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Interior space by Karin Artmann designed for under the Millennium bridge in London

Interior Design MA (PGCert PGDip)

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
  • Location
  • Stay in
    touch
  • Related

Intro

This course is aimed at graduates from a wide range of design-related backgrounds.

Interdisciplinary research and practice is promoted throughout the course, and creative collaborations are developed between designers, fine artists, architects and thinkers wanting to follow an advanced course in interior design.

Students share spacious top-lit studios and have their own individual working spaces. There are also dedicated computer suites as well as photographic and workshop facilities.

Staff bringing their expertise to this course include:

  • full-time academics who combine teaching with research and consultancy
  • part-time tutors who are also practising designers
  • eminent visiting specialists, critics and consultants.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 18 months
Part-time Typically 30 months

Book onto our online event

See all our other online events

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Art and design at Brighton is ranked 8th in the UK and 51st globally by the QS World University Rankings 2020.

Course content

How this course is delivered

We've made some changes to the way our courses are taught to keep everyone safe, connected and involved in university life.

At the moment, students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that provides lots of opportunities to interact and engage with lecturers and other students.

Find out what these changes mean for this course

Why study with us?

  • International links and overseas teaching, with workshops taking place in Milan, Istanbul and Beijing in recent years
  • Featured university in the book Masterclass: Interior Design, a guide to the world's leading graduate schools
  • Dual emphasis on creative and critical enquiry in the broad context of the visual and performing arts, design and the humanities
  • Interdisciplinary workshops that encourage you to think across a range of design fields including architecture, urban design, fashion and textiles
  • A creative, technical and theoretical approach that helps you to become a professional leader in the field of interior design
  • Analisa Meli (continued)
  • Bowen Li
  • Bowen Li (continued)
  • Heng Tan
  • Ngan Pam
  • Tanaporn Sukasem
‹ ›

A selection of work by Interior Design MA students for their Design Museum project

Course structure

During semester 1, the projects set for the Preliminary Design module provide an opportunity for students returning to education to take stock of their position, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and identify ambitions for future study. Lecture courses in Technology and Material Practices, Critical Readings and Research Methods run in parallel.

In semester 2, you consolidate and extend the priorities, ideas and strategies established in the preliminary design. Lecture series in Technology and Critical Readings continue. A proposal for the final research project is developed and submitted, which then takes up the whole of semester 3.

The course explores both the intellectual idea and the spatial language of interior environments. Students develop new skills while extending existing design practices to precisely articulate spatial design proposals.

We offer at least one study trip each year. It might be related to the design studio or a trip that offers you direct exposure to and experience of some of the most contemporary spatial design projects in Britain and mainland Europe.

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.

Grad show 2014

Syllabus

Our Interior Design MA is designed to promote interdisciplinary research and practice: we are looking to develop creative collaborations between fine artists, designers, architects and thinkers. Our starting point is to acknowledge the complexities and paradoxes inherent in orthodox architectural documentation in order to unearth the dubious simplifications and missed opportunities that result from the tendency to privilege the visual at the expense of our other senses.

In anticipation of 'the creative user', all our proposals originate from a close focus on the existing condition, paying particular attention to local takeovers, autonomous occupations and the blurring of boundaries of ownership and programme. In considering issues of technology, we are concerned as much with intuition, desire and chance as with precedent, economy and established practice.

Preliminary Design

During semester 1, the projects set for the Preliminary Design module provide an opportunity for students returning to education to take stock of their position, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and identify ambitions for future study. Lecture courses in technology and the chosen optional module run in parallel.

Technology and Material Practices

The central concern of the work undertaken in this module is to investigate the ways in which a building’s materiality, systems of construction and service infrastructure provide an opportunity to bring into sharp focus the polemical, ethical and philosophical positions that underpin the project as a whole. The module consists of a series of lectures and workshops focusing on visual, thermal, aural, climatic, structural, constructional and sustainability issues.

