Multiple Schools

Interior Design

BDes (Hons)

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interior design tools, paint colours and samples

Undergraduate

Combining diverse perspectives into an innovative curriculum, the course develops critical, creative, and compassionate skills for designing domestic, commercial, civic, experiential, or temporary spaces. Studio-based learning, collaborative projects, and real-world case studies empower you to experiment with various media, methods, and approaches to interior design.

On the Interior Design course, you will explore inclusive design, materials, human behaviour, and visual culture, alongside design thinking, problem-solving, and spatial storytelling.

Projects will bridge physical and virtual worlds, drawing on a deepening knowledge base to inform practical work.

The course empowers you to reimagine meaningful and immersive narratives for interiors and places, challenging relationships between space, objects, and human experiences to shape innovative interior futures and new ways of inhabiting our world.

Mode of Study

On Campus

Mode of Attendance

Full Time

Start Date

September

Course Length

4 years

Year 1

Year 1 provides an introduction to the discipline and the scope of the role. You will explore the context which interior designers work within, and the historical precedents which shape current practices. You will be introduced to methods of critical examination through contextually driven design studio challenges on projects with a basic level of complexity. Students will be introduced to processes, techniques and methods appropriate for visualisation and representation.

Year 2

Year 2 introduces concepts, theory and practice which relate design work to the end user and the physicality of the human body. You will develop a deeper understanding of the history and theory of interior design and related design disciplines. Through design projects students will be introduced to tools and methods which explore the digital realm, and you will develop the creative and critical skills through moderately complex design challenges.

Year 3

Year 3 introduces the cognitive, technical, digital and inter-professional skills necessary to address the requirements of clients, building users and society. You will consider the nature of materials and methods of making, and will consider sustainability and the wider environment when making design choices. Year 3 offers you credit for work-based learning in the second semester.

Year 4

Year 4 students undertake advanced study in the field of Interior Design within the professional and ethical frameworks established by society’s current and future needs. You will develop skills in research in connection to independently developed questions and topics, and will engage in self-directed study. You will develop a deeper understanding of the role of an interior designer as part of a design team, and understand the legal and statutory frameworks applicable to the role.

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Course & module information

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information. The university is currently undertaking an update to the course information system. This may result in minor, temporary inaccuracies, to course and module information. If you have any concerns or questions about relating to your chosen programme, please contact our admissions team.

Detailed module information

Learning Methods

The design studio is the primary learning environment in which students will develop practical and intellectual capabilities. In design studio modules, students will undertake contextualised projects which reflect and simulate real world issues. Students will be expected to interpret a brief, prepare a concept, and develop it to completion. Presentation of design solutions is an integral part of the design studio. Alongside this, students will undertake workshop based modules which will require students to consider projects or questions from technical, professional or regulatory standpoints.

Shared content in the final year with Master of Architecture (MArch) and Masters in Advanced Architectural Technology (MSci AAT) in the form of 15 credit elective modules delivered by Scott Sutherland School. The course is taught jointly by the Scott Sutherland School and Gray’s School of Art, with modules at all levels sharing content with BA (Hons) Fine Art and MArch Architecture.

Activity Summary

Year 4

Lectures - 20 students per group, 1 hour per week
Seminars - 20 students per group, 4 hours per week
Supervised time in studio / workshop - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week
Independent Study - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week

How long is a BDes (Hons) Interior Design course?

The duration of the Interior Design degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

The nature of design work requires a substantial degree of independent and directed study. Students will develop their own pathway in relation to a brief and are expected to work on the development of concepts in the time between formal studio sessions or tutorials.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

1 report
1 portfolio
2 project outputs

Year 2

2 portfolios
2 project outputs

Year 3

1 portfolio
1 project output
1 professional experience (placement)

Year 4

1 report
1 portfolio
2 project outputs

Staff delivering on this course

Staff teaching on the course have wide range of skills and experience drawn from practice and academia. Our core team comes from both the Scott Sutherland School and Gray’s school of Art and brings knowledge of Architecture, Design, Art, Interiors, History, and professionalism. We have close links with practice and attract additional teaching staff from local and national interior designers, furniture makers and other talented makers and designers.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

The Inclusion Centre

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, Moodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Moodle

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

Academic writing
Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
Maths and statistics
Information technology support

Study Skills Support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

University Library

Placements

Semester 2 of Year 3 includes an opportunity for a credit bearing placement in an professional setting. This placement lasts for the duration of the semester and students are required to complete 600 hours. Students are required to find a placement in a professional setting that interests them. The placement is credit bearing and counts towards the credits required to complete the programme.

Placements at RGU

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RGUflex

Collect academic credit flexibly and claim an award from the University. RGUflex delivers on-demand flexible learning where you can upskill, reskill or pursue a passion. It can also be used by employers to allow them to build an education pathway for their employees to gain the skills and knowledge to meet business needs.

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What is needed for a BDes (Hons) Interior Design degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

Year 1 entry

SQA Higher: BBBB to include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
GCE A Level: BCC to include Art. English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) is required at GCSE grade 6/B if not held at A Level.
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H3H3 to include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
IB Diploma: 28 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) all at grade 5.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

Year 1 entry

SQA Higher: BCC To include Art and preferably English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)

Entry Requirements Explained

Alternative Qualifications

Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences.

Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.

Portfolio of Artwork

Applicants not possessing a Higher or equivalent qualification in Art (Art & Design and Product Design in Scotland and Art & Design and Design & Technology in England) will be expected to demonstrate evidence of creative ability. The purpose, nature and content of the portfolio is to demonstrate the applicants diverse creativity and can include analogue and electronic creativity (sketches, drawings, paintings, model making, craft, photography, etc) we would normally expect this to be in the range of 12-15 items of work to represent the applicants creative self.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

English Language requirements

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Academic Year 2026-2027

Scottish Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£1820
	Year 2	£1820
	Year 3	£1820
	Year 4	£1820

Rest of UK Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£9535
	Year 2	£9535
	Year 3	£9535
	Year 4	£9535

International Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£18940
	Year 2	£18940
	Year 3	£18940
	Year 4	£18940

Academic Year 2025-2026

Scottish Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£1820
	Year 2	£1820
	Year 3	£1820
	Year 4	£1820

Rest of UK Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£7220
	Year 2	£7220
	Year 3	£7220
	Year 4	£7220

International Students

Full Time

On Campus
Over 4 years	Year 1	£18300
	Year 2	£18300
	Year 3	£18300
	Year 4	£18300

Additional Costs

Studio cost - includes general studio supplies including art supplies and materials, This is currently £99 for first year Architecture students, which includes materials which will last beyond first year.

Other costs incurred would include non-compulsory study trips (varies but could be around £250 per year).

Students can use university desktop computers, however they may want to purchase a laptop (£500+)

Some other costs are not included in the course fees:

The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
Accommodation and Living Costs
Printing

Other Fees and Costs

Student Funding

If you are a Scottish resident, you may be eligible for funding and should apply to SAAS for funding.

Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:

Student Finance England

Student Finance Wales

Student Finance NI

Scholarships and Financial Awards

You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:

Funding and Scholarship Search

Disclaimer

For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:

Finance and Funding

*"Rest of UK (RUK) and Ireland" includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

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Any questions?

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UCAS Code: KW25

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Applicants for first year entry will apply to other universities as well as to RGU through a single online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application.

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