Interior Design BA (Hons) - DMU Dubai

Key details

Award: Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Duration: Three years full-time
Location: DMU Dubai campus

Course overview

In this course, you will reimagine existing interiors and challenge the idea of 'space' to create innovative and experiential new spaces. Interior Design focuses on the way people interact within these environments, considering comfort, usability, effectiveness, aesthetics, and emotional connection.

You'll explore the regeneration of actual buildings and sites, turning them into exciting new spaces for exhibition, retail, leisure, performance, spiritual, eating, and socialising purposes. You'll also develop visual communication skills in drawing, 3D modelling, computing, video-model scope, computer-aided design (CAD), and virtual reality. Your work will respond to future global challenges while reflecting the importance of sustainability and inclusivity.

You'll develop your design style and learn to communicate your creative solutions confidently. We aim to nurture these skills so that you graduate as a well-rounded designer with a broad portfolio ready for industry.

Key features

• Work and create in a studio environment to mimic professional practice and learn from staff with extensive industry experience.
• Determine your design direction according to your passions and aspirations. We have seen students creating immersive art galleries, educational community hubs and boutique hotels and tackling the challenges of food waste, empty high street units and body confidence.
• DMU Dubai students can now benefit from the Industry Advisory Board, which comprises leading experts and professionals at the enterprise level. The board provides valuable insights and guidance to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and current with industry trends and demands. On the international front, 
• Benefit from the latest facilities – CAD, model scope, drawing studios, video visualisation equipment and prototype workshops. 
• The programme leaders are experienced professionals dedicated to ensuring students receive a high-quality education. They are readily available to answer any questions or concerns students may have regarding the accreditation process or the course content. 
• Benefit from Block teaching, where a simplified 'block learning' timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Entry requirements

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

The course is essentially studio-based, supported by lectures, seminars, tutorials and site visits. Assessment is project-orientated and you will continuously receive feedback on your progress throughout your learning journey.

In your first year you will explore interior design examples of the application of technologies, with an emphasis on understanding and exploring interior space. You will be introduced to the development of conceptual ideas and thinking, alongside a range of manual techniques and computer-aided design (CAD) software. You will also be introduced to cultural, historical and contextual studies.

In your second year you will build on the skills and knowledge developed in the first year to start to realise your own disinvite design identity and become more self-directed in your learning and design decision-making. You will have the opportunity to undertake live projects and can explore specialisms in Design for: Exhibition, Leisure & Hospitality, Performance, Retail, Workspace and Event.

In your third year you will select key design projects, with an emphasis on demonstrating the application of previously learned knowledge and skills and clear independent learning. You will be taught through briefings, seminars and mainly group and individual tutorials with support from current industry practitioners. Your studies will culminate in an individual Major Design Project for showcasing, alongside developing a professional employability toolkit which can be used to launch your career after graduation.

Our staff have extensive commercial design backgrounds in display/exhibition and interior architecture. Some run their own interior design practices, working in the leisure industry, domestic and retail sectors of interior design. There are also specialists in design for television and drama productions, exhibitions and spiritual space.

Teaching contact hours

In your first year you will normally attend around 17 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 23 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

Graduate careers

As an interior design graduate, you can engage with professionals from various disciplines, such as architects, engineers, and artists, to create innovative and unique spaces that meet clients' needs. The field encourages conducting site visits, developing design concepts, selecting materials and finishes, preparing construction drawings, overseeing design implementation, engaging with interior specialists for exhibitions, heritage design, consultancy operations, and 3D visualisers.