to study interior design range from interior design itself to art and design, spatial design, fine art, architecture or graphic design. Whatever your background, whether more design or construction focussed, you’ll be able to apply the skills you’ve cultivated to your interior design development. 

Pathways into interior design

You don’t necessarily need higher education qualifications to break into interior design, but the more formal education and training you have, the better your prospects. Higher National Diplomas and undergraduate degrees are a great way to build a solid understanding of the theoretical and practical foundations of interior design, and its application to various contexts. A postgraduate degree will allow you to further specialise, gaining the expertise and tools needed while also building a more extensive portfolio and acquiring professional experience and opportunities to network.

What postgraduate courses are available?

There are 33 postgraduate courses at 29 universities throughout the UK. Course duration is usually one year for a master’s and two–three years for a PhD. There are a number of qualifications to choose from at postgraduate level, including interior design master’s courses and doctoral programmes. You might study: 

• MA Interior Design  
• MA Interior and Spatial Design
• MA Interior Architecture and Design 
• MA Design (Interior) 
• PhD Architecture 
• PhD Design 

What are the entry requirements for a master's in interior design?

Entry requirements for an interior design degree may vary depending on the level of study being applied for; however, you’ll typically need to have a 2:2 degree or above at undergraduate level to get onto a master’s course. This will need to be in a design-related discipline, unless the applicant is able to provide evidence of significant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level. Submission of a portfolio is often required as part of the application process. Students can also evidence their professional experience to date during their application. 

Doctoral degrees

On successful completion of a Master of Interior Design, you can take your studies further in the form of a PhD and conduct in-depth research. Gaining a PhD in design not only demonstrates a level of commitment to the filed, but also enhances your credibility and expertise within the industry. Doctorates or other research programmes may require a minimum of demonstrable research experience, or a master’s qualification. 

Tell me about teaching, learning and assessment

Interior design courses are typically taught through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and hands-on design projects. During your interior design masters, you’ll learn about design principles, colour theory, spatial planning and materials selection. You’ll also develop skills in digital technologies and software application, such as 3DCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite. For students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in interior design, may be given options to specialise in health and well-being, architecture or urban design.

What modules will I study?

• Research methods and project proposal
• Sustainable, lighting and spatial design
• Interior design theory
• Design studio
• Software for interior design
• Major design project

How will I be assessed?

• Project work
• Presentations
• Reports
• Reflective practice
• Design proposal

Career Progression: what can this qualification lead to?

Once equipped with a postgraduate qualification in interior design, there are numerous opportunities available within the spatial design industry from offices, hotels, retail to residential interior design or parallel industries such has film-set design, exhibition design, visual merchandising design. You may work independently or for a design agency, architecture or construction firm; if you choose to study at doctoral level, you will have the chance to research a specific area of interest and aligning your research with your career aspirations. Equipped with a PhD, you can also go into academia and share your expertise with others. You will develop numerous transferable skills in design and the built environment.

Interior design jobs include:

• Interior designer 
• Project manager 
• Spatial designer 
• Exhibition designer
• Set designer 
• Furniture designer 
• Product designer 
• Visual designer 
• Sustainable Design Specialist
• Retail designer
• Design consultant

Transferable skills include:

• Project design and engagement
• Computer aided design (CAD)
• Knowledge of building and construction regulations
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Communication and networking
• Critical thinking and prob lem solving

Professional Accreditation

Professional accreditation can enhance your credibility and open further career and networking opportunities. Moreover, it can help with continuing professional development, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies and industry best practice, attending conferences and workshops with opportunities to network.

• British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) 
• Chartered society of designers (CSD) 
• The Society of British & International Interior 

Funding

You can find more information about funding and scholarships for Art and Design courses on our site. It is also worth emailing the student finance office for the universities you are interested to find out more about the scholarships,  bursaries and financial aid options specific to their interior design programme. To learn more about funding, check our ULTIMATE guide to postgraduate funding.

You may be interested in …

• Product Design 
• Design Innovation
• Urban Design 
• Furniture Design 
• Exhibition Design 
• Sustainable Design 
• Architecture 
• Spatial Design 

View all subject guides 

Just some of the institutions offering interior design …

• London Metropolitan University 
• University of Brighton 
• De Montfort University 
• Arts university Bournemouth (online MA)

NEXT: Explore more interior design courses