Interior Architecture BA(Hons)

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Portfolio advice 

Admission to this course involves reviewing your portfolio. After you apply, we will ask you to share a link to an online portfolio of your work. This enables us to see your potential and understand your approach and motivations.

We will ask you to log on to Student View to share your portfolio link. We will not be able to progress your application to Brighton until you share your portfolio.

• Find out about the specific requirements for your course.

Creating your portfolio
We’ve put together advice and guidance to help you create and share your portfolio and we run regular online portfolio advice sessions where you can get help from our expert team.

Top reasons to choose this course  

• We are joint 8th in the UK for art and design courses in the UK and top 100 globally – QS World University Rankings® 2023.
• Work on real local projects that respond to global challenges.

• The optional placement year gives you the chance to make industry connections and gain valuable experience.

• Collaborative studio environment, working with other students from all years of the degree.
• In-depth feedback of work in progress by professionals from industry throughout your studies.
• Opportunity to take part in New Designers in London – an event that showcases UK’s emerging design talent.
• Access to specialist workshops, supported by knowledgeable and helpful technicians.

Year 1

The first year equips you with essential design and communication skills. You’ll learn architectural drawing, making, and professional CAD software. You’ll explore sustainable systems, materials, structures and physics of the built environment, enabling you to create innovative responses to live projects.

Modules

• Design and Skills 1: Fundamentals of Interior Architecture

  An introduction to the Interior Architecture course, during this module you will learn the fundamentals of working with existing sites and how to design in response to them. By undertaking mini design projects you will explore how spatial design interventions have the power to transform the existing. You’ll develop the core skills needed to begin exploring, testing and communicating your design ideas effectively and learn creative design processes and representation techniques through workshops.

• Architecture Criticism 1

  On this module you will be introduced to the major themes relevant to interior architecture, architecture and spacial design disciplines. You’ll explore these themes through contemporary and historical case studies, making connections between the old and the new and considering the cultural, environmental and social values embedded in the disciplines. Workshop activities will help you to develop your critical thinking and communication skills.

• Design and Skills 2: Strategies and Processes

  This module builds on the fundamentals of interior architecture by enabling you to develop strategies for working with existing sites through the design process – from site and contextual analysis, concept and design development through to proposed resolution. Workshops and lectures will focus on core themes such as technology, sustainability, alternative techniques and media to communicate, test and explore your ideas.

• Technology: Principles

  This module introduces the structural systems, construction methods, materials and environmental performance requirements that are fundamental to high-quality spatial design and architecture. You will explore technological principles that are relevant to sustainable and climate responsive design to develop your appreciation and understanding of various technologies as essential design tools for architectural and spatial design.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

2019 graduate Holly Nash talks about the projects, teaching and the strong community of students on our Interior Architecture degree. She also tells us how the subject differs from interior design.

Year 2

You’ll continue to engage with the social, environmental and political aspects of design through a series of workshops and projects. These activities help you practice and combine your skills on real local projects while addressing global challenges. You’ll also study the history and theory of design, placing your work in a cultural and modern context.

Modules

• Design 3: Design Modes

  This module will explore different approaches to a design strategy, from communicating a response to a given site context and developing a spatial design from concept, to conveying the experience of a spatial design. The focus will be on exploration, reflection and testing through 2D and 3D digital and analogue processes, making and drawing. You will be able to reflect on how you might employ different approaches in your own work as you develop your design, communication and representation skills.

• Technology: Strategies

  This module covers systems and materials that are fundamental to spatial design/architecture and construction today. You will explore strategies around environmental performance, material selection, construction methods, structures and sustainable design practice. The aim is to cultivate your appreciation of technology, construction, systems and materials and to be able to apply these in your design practice and building analysis.

• Design 4: Experience and Systems

  In this module you will explore and experiment with a variety of design skills, using strategies and techniques characteristic of your interior architecture practice. The emphasis will be on a critical application to build independence and develop a more self-directed practice, leading to a socially/ethically responsible design proposal.

• Architecture Criticism 2

  This module provides you with an overview of contemporary global concerns in interior architecture, architecture and spatial design. You will explore the different ways these disciplines constitute and relate to social, economic, cultural and environmental concerns more broadly, and how they draw on and inform other disciplines and professions. You’ll develop your skills of critical thinking through analysis and research by participating in seminars and workshops.

