Postgraduate diploma
Home Study course
Start Date
Can be started at any time
Price
£1,355 (Easy-pay plan available)
Duration
Approximately 9-18 months
Work Placement
Graduates of this course are eligible for a one month work placement with an interior design company. All placements are made in the greater London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Belfast areas.
Read More- Study Option
- Home Study
- Course Level
- Equivalent to level 4 on the RQF
- Entry Requirements
- 18 years old or over
- Assessment
- 15 practical assignments
- Accreditation
- The British Academy of Interior Design is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC).
Completing this course will enable you to start your own successful interior design business by honing your skills to create, plan and manage your own design projects.
Designed around 15 practical assignments, you will incrementally develop the advanced techniques and deep understanding of the industry that you need to succeed as an interior designer.
As a home study student you will have full access to our student area, the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts including: instructional videos, written content and assignments.
Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.
On average a student studying around 15 hours per week can complete the course in 18 months, a student studying around 30 hours a week can complete the course in 9 months*.
*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.
Topics
The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.
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Presenting Interior Designs
Learn how interior designers develop ideas and present them to clients. Examine different presentation methods and produce a range of visuals for a client's living room. Learn about:
- Researching interior design practice in the past and present
- Client briefs
- Site surveys
- Technical drawings
- Sample boards
- Designing visuals for client presentations
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The Design Cycle
Create designs for a studio apartment and learn about the stages of the design cycle - a structured approach to project development from initial idea to completed design. Learn about:
- Interpreting a client brief
- Developing, selecting and testing ideas
- Techniques for spatial planning, model making and rendering
- Creating a design portfolio
- Colour rendering
- Evaluating client feedback and reviewing designs
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Cultural Movements in Interior Design
Examine how society, history, technology, economics and culture influences interior design practice. Complete a research project to learn about key historical movements in interior design. Learn how to:
- Use research methods
- Analyse key movements in history
- Develop key insights about contemporary design influences
- Present research findings professionally
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3D Techniques in Interior Design
Examine the properties, suitability and application of different materials for use in a large kitchen design. Create a portfolio of 3D visuals and models using techniques that are central to interior design practice. Learn how to:
- Design a residential kitchen
- Examine furniture fixtures and equipment
- Explore different materials and how they are used
- Create 3D visuals and scale models
- Examine health and safety issues in residential design
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Workflow Systems
Develop timelines, diagrams and templates for a workflow system that support the installation of a studio apartment design. Learn how to:
- Identify the sequence of activities needed to complete an installation
- Understand the relationship between design activities, time and resources
- Apply a workflow system to respond to challenges
- Develop a template workflow system for future use
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Using Interior Design Software
Build awareness of computer aided design in contemporary practice. Explore a variety of interior design software and create professional looking 2D and 3D visuals for a bedroom design. You will learn about:
- 2D and 3D computer generated visuals
- Using software to render images
- Isometric/axonometric drawings
- Understanding the pros and cons of computer aided design
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Creative Thinking and Independent Practice
Use your skill-set to design a domestic space of your choosing, based on a set theme and topic. Learn how to:
- Work independently on a residential design project
- Develop advanced skills to create visuals and plan a designed space
- Improve critical thinking and analysis of project needs
- Manage a residential design project
- Create specification sheets
- Give professional presentations
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Portfolio Creation and Career Planning
Examine career goals and different pathways into the interior design industry. Develop a portfolio for clients and potential employers that demonstrates your skills and shows your approach to interior design. Learn how to:
- Investigate the interior design profession
- Examine strengths and weaknesses in your skill-set
- Identify career goals
- Plan career development milestones
- Curate a professional looking portfolio
Tutors
All our tutors are interior design professionals working in the industry.
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Joana
MoreiraCourse Tutor
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Joana
LobatoCourse Tutor
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Rita
MarquesCourse Tutor
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Mauro
SaccardoCourse Tutor
I really didn’t expect it to be so amazing. I've built up a great portfolio so I can show what I'm able to produce.
The support is amazing, the tutors are fantastic. I would definitely recommend this course to other people.
I applied myself to the course 110 percent, graduated, and then got a job. The course is the reason I got the job.
The British Academy of Interior Design
Our philosophy at the British Academy of Interior Design is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.
Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!
Learn more