The UK has a beautiful blend of modern and traditional, from unique restaurants to historic buildings. Regarding interior design programs, the United Kingdom is the second-favoured study destination for international students after the United States.

With specific modules focusing on colour, drawing plans, space planning, furnishings, wall and floor finishes, furniture styles, lighting, and best professional practice, interior design courses cover every aspect of the process, from initial design to branding to project management to execution.

The dynamic field of interior design has recently experienced considerable growth in student interest in the UK. It promotes spatial awareness in various settings, including homes, hotels, hospitals, retail establishments, commercial settings, and exhibition spaces. It is a flexible career that calls for a creative, innovative, and artistic mind that can carry out and supervise the design of a project.

Most interior design courses at UK colleges will also include project management and digital presentation techniques, which are equally crucial to the field's practical side. 

Graduates in interior design will work in many different areas of the creative and design sector. Working in a design team, freelancing, branding and communications, 3D design, journalism, retail, and hospitality are all possible careers. 

In the UK, an interior designer pays between £30,000 and £60,000 per year.

Top Interior Design Universities in the UK: Global Ranking

The nation is home to some of the top universities for those interested in studying interior design, architecture, or planning. IF YOU WISH TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THIS FIELD, the UK is entitled to some of the best interior design programs at the country's leading colleges.

According to QS, the United Kingdom includes more than 70 colleges that offer majors in art and design. The following top institutions are among the top 50 design universities in the world, according to the QS Architecture and Built Rankings 2023:

Top Interior Design University in the UK: Bachelor of Interior Design

The UK's Bachelor of Interior Design program is a technical study course that lasts three to four years and focuses on professional abilities like modelling, experimentation, and comprehensive design.

The UK's interior design undergraduate curriculum includes a variety of evaluation techniques, including formative, summative, and diagnostic approaches as well as peer and self-assessment techniques. Students that pursue an interior design bachelor's degree in the UK graduate with knowledge in materials, lighting, and space management.

A UK interior design BA offers the chance to acquire the ideal balance of practical abilities, professionalism, and creativity. A Bachelor of Interior Design education in the UK provides the opportunity to learn in a creative setting and acquire valuable professional experience through actual projects, placements, and internships.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

Top Interior Design University in the UK: Bachelor of Interior Design (Program and Course Duration)

The following are some of the most popular Interior Design Bachelor degree universities  in the UK universities with program and course details:

Top Interior Design University in the UK: Bachelor of Interior Design (Tuition Fees)

The Bachelor of Interior Design tuition runs from £14,000 to £22,000 per year for overseas students. Here is a list of Top Bachelor of Interior Design Universities in the UK with annual tuition fees:

Bachelor of Interior Design in the UK: Academic Requirements

UCL

• Successful completion of higher secondary school
• A comprehensive portfolio of creative work is required at the interview stage.
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 92, PTE 62)

University of Cambridge

• Some Colleges require: AS or A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics or Physics; A Level/IB Higher Level in an essay-based subject.
• If selected for an interview, all applicants for architecture must pass written and practical tests.
• Most international applicants must submit their high school transcript (record of academic achievement in the most recent years of schooling).
• Submit artwork before the interview.

The University of Sheffield

• two GCE/VCE A level passes
• High School Leaving Certificate, which is recognized as equivalent to A level standard
• other international qualifications gained after 13 years of secondary/further education
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL IBT 79, MELAB 80)

Cardiff University

• Applications should show a passion for art and design, a solid portfolio, and ideally five GCSEs, with English Language and Mathematics* at grade C or above / grade 4 or above as one of them.
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL IBT 72, Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 169, Pearsons 52)

Top Interior Design University in the UK: Master of Interior Design

Master in Interior Design in the UK is a one- to two-year program frequently offered as a Masters in Arts (MA) or Masters in Design (MDes) degree.

Degrees in interior design assist students in developing their creative abilities and using them to create and improve the aesthetics of living places. 

