Studying with NDA
The NDA has been established for over 35 years, and are the pioneers of delivering online interior design qualifications. We are passionate about providing education that is flexible enough to fit the needs of today’s world. Allowing people to gain a qualification without having to disrupt their current work or lifestyle commitments.
Online Learning Environment
NDA are leading experts in delivering online interior design qualifications. We listen to our students, and have designed the functions of our online Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) to best suit the needs of our learners.
The VLS is our exclusive, online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This provides links to other online resources and may contain videos, images, quizzes and lectures.
Students can rewind and re-watch until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!
NDA's Totally Flexible Online Learning
Studying with the NDA you can choose your own start date, there are no term times or semesters and no compulsory login times for seminars. You study at your own pace and can access the course anywhere you can get an internet connection.
Unlimited Access to your Personal Tutors
You have unlimited access to your personal Tutor and can book one to one tutorials either by Telephone, Zoom, Skype or visit the office to talk in person.
Your personal tutor will guide you through your course and provide timely and informative feedback on all your assignments helping you to achieve the best results!
Online Group Tutorials
All delivered online via zoom, join NDA tutors and like-minded peers to discuss interior design topics, course content and gain valuable live feedback.
As a Diploma level student, you will be invited to course introduction sessions, interior design discussions and also receive advice on how to progress once you complete your course. Degree level students are offered a group tutorial for each module of their course.
Student Support
We also have a dedicated Student Support and Administration Team to help deal with any other queries such as payments, student loans advice and anything else you may need a helping hand with.
Some students may have individual learning needs or a disability requiring extra support or consideration. Our student support team can arrange assessments and an individual learning plan to suit your needs.
Our Student Helpline is also available any time, Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:00pm.
Interior Design Taught Online?
Interior Design is in essence a very practical subject, however our ten step plan makes studying online easy
1 — VLS Login
Login to your personal VLS profile and complete an online induction which introduces you to your tutor, the VLS and all the information about how the programme will be studied.
2 — Induction
Complete a short worksheet on the information covered then upload this to complete the induction process.
3 — Module Released
The first module of the online course content will then be released and available on your VLS for you to view.
4 — Completion Dates
You can now view your personal deadline and how many days you have to complete the module.
5 — Module Content
Students will then read the module content and, for international degree students, read more extensively from the reading list supplied online and in the Student Handbook.
6 — Assignments & Knowledge Checkers
Complete supplied formative tasks to help develop the requisite skills and knowledge.
7 — Upload Your Work
Once all assignment tasks are complete the student will upload their work through the VLS.
8 — Pre-submission Feedback
Students then have the chance to ask their tutor for feedback before finally submitting work for marking.
9 — Detailed Tutor Feedback
Receive detailed written feedback from your tutor against each assessment criteria and how to improve your performance in the future.
10 — Final Tutorial
Talk to your tutor on email or via Zoom/Skype to discuss your feedback and progression options.
You will not have to take an exam! Your personal tutor will assess your assignments as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio may be moderated by an external examiner.
Online Fast-Track (via Zoom)
Online Fast-Track
(via Zoom)
For Interior Design Diploma students who want all the benefits of remote online learning, but are also looking for more structure and live interaction with tutors and peers, the ‘Online Fast-Track’ course offers an ideal mix.
The 14 week course consists of 8 ‘Study Weeks’ that cover each of the 8 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week. 2.5hr live lectures are organised two days per week via Zoom.
Up to a further 4 weeks of ‘Independent Study’ within the duration of the course allow students to complete any unfinished course work, if required.
Fast-Track In-Studio
Fast-Track
In-Studio
NDA Diploma students can also accelerate their learning by attending In-studio courses held at our design studios in Nottingham and Dubai.
One week in-studio followed by 5 weeks online home study, then another full week in-studio with up to an additional 5 weeks to complete any project work for submission. Students still have access to the online course content and the Tutor helpline facility during this time.
Online Student Forums
The NDA Community is our online student forum, located on the VLS. This is a closed forum so only NDA students can join the conversations. Once you enrol, you will also have the opportunity to join our dedicated NDA Facebook discussion group.
Students enjoy discussing their design projects, encouraging others and offering advice, as well as sharing work and offering top tips for approaching modules.
Whenever you visit, even evenings or weekends, when Tutors are away from the office, there are always others willing to support you.
What Will I Need To Study?
Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended design equipment required to complete each NDA Course, all available through the NDA Art Shop at student prices!
- Totally Flexible online Learning
- No Terms or Semesters
- Choose your own start date
- Study at your own pace
- No compulsory log on times for seminars
- Access your course where & when suits you
- Join other students & alumni in our lively forum
- Gallery of past student’s work for every module
- Unlimited access to your Personal Tutor
- Tutorials on request, in person, by telephone or Skype
- Informative & timely assignment feedback
- Immediate help from the NDA Student Helpline
- Video tutorials for AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp, Rendering & more
- Career opportunities & placements posted on the VLS
University Degree Student Entitlements
Thanks to our partnership with De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), even though you will be studying online, all of our degree students are also entitled to benefits such as NUS Cards, free access to AutoCAD software and also use of the DMU library services and any other library under the SCONUL access scheme, either by post or online.