BA (Hons) Interior Design

BA (Hons) Interior Design is concerned with the occupation of space, how it is used and importantly, how it is experienced. We promote the understanding and subsequent remodelling of existing spaces, in order to create meaningful interventions. 

This course views interior design as a distinct, rigorous practice. Through architectural and design interventions, we engage with collaborative and creative ventures to enhance human interaction with their environment. This can be applied at an architectural scale whilst appreciating the detail and fabrication of objects, surfaces and materials.

The core elements of the course are taught by practising designers and architects, touching on all aspects of interior design such as interior architecture, exhibition design, event /set design or object/element design.

The course advocates the synthesis of this ideology as a creative, rigorous and intellectual process. We value ideas, invention and practical resolution in the creation of new, and often unconventional interior identities. We can create experiential, experimental or functional spaces. We shape environments, generate identities, question programmes, detail objects, design or specify materials and furniture. 

Ultimately, we place human involvement with space at the centre of all our endeavours.

The distinctiveness of the BA (Hons) Interior Design at Manchester School of Art lies in its passion for collaborative and entrepreneurial ventures, which are supported and embedded through the School's award winning Unit X.

As an interior specialist, you will more often than not collaborate with a number of like minded practitioners to manifest your ideas and we believe the School of Art's environment is the perfect setting to nurture these endeavours, which allow students to network and professionalise their practise throughout their time on the course.

As well as the core Interiors curriculum which is underpinned by contextual lectures, students on each level of the course undertake Unit X.  Students have taken part in a number of highly successful live projects with clients such as the Manchester International Festival and the Royal Northern College of Music, in collaboration with our contemporaries in Graphics, Product Design, Product Design and Craft, Textiles and Fashion.  We further embrace this opportunity for collaboration on an international level, having collaborated with institutions abroad for example ESAD, Portugal, on interventions and installations for the Lisbon Design Biennale, or hosting events with international visitors in our Stirling Prize nominated building.  The course also runs regular optional study trips to key cultural cities such as Berlin and New York or to deign/architecture festivals such as Venice Biennale, Lisbon Design Biennale, Milan Furniture Fair and Amsterdam for Dutch Design Week. 

The core elements of the course are taught by practising designers and architects, touching on all aspects of interior design such as interior architecture, exhibition design, scene/set design or object/element design.

What is the length of the course?

• 3 years full-time ·
• 4 years with placement year and/or overseas study