Interior Design BA Honours

The course offers the opportunity to acquire valuable specialist employability skills and experience in the professional workplace through a four-year sandwich mode option in which you undertake a one-year professional placement in design practice, after your second year of study. Successful completion of the placement is recognised at graduation by the additional award of an Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice: Interior Architecture and Design.

The purpose of the placement is to give you the opportunity to acquire and develop your knowledge and skills for the design of building interiors in a professional, working context. The intention is that you will gain, through extended, practical involvement in real design work and projects, an understanding of how the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your prior studies are applied and utilised in the real world of professional design practice. The experience you gain from the placement will give you, as a graduate, a significant advantage in obtaining permanent employment at the start of your career.

There is no fixed curriculum for professional placements as the roles and tasks you undertake within a professional environment will vary with the type, size, character, market orientation and circumstances of your employer. Learning is primarily independent and self-directed, although you will be guided and supported by programme staff, individually through visits and consultation

The course team maintain very close and regular links with industry and commercial design practice across the built environment sector and the creative industries. Our extensive network of professional contacts in the UK and around the world keep us informed of placement opportunities as they arise each year, and we are continually seeking new employers willing to participate. Students may also arrange their own placement, subject to University approval.

A placement cannot be guaranteed, but we endeavour to match suitable students, jobs and employers. Obtaining a placement is competitive, and we ask students to prepare a professional CV, assemble an appropriate portfolio and attend an interview with the employer, and it is they that decide to whom they would like to offer a placement. We maintain regular contact with all students and their employers during their placement year, wherever they are working, to monitor their progress and ensure they are getting the most out of their experience.

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops and supervised studio/workshop time. Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. You can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and practical workshops in smaller seminar groups usually made up of 6-10 students. You will receive personal feedback on your progress on each studio module on a weekly basis. In addition, you can arrange one to one sessions with your personal tutor, module leader or a member of the Learning Enhancement Team. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning including the 3D workshop, 3D printing studio, print and dye labs, digital media workshops, small metals and ceramics workshops, digital embroidery studio, photography studios and the Materials Room throughout your course.

During your first year (level 4), your weekly timetable will typically consist of, for example:

• 1-2 hours of lectures
• 1-2 hours of seminars
• 3 hours of skills workshops
• 0.5 - 1hour of one-to-one tutorials
• 13 hours of supervised studio and workshop time
• 14 hours of open studio access

Independent Learning

When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).

Overall Workload

Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). While your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;

Level 4

50% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity;

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 600 hours
• Independent Learning: 600 hours

Level 5

50% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 600 hours
• Independent Learning: 600 hours

Level 6

45% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 540 hours
• Independent Learning: 660 hours

Academic Support

You will have access to academic support services that you assist you in the following areas;

• Study Skills, including academic writing, reading and numeracy skills.
• Employability, with workshops and tutorials on CV writing, interview and presentation skills.
• Library Support, including sessions on finding, and choosing the right resources and software and tutorials on referencing and plagiarism.
• Progression and Support Advisors to assist you with if you experience difficulties with your studies.
• Well-being Services.

These services can be accessed through the UniHelp Desk in the Library building.

Assessment

The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.

There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. Assessment is through digital or printed presentations of project designs and models or written essays and reports. Research and contextual analysis is key to the development of strong and appropriate design ideas and supporting research forms an important part of the assessment.

Summative assessment is carried out through the review of individual final portfolio submission for each module.

The grades from the summative assessments result in your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.

Percentage of course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:

Feedback

You will receive feedback on the formative assessment, and written summative assessments. Feedback on examination performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.

We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.

Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.

Qualifications

112 UCAS points

To find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country please visit the relevant support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

Middlesex University has a flexible and personalised approach to admissions and we accept applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and a combination of qualifications.

Applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed, provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant ability and experience.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements for this course you may still be eligible for our Foundation Year in 3D Design course. This is an extra year of study to prepare you for the full degree. You may also be interested in our Intensive Foundation in Art and Design, successful completion of which will guarantee a place on a nominated degree. This is a twelve week course, running from June to September, to prepare you for degree-level study.

Personal attributes required

We will consider all applications on their individual merit; successful applicants should demonstrate suitability, dedication and fitness for their chosen programme of study. All candidates are asked to submit evidence of previous production and creative practice, normally presented as a portfolio. As far as possible, students are invited to attend for interview and will be offered the opportunity to view the School and meet appropriate staff and students. Where prior qualifications are not available; applicants with appropriate experience will be assessed on the evidence of their commitment and the quality of their portfolio.

Visas and immigration

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.

English language requirements for international students

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components). Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications. If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions

Entry onto this course requires an interview and a portfolio. Please view the Interviews and portfolio tab for more information.

We will consider all applications on their individual merit; successful applicants should demonstrate suitability, dedication and fitness for their chosen programme of study. All candidates are asked to submit evidence of previous production and creative practice, normally presented as a portfolio.

Interviews

As far as possible, students are required to attend an interview. The interview itself will last around 15 minutes but you should allow for the whole interview process to take a working day as we will spend some time at the beginning explaining our course ethos and philosophy to you in a group, with the opportunity for you to ask us questions about the course and life as a Middlesex student.

You will also be offered the opportunity to view the facilities and meet appropriate staff and students. We use the interview to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests, and to explore why you want to study with us.

Portfolio

You should also bring a full portfolio to the interview. We've put together a short video to help you prepare your portfolio: