Design intricacies intertwined with a culture that is irresistible, this is what you can expect while studying interior design in UK. The United Kingdom as a study abroad destination is preferred by international students because of its academically enriching experiences and breathtaking design spaces. Thirty of the UK's institutes have been ranked among the world’s 230 best Art & Design universities as per the QS World University Rankings, 2022.
UK as a study destination is known for offering both, degrees and short courses in the field of interior design. In this blog, we cover all about pursuing a degree in this field, including interior design course UK, the best universities, admission requirements, and more. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents |
Interior Design in UK: An Overview
Interior design courses in UK include both bachelors and masters study level programs. Some of the best universities for interior design in UK offer international students with world-class education. Apart from this, international students can also get hold of easily available job opportunities after pursuing an interior design degree in UK.
Let us take a look at an overview of pursuing studies in interior design in UK:
Popular Courses |
MDes Interior Design MA Interior Design BA (Hons) Interior and Spatial Design BA (Hons) Design |
English Proficiency |
Required |
Average tuition fee for international students |
Bachelors: £11,871 - £23,742 Masters: £16,619 - £28,491 |
Additional Requirements |
Portfolios and Interviews |
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Top Interior Design Course in UK
Popular art and design institutes have an umpteenth number of interior design courses in UK at various study levels. All of the courses train students to be the best in the interior design industry.
The span for bachelors courses in interior design range from 3-4 years, and for masters programs in interior design range from 1-2 years. Many interior design universities in UK also offer international students with certificate programs and short courses.
Given below are some popular interior design course in UK that are most preferred by international students.
Courses |
Best Universities |
MA Interior Design |
|
MA Interior and Spatial Design |
|
MDes Design |
|
BA Design |
|
BA (Hons) Interior Design |
University of Arts London Goldsmiths, University of London |
BA (Hons) Interior and Spatial Design |
University of Arts London |
Architectural and interdisciplinary studies |
London College of Art |
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Now you know the best courses to pursue interior design in UK. Next, let’s explore the top universities.
Best Universities for Interior design in UK
The interior design degree in UK is very popular among international students. Numerous universities that have been recognised and ranked internationally offer international candidates with exemplary and industry-oriented education.
Some of the best universities for masters in interior design in UK have been tabulated below:
- Royal College of Art
- University of Arts London
- Glasgow School of Arts
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Loughborough University
Let us now discuss these top 5 of these interior design colleges in UK with their interior design university ranking UK.
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is not only considered among the best universities for interior design UK but also stands first in the QS University Rankings for Art and Design 2022, in the world. The college offers wholly graduate courses and is known for offering MA in Interior Design which is one of the best interior design course UK.
QS University Ranking for Art and Design 2024 |
1 |
Average Tuition Fees |
£13,000 - £14,200 |
Programs Offered |
MA Architecture, MA Interior Design, MA Spatial Design |
2. University of the Arts London
University of the Arts is one of the best interior design colleges in UK. It offers the best programs in the field of performance arts, photography, and interior design. One of the most famous programs taught at this university is the BA (Hons) in Interior Design.
QS University Ranking for Art and Design 2024 |
2 |
Average Tuition Fees |
£13,681 - £22,014 |
Programs Offered |
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, MA Industrial Design, MA Fashion Artefact |
3. Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art is one of the top universities for interior design UK, offering both postgraduate and undergraduate programs. The university even offers short courses to international students. Most of the courses offered at the school of Art are recognised by most of the top employers in UK.
QS University Ranking for Art and Design 2024 |
12 |
Average Tuition Fees |
£18,960 -£25,882 |
Programs Offered |
BA (Hons) Interior Design, BArch, BA (Hons) Communication Design |
4. Goldsmiths, University of London
Famous for offering the best BA (Hons) Design, Goldsmiths, University of London is quite popular among the international population because of its location and academically enriching experiences. International students also get to gain a lot of industry experience at Goldsmiths.
