Interior Design MA

Postgraduate

Large spacious living room with simple white furniture with bare brick walls

Improve your skills and knowledge of interior design principles, applications and practices, and explore adaptive reuse and innovative design to give yourself a competitive edge.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST004

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Course overview

Build advanced creative skills to drive innovation in contemporary interior design practice. Through independent research and collaboration, you will develop the critical analysis needed to help prepare you to shape the future of design.

This course is ideal for:

aspiring interior designers seeking advanced knowledge and skills
professionals aiming to specialise in adaptive reuse and innovative design
individuals interested in a global perspective on interior design.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 1st for Engagement

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Ranked 5th for Overall Satisfaction

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Why you should study this course

Coventry University is currently one of only four Universities nationwide to be awarded SBID’s Centre of Excellence status, recognising the course’s continued commitment to delivering the highest standards in interior design education.
Master the design process: engage with the entire design process in a studio-centred environment, using research-driven inquiry to move from 2D conceptualisation through to prototyping. You will combine user-centred approaches with innovative design thinking to rethink and transform spatial environments.
Specialist facilities: bring your concepts to life using our dedicated facilities, ranging from traditional design workshops to immersive studios equipped with VR technology.⁴
Industry collaborations: apply your skills through opportunities to connect and collaborate with companies, clients and professional designers.² Previous student collaborations have included projects with organisations such as BMW Mini, Bugatti Trust, Coventry Watch Museum and Compton Verney (subject to project availability and selection).
Professional insights: gain real-world perspective with opportunities to engage with practitioners across interior design, architecture and related creative fields through guest talks and studio visits.²

Ranked 2nd

for overall satisfaction in Design and Creative and Performing Arts

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026 (ranked out of 34 HEIs)

Accreditation and professional recognition

Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID)

This course is accredited by the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID), the UK’s leading accreditation body for the profession, and designated as an SBID Centre of Excellence.

Coventry University's Delia Derbyshire building

British Art Show 10 at Coventry University

See work by leading contemporary artists, including 2024 Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, as British Art Show 10 comes to Coventry University.

Dates: 2 October 2026 - 10 January 2027

Discover British Art Show 10

I chose Coventry for its strong focus on creative and practical learning and its excellent Art and Design facilities. The studio environment and well-equipped workshops gave me the freedom to experiment and develop my work in different ways. Completing my Master’s strengthened my portfolio and gave me a better understanding of professional practice, regulations and industry expectations, making me much more confident when applying for professional roles.
Kimia Khazaei, Interior Design MA, quoted 2026

Modern refreshment area with drink dispensers, a wooden counter and an arched hallway with people.

What you'll study

Develop innovative approaches in contemporary interior design by actively challenging established conventions within an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. By experimenting with emerging technologies, including AI, you should be able to build bold creative techniques and advanced research skills. You will also develop critical analysis to help prepare you for an agile, sustainable career.

Modules

Dynamic Interior Design – 30 credits

In this module, you will work on a small-scale interior design project, exploring rapid ways of ideating, testing and prototyping. This helps prepare you to meet the demands of the industry, focusing on dynamic idea generation and project completion with an emphasis on human-centred design.

You will learn how to approach a brief, develop an understanding of end-user needs and respond to emerging interior design trends, materials and technologies. You will explore techniques in iterative design, branding and contextual analysis to create coherent design solutions. Finally, you will present your work in a professional portfolio showcasing both your creative process and design outcomes.

Compulsory

Co-Create – 30 credits

In this module, you will collaborate on a simulated or real-life project created by industry experts.² You’ll work with students from other postgraduate courses in the School of Arts and Creative Industries, applying your specialist discipline knowledge to form an essential part of a wider team. You'll explore design theory and practice, and research methodologies, and build professional development skills like project management, delegation and problem-solving. You should build strong relationships, foster a supportive community and develop a resilient skill set based on agility, flexibility and emotional intelligence.

