Interior Architecture with Foundation Year

Bring buildings to life for better human experiences. This distinct BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture with Foundation Year degree is a gateway to a career balancing art and science to design the spaces where we work, rest, learn and play.

The densification of our cities is driving demand for flexible, mixed-use spaces. By combining design skills with technical architectural and engineering competences, intelligent interior architecture can bring vacant buildings back into use and support sustainable futures. With exciting careers emerging in this field, now is an ideal time to gain the skills and knowledge to lead these opportunities.

Learn to design a better built environment
Led by international experts, you will explore interior architecture at our Peel Park campus, minutes from buzzing central Manchester. You will study architectural theory and practice alongside other architecture students, delivered in our collaborative studio environment.

The Foundation Year pathway provides you with a solid grounding in key subjects in built environment practice, so you are ready to meet the prerequisites for studying a full degree course. Learning focuses on effective communication and study skills combined with built environment specific teaching. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to our full BSc Interior Architecture degree.

Our three-year BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture degree course blends architectural and built environment disciplines to help you explore the making and modification of buildings. During your studies, you will look at the total design of a space, including ergonomics, structures, materials and connected systems. With a focus on sustainability, you will learn about BIM and virtual design methods that are changing the way the built environment is created.

The course curriculum includes opportunities and activities for you to develop a design portfolio, and build design skills in hand drawing, model-making and digital design, focusing on shaping your technical and professional skills.

Get closer to industry
Reflecting real-world practice, multidisciplinary projects and innovative problem-solving activities alongside other built environment students will be at the heart of your studies. Through our strong connections with local architectural practices and engineering firms, you will experience external critiques and guest lectures. With a focus on your future, you can also share your ideas at our annual architecture show and build your network at our exclusive built environment careers fair.

Our new home for architecture
In Autumn 2022, we opened our new £65 million hub for science, engineering and the environment - and our new home for architecture. Sustainability-designed and 100% electric powered, the building offers unrivalled teaching, learning and research facilities and provides exciting new spaces for industry collaboration.

Features
• Acquire the skills and knowledge so you're ready to study for the full BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture degree
• Build transferable and professional skills, including team working, critical analysis, problem solving and project management
• Develop a critical understanding of how space is occupied and understood, at both individual and group levels
• Explore how existing and heritage buildings can be brought back in to use through intelligent design
• Consider a building’s total design, exploring themes and issues such as ergonomics, materials, heating, lighting and ventilation
• Collaborate with other architecture students to shape better spaces to live, work, rest and play in the future

This course is not open to international students.

Foundation Year:

• Introduction to Built Environment Professional Practice
• Introduction to Design Practice
• Introduction to Building Science
• Introduction to Digital Built Environment
• IT and Study Skills
• Professional Practice Project

Year One:

• Design Studio 1A
• Construction Technology in Architecture 1
• Design Technology 1
• History and Theory 1
• Interior Architecture Design Studio 1B
• Practice 1

Year Two:

• Interior Architecture Design Studio 2A
• Principles of Sustainable Built Environments
• History and Theory 2
• Interior Architecture Design Studio 2B
• Design Technology 2
• Practice 2: Multidisciplinary Project

Year Three:

• Interior Architecture Design Studio 3
• Re-creating the City - Re-use and Regeneration
• Practice 3
• Interior Architecture Design Studio 3B
• Ideas and Issues in Interior Architecture
• Design Technology 3

You will be assessed using a range of suitable methods, including:

• Design projects
• Essays
• Case study analysis
• Precedent studies
• Examinations