Key information
UCAS code:
K120
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 3 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Our BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design degree course is your chance to reimagine and transform existing buildings to create inspiring spaces for people to live, play, and work.
You'll develop the essential creative and technical skills, together with materials and construction knowledge, to create stunning interiors that are sustainable, inclusive and imaginative.
At Portsmouth, we believe that design should respond to many of the concerns in our world today. Our course will enable you to become not only a designer who creates amazing spaces but also one with a responsible attitude of care for people and communities, the environment, and the future. Now's the perfect time to think about how existing buildings can be used intelligently and with care to sustain communities and stimulate regeneration.
When you finish the course, you'll have the skills and experience for a range of career options, including interior design, lighting design, set design, brand consultancy and design management.
Course highlights
- Develop concepts and designs in a lively studio environment similar to what you may experience in your career
- Explore your creativity through hands-on making in our fully furnished workshops
- Apply your skills to practice by working in a design consultancy on an optional one-year placement
- Discover the potential of new and old buildings in a historic island city
- Experience different contexts for design and architecture on our study trips in the UK and overseas
- Gain valuable work experience by working with real clients at our in-house Architecture Project Office
- Showcase your work to potential employers at our Graduate Show and Interior Educators Exhibition and Awards
- Take advantage of our strong industry connections to build your professional network
94%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Graduate feature: Mo Mostakin, Interior Designer
Mo Mostakin graduated in 2017 with an Interior Architecture and Design degree from the University of Portsmouth. He is now an Interior Designer at HBA Residential.
Find out what Mo’s role entails and how he’s applying the skills he learnt during his time at Portsmouth.
Hi, my name is Mohammed. I work as an interior designer at HBO Residential in London.
When I was younger, when I was in A-levels, I studied art. During art, I used to do 12-hour photography walks, and one of the things I love to take photos of is buildings because, you know, they are inanimate objects, but they have so much character to them which I just love and I just fell into it. I took the chance and applied for architecture originally, but then I fell into interior design and I studied interior.
The one thing I loved about Portsmouth is that it's quite close to friends, and it isn't far from London – and it almost felt like a mini-London to me. It almost became home.
To a lot of outsiders, Interior Design is seen as a very feminine subject. Me, I'm very technical. Some of the girls in the course were very focused on textile, colours, how to make things work well together, you kind of learn from each other. The one thing I loved about it is we came as close as a family and we just helped each other in different aspects. It just brings everyone together.
A month before I graduated, like anyone, we were told to apply for jobs. Look out, look what's out there. One thing I used was the University of Portsmouth career page, which I managed to see HBO Associates on the list and they were looking for interns.
Having them on my CV is just amazing. I'm working on projects in London, Saudi Arabia and Russia. I used to do a few cruise ships. You never have the same thing. It's different. Each client has their own taste though. That's what I love is you're never in your comfort zone. It pushes me further and further, and it makes me become more of a better designer and become more confident, especially one day I will present to clients and that is a big responsibility. How do you sell your project to a real client? They're paying for it so you want to be good and you want to sell it properly.
I've been here four years now, I transitioned from hospitality to residential, so you know, it's going well so far.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
A relevant subject or experience in Art and Design is required. Applicants without a relevant subject or experience will be asked to provide a portfolio to support their application.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our Architecture courses creative portfolio guide.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Facilities
Careers and opportunities
After the course, you'll have plenty of career options.
Previous graduates have worked in multi-disciplinary architectural design practices, commercial and retail practices, brand consultancies and film studios in roles such as:
- computer visualiser
- designer for film and television
- interior designer
- lighting designer
- model maker
- visual merchandiser
Others have worked in industries such as education, events planning and retail management.
You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Placement year
Work placements are an excellent way to gain professional experience between your second and final years of study, or after your third year, to further enhance your employment prospects after the course.
You can work for a practice, studio, or company, or set up and run your own business with other students or on your own. Whichever you choose, you can get support from Creative Careers.
Placement roles
Our students have successfully interned in many roles, including:
- Interior and Architectural Designer
- Assistant Concept Designer
- Project Leader
- Design Manager
- Visual Merchandiser
- Architectural Assistant
- Trainee Design Coordinator
- Interior Design Intern
- Assistant Architectural Technician
Placement destinations
They've completed their placements at leading companies and organisations, such as:
- House of Commons
- L’Oréal
- Morgan Sindall
- Waitrose & Partners
- Luxe Development
- Sable Interiors
- RPA Group
- Fingerprintstudios
- Chalk Creatives
- Architectural Services Group
- Extension Architecture
- Laughland Jones
- Kitchen Architecture
- Burke Kikhards Architects
- Anne Haimes Interiors
- Inn Gear
Featured placement
Meg Ryan – Morgan Sindall
As a Design Manager intern, Meg Ryan talks about her role and the lessons she's learned so far.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
What you’ll study
Core modules
All modules in the first year of this BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design degree course are core.
