Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Interior Architecture and Venue Design

The Interior Architecture and Venue Design degree at Derby prepares students for careers where design ideas are translated into reality, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to create a variety of venues, including bars, restaurants, entertainment complexes, hotels, shops, and museums. Graduates develop the competencies required to excel in architectural and interior design practices, major construction companies, and local authorities. The programme also provides valuable workplace experience, with past students undertaking practice placements in locations such as Los Angeles and Singapore. Real-world projects based on actual sites are integrated into the curriculum, and students have opportunities to showcase their work in exhibitions locally and at the University’s Student Showcase.

Including a foundation year as part of the four-year study programme gives students a head start in their academic and professional development. The foundation year strengthens skills, knowledge, and confidence with extensive support from expert staff before progressing to the first stage of the honours degree. It is particularly beneficial for those considering a career change or looking to gain familiarity with new subject areas. Degrees with a foundation year are continuous, eliminating the need to reapply once the first year is successfully completed.

The Interior Architecture and Venue Design degree covers a wide range of venue types, from bars, restaurants, and multi-purpose spaces to hotels, resorts, and residential developments. The programme also addresses the planning and design of live performance spaces, social and community areas, exhibition spaces, galleries, brand retail outlets, and museums.

Throughout the course, students are challenged to conceptualise, investigate, and develop three-dimensional designs. The curriculum fosters a thorough understanding of how architectural and interior design histories, theories, and existing physical and cultural contexts inform design processes, programmes, and proposals. The teaching ethos encourages the production of socially, culturally, and environmentally responsive design proposals, drawing upon best practices and the extensive expertise of the teaching teams.