Best UK University for Interior Design?

Hi people.
As interior design doesn't seem to be a famous field for students, it's not easy for me to research which university is most suitable. I have just graduated with a diploma from Malaysia and I am thinking of going to UK for my degree. A few of the options that I am considering is Teesside University, University of Birmingham and University of Hertfordshire. For Teesside, I am really concerned about the student's life over there as it's not really a city like Birmingham, right? Though some said the expenses at Middlesbrough are pretty alright. As for Birmingham, I think I like city life (but London is not one of the options), but I heard from my friend who is doing ID course over there that the environment/people/lecturer aren't that friendly or as nice as they thought. As for Hertfordshire I read that the place is quite a dump?? Anyone can clarify that? For anyone who lives/studies there (Birmingham and Teesside Middlesbrough, do you mind giving me more information? Thank you.

Reply 1

louissouza

When are you planning to study? I'm from Malaysia too and I'm going to Teesside this September, so can't comment about the place yet xD
I decided to study there because they have the course that I want and from other's opinions that the Uni is quite good in terms of facilities, provided you're doing the course that they're good at. And also like you said the living expenses isn't that high. I did read quite a lot of reviews saying the town is quite ''rundown''? but to me the Uni is more important than the place.

Reply 2

kk8899

try to look into, uwic,cardiff,
gsa,glasgow
ntu,nottingham
mmu,machester
brighton and kingston(i know u don't want to be in london)

all of the above means to be good in interior or architecture related course.
:biggrin:

Reply 3

GraceCatherine_94

Have you looked into huddersfield, it offers a placement year!

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Reply 4

gm15

Original post by appa90

Hi people.
As interior design doesn't seem to be a famous field for students, it's not easy for me to research which university is most suitable.

Reply 5

canria

you dont need to study interior decoration but interior design is something different than decoration, it has all drafting and techinal things involve and one should be well educated to pursue career in interior design.

Reply 6

kinji

How about the Edinburgh College of Art at University of Edinburgh?

Reply 7

University for the Creative Arts

Original post by appa90

Hello! My name is Eliel and I am UCA representative and also a current student there. I have been doing photography for 2 years now.

I read that you are thinking of applying for Interior Design courses in the UK and I though you would be interested in our BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design at UCA Farnham. Not sure if you have heard of UCA before. The University for the Creative Arts is one of the leading providers of specialist art and design education in Europe. We are a diverse community of about 7,000 students from more than 70 countries and are based around five campuses in Surrey and Kent.

The BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design is great. They help you get involved with a good balance between theory and techniques that are to do with processes in designing interior space, specially in relation to the restructuring or remodeling of buildings.

The course has some great industry connections and the final year work placement allows you to experience the realities of a design practice working on live projects. Companies that regularly employ our students work for clients such as:

Aston Martin
BBC
The V&A Museum
Imperial War Museum
Karen Millen
All Saints
HMV
Gap.

If you want to find out a bit more about the course please visit the following link: http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/ba-interior-architecture-farnham/overview

As I said before, I am a current student at UCA and have been for almost 2 years now so if you have any questions rewarding student life or anything else please don't hesitate to ask.

Hope you find this useful.

Eliel.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 8

sultony

I have many years teaching experience so I can advise you. Good reputation: Nottingham Trent, Kingston Univ, and Ravensbourne College of Design. There is no longer an IA course at UWIC.

Reply 9

Touni

Original post by sultony

I have many years teaching experience so I can advise you. Good reputation: Nottingham Trent, Kingston Univ, and Ravensbourne College of Design. There is no longer an IA course at UWIC.

Why Kingston ?i have studied interior design course in Kingston for a year now ..and I found the facility of this campus is not so good , there's not enough computer for ppl and the printers is so bad in libaray .... The tutor is not that good as I thought ...can u believe that we have to hand in near 50 A1 paper as the end term portfolio ..what crazy ..the course organization is so bad ..many course mates r transferring to other uni ....I'm thinking to transfer to other uni in London

Can u suggest other uni which have good interior design course ? I have saw UAL Chelsea degree show ..but their student works r too abstract ...

Reply 10

Beerta

What about the interior architecture course at Oxford Brookes? I've heard they're good, so applied there. What do you think?

Reply 11

sultony

There are 67 universities and colleges in the UK running Interior Design degree courses (or diploma if at a private institution) so there is much to choose from. Ultimately you must visit the college, chat to the staff, examine the curriculum in detail, find out what costs are involved for books, materials and travel, ask to see a typical timetable to assess what attendance is required and what the contact (one to one tuition) hours are per week. Until you do all this, you cannot fairly judge a place.

Reply 12

Aatika

hey
i have applied in 4 colleges for masters in interior design.
nottingham trent university
birmingham uni
chelsea college of art and design
edinburgh college of arts
can anyone please guide me..??!!

Reply 13

faridakaizar

Original post by sultony

I have many years teaching experience so I can advise you. Good reputation: Nottingham Trent, Kingston Univ, and Ravensbourne College of Design. There is no longer an IA course at UWIC.

Nottingham Trent offers an MA in Interior Architecture, is that the same as saying interior design? If not what's the difference?
I'm looking to do an MA in Interior Design. Any heads up on the better unis in UK? London is a preference, but not limited to it.
Thanks.

Reply 14

sultony

Original post by faridakaizar

Nottm Trent is excellent, and despite all the hype there is no difference between interior architecture and interior design.

Reply 15

faridakaizar

Original post by sultony

Nottm Trent is excellent, and despite all the hype there is no difference between interior architecture and interior design.

Thanks a lot ! You advocate for Nottingham Trent a lot, are you studying there or an alumnus? :smile:

What about University of Edinburgh's MFA in Interior Architectural Design? I've heard that's good too.

Reply 16

Paulabbbbb

Original post by gm15

That's because its really not something that should be taught at a university.
Sorry to be mean but its true.
Until I saw this thread I didn't even know it was possible to study interior design at a university.

You probably think interior design is just about picking some furniture and deciding where to put them? I'm probably right aren't I? Well it's not. It's not that simple. You need to be able to use program's that let you change the colours, you also need to know where to place your lights, where the cable goes etc. so without us you wouldn't even have lights etc. who else do you think does all of that? Just like any other subject, you need to learn it

Reply 17

SABL1201

Original post by University for the Creative Arts

Im picking my univerisities soon, and sending the my statement. Is there any say on farnham communities, if they are nice teachers and people. and if the course is good as well.

Reply 18

Grajo-Travel

If I were going to University studying Interior Design, I would pick UCA (Farnham) as my first choice because I like having a smaller class which means more attention if you need any help. I've never been to Farnham for open day, but have been to Epsom's UCA and I was very impressed with it.

Reply 19

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Grajo-Travel

This is a 10 year old thread.

UCA is not an SBID centre of excellence

The 4 UK universities recognised by SBID as centres of excellence are:
AUB (Bournemouth)
Coventry
Solent
Teesside

These are the top choices in the UK for interior design degrees