MA Interior Design
Course details
Duration
two years
Delivery
online and part-time
Start dates
January, May and September
Next welcome week
January 2024 (TBC)
Next course start date
January 2024 (TBC)
Application deadline
January 2024 (TBC)
Total course fee
£8,500
Course overview
With an increasing demand for designers who can rise to the needs of contemporary living, experts are needed who can create spaces, buildings and environments that are not only creative and diverse, but also recognise current and future sustainable and wellbeing standards.
Whether you’re a graduate with a related degree, an interior design professional or an aspiring interior or architectural interior designer wanting to further your existing practice knowledge, the MA Interior Design programme will help you make your mark on this exciting field.
It will provide opportunities for those interested in enhancing their specialist practice knowledge in the interior, architectural, product or textile design disciplines, providing a broad spectrum of knowledge to take forward into future careers.
This unique course is designed to blend research and practice with creative theory. The programme's varied curriculum considers interior design in its broader context with a strong underpinning delivery of sustainability and design for wellbeing, including the benefits of biophilic design, which increases connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.
The multi-faceted elements of the MA encourage new ways of creative thought. Each of its seven modules will look at existing problems and how designers can respond to the changing needs of clients in a creative, experimental way.
Through discussion and theoretical exploration, linked to evidence-based design solutions, this will guide you in developing a thoughtful approach to designing interiors, installations, and buildings. You’ll also understand how to create solutions and spaces for occupants, in a variety of self-selected environments.
Just as importantly, we’ll explore topics such as collaboration, experience, transition, inclusivity, and diversity – and you’ll learn how to translate these points into interior design solutions that spearhead an inspiring, sustainable existence.
Hear from MA Interior Design Course Leader
Sarah Bax discusses what students learn on the course, who it's for, and how it approaches key themes such as sustainability and diversity.
Course modules
Led by our experienced academics, the modules within this course have been crafted to strengthen your research capabilities and understanding of a range of sectors. Do you hope to move forward in the spatial design world? Or is architectural design your calling? Whatever your ambitions, your studies will prepare you to start the next stage of your professional journey.
This introductory module will equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle your studies with confidence. We’ll go over the programme structure, research and academic standards, learning and assessment methods, project outcomes and expectations, and evidence-based design techniques.
We’ll investigate the different forms of interior design across various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, leisure, education, exhibition, and healthcare design. You’ll get to explore your own specialist practice interests and define a personal research focus for your studies.
With this module, you’ll focus on how to implement a sustainable approach to domestic and commercial design projects. You’ll learn about identifying and sourcing materials, fixtures and fittings for sustainable wellbeing, plus concepts such as biophilic design and passivhaus approaches to deliver net-zero-ready new and existing buildings.
As its title suggests, the Collaboration module focuses on developing a collaborative, practice-based approach to interior design. We’ll look at integrating interior design techniques with healthcare and lifestyle living, and what can be accomplished from collaborative usability.
This module focuses on the interior design of commercial spaces – from the initial concept stages through to planning and interior detailing. You’ll study the principal aspects of commercial interior design including function, aesthetic, user requirements, and constraints of the building envelope.
Together, we’ll explore the meaning of reinvention within interior design and how designs can be enhanced by transforming old features into new ones. Through this module, you’ll understand how to make creative, sustainable work by repurposing materials, styles, spaces, and structures.
Your lessons and coursework for this module will introduce you to a different view about how we use the five senses - vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch - to enhance the user experience. Alongside this, we’ll explore complex theories around spatial awareness, premonition, intuition, and meanings of interiority, space and time.
During this module, you’ll learn about designing for diverse occupancy within domestic, work, and educational environments. By examining cultures from across the world, we’ll also research how designers can create spaces that support multigenerational and community living.
The Research Methods module will help you investigate and select a strong, original topic for your Master’s Project. You’ll be introduced to a range of approaches to research design and how to make effective links between theoretical frameworks and their practical application.
As the final part of the course, your Master’s Project will require you to work independently under supervision, to produce a research-informed project on a topic chosen by you. It’s your opportunity to further explore your specialism of interest and showcase all the knowledge you’ve gained.
Find out about fees and payment options
Learn key industry terminology
Academic team
Sarah Bax, Course Leader
Sarah holds over 27 years of teaching within the discipline of interior architectural design. She has run her own space planning and energy-efficient refurbishment business, and one of her primary professional interests involves designing healthy, productive working environments.
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Diana Celella, Module Leader
Diana Celella is an international award-winning designer, Director of The Drawing Room Interiors, Associate Consultant Hammond Care, Dementia Choice, as well as being past President of SBID and past Chairman of the Healthcare Design Panel (HDAC).
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Stephen Edge, Module Leader
Stephen’s career spans over forty years in architecture, interior design & academia. He’s passionate about making people feel healthier when they walk out of one of his buildings, to when they walked in.