In the UK, the core elements of an interior design master's degree course include practical projects, industry connections, and research and experimentation. The 1-2 year program includes all aspects of project completion and the expression of atmosphere and concepts.

Case studies, design computing, decoding the interior, design theory, and professional practice are all included in an interior design master's degree program. Along with the academic modules, several universities also provide a professional practice year where you can gain knowledge and money working for interior design firms.

After completing the curriculum, students have the creative and experimental skills to understand and create complex design ideas. After finishing their degree, this enables the students to earn up to 80,000 GBP annually in the UK.

Top Interior Design University in the UK: Master of Interior Design (Program and Course Duration)

The following are some of the most popular Interior Design Master's degree universities  in the UK universities with program and course details:

Top Interior Design university in the UK: Master of Interior Design (Tuition Fees)

Here is a list of Top Master of Interior Design Universities in the UK with annual tuition fees:

Master of Interior Design in the UK: Academic Requirements

The Camberwell College of Arts (UAL)

• BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
• Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
• Personal statement
• Portfolio of work
• IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking

Manchester School of Art

• 2:2 BA (Hons) Interior Design/Interior Architecture or equivalent Architectural or Design Undergraduate degree.
•  submission of a digital portfolio to evidence design/architectural practice and research
• interview as part of the application process
• IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Coventry University

• BA (Hons), MDes degree in Interior Design or Product Design.
• No portfolio will be required if the academic qualifications in the subject area as defined above are met.
• Feature a maximum of approximately 10-15 examples of work or 3-4 projects undertaken within the past 2 years, 3 or 4 of which should be major, substantial, in-depth projects which demonstrate the ability to conceptualize solutions to creative problems and to assimilate and combine written language or content with the visual.

The University of Sheffield

• A 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject or significant relevant experience
• Appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims
• A high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work
• Ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently
• An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent)

Cardiff University

• A 2.1 honors degree in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban design
• university-recognized equivalent academic qualification
• relevant professional experience evidenced by a reference.
• IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills or an accepted equivalent.

Top Interior Design university in the UK: PhD of Interior Design

A PhD involves extensive study and a great deal of mental effort. After earning your master's degree, you can pursue a PhD in interior design in the UK, the highest academic degree, by focusing on a particular academic topic for four to six years.

The area of interior design values great creative vision and the capacity to realize concepts. Students are entrusted with designing functional rooms in commercial or residential settings that are aesthetically pleasing and compliant with legal requirements.

The following are some of the most popular Interior Design Ph.D. degree universities in the UK  with program and fee details:

PhD of Interior Design in the UK: Academic Requirements

The University of Edinburgh

• A UK 2:1 honors degree, or its international equivalent.
• any professional experience into account.
• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

University of Hertfordshire

• a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject
• IELTS 6.5 minimum for non-native English speakers
• develop a project proposal of 1000 words that outlines your research

Royal College of Art

• Showcase your work as an artist or designer through images, videos, or writing examples.
• IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a 6.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE).
• Ph.D. candidates will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE).

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

Top Interior Design university in the UK: Scholarships

International students can receive loans, bursaries, and scholarships from UK colleges to help with tuition costs.

When pursuing a degree in interior design in the UK, some of the popular scholarships to choose from are as follows:

Top Interior Design university in the UK: Career and Job Scope

You will have several opportunities to network with businesses, clients, and experienced designers. At the same time, you complete your interior design degree to demonstrate your work and work on projects with them. 

After finishing your course, you'll be better prepared to compete in the real world thanks to your combined experience from UK's top universities.

Graduates can even kick-start their careers as interior designers, model makers, visual merchandisers, architecture assistants, studio designers, design managers, and concept designers.

In the UK, interior designers can expect to make between £30,000 and £60,000 per year. The annual compensation scale varies depending on the position, area of specialization, and workplace. 

The following table details the pay for interior designers who graduate in the UK.