Combining diverse perspectives into an innovative curriculum, the course develops critical, creative, and compassionate skills for designing domestic, commercial, civic, experiential, or temporary spaces. Studio-based learning, collaborative projects, and real-world case studies empower you to experiment with various media, methods, and approaches to interior design.
On the Interior Design course, you will explore inclusive design, materials, human behaviour, and visual culture, alongside design thinking, problem-solving, and spatial storytelling.
Projects will bridge physical and virtual worlds, drawing on a deepening knowledge base to inform practical work.
The course empowers you to reimagine meaningful and immersive narratives for interiors and places, challenging relationships between space, objects, and human experiences to shape innovative interior futures and new ways of inhabiting our world.
Year 1
Year 1 provides an introduction to the discipline and the scope of the role. You will explore the context which interior designers work within, and the historical precedents which shape current practices. You will be introduced to methods of critical examination through contextually driven design studio challenges on projects with a basic level of complexity. Students will be introduced to processes, techniques and methods appropriate for visualisation and representation.
Year 2
Year 2 introduces concepts, theory and practice which relate design work to the end user and the physicality of the human body. You will develop a deeper understanding of the history and theory of interior design and related design disciplines. Through design projects students will be introduced to tools and methods which explore the digital realm, and you will develop the creative and critical skills through moderately complex design challenges.
Year 3
Year 3 introduces the cognitive, technical, digital and inter-professional skills necessary to address the requirements of clients, building users and society. You will consider the nature of materials and methods of making, and will consider sustainability and the wider environment when making design choices. Year 3 offers you credit for work-based learning in the second semester.
Year 4
Year 4 students undertake advanced study in the field of Interior Design within the professional and ethical frameworks established by society’s current and future needs. You will develop skills in research in connection to independently developed questions and topics, and will engage in self-directed study. You will develop a deeper understanding of the role of an interior designer as part of a design team, and understand the legal and statutory frameworks applicable to the role.
Events
We have on campus and virtual events to help you find out more about study, student experience and future career paths.
Learning Methods
The design studio is the primary learning environment in which students will develop practical and intellectual capabilities. In design studio modules, students will undertake contextualised projects which reflect and simulate real world issues. Students will be expected to interpret a brief, prepare a concept, and develop it to completion. Presentation of design solutions is an integral part of the design studio. Alongside this, students will undertake workshop based modules which will require students to consider projects or questions from technical, professional or regulatory standpoints.
Shared content in the final year with Master of Architecture (MArch) and Masters in Advanced Architectural Technology (MSci AAT) in the form of 15 credit elective modules delivered by Scott Sutherland School. The course is taught jointly by the Scott Sutherland School and Gray’s School of Art, with modules at all levels sharing content with BA (Hons) Fine Art and MArch Architecture.
Activity Summary
Year 4
- Lectures - 20 students per group, 1 hour per week
- Seminars - 20 students per group, 4 hours per week
- Supervised time in studio / workshop - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week
- Independent Study - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week
How long is a BDes (Hons) Interior Design course?
The duration of the Interior Design degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.
Independent Study
The nature of design work requires a substantial degree of independent and directed study. Students will develop their own pathway in relation to a brief and are expected to work on the development of concepts in the time between formal studio sessions or tutorials.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed each year:
Year 1
- 1 report
- 1 portfolio
- 2 project outputs
Year 2
- 2 portfolios
- 2 project outputs
Year 3
- 1 portfolio
- 1 project output
- 1 professional experience (placement)
Year 4
- 1 report
- 1 portfolio
- 2 project outputs
Staff delivering on this course
Staff teaching on the course have wide range of skills and experience drawn from practice and academia. Our core team comes from both the Scott Sutherland School and Gray’s school of Art and brings knowledge of Architecture, Design, Art, Interiors, History, and professionalism. We have close links with practice and attract additional teaching staff from local and national interior designers, furniture makers and other talented makers and designers.
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Placements
Semester 2 of Year 3 includes an opportunity for a credit bearing placement in an professional setting. This placement lasts for the duration of the semester and students are required to complete 600 hours. Students are required to find a placement in a professional setting that interests them. The placement is credit bearing and counts towards the credits required to complete the programme.
What is needed for a BDes (Hons) Interior Design degree?
Academic Year 2024-2025
Standard Entry Requirements
- SQA Higher: BBBB to include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
- GCE A Level: BCC to include Art. English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) is required at GCSE grade 6/B if not held at A Level.
- Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H3H3 to include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
- IB Diploma: 28 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) all at grade 5.
Minimum Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:
- SQA Higher: BCC To include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
Alternative Qualifications
Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences.
Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.
Portfolio of Artwork
Applicants not possessing a Higher or equivalent qualification in Art (Art & Design and Product Design in Scotland and Art & Design and Design & Technology in England) will be expected to demonstrate evidence of creative ability. The purpose, nature and content of the portfolio is to demonstrate the applicants diverse creativity and can include analogue and electronic creativity (sketches, drawings, paintings, model making, craft, photography, etc) we would normally expect this to be in the range of 12-15 items of work to represent the applicants creative self.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025-2026
Scottish Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £1820 |
| Year 2 | £1820 | |
| Year 3 | £1820 | |
| Year 4 | £1820 | |
Rest of UK Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £7220 |
| Year 2 | £7220 | |
| Year 3 | £7220 | |
| Year 4 | £7220 | |
International Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £18300 |
| Year 2 | £18300 | |
| Year 3 | £18300 | |
| Year 4 | £18300 | |
Additional Costs
Studio cost - includes general studio supplies including art supplies and materials, This is currently £99 for first year Architecture students, which includes materials which will last beyond first year.
Other costs incurred would include non-compulsory study trips (varies but could be around £250 per year).
Students can use university desktop computers, however they may want to purchase a laptop (£500+)
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Student Funding
If you are a Scottish resident, you may be eligible for funding and should apply to SAAS for funding.
Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.