Option Module

During semester 1, you select the module of your choice from a list of options offered by the full range of MA courses across the School of Art, Design and Media.

Main Design

By semester 2, work undertaken for the Main Design module consolidates and extends the priorities, ideas and strategies established in Preliminary Design (talks and tutorials on Technology and Material Practices continue to run parallel with the studio project).

Research Methods

Throughout this module, you develop your research skills to construct research questions, hypotheses and methodologies, which you will adapt to issues of personal interest. You also develop and submit a research project proposal.

Masterwork

The Masterwork is the culmination of the course and may be undertaken through creative design practice supported by critical text or as a text-based thesis. The development of the Masterwork proposal is supported by research-based seminars and regular seminar presentations with supervisory input from your course tutors.

Modules

  • Preliminary Design
  • Technology and Material Practices
  • Optional Module
  • Main Design
  • Research Methods
  • Masterwork

Victoria Willis

Victoria Willis

Zahra Hasani

Zahra Hasani

Facilities

  • Benefit from the new Masters Centre including studio space, tutorial areas and shared creative spaces
  • Modelling and construction workshops: timber and metal, dedicated 'wet' modelling bay, plastic dying facility, drill press, spray booth, vacuum former, strip bender, plastics oven, hot wire cutter and spot welder; further workshops available by arrangement with rapid prototyping and laser cutter
  • IT facilities include 3D paper and printer, plotters, scanners and a reprographics suite
  • Software includes Adobe suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional), VW2010, Cinema 4D, Premiere, Blender, AutoCAD, Maya and Rhino
  • Library facilities include additional computing equipment, digital and hard copy specialist library facilities, and specialist collections
Architecture student

Staff profile

Frank O'Sullivan

Frank O'Sullivan began his teaching career at Kingston University, subsequently running a postgraduate design studio. In conjunction with the PGDip studio at Kingston, he set up and became co-director of One Off Constructions, an architectural design and construction company.

O'Sullivan is now the course leader for our Interior Design MA, where he supervises studio work and research projects. He is also assistant head of school and a visiting professor in Milan.

Over the past two years, O'Sullivan has helped to develop links and exchanges with design departments at two universities in China: Beijing University and Tsing Hua University. Work with these establishments has included lectures, studio teaching, student seminars and discussions about possible future projects.

Frank O'Sullivan

Student views

Annalisa Meli

“This course is really valuable if you want to become a designer, but it is important to be aware that it is really hard work. There are lots of deadlines and presentations – but these are useful, because they help you to be productive and to develop your projects.”

Victoria Willis

“Our studio-based design module with Frank O’Sullivan and Ersi Ioannidou was inspirational. Challenging us to the maximum in every tutorial, we were encouraged to think for ourselves and push our ideas to their limits.”

Raja Imran

"My favourite hang outs? For food – Kanok Thai, Black Bird, Cocoa, The Bali Brasserie. For entertainment – Komedia is great for gigs and movies. The Lanes for Brighton's best vintage goods. Seven Sisters and Devil's Dyke for calming the mind with breathtaking nature."

Victoria Willis

Victora Willis

Our latest news

Seeking Participants: A Two Day Design Workshop to Re-imagine Birth Space, March 2021.

Seeking Participants: A Two Day Design Workshop to Re-imagine Birth Space, March 2021.

Calling Student Designers in the SoAD!

SoAd New Public Lecture Series: OMMX

SoAd New Public Lecture Series: OMMX

We are delighted to kick off our Spring Lecture Series at 6pm on Thursday 28th January with a talk from OMMX.

Two New Lecture Series for 2021.

Two New Lecture Series for 2021.

To kick off  2021 the School of Architecture and Design are delighted to announced two fantastic new lecture series.

First of our new Lunchtime Lecture Series: Alex Zambelli, How to Build an Architectural Commons.

