Interiors Architecture and Design MA

This module focuses on design process by encouraging you to rethink and reinterpret existing site contexts. You will be challenged to creatively re-imagine and critically engage with the reuse of spaces, materials and concepts. Working both individually and collaboratively, you will learn to integrate design strategies and practical insights into a well-structured and cohesive design proposal. The emphasis is on developing innovative solutions, that respond to real-world challenges, while maintaining a clear, sustainable vision.

This module is focused on establishing a comprehensive research framework that supports your design practice. You will explore a wide range of tools, including model-making, digital technologies, and visual mapping techniques, alongside investigation into theories, histories, and the cultural contexts that shape the built environment. You will gather, analyse, and record insights related to a specific physical site, transforming this research into a personal direction that informs your design thinking.

Utilising several experimental, Interior focused techniques, this module concentrates on the design development of an Adaptive Reuse based proposal. This proposal will clearly respond to the relationship between place, context and its relevant occupants/users. Through an iterative process you will develop your initial thinking into a considerate and comprehensive project. Your studio and practice-based work will fully explore contemporary methods and add to your knowledge of design strategy.

This module focuses on enhancing your ability to communicate research and ideas effectively, while also building critical skills for professional practice. The module emphasises digital fluency, and professional communication, ensuring you can confidently deliver your work to both academic and industry audiences. The result is both a significant piece of design focused written work and a set of advanced skills necessary to effectively communicate your research, positioning yourself for success in professional practice or further academic study.

This module offers you the opportunity to showcase your mastery of interior architecture and design by synthesising your knowledge and skills into a comprehensive project. You will apply your expertise in adaptive reuse and other sustainable practices, construction, visualization, problem-solving, and creativity to produce a high-quality, professional-level project. The goal is to create work that communicates ideas effectively and aligns with the chosen direction of your project’s aims. The outcome will equip you with a strong portfolio, fully preparing you to advance into professional practice or further academic pursuits.

Throughout the course, you’ll build your knowledge, skills, and understanding through a series of research and design projects. These projects ask you to apply what you’ve learned—alongside your creativity and originality—to real design briefs. Teaching is delivered in a variety of ways to keep things flexible, accessible, and inclusive, so you can learn in a way that works for you.

Inclusive, research-informed teaching is built into every part of the course. Your tutors bring their own research and the latest developments in design into the classroom, giving you direct access to current ideas, approaches, and methods. You’ll be encouraged to take a research-led approach too—using critical thinking and reflection to strengthen your design practice.

Your learning experience includes a mix of teaching methods:

• Talks – Hear directly from industry professionals and thought leaders who bring a wide range of insights and perspectives, both local and global.
• Seminars – Take part in open discussions where you can question ideas, share your views, and bring your own experiences into the conversation.
• Workshops – Get hands-on with digital tools, materials, and model-making. Workshops give you the chance to build practical skills that you can use across your projects, with flexibility to suit different ways of learning.
• Design Reviews & Tutorials – One-to-one tutorials give you personal guidance on your projects, while group reviews let you present your work and get feedback from tutors, peers, and visiting professionals.
• Studio Practice – You’ll work in a collaborative studio environment, learning from others and developing your ideas through teamwork and shared problem-solving.
• Visits – Through in-person and virtual visits, you’ll see how design works in real-world settings and understand how it responds to social, environmental, and cultural contexts.
• Digital Platforms – You’ll use the University’s virtual learning environment and digital tools to support your research, share work, and stay connected. These platforms make sure resources are accessible wherever you are and help you collaborate easily online.
• Independent Study – You’ll spend time working on your own projects, building confidence in research, decision-making, and critical thinking. You’ll set clear goals, receive feedback through tutorials, and work in a way that fits your personal learning style.

This approach gives you the structure and support you need, while also giving you the freedom to grow as a creative, independent designer.

Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time. Project information, recorded presentations and assessment criteria will be provided through our online Module page.

The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.

Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.

Definitions of terms

Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:

• Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We'll schedule all of this for you
• Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.

Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be entirely assessed by coursework including practical projects, oral presentations and supporting written work. There are no exams.

Formative feedback is provided during each module assignment, together with summative feedback at the end of each module.

The criteria for the final project are:

• Critical awareness of contemporary and current knowledge, practice and contexts within your chosen subject area
• In-depth understanding of how research activity has informed and framed your design decision-making
• Critical and reflective evaluation of the outcomes from your research and design activity
• Expertise in a range of technical, communication and professional skills appropriate to your chosen subject
• The development of a personal practice through the application of knowledge acquired through your research
• Advanced level work that articulates critical analysis, creative problem solving and reflective practice.