Compulsory

Interior Design Specialist Investigation – 30 credits

You will be exposed to various research methodologies and investigative techniques, helping you to understand your end users, trends in interior design, and how to create research informed design proposals. You will manage an academic investigation, exploring various research methods and techniques. You will produce an illustrated report adhering to academic and ethical standards.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation – 30 credits

Major Project: Future Interior Design – 60 credits

The Interior Design MA course gives you the chance to really discover who you are as a designer and hone your individual style. Your MA journey culminates in a self-initiated major interior design project that aligns with your career aspirations and interests. You will use research-informed interior design briefs and specified contexts to create innovative, sustainable, original and desirable spatial design responses that are appropriate to user audiences. You will be guided by the experienced teaching team through supervision sessions and have access to design workshops and design studios.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

MA Interior Design encourages students to develop innovative, sustainable responses to contemporary challenges. A supportive studio culture, live briefs, industry engagement and specialist facilities allow students to test and refine ideas in practice. The course combines creative experimentation, critical research and real-world application, helping students develop confident, research-informed proposals that respond to people, place and changing professional practice.
Ana De Areia Soares, Interior Design MA Course Director, quoted 2026

Ana De Areia Soares stood smiling with two of her students smiling with documennts

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical studio sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

portfolios
presentations
individual application development work
research reports
group projects.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Student smiles at camera, more students behind her, blurred

Focus with block learning

Most courses use block learning. You study one module for six weeks, then move on to the next. It's a simple, structured way to stay organised and build confidence in your studies.

Explore block learning

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in interior design, architecture, product design or architectural technology.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Portfolio

You will need to submit a portfolio that includes a selection of your work. Your portfolio should demonstrate your design process and interior design skills, including interior design drawings (CAD), 3D computer models and renderings and hand-drawn sketches.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above in interior design, architecture, product design or architectural technology.

Portfolio

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £11,700	Not available
EU	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £11,700 per year with EU Support Bursary 2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £19,500 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £19,500	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Your tuition fees cover teaching, assessments, access to course facilities and university support services. You will need to budget for additional costs that are not included in your tuition fees, such as accommodation and living costs, recommended books, stationery, printing and any reassessment fees (if you need them).

Additional costs may include:

optional ﬁeld trips or visits: from £400 per trip or visit
placement-related costs, such as travel, accommodation and any other costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement. These will vary depending on the placement location and your individual circumstances.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Postgraduate Master's Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

The Interior Design MA course is taught at our designated home for the creative industries, the Delia Derbyshire building. We aim for your learning to replicate the creative industry’s ways of working, including working in a studio environment.

Take a virtual tour

Digital design workshops

Our extensive workshops will allow you to model in wood, metal, plastics, glass, ceramics and styling clay, with additional facilities for 3D printing, CNC milling and laser cutting.

Digital labs

You will be taught industry-standard 2D and 3D modelling, visualisation and animation software in our digital labs, to enhance your real-world experience and help you get job-ready.

Interior design studio

This studio offers a spacious and flexible environment for creating work in various media and at any scale. Our foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate students all work together to collaborate and share ideas in this space.

You’ll use facilities through timetabled teaching, practical activities and relevant independent study. Access may vary by module, activity, capacity, supervision or safety requirements. Access may change or be limited where the University needs to follow public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you could find yourself working in a range of roles:

Interior designer with interior design or architectural companies
Architectural designer
Stage designer
Lighting designer
Brand creator
Visualiser

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

show a clear understanding of key ideas and themes within your chosen area of interior design to develop advanced skills in practical contexts
apply advanced techniques, tools and new technologies creatively to bring fresh ideas to interior design
create original designs that meet key requirements such as usability, sustainability, appeal and technological feasibility
contribute to global discussions on interior design by exploring experimental and creative approaches
apply creative solutions to diverse environments, using tools and methods that promote positive social change
understand and work effectively with creative teams to successfully complete design projects
address global challenges, such as sustainability, with innovative and forward-thinking design solutions
solve complex problems thoughtfully and ethically, considering both design standards and broader societal issues.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

Foster & Partners, London
Gensler, Birmingham
Briggs Hillier, Hinckley
Extension Architecture, London
Argent Design, London
Lineworks Studio, Shanghai
MGL Projects Hertfordshire
Arkis Architects, Reykjavík
Nest Studios Ltd., Warwick
Stylib, London

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, guest speakers, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually, but such increases will be no more than 5% above the inflation rate. If you defer your course start date or extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example, to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the current 2026/27 contract is available for information purposes only. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes and may differ from the current version. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the applicable Student Contract carefully before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.