COURSE CURRICULUM

The Interior Design (Extended Degree) BA (Hons) at Northumbria University is a comprehensive four-year program that develops students’ creative, technical, and professional skills for careers in interior design across commercial, cultural, lifestyle, and wellbeing-focused spaces. The foundation year introduces essential design skills through modules in studio practice, design contexts, specialisms, a major project, and portfolio development, providing an alternative route for students who do not meet standard entry requirements. In the first year, students explore experimental processes, discover interior design principles, respond to context, study architectural technologies and alternative materials, and develop an understanding of interior design contexts, supported by academic language skills for international and EU students. The second year builds on these skills with modules addressing emerging design issues, tactics and strategies, wellbeing-focused interior design, branded commercial environments, and contextual investigation. The third year offers optional professional experience and global exposure through creative studio projects, design placements, or study abroad, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world and international contexts. The final year focuses on advanced interior design challenges, including contemporary design futures, speculative projects, business and commercial strategies, advanced commercial design, and research practice. The program emphasizes studio-based learning, feedback, and portfolio development, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional practice in interior design and the wider creative sector.