UK has always been known for its universities offering unique courses such as screenwriting, filmmaking, maritime shipping, etc. One such course that finds a top spot in this long list is interior design. Thanks to the hundreds of world-class colleges there, the country has carved a name as one of the top destinations for interior design courses.
However, it often gets quite overwhelming for students to choose one among these many colleges due to a lack of sufficient information. That’s where this guide can help you as we have come up with the top interior design courses in the UK with all the necessary details.
List of Top Universities in the UK for Interior Design
1. Northumbria University
Located at the heart of Newcastle, London, Northumbria University offers the best interior design course in UK. It was ranked #27 in University Rankings by the Guardian in 2021. Hosting students from over 130 countries, Northumbria offers a BA (Honours) degree in interior design. This course focuses mainly on creating unique designs in modern architectural spaces.
Eligibility Criteria
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- High school graduation (preferably from CBSE), which is an equivalent of the GCSE with a score of 65% or more.
- Overall English language proficiency score of 6.0 in IELTS.
Tuition Fees
Approximately £50,000 per year for international students.
Admission Process
The course usually commences in September, and the application process for 2022 has already begun.
2. Coventry University
Coventry was ranked #26 in University Rankings by the Guardian in 2021. Situated in Birmingham, Coventry University offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in interior design. The programs help hone students’ creativity quotient to aid their journey to becoming world-class interior designers. In the two-year master’s category, this university offers Product Design Innovation MA and a Design Management MA.
Eligibility Criteria
For the master’s degree, you need a BA (Honours) in any field related to interior design or product design. Also, a valid score of 6.5 is mandatory in the IELTS proficiency test.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee at Coventry University is quite affordable and is around £17,000 per year.
Admission Process
The intake for the master’s course usually takes place during January and May. Applications have closed for the May 2022 program, but you can now apply for the January 2023 program.
3. Royal College of Art
Ranked #1 in QS World University Rankings for arts and science, this is the only college in the UK dedicated exclusively to design and design-related courses. This college offers a postgraduate degree (MA and MDes) in art and design to students from over 60 countries.
Eligibility Criteria
For admission to this interior design course UK offers, students are selected purely based on merit. Students applying for the MA program need to have an undergraduate degree. Relevant work experience or internships will be an added advantage. The student should also demonstrate fluency in English with a valid test score in IELTS (if applying from a non-English speaking nation). You also need to prepare a portfolio with your artwork and submit it along with the application.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for the program is around £32,000 per year.
Admission Process
The Interior Design MA program starts in September 2022, and the last date to submit applications along with the portfolio is February 2022. After your application is evaluated, you will receive an email message regarding your admission status. You can then move forward with your visa application.
4. Glasgow School of Art
GSA is considered Britain’s premier university for higher education in architecture, fine arts, and design. The school receives praise year after year for creating quality artists, designers, and architects through its undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design. This school has secured a high rank of 8 in QS university ranking for arts and science.
Eligibility Criteria
You need to submit a digital portfolio showcasing your works along with a powerful Statement of Purpose. You also need to display proof of your English proficiency through a valid test score in IELTS.
Tuition Fees
The average tuition fee for international students is around £20,000 per year.
Admission Process
If you are eligible, you can start your admission process by filling out the application form available on their website. The forms need to be submitted by attaching all the necessary documents. After a review of the applications, you will be invited for an interview based on which your admission will be confirmed.
5. University of East London
The University of East London offers one of the top interior design courses abroad in UK that has shaped the futures of millions of students through its globally recognised programs. It is ranked 116 by the ‘The Complete University Guide – University Ranking (UK) in 2021’.
Eligibility Criteria
- Diploma in design or any related course
- High school graduation
- Grade C in GCSE English and mathematics
- Portfolio
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for international students is around £15,000 per year for 3 years.
Admission Process
After submitting the application form along with the portfolio, the student needs to attend an interview conducted by the university. The next admission cycle starts in September 2022.
6. University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is a public university situated in Hampshire, ranked 61 in the Complete University Guide – University Ranking (UK). This university is also one of the four universities ranked Gold in the Government Teaching Excellence Framework. It offers both BA and MA degrees in interior design with a global reputation for employability.
Eligibility Criteria
- 75% or above in grade 12 examination (State board/CBSE)
- Minimum of 24-31 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB)
- A band score of 6.0 in IELTS proficiency test
- Portfolio of work
For the master’s program, you need to have an honours bachelor’s degree from a recognised university specialising in design or a relevant course.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee is around £16,000 per year.
Admission Process
You need to submit an application form along with a portfolio highlighting your work in design-related areas. Post this, there will be an interview, clearing which you will be considered for the program.
7. Loughborough University
Loughborough University has strong links with various prominent design businesses across the globe. This improves the chances of finding a good job for students who complete the program here. Loughborough offers a bachelor’s program for either four years or three years. The additional one year is known as placement year, where the student can apply for placements in interior design. This university has an excellent rank of 31 in the QS university ranking for arts and science.
Eligibility Criteria
Admission to the bachelor’s degree in Loughborough is offered based on the higher secondary grades. A score of 80-88% is required if the student has graduated from a CBSE or ICSE board. For state boards, a score of 85-95% is expected. English language proficiency is mandatory.
Tuition Fees
International applicants need to pay an amount of £26,000 per year for 3 years. If the student is opting for the placement year, an additional amount that is 20% of the total fees has to be paid.
Admission Process
The interior design course for 2022 starts in October. The application forms are open online, and students can start applying even if they have not completed their high school yet.
8. University of Chester
The degrees offered by the university include BA (Honours) and Design MA. Through these programs, the university offers excellent insights into interior design for a deeper understanding of the subject. The program’s final year has project work to be completed to get the certificate. This university was ranked 81 by The Guardian in 2021.
Eligibility Criteria
The qualification criteria for an Indian student to the master’s program is 65% in UG, along with a band score of 6.0 on the IELTS proficiency test.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for international students is £14,000 per year, inclusive of field trip costs.
Admission Process
The MA course starts in October 2022. The university has started accepting applications already, as admission is a long process.
Conclusion
That concludes the list of top interior design courses abroad in the UK. For further guidance to narrow down the best university for higher education, Leap Scholar can help. We have helped thousands of students study abroad in top colleges in countries like the UK, Italy, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Reach out to us for all your queries related to higher education abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
After graduation from these colleges, is it possible to become a professor in design?
To become a professor in design, the courses highlighted in this post might not be enough. Apart from the above-listed degrees, you also need an MPhil in Design. There are many universities like the University of Edinburgh and De Montfort University that offer this course.
What kind of jobs can be accessed with a degree in interior design?
You will be offered the roles of spatial design artist, production designer, visual merchandiser, graphic design artist, etc. There is a huge scope for interior designers in UK who have completed a course from a reputed university.
Do universities in the UK offer placement?
Universities in the UK have dedicated a full year for placements for most master’s courses. Students opting for these courses can easily get placed as they get a student visa with an additional 4-6 months, which can be used to find a suitable job.