Placement year

A placement year gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience, either through external work placements with industry partners or by working on live projects, enhancing your employability opportunities upon graduation.

A year on placement strengthens your portfolio, builds confidence, develops your technical and communication skills and provides valuable contacts, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Previous design students at Brighton have undertaken placements in a variety of roles across the creative industries. These experiences often lead to lasting professional relationships and even graduate job offers.

Final year

In your final year, you’ll work on creating a professional portfolio and focus on modules that support your personal interests and aspirations. You’ll foster professional connections and build a platform to assess and improve the skills that will inspire and shape your future practice. Each year, graduating students exhibit their work at the end of year show.

Modules

• Design 5: Design Agency

  In this module, you will explore ways to communicate your design by practising your own ‘agency’ (self-direction) as a designer. The aim is to develop a personal position by critically reflecting on the methodologies and self-selected techniques used in the spatial representation and communication of a design. You will test and explore your ideas through drawing, digital media and making, and enhance your presentation skills. 

• Architecture Criticism 3

  In this module, you will plan, undertake and finalise comprehensive research into a subject, theme or issue within the field of interior architecture, architecture and/or spatial design that aligns with your course. Through self-directed investigative research, predominantly using written and visual resources, you will gain in-depth knowledge and establish a critically reflective position on your chosen subject.

• Design 6: Experience and Systems

  This module will advance your design skills through use of interior architecture practice strategies and techniques. You’ll communicate understanding through a portfolio supporting future employment and adopt a critically thoughtful approach through a detailed contextual analysis and design process development. You’ll also explore a range of sustainability-focused agendas within contemporary discourse and identify socially and ethically responsible outcomes.

• Skills 4: Resolution

  This module is your opportunity to develop part of the design project you are creating in Design 4 to a detailed level of resolution. You'll use research, testing and prototyping to gain an in-depth understanding of materials, systems and sustainable design methods and apply that to your design proposal.

• PRACTICES: Future Practice

  This self-directed module supports you to explore your future ambitions through a research-led enquiry into your interests and personal aspirations. You will look at people, practices, organisations or approaches that inspire and inform understandings about your work and its wider implications. The module will encourage you to identify and critique your skills, personal attributes, approaches and individual ambitions that relate to and inform your design work.

Facilities 

Facilities and workshops are supported by full-time specialist technicians and include: 

• dedicated studio spaces reflecting collaborative professional practice environments
• specialist model-making and construction workshops with equipment for fabrication in wood, metal, resins and textiles
• photographic studios and darkroom for processing and developing film and prints
• digital fabrication facilities including laser cutting and 3D printing rapid prototyping, 5-axis milling and CNC routing
• PC and Mac computer suites with relevant professional standard software for CAD, publishing, image manipulation, gaming and VR support
• in-house large-format printing facilities for professional quality portfolios allow you to explore creative graphic techniques
• a wide range of surveying and audiovisual equipment to test, explore and communicate different environments, site information or design narratives.

Check out the 360 videos of our workshops and photography studio.

Meet the team

Student views 

Khadiga El Shakhs, Interior Architecture BA(Hons), graduate 

“My time in Brighton has been extremely life-changing to say the least. It really allowed me to grow and learn many different things due to the endless creative freedom we are given on this course. Without it, I would’ve never discovered my passion for the world of fashion.

“As a student ambassador and an inclusive practice partner, I have been given the freedom to use my voice and create a healthy inclusive working environment for me and my peers, which has made my journey as an international student so much easier. The vibrant nature of our studio culture has been extremely inspiring as we all get to learn from each other’s work and experiences as separate individuals.”

Khadiga’s final year project.

Summer shows 2024

Course fees

Perkins+Will Thesis Prize for Architecture

The £250 Perkins+Will Thesis Prize for Architecture is open to final-year students of the Interior Architecture BA(Hons) and the Interior Design MA. It rewards work that exhibits strong design principles and that shows concern for sustainability, social responsibility, diversity, wellness and innovation.

Interior Architecture Progression Scholarship

Open to first year Interior Architecture BA students, this scholarship provides one student with a grant of £2,000 per year for three years of study, free gym membership for Sport Brighton and a 1–2 week work placement at Charlotte Tilbury. Find out how to apply.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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