BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
The course
- UCAS code
- W250
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Scottish Borders
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Our Interior Architecture and Design programme offers a creative blend of design skills to equip you for industry. You'll apply conceptual methods to imaginatively adapt or re-use interiors. Key areas that you will study include sustainability, human centred design, hand and digital making skills, materials, drawing, furniture and detailing, technology and digital communication.
Express yourself with the latest tech. We’ll show you how innovative new technology can help you bring your interior design ideas to life. We’ll give you the opportunity to work on real projects for big businesses. Students have developed interiors with brands such as Adidas, Herman Miller and Accor hotel group.
This exposure to live clients and stakeholders is something we’re proud of. You'll have the opportunity to work with many external partners, organisations and businesses. Challenge yourself, make connections and develop skills that will be useful after graduation, while also building your identity as a designer.
Many of our graduates go on to work in creative roles in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond, for companies like AECOM, Area, and IKEA and others. You could follow in their footsteps.
The course is taught in our Scottish Borders Campus. Find out more about what this highly creative and practical course has to offer on our School pages.
How we teach
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our chartered architects, interior and environmental designers and research-active academics in the fields of sustainable building design and architectural conservation. You’ll benefit from their extensive real-world experience in architecture and interior design.
You’ll be a part of a diverse yet dedicated community of students studying interior design.
We appreciate all students are different and have designed the programme to be as inclusive and dynamic as possible. During your time with us you will collaborate with students from your course and others, from campuses in Scotland and Dubai to provide a global experience.
We teach using a variety of means and methods, from tutorials, to lectures, to site visits and more. Using technology such as virtual and augmented reality to help you see the meaningful change you are making to interiors. You’ll work with software and facilities such as CAD, laser cutters and 3D printers.
Graduate profile
Read the profile of Sejal Pandey who studied Interior Design and now works as an Interior Designer in Edinburgh for Wagstaff Interiors.
Blending art and technology
Why we need Interior Architecture and Design and what you'll learn in your time at Heriot-Watt
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Scottish Borders Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Our first year begins with courses that cover the fundamental skills needed for most types of design, including the design process, before then focusing on the specific skills an interior designer needs to build – including materiality and an awareness of sustainability as a holistic concept integral to interior design. During this time most students collaborate beyond their chosen programme, in order to understand where interior design fits in around other design disciplines
Semester 1
- Rethinking Design 1: Discover and Define
- Rethinking Design 2: Develop and Deliver
Semester 2
• 3D Design Studio
• Introduction to Materials
• Visual Communication for 3D Design
Year 2
Our second year focuses on the core skills needed to function as an interior designer – these include visual communication, construction studies, and professional development. Our second year also introduces design studios, as a place to work in your own way on a range of exciting briefs – often these include live projects with industry.
Semester 1
• Interior Design Studio 1
• Professional Development for Interior Design
Semester 2
• Digital Technologies
• Interior Design Studio 2
• Advanced CAD for Interior Design
Year 3
During year three our students have the opportunity to advance specific interior design skills including global working, advanced technology and entrepreneurialism. During this year students work collaboratively with students from our Dubai campus and make use of our maker centre and new tools including 3d printing, laser cutting, and VR technology – and the chance to apply all to their ongoing ‘studio’ work.
Semester 1
• Advanced Digital Skills and Technology for Interior Design
• Interior Design Studio 3
• Construction for Interior Architecture
Semester 2
• Critical & Contextual Studies 3
• Global Collaborative Design
• Interior Design Studio 4
Year 4
Our Honours year allows you the chance to design and complete your own project. During this time you will further refine and demonstrate creativity and project management skills in creating your own interior design that responds to a particular challenge or issue. The year ends with a degree show exhibition showcasing your work.
Following the final year some of our students also chose to stay on into our MA Interior Architecture and Design programme, whilst others graduate and proceed to work in the design industry.
Semester 1
• Final Major Project 1
• Optional courses available: Marketing Strategy for Design and CCS Essay
Semester 2
• Final Major Project 2
• Advanced Practice and Evaluation
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Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB
- A-Levels BCC
- Int. Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC DMM (in a relevant area
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC (including English)
- A-Levels BCC
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Year 2
Standard entry requirements
- HNC B in graded unit (in a relevant HNC)
- BTEC DMM (in relevant subject)
Year 3
- HND BB in graded unit. Entry into Year 3 from appropriate articulated HND/BTEC courses or from Approved Learning Partners (dependent upon places available).
Additional information
- Portfolio submission is a prerequisite and will demonstrate your interest in interior design.
- Applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
The digital portfolio
Selection is by application and submission of a portfolio, which will demonstrate your aptitude to textiles through use of colour, texture, rhythmic pattern-making and a logical design process. The ability to produce observational work in the form of both controlled and gestural drawing, painting and relief work should also be shown.
Applicants are invited to submit a digital portfolio by Friday 23rd February 2024. Late submissions may be accepted, please contact portfolios@hw.ac.uk for more information. If upon review of a portfolio it is deemed appropriate we will contact an applicant for interview.
Online portfolio feedback sessions with an academic will be offered following your submission.
What to include in your digital portfolio:
Your application must include a portfolio of 10 to 15 carefully curated pages in PDF format. Please ensure that the images used in your submission are high resolution and of good quality. These images should include examples of past work and must include evidence of the following:
Research and investigation:
To show the level of your engagement in visual investigation and research and how well you apply and integrate it within a design project. This could be through the medium of notetaking, sketches, photographs, painting, collages and so on.
Design development:
To show your ability to explore and develop ideas in a creative and critical way; and your level of skill and ability in the use of different visual methods and techniques to express development. We want you to show a strong evolution of your work and ideas.
Visual communication and presentation:
To clearly communicate and visually express a few of your most successful design projects from start to finish in a professional way.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £18,704 |
* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.