Intro

Spatial designers creatively shape the environments we live, work, and play in, making them functional, beautiful and sustainable.

Our well-established Interior Architecture BA(Hons) course explores a diverse range of disciplines and encourages you to reimagine and experiment with the design of the spaces we live in. Working on live projects, you'll develop flexible problem-solving skills and gain confidence to tackle complex challenges with a critical and creative approach.

You'll be part of a strong studio community that fosters creativity, cooperation, and progressive attitudes. This environment helps you design with a focus on the health, wellbeing, and productivity of the people we design for.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code W250

Full-time 3 years

What are my next steps?

Apply now with UCAS for 2025

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

We are looking for highly motivated and creative students. We will primarily be interested in your portfolio. If your predicted grades fall below these requirements but you can demonstrate a high-quality portfolio, you are still encouraged to apply. We will consider you on an individual basis.

A foundation diploma is not a requirement for entry – it is just one of a range of qualifications (for example, BTEC or Access Diploma) that is accepted for admission to this course.

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBB–BCC (120–104 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

International Baccalaureate
27 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Art and design diploma preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least three subjects including English language and maths.

Foundation degree/HND
may enable you to start the course in year 3. Related subjects or practical or professional experience required.

Apolytirion
19 overall (including a 15 in mathematics)

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits, or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Don’t meet these entry requirements?
Our architecture and design integrated foundation year provides an extra year of study at foundation level if you do not have the academic qualifications or experience needed for entry to this course.
 
Successful completion of the foundation year enables you to progress onto year 1 of our Interior Architecture, Architecture or Product Design degrees.

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.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English 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 

Before we make you an offer for a place on this course, we will ask to see a portfolio of your work. Sharing your work enables us to see your potential and to understand your approach and motivations.

After you apply we will be in touch asking you to share the link to your online portfolio. You'll be asked to upload the link to Student View.

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.

Contextual admissions

When you apply to Brighton we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Graphic with the text 'Potential + possibility'

Course content

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.
  • 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.

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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

    This module will introduce you to the Interior Architecture course by enabling you to understand the fundamentals of working with existing sites and how to design in response to them. You will learn how spatial design interventions have the power to transform the existing through mini-design projects.

    You will develop the core skills needed to begin exploring, testing and communicating your design ideas effectively and will be introduced to creative design processes and representation techniques through workshops.

  • Histories, Theories and Criticisms

    On this module you'll be introduced to major themes that are 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.

    Your learning is supported by workshops and lectures introducing core themes including 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.

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2019 graduate Holly Nash talks about the projects, teaching and strong community of students on Interior Architecture. 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
  • Design 4: Experience and Systems
  • Technology: Strategies
  • Contemporary Concerns

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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 your skills that inspire and shape your future practice. Each year, graduating students exhibit their work at the end of year show.

Modules

  • Design 5: Design Agency
  • Research Project
  • Design 6: Experience and Systems
  • Skills 4: Resolution
  • Practices 2: Future Practice
Person walking past interior architecture final year show

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 and allow you to explore creative graphic techniques
  • a wide range of surveying and audio-visual equipment used to test, explore and communicate different environments, site information, or design narratives.
Architecture workshop 360

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

Meet the team

Dr. Peter Marsh, Principal Lecturer

"I'm not so interested in the idea of learning just to get grades but I am passionate about critically thinking, experimental, and compassionate approaches that relate to real life concerns. I enjoy the opportunity that teaching offers to empower students to both reveal and read the ingrained societal and political narratives which have invited them to see the world in certain prescribed ways, and drawing on their imagination to explore alternative paths."

Read Peter's profile here

Student views 

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

"My time in Brighton has been extremely life-changing to say the least. It had 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 el Shakhs final year projectKhadiga's final year project.

Summer shows 2024

Every year our brilliant architecture, interior architecture, product design and design engineering students show their work at the University of Brighton Summer Shows. The shows are finished for 2024 but you can still take a virtual wander and explore our student’s creative work. 

More about this subject at Brighton

Come to an open day!

Join us for an undergraduate open day this autumn.

Come to an applicant event

Our applicant events are a great way to learn more about your course after you have applied, to get to know us better and make sure we are the right university for you.