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Antonis Anagnostidis, Module Leader
Antonis has a background in architecture. Based in London where he practises architectural and interior design, he has worked on an array of different projects, ranging from residential interiors and hospitality to restoration and retail.
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Dr Begüm Ulusoy, Online Tutor
Dr Begüm Ulusoy has received BA (Hons.), MFA, and PhD degrees in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, published her work in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and worked in large-scale industry projects.
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Debbie Flevotomou, Online Tutor
Debbie is a Signature multi-award-winning Architect and CEO, celebrated speaker and a painter. She is the founder of Debbie Flevotomou Architects (DFA) established in 2012.
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Dr Maria Caserio, Online Tutor
Dr Maria Caserio is an urban designer and sustainability consultant. She has worked with a range of different institutions, both commercial and academic, over the last 25 years.
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Mustafa Afşaroğlu, Online Tutor
With over 12 years of experience in the industry, Mustafa has gathered profound insight into workplace and hospitality design.
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"Students can gain access to information directly from industry. This allows them to challenge and shape the future of design."
Mustafa Afşaroğlu | Industry guest speaker
Industry professional guest speakers
Exclusively offered to students enrolled on the course is the ability to have access to presentations from industry professionals. This provides not only an insight into current industry practice but a wealth of research sources and networking links.
Mustafa Afşaroğlu
Mustafa co-owns an architecture and design studio focusing on a range of workplace, hospitality and residential projects in the UK, Switzerland, France, and Cyprus.
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Emma Raybould
Emma has built a successful interior design career spanning 20 years. She has a passion for combining her expertise in fabric and furniture specification with her interest in positive mental health and wellbeing.
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Gareth Davies
Gareth works on multi-million-pound refurbishments and developments. He believes that Interior Design plays a greater role in our day-to-day lives than most people would think.
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Holly Passmore
Holly's key research interest is in increasing wellbeing opportunities within interior and exterior educational spaces, particularly with young children.
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Jonathan Stainsby
Johnathan has 15+ years experience as Head of Healthcare at Panaz, a fabric specialist. They are dedicated to sustainability and helping designers with a variety of requirements.
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Sadie MillerMaggs
Sadie uses her platform, Vegan Material House, to share her knowledge and research, and collaborate with conscious designers to create sustainable vegan materials.
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Dafydd Watkins
Dafydd is Head of Global Cruise Sales for Panaz. With 10 years experience in the interiors industry, Dafydd has worked with designers, cruise lines, fit out companies and shipyards all over the world.
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Dawn Scott
Dawn brings 20+ years of experience to her role as a Senior Colour Designer at Dulux, where she utilises occupant-centred colour and design to promote well-being.
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Catherine Heliker
Marketing Manager for danfloor UK, a flooring manufacturer, Catherine conducts research into the positive use of carpet in healthcare, as well as ensuring optimal performance.
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Ian Cathcart
Ian is the National Sales Manager UK and Ireland at Franklite, an award winning manufacturer, designer and distributor of high-quality decorative lighting.
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Sarah Tilbury
Sarah understands the importance of designing spaces that focus on the user's wellbeing and how Biophilia and Cognitive and Sensory Design can have a really positive effect on the design of any Interior Space.
View profile
Entry requirements
We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications and we welcome students from all educational backgrounds. We’ll take into account the knowledge and skills that you have developed outside the classroom, as well as your previous qualifications.
There are two different routes to entry: the standard and non-standard routes. Admissions staff will assess entries to determine which route is appropriate for you when you apply.
Students accepted on the standard route are given offers based on qualifications and supporting documentation alone. If you do not have a qualification at the designated level or in a subject not directly related to the course to which you are applying, you’ll be contacted to request a portfolio, and/or given an interview date.
You’ll have a BA (Hons) degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in your chosen subject or a related discipline.
You’ll have a BA (Hons) degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in your chosen subject or a related discipline.
As an overseas applicant, you’ll need to validate your proficiency in English. We accept a range of English language qualifications:
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) grade C
- Certificate of Attainment in English (London Board) level 5 or 6
- IELTS score of 6.5 or above with at least 5.5 in each band
- TOEFL iBT score of 92 or above with 20 in speaking, and 19 in listening, reading and writing
- Pearson PTE score of 54 and over, with a score of 51 in each component
IELTS, Pearson, and TOEFL scores must be less than two years old at the time the course commences to be valid.
If you do not have the standard academic qualifications, you could still be considered for entry if there is sufficient evidence to indicate that you can fulfil the objectives of the course of study and achieve the standard of the final award. An example of this would be to showcase a portfolio of work as requested by the admissions team.
We also welcome applications from anyone with other qualifications or work experience that demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills to study at postgraduate level.
Take the first step to endless possibilities

