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
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
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.
