“Solent helped by providing first class teaching, access to state of the art equipment and technology.”
BA (Hons)Interior Design Decoration
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: IDD1
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study an interior design decoration degree at Solent University
With award-winning graduates and a teaching team of industry professionals, our SBID-accredited degree will provide you with the design skills to turn your vision into reality.
- 0thout of 32 institutions in the UK for interior design (Guardian League Table 2024)
- Top0in the UK for learning resources in design studies, out of 78 institutions (NSS 2024)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities
- Solent is an SBID Centre of Excellence, and the making us a central hub for interior design professionals in the south-east. Our course is also accredited by SBID.
- Solent ranked in the UK's Top 10 for satisfaction with teaching in fashion and textiles (out of 46 institutions) (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Opportunity to work on a range of live briefs. Recent projects have been with Ted Baker, The Clothes Show, IKEA, Hampshire Kitchens, Bulthaup, Linden Show Homes and Blendworth interiors.
- Study under the guidance of an expert teaching team who are experienced professionals with a wealth of interior and lifestyle industry experience to share.
- Access to a range of specialist equipment for surface decoration, spatial design and interior styling. These include a digital fabric printer, digital laser cutter and industry-standard photographic studios.
- You will gain practical experience by working on industry-led projects and the support required to create a professional portfolio and get your career off to the ideal start.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
Whether you're interested in interior design, surface decoration, textiles or interior styling, Solent University’s interior design decoration programme will help you to improve your practical skills and begin a unique career in this exciting creative industry. With an expert teaching team and a strong emphasis on the decorative elements of the interior and lifestyle industry, you’ll gain the practical experience and support required to create a professional portfolio and get your career off to the ideal start.
The course places a strong emphasis on gaining hands-on experience and students are encouraged to work on industry-led projects. Through the course team’s strong industry links, past students have had the opportunity to gain self-directed work experience in both commercial and domestic design-led environments.
Students on the interior design decoration course enjoy free access to specialist equipment and facilities. These include a digital fabric printer, digital laser cutter and industry-standard photographic studios. Students will also have access to large format scanners, printing equipment and Apple Mac computers loaded with Vectorworks, Google SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite and a range of other software packages.
Past students have also exhibited their work at important interior design events including New Designers in London - in 2023, student, Elena Nikolic received the Creative Motivation award for outstanding innovation for her final major project based on Agatha Christie. You can also read about 2022 graduate, Jasmine Baldock's experience at New Designers 2022. Attending events like this provides them with opportunities to meet employers and network with their industry colleagues.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Accredited by:
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Course features
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Professional accreditation
This course has been accredited by a professional body
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
Interior design and decoration at Solent prepares students for careers in interior design for domestic and commercial spaces, visual merchandising, surface and textile design, photographic and editorial styling and creative direction.
Students may come from a range of creative or academic backgrounds. Students will be given time and support to develop a professional portfolio.
What does this course lead to?
Recent graduates have found employment in a range of interior design and related roles: high-end residential and commercial interior designer, interior yacht designer, home buyer, creative projects assistant, design consultant, kitchen designer and textile designer. Graduates have found employment with companies such as Dulux, Fortnum and Mason, Ted Baker, Harvey Jones, Claydon Reeves, Magnet and a range of independent interior design practices.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
The course has specialist equipment for surface decoration, spatial design and interior styling. These include a digital fabric printer, digital laser cutter and industry-standard photographic studios.
There are also large format scanners, printing equipment, the latest PC and Mac computers, with subject specific software including Vectorworks, Google SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite and a range of other software packages.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Interior Design Studio Practice
This challenging module introduces you to the many skills and processes that will give you a foundation in interior design decoration, including conceptual sketching, technical drawing and design development.
Interior Design in Context
This module will introduce you to the historical and cultural development of interior design with a focus on the 20th and 21st Century. You will explore key art and design movements and how they have informed interior design trends in contemporary practice.
Interior Design and Presentation
This creative module builds on the skills and knowledge developed in the Studio Practice module to complete a professional design process and create a unique body of work based on a live project with a real site.
Surface Design and Decoration
Through this module you will learn how to deconstruct surface designs and learn new design processes and applications used in surface decoration for the interiors industry.
Spatial Design and Decoration
Through this module you will learn how to deconstruct spatial designs and learn new design processes and applications used in spatial decoration for the interiors industry.
Creative Styling
On this module you will learn about design principles which will help you to evaluate design and styled images for interiors. Once you know this you will be able to use this, (applied knowledge) to create your own designs.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Creative design projects
- Assignments
- Research projects
- Model-making
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
The fashion and lifestyle industries can provide many opportunities for enthusiastic interior design decoration graduates. Suitable roles for graduates of Solent’s design and decoration degree include: interior design stylist, consultant and visual merchandiser for homes or textile and surface designer. This could be working from within showrooms, retail companies, or even magazine and publishing industries for editorial features.
You could earn:
Interior Designer
Starting salary: £18,000 to £23,000
Experienced interior designers can earn between £25,000 and £40,000.
Salaries for senior designers can reach £45,000+, while creative/design directors can earn up to - and sometimes more than - £75,000.Textile designer
Starting salary: £20,000
A junior designer with one to two years' experience can expect to earn between £22,000 and £25,000. Designers with three to four years' experience can earn up to £28,000. Salaries for senior designers or design directors are around £30,000 to £40,000 plus.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“Solent helped by providing first class teaching, access to state of the art equipment and technology.”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accreditations
Accredited by:
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MSc Sustainable Building Design
Develop your theory and practical skills to graduate from this course as a specialist designer with the education and vision required to help create a sustainable future for the construction industry.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Year one
Books, quality folders, printing, memory sticks, sketchbooks, model-making equipment and drawing materials: £250
Study trips: £30 - Year two
Books, quality folders, printing/binding, memory stick, sketchbooks: £350
Study trips: £30 - Year three
Books, quality folders, printing/binding, memory sticks, sketchbooks, final major project: £300-£600 (project-depending)
Study trips: £50
Optional costs
- Year one
International study trip: £300
MacBook (prices vary) - Year two
International study trip: £300 - Year three
International study trip: £300-£500
Graduate show/New Designers/London exhibition: £300
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D* or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- UK applicants will be asked to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Applicants resident outside the UK will be required to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Direct entry into the second or third years may be considered for this course.
- Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to attend a portfolio viewing.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
104-120UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
