Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Please note we are unable to accept deferred applications as we will no longer be offering this course from September 2025 onwards.
Page last updated 23 September 2024
This course is inspired and informed by our partnerships with industry and academia, giving you a degree that sets you up to succeed in your career.
Most of the buildings we will inhabit in 2050 have already been built.
You could create hospitals where people get better faster, schools where people learn better, or give buildings entirely new uses.
The focus is on creating delightful and powerful places for people and society.
BA(Hons) Interior Architecture considers all aspects of interior architecture, from psychology and social conditions to structure, furniture design and materials, sound and light. We produce sought-after graduates with specialist knowledge and the skill to create exciting buildings.
Rethink existing buildings and convert them to suit a range of uses. Apply these skills to temporary structures and installations including theatres and exhibitions.
Discover how to think laterally, make connections and take inspiration from art, film, science, sociology. Transform places, spaces and even ideas.
Learn from industry-experienced tutors and work on a series of live briefs for property developers, management consultants, community charities and cultural institution. Our students have completed work for the Arnolfini centre for contemporary art and Ernst & Young, and made proposals for the redevelopment of a former television studio.
Collaborate with students across a range of disciplines and build your professional portfolio with practical design projects.
Explore Bristol's rich architectural history on day trips, and broaden your horizons with residential field trips, work placements and study overseas.
You will be eligible to apply for an additional year of study (between years two and three) at one of our partner institutions abroad. Places for the additional year of study are limited and selection is competitive and subject to availability.
We produce sought-after students with specialist knowledge and the skill to create exciting interior spaces. As a graduate you could go on to play a key role adapting buildings for new uses and occupants.
You could decide on a career in interior architecture or diversify into related design fields like film and TV. You might design products, furniture or theatre sets, or work on the conservation or refurbishment of historic buildings.
Take a look at our online yearbook of student projects from our architecture and product design courses.
The image above shows the fantastic work from one of our students (Samuel Robinson, 2023 Interior Architecture graduate).
You will study:
You will study:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You will study:
*If you take the International Academic Placement year, you will also complete the International Academic Placement Year module, before returning for your final year.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
The core of your learning experience will be in the Design Studio. The studios are structured around different themes each year.
There is face-to-face learning at lectures, seminars and tutorials. You'll also get project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes, workshops and time for independent study.
Work on a variety of conceptual and practical projects including furniture, materiality, temporary structures and installations, theatre, film, site analysis, lighting and architectural narrative. These come together in the final year with a major project combining rigorous research and a design project to creatively reuse an existing building.
Consider current practice in architecture and design, and learn about the work of related disciplines, such as art and film.
Take on a live project or develop submissions for design competitions. Explore techniques including CAD, drawing, modelling and mapping.Analyse architectural precedents and understand the multi-disciplinary nature of designing for the built environment.
Complete a dissertation on a theoretical subject and develop an in-depth understanding of a specific area within the field of interior architecture.
Attend regular presentations from visiting professionals and past students so you can learn about industry challenges and best practice.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40% | 60% | 0% |
| 2 | 31% | 69% | 0% |
| 3 | 29% | 71% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year.
Attend guest lectures, field trips, live projects and social events with like-minded students in our Architecture Society and Engineers without Borders.
Become a student rep and sit on a range of committees at University and school level, where you can influence decisions that affect your learning experience.
Extra-curricular activities are great for your personal development and are attractive to prospective employers.
In your final year, showcase your work to prospective employers and the public at the annual degree show.
Take a look at some of our students' exhibits on Pinterest and in our online showcase.
You should expect mix of coursework and exams, which aim to assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers value.
You'll develop a creative portfolio through design projects, many with real clients and sites. This portfolio becomes valuable evidence of your skills that you can present to potential employers.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6% | 88% | 6% |
| 2 | 6% | 94% | 0% |
| 3 | 6% | 88% | 6% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
This course is recognised by the national subject association Interior Educators (IE).
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
You'll also complete a series of design projects during term time, giving you practical experience. Past students have worked for Ernst and Young, Bristol Architecture Centre, the Roman baths in Bath, Knowle West Media Centre or the Arnolfini Centre for Contemporary Art.
You'll get help to find your placements and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
We arrange day trips so you can visit study locations and meet people that can inform your work. We also arrange residential field trips locally, nationally and internationally.
Learn in a modern, well-equipped school facilities, including award-winning design studios.
Study and collaborate on group assignments in our dedicated Project Room.
Attend model-making workshops and create your own samples, models and prototypes. Develop your sketching, CAD and building analysis skills on industry standard software.
Create architectural models using laser cutters and computerised routers in our wood, metal and concrete workshops.
Test lighting using the artificial sky with experienced technicians who support teaching and research.
This mix of traditional and highly creative learning environments enables you to learn essential knowledge and real-world skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Architecture facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
After graduating, you could go on to play a key role adapting buildings to new uses and occupants.
You could pursue a career in interior architecture or design. You could refurbish existing spaces, change their use or work within specific environments such as TV, lighting or conservation.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
We will usually make an assement based on your UCAS application and we do not require portfolios.
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644