What is Interior Architecture?
Interior architecture is a field that focuses on the design and the spatial organisation of interior spaces within buildings. It goes beyond just decoration and involves the planning and execution of interior layouts, taking into consideration functionality, aesthetics, and the overall user experience.
Investigate. Adapt. Improve.
Our design-led, studio based Interior Architecture course, is a member of Interior Educators, the National Learned Society for the subject, and provides you with the practical skills and specialist knowledge to work as an interior architectural specialist.
Through live and directed design projects, you will develop creative, intelligent and meaningful design proposals for existing buildings through investigation of the site. You will learn to control the relationship between the existing context and your proposed interior adaptation, supported by studies in design, communication, history and theory, construction technology, environment and management.
You will take part in site visits within live projects and a European study trip to help contextualise and expand your learning.
How will I gain skills during my degree?
At the end of year 2, you can choose the option of an additional study abroad year, or complete the course as originally intended; all of which are designed to enrich your experience as a subject specialist and as a global citizen.
You will develop a creative portfolio of directed and self-directed design project work which will allow you to fully explore your interests within interior architecture and building adaptation, while fully expressing your ability as a designer and a future professional.
You will showcase your final project work at an exhibition here in Newcastle and as part of Interior Educators in London, to maximize your reach to industry. Successful graduates can progress onto our one semester Postgraduate Certificate in Interior Architecture course, which is professionally accredited and allows you to satisfy the ARB Part I criteria, when combined with undergraduate Interior Architecture study and Northumbria. This is the only course of its type and allows our graduates to achieve Part I status, as specialists in building adaptation and creative reuse.
Why study BA Interior Architecture at Northumbria?
- Top University - Architecture at Northumbria is ranked top 15 in the UK for Teaching Quality & Student Experience (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- A Research Powerhouse - Architecture, Built Environment and Planning is ranked 11th in the UK for research power out of 38 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 13 places compared to 2014 – the joint highest rise in the sector.
- Student Rated - Over 95% of students studying Architecture at Northumbria believed they were positively challenged to achieve their best work (NSS, 2024).
See other similar courses you may be interested in: BA (Hons) Interior Design, Architecture BA (Hons).