Join us at Create Your Future 2023

If you are thinking about studying a creative degree at uni, come along and have a chat to us on stand number 124 at the UCAS Create Your Future event in London today or tomorrow.

Architecture and Design end of year show and awards

Architecture and Design hosted their End of Year Show in June, showcasing the talent of our school’s creative community.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Prepare for your career 

When you graduate you will enter the field ready to showcase your independent design work through a well-organised and relevant portfolio tailored to their professional audience.

You’ll have practical and professional skills in interior architecture and sustainable practices, preparing you to address today's challenges effectively.

You’ll also gain in-depth knowledge, enhancing your ability to respond to, and rethink our environments with an inclusive approach to design.

 

Students presenting architecture project to lecturer

Showcasing your talent 

Reviews of work in progress are supported with in depth feedback by professionals from industry throughout your studies providing invaluable professional insight.

The course provides numerous opportunities to promote your work through exhibitions, competitions, and awards.

We are affiliated with the national community of Interior Educators and through them our students have won recognition as leading the field on numerous occasions. We also annually partake in the UK's most innovative emerging design talent showcase, New Designers, in London.

 

Student work at the university design show

Graduate destinations 

Interior Architecture is designed to enable you to negotiate many different pathways in an increasingly complex market. While our course provides professional skills and training with a strong vocational career focused support, our students are guided and encouraged to explore their own way. During the final year of study, we support each student in focusing their final portfolios towards their individual, chosen trajectory with tailored support and teaching.

Spatial design practice lies at the heart of our society from architectural practice, commercial retail design, exhibition or event design, set design for TV, film and theatre, gallery curation and management, and even advertising, graphics and illustration.

Some of our alumni choose to set up their own design businesses, however, most of our former students work specifically in the fields of interior architecture and spatial design practice.

Student exhibiting her work

Further study 

At Brighton, we offer the following postgraduate courses: Interior Design MA, Sustainable Design MA, Architectural and Urban Design MA and Town Planning MSc.

Interior Architecture student work

Professional advice and support 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more about our Careers Service...

Employment demand for arts graduates

The British Academy has compiled a report (May 2020) quantifying the demand for arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) skills in the workplace. It helps to answer the legitimate question of what the economic return is on undertaking a degree, both in time and money. 

According to the report:

  • As arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates progress through the first ten years of their career they are able to make strong progress up the career ladder into roles attracting higher salaries
  • Arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates are employed in some of the fastest growing sectors including financial services, education, social work, the media and creative industries
  • Of the ten fastest growing sectors, eight employ more graduates from AHSS than other disciplines.

This makes AHSS graduates at the heart of some of the most exciting, productive, largest and fastest-growing sectors of the UK economy.

Future skills demand

According to the report:

  • With the challenges the world is facing – climate change, global pandemics, the growth of populism – the UK needs the insights of the arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS) as much as those from science, technology and engineering (STEM)
  • Evidence within the report shows that Arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates are central to these challenges and changes – they will be vital in giving us the tools to examine and explain human behaviour, understand how society functions, learn from the past and apply those lessons to the present, and analyse the drivers and implications of a changing world and how different countries, places and cultures interact.

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,535 GBP

International (full-time) 17,250 GBP

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.

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

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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 are included and any extras that you may be expected to pay while studying a course  in the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
  • There will be opportunities to attend additional study trips or optional taught residential field trips throughout the school, but these are not required to pass your course. Normally, a contribution will be required towards expenses such as travel, entrance fees and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the trip is, but you should budget around £1,500.
  • Where optional international field trips are offered, these are not required to pass your course. You should expect to budget £300–£500 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.
  • If you choose to take an optional paid placement, you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
  • Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £150.
  • 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 of Brighton.
  • 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.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.
  • Costs of up to £50 are included in the fees for students on engineering courses to pay for materials for their final year projects. On rare occasions where material costs exceed £50, they will need to be paid for by the student.

Architecture, interior architecture, design and product design additional costs

  • Students should budget around £25 for printing and binding dissertations in their final year.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more 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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

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Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

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 there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Ask a question about this course

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

01273 644644

Follow our students' work and life on the course on Instagram and Twitter.

Statistics

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment, so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website.

Course specification

Course specifications are the approved description of each course. They contain a breakdown of the content and structure of the course, learning outcomes and assessment. Course specs are updated following course changes.

Course specification

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