16Nov
UndergraduateUniversity of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
The foundation pathway provides students with non-standard entry points to progress onto the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme. The foundation year allows you to develop the required practical, technical, academic and creative skills needed in preparation for the first year of the undergraduate programme. The course is designed to encourage visual exploration and creative discovery within an engaging and vibrant studio setting. Upon successful completion, you will join the undergraduate BA (Hons) Interior Design programme equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete an undergraduate degree.
- User-centred. Our approach puts people – and sometimes cats – at the centre of the design process. You will develop an inclusive and diverse approach and build awareness of the psychological impact of space on the health, wellbeing, productivity, and happiness of individuals and communities.
- Sensory and immersive. We craft interiors that explore the sensory and immersive impact of space, materials and systems and how they contribute to the user experience.
- Future-focused. We encourage you to take today’s issues and develop new ways of living. We utilise technology in content, delivery, presentation and documentation and explore the digital frontier of space with virtual and augmented reality.
- Expert-led. Our lecturers run their own businesses or have professional experience working for clients like Lego, British Airways, LG, Sony, major museums and architects.
- Making at the core. From model making to 1:1 prototyping, you’ll explore materials to understand their application and performance and how to utilise their sensory characteristics with access to a range of traditional and high-tech digital fabrication workshops.
- Innovation in delivery. You’ll work in an interdisciplinary design studio learning with and from other three-dimensional design specialisms and benefit from a blended learning environment, which includes team teaching and podcast delivery of content.
- Diverse. You’ll work on a broad range of interior design projects across a range of scales from strategic planning down to fine detailing and across sectors including residential, workplace, hospitality, branded and thematic spaces, as well as exhibitions and the public realm.
Modules
In your foundation year you'll become part a vibrant creative community through an engaging learning environment, with a focus on active exploration and discovery across a wide range of methods and media. Working in our open-plan studio, you'll learn by doing, putting teaching into practical outcomes. Upon successful completion of this year, you'll enter the first year of the BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design or BA (Hons) Interior Design. In the first year of your BA, you create innovative, practical, and future-focused spaces. You gain a hands-on understanding of processes, materials and construction using traditional and digital fabrication methods at a range of scales from model making to 1:2:1 prototyping. We introduce a range of software packages and interact with other design disciplines. In your second year, you begin to shape your career path by working on design projects to establish your skills as a designer. We explore methods, ideas and themes, and gain a deeper understanding of the design industry with live projects. You set up your own exhibitions and build a portfolio, becoming proficient in design processes, computer-aided design, digital and traditional fabrication and communication methods. In your final year, you work on your major project and dissertation to take your specialism deeper and develop an individual philosophy. You develop your network to deepen your understanding of the industry and visit design practices like Mystery, Pearson Lloyd, and Foster Associates. You also exhibit your projects at our Degree Show and national events such as New Designers. The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website
Assessment method
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W244
- Institution code:
- P60
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 32 - 48 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
Access to HE Diploma - P: 45 credits
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MM
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
T Level - P
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | With 5.5 in all elements |
International Students - English
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees
* Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Provider information
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA