Student Spotlight: Kate Nuttall, BA (Hons) Interior Design – Online Top-Up
From Apprentice to Master Meet Kate Nuttall. She began her journey into interior design at 18 when she became intrigued by the design department while starting
The National Design Academy is the only institution to offer truly flexible, online interior design courses that are nationally and internationally recognised.
All our Professional Diploma courses are awarded by AIM Qualifications, an Ofqual approved National Awarding Organisation providing Ofqual Level 3 accreditation.
The BA (Hons) Interior Design course offers students a more in-depth and professional approach to specific interior design projects both residential and commercial. It takes you from the history of interior design to the latest trends in contemporary interiors. It includes modules on space planning, furniture, creative lighting and the art of show home design & home staging – in high demand throughout the industry.
The degree also includes all elements of the client brief and professional practice to prepare you for your future career in the design industry. You will complete a comprehensive final design project which can form part of your professional portfolio as you enter your exciting career in interior design.
Enrol at any time & choose your start date. No term times or semesters.
Three years
flexible online study
No exams — Tutor assessment
of design projects & moderation
by De Montfort University
Low fees, and monthly payments for all self paying students (student loans available for UK students)
This course is the ideal next step for students who have already successfully completed the Diploma in Professional Interior Design with the National Design Academy, hold an equivalent UK or international qualification in a design subject or alternatively, have a portfolio of relevant industry experience. Direct entry students, transferring students from other institutions, and international students are all welcome. There are no term times – so you can apply and start at any time.
Successful students completing this BA (Hons) will be offered a guaranteed place on the NDA Online M.A. Interior Design with a generous progression scholarship.
Study flexibly online through our bespoke virtual learning studio (VLS)
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!
The majority of NDA students will complete their BA (Hons) Degree online in approximately 3 years, others may take a little longer and a few may need the maximum study time of 8 years.
Personal Tutors
Every NDA student has a Personal Tutor to guide them through their qualification. You have unlimited access to your tutor and can contact them by email, telephone, Zoom, Skype or in-person as often as you wish.
Student Support Team
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.
Our Student Helpline is available Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm UK Time.
You will not have to take an exam! Your tutor will assess your design projects as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio is moderated by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) who will award your degree.
The BA (Hons) Interior Design degree is awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
You will study eleven modules for the BA (Hons) Interior Design
To understand the present, you need to understand the past, and in this module you will be encouraged to actively research heritage buildings within your local area, utilising some of the skills developed in the research module. This module examines the factors that have played a part in the development of interior design since the Renaissance and gives you the opportunity to recreate some of the most fascinating design styles throughout history.
Through the development and presentation of a major design project, this module will allow you to apply everything that you have learnt so far. Working from concept, to development, through to completion, you will produce a great range of work to include within your portfolio. There is a choice of different client briefs, allowing you to tailor the direction of your project to your specialist field of degree study. For this module, you will also complete work experience, which will give you a unique insight into the design industry.
To understand the present, you need to understand the past, and in this module you will be encouraged to actively research heritage buildings within your local area, utilising some of the skills developed in the research module. This module examines the factors that have played a part in the development of interior design since the Renaissance and gives you the opportunity to recreate some of the most fascinating design styles throughout history.
Through the development and presentation of a major design project, this module will allow you to apply everything that you have learnt so far. Working from concept, to development, through to completion, you will produce a great range of work to include within your portfolio. There is a choice of different client briefs, allowing you to tailor the direction of your project to your specialist field of degree study. For this module, you will also complete work experience, which will give you a unique insight into the design industry.
A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students
The Final year of this BA (Hons) is available as a ‘top-up degree’
If you have already studied an FdA, BTEC, HND, or international 2 year degree or equivalent in Interior Design or relevant design subject or have professional interior design experience you can enter directly onto the final year.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold one of the following:
English Language
The course is taught in English, so international students will require a good standard of written English to study. IELTS average 6.5 or TOEFL score of 550 is usually required, however all students are considered on an individual basis as we are aware that many international students have already been taught in English at school, college or university.
Don’t Meet the Requirements?
No problem! If you do not have the required qualifications to study a degree you can study an NDA Diploma either online or in-studio, for a guaranteed place on one of our online Bachelor’s Degrees afterwards. Please view our Diploma course guide for more information about NDA Diploma courses.
Progression
Take your career to the next level!
