National Design Academy · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Interior Design Bachelor's degree at National Design Academy
BA (Hons) Interior Design at National Design Academy. You'll develop skills in core theory, research methods and applied practice, alongside specialist options and an independent project that lets you pursue your own creative direction.
BA (Hons)
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
60%
continuation
About this course
Our Online BA (Hons) Interior Design provides students with the tools needed for a career in the design industry. Flexible Online Study. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Interior Design is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at National Design Academy. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
7.2
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent84
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Solid60
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 60% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
- Research & Contextualisation
Module details
Introduction to world leaders in residential and commercial design. Research skills and methods for design projects. Comprehensive knowledge of interior design history through the ages.
- Space Planning
Module details
Learn to design spaces to meet functional requirements. Plan and design efficient, comfortable and safe spaces for residential and commercial interiors. Develop initial project work and concept design process.
- Design in Historical Context
Module details
Examine factors in interior design development since the Renaissance. Research heritage buildings. Recreate fascinating design styles throughout history.
- Creative Lighting and Technology
Module details
Cover products and technologies for interior spaces. Develop schemes with lighting and audio-visual technology. Ensure spaces are fit for purpose for residential and commercial projects.
- Sustainable Design and Technology
Module details
Understand sustainable products, materials and technologies. Explore eco-friendly interiors and restaurant design. Address environmental concerns in design practice.
- Home Staging and Show Home Design
Module details
Design interiors that sell residential properties. Design for clients who will not be intended residents. Produce client letters, design packs and 3D visuals.
- Professional Practice
Module details
Create your own design practice and marketing plan. Explore branding for business. Develop skills to work within existing practice at professional level.
- Major Design Project
Module details
Apply learning through development and presentation of major design project. Work from concept to completion. Choice of different client briefs. Includes work experience.
- Hotel DesignOptional
Module details
Focus on hotel design and evolution of the global industry. Work with building of choice. Understand impact of site on target market and concept.
- Exhibition DesignOptional
Module details
Explore commercial trade shows and exhibitions in gallery spaces. Examine visitor experience and branding in exhibition design.
- Research Study
Module details
Choose direction of work starting with research of topic of interest. Write dissertation with tutor support. Feeds into final module independent study.
- Independent Study
Module details
Build on topic developed in Research Study module. Double the amount of time of previous modules. Produce visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and technical drawings for portfolio.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This online degree equips you with the tools for a career in interior design. A course like this normally begins with visual foundations, colour, composition and form across media, alongside materials and processes, from traditional making to digital fabrication. You'll study contextual histories informing contemporary practice. As you progress, studio practice deepens your personal direction, and you'll work on live briefs and real client projects. In later stages, you'll specialise in areas such as graphic design, illustration, fashion and textiles, UX and digital, or fine art, whilst building professional practice skills and a portfolio. The course culminates in a self-directed major project and degree show.
Who it's for
You're drawn to spatial design, colour, materials and how interiors shape the way people live and work. You think visually and respond to environments critically. You want real-world experience without leaving full-time employment or other commitments, part-time, online study lets you progress at your own pace. You're self-directed enough to manage independent project work and benefit from structured feedback on your ideas. This course suits anyone serious about a design career but needing flexibility.
Careers & job market
Across Art & Design courses nationally, 87% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing additional qualifications. Nationally, interior design graduates earn between £22,000 and £27,000 in their first role (15 months after graduation), with earnings ranging from £20,825 to £29,400 within five years, according to graduate outcomes data. Your actual salary will depend on your employer, role and location.
University & format
This BA (Hons) Interior Design is offered by National Design Academy, a UK degree-awarding body. The course is studied part-time and entirely online, taught in English. The degree is nationally recognised.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Open daysOpen Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent45% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check National Design Academy's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 45% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 38% |
| another higher-education qualification | 11% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask National Design Academy whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
The cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at National Design Academy →Check the finance route that applies to you
Support depends on ordinary residence, assessed fee status, course and provider nation. The provider nation is unresolved here, so no national cap or loan amount is being guessed.
Find your official student-finance route →Paying for it
- Tuition fee loan: applied for through the student-finance body for the UK nation you live in.
- Living-cost support: means-tested on household income, from your nation's student-finance body.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold set by your nation's student-finance system.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Each UK nation runs its own student-finance system; check gov.uk for the rates that apply to you.
Funding matched to this course
All National Design Academy funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
60%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£22,000 – £27,000
After 3 years LEO
£17,000 – £24,000
After 5 years LEO
£20,825 – £29,400
national rangeaxis £16,000 – £30,500
National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
60 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Home tuition is regulated and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Eligible students can apply for a tuition fee loan and living-cost support from the student-finance body for the UK nation they live in. Repayment thresholds differ by nation.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.2 out of 10: NSS 83.7% · continued 60%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to National Design Academy from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by National Design Academy; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check National Design Academy’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with National Design Academy and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at National Design Academy
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by National Design Academy. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for Art & Design below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
Home tuition is regulated and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Eligible students can apply for a tuition fee loan and living-cost support from the student-finance body for the UK nation they live in. Repayment thresholds differ by nation. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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