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Course type: Degree

Degree

Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.

Internationally respected, universally understood.

An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.

Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.

Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits: 360

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

BA (Honours) Interior Design

: Course code: A29

Envision and create inspiring spaces with our BA (Honours) Interior Design degree. This online programme nurtures your ability to transform empty rooms into functional, aesthetically pleasing environments. Through a blend of creative exploration and technical skill development, you'll learn to design interiors that reflect the needs of people and societies. The flexible distance learning format allows you to balance your design studies with other commitments, all while building a professional portfolio that showcases your evolving spatial design skills.

This online course is available through our college dedicated to the creative arts, the Open College of the Arts.

Key features

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Key features

Explore various aspects of spatial design, from residential to commercial spaces
Develop technical skills in drawing, model-making, and digital design tools
Learn to communicate design ideas effectively through visual and written means
Collaborate on projects that mirror real-world design scenarios
Benefit from flexible online study supported by experienced design professionals

Course highlights

This honours degree in interior design has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

As you begin your design journey, you'll explore fundamental principles and theories of interior design. You'll experiment with various design techniques and start developing your creative practice. Throughout this stage, you'll be introduced to the basics of spatial design and the built environment through a series of engaging creative exercises. You'll learn to reflect on your work and conduct contextual studies, building a solid foundation in both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. This comprehensive introduction will help you understand the multifaceted nature of interior design and prepare you for more advanced concepts in the following stages.

Stage 2 (120 credits)

Building on the principles learned in Stage 1, you'll deepen your understanding of interior design across different scales. You'll start with detailed spatial understanding, progress to design at a human scale and finish by expanding your design horizons. Throughout this stage, you'll engage with more complex design challenges, learning to consider aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and user experience. You'll have opportunities to work on diverse projects, from intimate residential spaces to larger commercial environments, helping you discover your strengths and interests in interior design.

Stage 3 (120 credits)

In this final stage, you'll refine your unique design voice through a significant project and critical research. You'll synthesise everything you've learned throughout the programme to create a substantial body of work that showcases your creativity, technical skills, and understanding of interior design principles. You'll also prepare for your future career by learning how to sustain your practice as a professional designer beyond graduation. This stage will challenge you to think critically about your role as a designer and how your work can impact and improve the spaces people inhabit, setting you up for a successful transition into the professional world of interior design.

Course type

Degree

Credits

360

How long it takes

Part-time study – 6–9 years

Time limit – 12 years

Study method

Distance learning

Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

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Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Entry requirements

This open-access degree welcomes students from all backgrounds. No formal qualifications are required – just bring your passion for design and willingness to learn. You'll need basic IT skills, a reliable internet connection, and English language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 to engage fully with the course.

Fees and funding

Read the detailed description on the Open College of the Arts website to learn more about this degree's fees and funding options.

How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
details of each assignment and their due dates
a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Interested in finding out more?

This degree is delivered by The Open University's Open College of the Arts.

To explore this course in detail, including entry requirements, fees and funding options, and how to apply, visit the Open College of the Arts website.

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