Career
The interior design industry is growing year on year and the demand for qualified interior designers is on the rise globally. Have a look through our Student Spotlights to see what they have achieved.
From Apprentice to Master Meet Kate Nuttall. She began her journey into interior design at 18 when she became intrigued by the design department while starting
Rugby is a tough sport. You don’t get anywhere without sheer determination. Jake Henry has that in abundance. At the age of 30, Jake has 11
Less than a year after completing her BA (Hons) Interior Design degree, Mackenzie Morrison runs her own thriving interior design business. But how did she manage to create
* Fee per level/year subject to change after 1st August each year.
* Monthly payments include admin fee.
International fees in US Dollars.
Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA
The online Master’s Degree (M.A.) Interior Design prepares students for a senior or management role in the design industry. The course is studied flexibly, part-time online and can be studied alongside a career or other commitments. The M. A. consists of 6 modules in total. Starting with advanced research methods, skills which are fundamental to good interior design practice, modules also include innovative technology for interiors, how to understand and stay up to date with trend forecasting, and designing interiors for different cultures. The module on professional practice management will prepare you for a management career in the industry. You will complete a Master’s design project to form part of your professional portfolio. If you are already working in the design industry you can opt to use a live project relevant to your design practice as your Master’s project.
Enrol at any time & choose your start date. No term times or semesters.
18 months - 2 years
Flexible Online Study
No exams — Tutor assessment only & moderation by De Montfort University.
Low fees & monthly payments for all self paying students
(post graduate student loans available for UK students)
If you have a BA (Hons) in Interior Design or a similar design qualification and would like to prepare for a senior or management role in the design industry, then this is the ideal next step. Alternatively, those without a Bachelor’s Degree but with an extensive CV and portfolio of relevant design industry experience may apply for entry onto the M.A.
Students graduating from other institutions and international students with equivalent qualifications are all welcome. There are no term times – so you can apply and start at any time. Architects with an existing interior design department or those intending to open one, can also study the M.A. to help them understand and manage the role and benefits of the interior designer within their practice.
Successful NDA students who have completed any BA (Hons) with NDA will be offered a guaranteed place on the online M.A Interior Design with a generous progression scholarship.
Background – NDA Master’s Degree (MA) Student Work
Study flexibly online through our bespoke virtual learning studio (VLS)
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!
The majority of NDA students will complete their M.A. Interior Design online in approximately 18 months – 2 years, others may take a little longer and an extension may be arranged.
Personal Tutors
Every NDA student has a Personal Tutor to guide them through their qualification. You have unlimited access to your tutor and can contact them by email, telephone, Zoom, Skype or in-person as often as you wish.
Student Support Team
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.
Our Student Helpline is available Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm UK Time.
You will not have to take an exam! Your tutor will assess your design projects as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio is moderated by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) who will award your degree.
UK Postgraduate Student loans are the most popular way for NDA students resident in the UK to study as they cover the entire cost of their degree. Loans are not based on income or means tested and most students in England & Wales will qualify (Scotland & NI have different arrangements).
The Master of Arts (M.A.) Interior Design is awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
You will study six modules for this Master of Arts (MA) Interior Design
A sample of work completed by our talented interior design Master’s students
Qualifications
M.A. applicants should hold one of the following:
Industry Experience
We welcome applications from mature students with a CV showing extensive experience at a senior level in interior design, architecture or similar plus one comprehensive example from your professional portfolio of a design project you have completed to include visuals/plans/sample boards/drawings etc.
English Language
The course is taught in English, so international students will require a good standard of written English to study. IELTS average 6.5 or TOEFL score of 550 is usually required, however all students are considered on an individual basis as we are aware that many international students have already been taught in English at school, college or university.
The interior design industry is growing year on year and the demand for senior qualified interior designers and design practice managers is on the rise globally.
Have a look through our Student Spotlights to see what they have achieved.
From Corporate HR to Interior Designer Based in Essex and specialising in residential design, Denisa Jusic found her passion for interior design whilst following her father
Meet Interior Design Master’s student Meg Stephens. Meg Stephens is busy. Constantly. In between her full time job as an Administrator for an engineering company, Meg
“They say you’re incredibly lucky if you get to pursue all your passions in a single lifetime; I for one, have been fortunate in that regard.”
Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA
Our admissions team will be happy to discuss your options.
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