You'll develop your architectural drawing and modeling skills as you learn hand drawing techniques as well as digital tools. You'll prepare to represent your designs through sketches, diagrams, and renderings, and build on your previous studies to develop the key skills you need to prepare your designs for architectural portfolio presentations.
More information for this module will be available soon.
You'll evaluate influential histories and theories that have shaped these creative practices. More importantly, you'll learn to think critically about the context and real-world issues surrounding design. Through discussions, projects and presentations, you'll develop your own perspectives on how design can address today's big issues. Your communication skills will grow as you articulate original ideas through diverse media. By the end, you'll have a deeper appreciation for the narratives, concepts and challenges that drive innovation in architecture and design.
You’ll dive into key structural concepts and eco-friendly approaches. Learn about materials and building construction hands-on. Understand the construction industry better through research. Work in teams to look at the technical details that affect design.
By directly exploring technologies shaping buildings, you’ll lay the groundwork for including these insights in your own designs.
Develop an appreciation for the art and science of construction.
Core modules
You will research historical and theoretical frameworks, outlining a critical stance on addressing body and space holistically. Communicating analytical findings in written assessments, you will show engagement with the research process. The module enables appreciation of interiority as an evolving assemblage of human and non-human dynamics.
You’ll improve on the basics by mastering technical and expressive methods, from digital tools to handmade crafts. Convey materials, atmosphere, and lighting in your drawings. Create your own unique visual style by mixing traditional ways of showing your work with more experimental images. Put together and analyse presentation sheets that showcase your top work.
By refining your skills in 2D, 3D, and mixed media, you’ll become more versatile at presenting engaging design ideas.
You’ll start by exploring the history and setting of a site to find opportunities for renewal. Understanding and interpreting needs helps you create original project briefs. You’ll look at past examples and come up with ideas to give old spaces a new look.
Learn how to update buildings and interiors that honour their history. You’ll come up with innovative ways to reuse spaces, keeping the climate crisis in mind. Show off your plans for bringing new life and purpose to places.
You’ll finish this module with an experience and approach to design that will help you in projects that add fresh energy to our built surroundings.
You’ll explore the building’s unique features and possibilities through direct research. Use what you find to create fresh ideas for amazing spaces. Improve your plans by drawing, making models, and having discussions. Present an original proposal that meets complex requirements. Think deeply about your design choices and how you share them.
This module will boost your research, idea-making, and presentation skills. These are all key for an interior designer’s creativity.
Let the surroundings you discover inspire stunning interior designs.
Experiment with textiles, metals, wood, composites, and more to learn their properties and how they’re made. Look into new technologies, such as smart materials and digital manufacturing methods. Learn from previous examples to see how these materials are used. Choose materials wisely, keeping in mind sustainability and people’s wellbeing. Use what you’ve learned to create detailed technical drawings and actual designs.
By deeply understanding materials, construction, and environment systems, you'll make thoughtful design choices. These choices will be based on real-world practice.
Optional modules
In this module, you’ll get to learn at one of our partner universities around the world. This experience will add an extra dimension to your studies and boost your job chances. It’s a great chance to tackle challenges on your own in a fresh setting, which really builds up your confidence. Plus, you’ll get to think about how this experience helps you grow personally and ties into your degree.
This module will help you gain global skills and understand architecture from a new cultural perspective.
By the time you come back, you’ll have a wider view of the world and be better prepared for a career as an architect on the international stage.
Join a team of creative students and do a project together. Try new things and see how they can help you.
You’ll also grasp how to use your skills with others. Sometimes you’ll be a leader, sometimes a helper. Talk about your ideas and learn from them. You’ll make something to show what you learned and share it with others.
This module helps you gain new skills and understand other fields. You’ll be a smart and creative person, ready to solve real-world problems.
You’ll choose learning tasks that add up to 60 hours, like internships, volunteering, research, or remote study that match your career plans. Workshops will help you make meaningful goals and think about what you’ve accomplished. Through this, you’ll grow the knowledge, skills, and qualities you need to thrive in the workplace.
By looking at your growth through active participation and reading, you’ll become a perceptive, eager job-seeker who stands out.
As a team, you will embark on a journey of entrepreneurship, starting with ideation and ending with the launch of your product or service. You will analyse complex factors influencing a successful launch, conduct thorough research to assess feasibility and gain valuable insights into marketing, manufacturing, and sales strategies.
Working together on pitch presentations, you will discover your strengths as an entrepreneur or team member. This module provides transferable skills essential to thrive in creative industries, whether you plan to launch your own company or seek employment with top organisations. You will develop the mindset and abilities to spot opportunities and act on them, which will benefit your career.
You’ll get into theory, look at real-life examples, and creative ideas from various fields. Try out different ways to express your ideas, from drawing to mapping to building models. You’ll work alone and with others to explore themes in projects you choose.
This module gives you the freedom to pursue your interests through both research and practical work.
You’ll learn skills you can use in many areas by handling information and sharing ideas about designing spaces of all sizes.
Core modules
All modules in the final year of this BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design degree course are core.