First of our new Lunchtime Lecture Series: Alex Zambelli, How to Build an Architectural Commons.

In this first lunchtime talk Alex Zambelli will describe how the twin projects of the AHRC-funded Wastes and Strays: the past present and future of English urban commons, and an upcoming Special Issue of the Journal of Architecture he is guest editing called Architectural Commons between them build towards a notion of the commons which is simultaneously, participatory […] The post First of our new Lunchtime Lecture Series: Alex Zambelli, How to Build an Architectural Commons.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Our graduates generally succeed in finding challenging and rewarding work in the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally. Brighton graduates enjoy a reputation for being creative and innovative designers, responsive to the needs of people and places. In addition, this postgraduate programme offers opportunities for experimental and exploratory work in spatial design both within and beyond the limits of professional practice.

Previous students include:

  • an interior designer at Harrison Ince
  • an interior designer at gpstudio
  • a store designer at Estée Lauder Travel Retail
  • an architect at Nest Architects
  • an architectural technologist at Agora Chartered Architects
  • an industrial and interior designer at B-H Design
  • a senior interior designer at Hirsch Bedner Associates
  • a creative director at Night Art Design Studio
  • a designer at Johnson Naylor
  • an interior architect at Cramer Möbel Design.
Curtain wall

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2021. They should be used as a general guide. 

Degree and experience
A good degree (2.2 or above) in a design-related subject. In exceptional circumstances, ie where an applicant has several years experience working in a design industry, those with non-design degrees will be considered. Applicants need to show evidence of a portfolio and most will be invited for interview.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university's Language Institute.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Portfolio advice

Your portfolio should be a maximum of 20 pages/images showing examples of projects from previous or ongoing academic studies. It should also include recent work undertaken in practice as appropriate.

Remember – it's useful for the course leader to see the range of representational skills you have as well as your approach to design.

Please upload your portfolio to an image-sharing website such as Flickr or Dropbox, and include the link in your application.

Celine Battolla

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time)5,544 GBP

International (full-time) 13,548 GBP

Please note these are the annual fees for the course. As the course duration is 18 months (full-time), you will pay a further 50% of the above figure for the final six months.

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.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies, although we have tried to keep this to a minimum. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, whilst studying a course in the School of Architecture and Design are listed below:

  • In your first year of studies, you will need to buy a drawing and modelling toolkit. Each course will suggest a list of items of which some will be essential, and others optional. You should budget around £100–£250 for these.
  • For most courses you will need to budget between £100 to £300 per year for printing and portfolio costs. Costs will vary depending on type of printer and type and size of paper used. Some students tend to work digitally, spending more on printing and some by hand, spending more on materials so these costs vary widely between students.
  • Most essay and report submissions can be made online however, you should budget around £25 for printing and binding dissertations in your final year.
  • For most courses you will need to budget between £10 and £100 for material costs per design project. Costs will vary depending on how and what you use to make models. You are encouraged to recycle used materials where possible.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget from £15 to £100 per year to buy your own copies and subscribe to design magazines.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available from the university.
  • You will need to budget between £5–£50 to exhibit work for the end-of-year show. Fundraising by the student society, BIAAS, normally helps towards this cost.
  • Most courses include mandatory site visits and travel expenses are included in the fees.
  • There will be opportunities to attend additional study trips throughout the course but these are not required to pass your course. The cost of travel to them will be covered by the course but there may be additional costs varying from a packed lunch to entrance to a museum.
  • International field trips are offered in each year which are optional and are not required to pass your course. You should expect to budget approximately £150–£350 for these, to cover flight, accommodation, food and entrance to museums. The total amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By the time the Big Build is complete, there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits.

The Big Build

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls. All halls are self catered, but if you prefer you can add in a food and drink plan.
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently or in a university-managed house? We can help – find out more about unihomes and unilets or private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Students eating at the Hub

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

Stay in touch

Book onto our online event

See all our other online events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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‹ ›

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