QS University Ranking for Art and Design 2024 |
22 |
Average Tuition Fees |
£21,380 |
Programs Offered |
BA (Hons) Design, MA Design, International Foundation Certificate in Design |
5. Loughborough University
The design school at Loughborough University has been ranked in the first position for offering employers the most employable design graduates. One of the most popular degrees offered at Loughborough University is the BA (Hons) Design degree, which acclimatises students with field projects and numerous hands-on learning experiences. So you can choose among these universities for interior design UK and begin your education!
QS University Ranking for Art and Design 2024 |
32 |
Average Tuition Fees |
£25,248 - £33,419 |
Programs Offered |
BA (Hons) Design, BA (Hons) Fine Arts, BEng (Hons) Product Design Engineering |
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Let us now take a look at the admission requirements for pursuing Interior design course in UK!
Eligibility and Requirements to Study Interior Design in UK
If you are looking to pursue an interior design degree in UK, there are certain requirements that are common for all interior design universities. Getting into a renowned interior design university UK is very much possible if you have high grades and, most importantly, possess the ability to dwell and pursue a career in the field of interior design.
Some interior design universities in UK may have a slight chance of asking students for requirements that may be a tad bit different and additional on a case-by-case basis.
The eligibility criteria for getting admitted into an interior design college in UK are as follows:
- High school transcripts
- Bachelor's degree (for PG courses)
- English language proficiency score
- Additional requirements (portfolios, interviews, work experience)
Let us elaborate each of these below!
1. High School Transcripts
High school transcripts (with a minimum of 60%) are essential for the application to both UG and PG courses in the field of interior design. International students need to submit officially translated transcripts in English.
2. Bachelor's Degree
When applying for masters programs, students are required to submit bachelors degree in a field related to design. Some universities also accept other bachelors degrees provided relevant subjects have been studied.
3. English Language Proficiency
Majority of best universities for interior design in the UK ask international students for an IELTS score of 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Other test scores like TOEFL, CAE, CPE, and PTE can also be submitted.
4. Additional Requirements
Additional requirements like portfolios (10-20 pages) and interviews are also asked by top universities in UK for interior design. Besides, work experience is also essential for students willing to study masters courses in interior design.
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NOTE: The requirements may vary with each university and are subject to change. Therefore, make sure you check with the official website of the university. |
Now that you are aware of the requirements let us take a quick look at the cost of studying Interior design in UK for international students.
Cost of Studying Interior Design in UK
The cost of attendance in UK for interior design varies for each course that you may be interested in taking. It can further bifurcate into the cost of living, which includes living expenses in the UK and the cost of studying for an interior design degree in UK.
Here is a quick look at the average tuition fee range for most university degrees in interior design.
Degree Type |
Average Annual Tuition Fees |
Bachelors Degree |
£11,871 - £23,742 |
Masters Degree |
£16,619 - £28,491 |
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The cost of studies may seem high, but they are totally worth it considering the job opportunities in the field. Let’s chcek a few!
Future Prospects after Studying Interior Design in UK
Many interior design universities in UK offer placement offers to international students after they graduate from the university. Interior design as a field will offer you a variety of opportunities in UK, to begin with. Being a vast process, interior design demands intricate expertise at each stage.
Some universities in UK also offer students with placement programs wherein students are taught further details in the field in order to get placed efficiently. Students earn an average salary of £18,000 to £75,000 after completing their degree from top UK universities.
Some top recruiters in the field of interior design are:
- Norman Foster and Partners
- Orange and Uniter Designers
- Muji
- Bill Dunster Architects
Let us now look at some of the top paying job profiles in the field of interior design.
Jobs |
Average Annual Salary |
Interior designer |
£67,000 |
Kitchen designer |
£42,200 |
Landscaper |
£50,000 |
Architectural designer |
£80,000 |
Design manager |
£115,000 |
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A plethora of career opportunities, extravagant design spaces, and amiable experiences await you if you are looking to study interior design in UK. If you are someone who is willing to experience student life in one of the best study destinations in the world, UK is definitely the place for you.
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