In Part 1, you’ll learn about professional processes, ethics, and the thoroughness in design that clients and companies look for.
Part 2 is all about promoting yourself. You’ll create things like a CV that showcases your talents and put together an impressive portfolio. You’ll also work in groups to organise events that will help you meet potential employers.
This module will give you a look into how the design business works and improve your communication skills. You’ll be well-prepared for a unique and influential career.
Generate concepts responding to briefs and spatial needs through experimenting and analyzing critically. Investigate materials and precedents to grasp technical challenges. Convey final proposals effectively, spotlighting qualities through tailored visual, oral and written communication.
This project will showcase your distinctive style and skills.
You’ll inspect locations, people, and design theories to craft a detailed brief and vision. Try out different ideas to shape a beautiful, functional design that makes spaces enjoyable to be in. Expert lecturers will help sharpen your research, spatial design, presentation, and material-choosing skills—all focused on interior spaces.
You’ll finish this module with stunning work showing how you can turn deep research into a clear design story, then into a real, creative solution. This is your stepping stone to a fulfilling design career.
Follow your passions by picking an architectural topic that interests you. With support from a tutor, you’ll sharpen your research, writing, and design abilities — but the project is yours. Look into existing literature and past examples to set the stage for your innovative ideas. Use creative methods to explore and shape your research. Analyse different contexts to tackle a specific issue. Discuss your findings to show your academic and professional insight.
This is your chance to dive deep into the research process. You can present your findings in a well-structured dissertation or a design portfolio.
This module is all about you taking the lead, allowing you to highlight your interests while gaining in-depth knowledge.
You’ll experiment and prototype to discover different materials. Learn how to choose materials and sharpen your design skills. Look into ethical material use by studying different cultures and responsibilities. You’ll create detailed small-scale interior designs.
Understand how to use materials in building structures, considering their properties and how they meet user needs. Gain skills in selecting, drawing, and detailing various finishes and products. Let materials guide your design ideas, strengthening your spatial concepts.
This module gives you both the theory and practical know-how to use materials. Your work here will help you with your major interior project and prepare you for more study and professional work.
Optional modules
Complete disciplinarily-relevant tasks showcasing your skills. Reflect critically on personal growth, honing transferable abilities valuable for future study and employability.
During this module, you'll spend 6 months working on your own business venture, then 3 months gaining industry experience. This opportunity allows you to apply what you've learned in a practical setting while exploring different career options. You'll also have the chance to develop professional relationships and expand your network.
Assess your personal strengths and weaknesses to set goals for the future. Throughout the module, you'll demonstrate increasing independence while still valuing the support of others. Gain a broader understanding of the world through real-world experiences and insights. Additionally, you'll earn valuable credits for your CV and enhance your skill set.
By the end of this module, you'll graduate with the practical experience that employers are seeking.
This experience lets you learn firsthand how to set up and run a small business. You’ll absorb professional practices and business situations that matter to your entrepreneurial goals. Make important connections while working independently within set rules. Think deeply about your strengths, weaknesses, criteria for success, and future plans.
This opportunity is useful for your career. It lets you use what you’ve learnt in your degree in the real world and helps you understand your capabilities.
After finishing this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get more credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable step in developing an entrepreneurial way of thinking.
You’ll spend 24–48 weeks at a chosen company, learning from professionals and helping out with actual projects. Gain confidence, knowledge, and skills by taking on more responsibility with gradually less help. As you progress, you’ll make professional connections and think about how you’re doing. Take in what you learn about how industries and businesses work.
This placement is an ideal chance to grow in your career. By using what you’ve learnt in a workplace, you’ll understand more about your own strengths, what you need to work on, and your plans after you graduate.
After this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get extra credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable part of your education.
Evaluating international contexts, you'll critically relate on-site activities to your disciplinary knowledge, gaining global design insights. Working independently abroad, you'll complete relevant assignments, honing skills transferable to your future architectural career.
Upon returning, thoughtful reflection will reveal your personal growth as you process new worldviews and cross-cultural competencies. This invaluable opportunity provides a chance to expand your architectural knowledge while developing adaptability as a global citizen.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- studio tutorials
- individual and group projects
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed by:
- blogs
- digital reviews of design projects
- design portfolios
- reflective journals and sketchbooks
- technical journals and models
- essays
- dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You'll get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How you'll spend your time
One of the key differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
All our activities are face-to-face unless there's a good reason to do them online. The design studio will be the primary base where you'll engage in individual and group projects. Typically, this will involve preparing projects for presentation at regular reviews and being guided in your design process by both staff and fellow students. Other modules will be lecture or project-based.
As well as attending your timetabled classes, you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The University has provided me with support throughout, and there have been many great opportunities, including a field trip to Venice and working with the Creative Careers team.
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
We will supply you with a printing allowance but you will incur additional printing costs on portfolio work of between £50–£200.
You may incur material costs on a project which will vary from £20–£100.
Optional study trips abroad will cost in the region of £300–£700.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – K120
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.