Hear from a student
“The staff involved, the course ethos, materials and pedagogy is deep rooted in wellbeing, sustainable research and design thinking practices. With my passion and background in Bioclimatic Design, the course seamlessly aligns with my future aspirations to progress my career in the field of interior architecture.”
- Melody McFarlane | MA Interior Design
Progression for graduates
Roles for graduates can include, but are not limited to, interior designer, spatial interior designer, and interior stylist. Watch the video to explore more areas for progression in the industry.
How to apply
When you're ready to apply, you'll need to head to our online application form to apply directly to us.
We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications – we'll take into account the knowledge and skills that you've developed outside the classroom as well as your previous qualifications.
Careers
The MA Interior Design programme is a fantastic platform to build the expertise you need to make strides in the interior design industry.
Whether you see yourself working as an in-house designer, a consultant, or a contractor, you’ll be able to consider a number of different roles.
After graduation, you’ll be prepared to follow your interests into a variety of domestic or commercial design environments. Some examples include:
- retail
- hospitality
- leisure
- education
- exhibition
- healthcare
Interior design teaching is another career path you could explore after completing your MA.
AUB BA(Hons) student work

Natalia Drezek | BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design

Ashley Maselino-Scott | BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design

Natalia Drezek | BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design

Sophie Asplin | BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 ARB/RIBA)

Gerhard Weber | BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
Join us in January 2024
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Read the storyVideo transcripts
MA Interior Design careers video transcript
[upbeat music plays throughout]
MA Interior Design
Careers and opportunities for graduates
The MA Interior Design programme is a fantastic platform to build the expertise you need to make strides in the interior design industry.
After graduation, you’ll be prepared to follow your interests into a variety of domestic or commercial design environments. Some examples include...
Spatial interior designer
This is a relatively new conceptual design discipline that crosses the boundaries of traditional design specialisms, such as interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, landscape design, and urban design. Spatial interior designers create interior and exterior spaces that enhance the user experience.
Exhibition designer
Make use of your skills in technical drawing and creative design to produce innovative display stands and captivating spaces. This could be for museums, galleries, libraries, private businesses, or for events or conferences.
Textile designer
Working in both industrial and non-industrial locations, textile designers create ideas for interiors and fashion. Your two-dimensional designs could be produced on knit, weave, printed, or textile products such as upholstery and clothing.
Set designer
Set or production designers develop spaces for films, TV, and theatre. You'll use your skills in visual aesthetics to create imaginative sets to fit a brief. The role could involve producing plans, models, and drawings as well as working with producers and directors.
Visual merchandiser
You could work within the retail industry as a creative ambassador in visual merchandising. You'll consider elements such as layouts, aesthetics, and colour to enhance the customer experience and maximise sales.
Interior product designer
As a product designer, you could pursue a career in areas including furniture or lighting design. You will have an eye for detail and may work with craftsmen and manufacturers. You’ll typically follow a brief to research ideas, prepare sketches, and produce and test prototypes.
Interior design specialisms
The Society of British and International Design (SIBD) identified its specialist disciplines of interior design, which show some areas you could choose to pursue. These include...
- Public space design
- Retail design
- Government design
- Workplace design
- Residential design
- Aeronautical design
- Marine design
- Transport design
- Healthcare design
- Hospitality design
Learn more: https://www.sbid.org/specialisms-in-interior-design/
We’re a creative community
Arts University Bournemouth Online is committed to helping students everywhere turn their talent into careers.
As one of the top ranked specialist art and design universities in the UK, you can trust that you’ll have us by your side as you head into this exciting new chapter.
Want to learn more?
We're here to help. If you have any questions about our online, part-time MA in Interior Design, get in touch with a course adviser.
- +44 1202 122 883
- info@studyonline.aub.ac.uk
[upbeat music plays throughout]
Hello, my name's Sarah Bax. I'm the Course Leader for the MA Interior Design online programme at Arts University Bournemouth.
Who is this course for?
Well, whether you're a graduate, a professional or an aspiring interior or architectural interior designer, the MA Interior Design online programme will help you make your mark on this exciting field. It provides opportunities for those interested in a variety of design disciplines, providing a broad spectrum of knowledge to take forward into future careers. Whether your interests lie in either commercial or domestic design, or whether it is interior design, architectural interior design, or interior spatial design, the curriculum will support you in establishing a career in your specialism of choice.
The course covers interiority as a whole and therefore aimed at those who are also interested in wanting to specialize in research within interior products, for example, or textiles materials and surface finishes. They can all be explored and integrated into your specialist practice.
What makes this course stand out?
This unique course is designed to blend research and practice with creative theory. The programme's varied curriculum considers interior design in its broader context, with a strong underpinning delivery of sustainability and design for wellbeing, including the benefits of biophilic design. This increases connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature plus space and place conditions. You have the opportunity to research design projects that contribute to a sustainable future and how designers need to be aware of the standards that contribute to new, sustainable, global and government goals.
What will students learn from this course?
The course will not only give you the theoretical understanding of how to analyze design related challenges, but also the ability to translate your knowledge into solutions. You will have the opportunity to explore collaboration, experience, transition, inclusivity and diversity. The multifaceted elements of the MA encourages new ways of creative thought. Each of its seven modules will look at existing problems and how you can respond to the changing needs of clients in a creative, experimental way.
What modules will students study?
Some of the modules include designing for inclusivity, community and multigenerational living in home work and learning environments. How a designer can make a positive change to education and schools. How learning can be enhanced through design and how the workplace can be a more productive place to want to be in combining interior design with well being and health care to promote accessibility, longevity and healthy living.
Start your creative journey here.
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