Do we need to buy the software AutoCAD and SketchUp for the Certificate?  
The use of CAD software is optional in the course. There are free versions of CAD available to students. You will be required to produce evidence of your current student status, which we can help with by providing you with a letter.    

• Sketchup – approximately £60 for the year   
• AutoCAD – free educational version 
• Adobe license is £16.24 a month (student license, minimum contract of a year) - including InDesign & Photoshop  

(Please note that the prices shown here are accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change by the suppliers.) 

Would you say that the Certificate is less professional than the Diploma? 
With the Certificate, you can definitely start work in the Residential sector after completing the course, or perhaps start your own business, but if you are applying for jobs in big Interior Design companies, employers will usually be looking for a higher qualification (Diploma HE or BA Hons). 

What's the difference between the Certificate and the Diploma?  
The Diploma:  

• Onsite 
• Covers both residential, commercial & hospitality design.   
• You receive full CAD training (Sketchup, InDesign, Photoshop, AutoCAD, EstiPC/EstiMac).   
• You will also work alongside our careers service department throughout your training as well as after graduating. They will help to place you in the industry during term breaks.   
• You will receive a graduation ceremony and an exhibition to gain interest from top design studios.  

The Certificate:  

• Onsite or online 
• Covers residential design only. 
• You receive CAD training with SketchUp and AutoCAD. 
• You will gain access to our careers service department upon completion of the course. 

Is the Certificate validated? 
While the Online Certificate course is not validated by a university, it is still an industry-recognised qualification which is highly regarded within the industry and by the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design). KLC Open Learning students are also eligible to join the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) - the regulatory body for professional interior designers in the U.K. - as student members.  BIID Student membership is free for the duration of study, plus an additional year once your studies have been completed. 

For the online course, how does the interaction with tutors work? 
There is a dedicated Open Learning Team, and we run a free helpline (e-mail and phone +44 20 7376 8786) during office hours, where you can get in touch with any questions you have as you’re working through the course. You can successfully complete the course using the free tutor support available. However, if you would like additional face-to-face support, you can book a 1-2-1 tutorial. They are for one hour and are available for an additional cost of £100 an hour. You can have as many as you like, but of the students that take advantage of this, the average would be one or two over the duration of the course. 

I have just started the course and am wondering if there is any kind of forum to make contact with others on the course (outside of the introduction section on the syllabus).  
Every section of the Online Certificate has a chat/forum area where you can discuss the section you are working on. 

With the talks, exhibitions, site tours and all of the other interesting extra-curricular activities, how would a student on the Online Certificate be able to access those opportunities?  
Online Certificate students do occasionally receive invites to onsite events such as inspirational talks or networking events. However, studio visits, site tours, etc., are only available for on-site students.  

Can we come onto campus at all to study?  
Yes, you are welcome to use the facilities as long as there are no classes happening. The Library and Computer Suite are usually available, and we have the Student Common Rooms in the Basement. 

Which type of software do you use, and which computer do you suggest? 
A desktop computer or laptop is required for the course (ideally a PC) that is suitable to run the following applications. A tablet, such as an iPad, will not be sufficient:

• AutoCAD - www.autodesk.com/uk/products/autocad 
• SketchUp - www.sketchup.com/en 

Please consult the websites above to confirm the minimum system requirements and ensure that your computer is suitable for the software. We recommend that students have a PC/Windows-based computer. All of our videos and training materials are based on PC versions of the software. While the PC and MAC versions of the software are very similar, there can be interface and system-level differences. We cannot provide additional software support for students using MAC computers.

Is the Certificate eligible for any funding or scholarships & bursaries?  
No, only the BA & Diploma courses. 

Is the Certificate the exact same as the first 3 months of the Diploma in terms of content? 
Yes, the Certificate is equivalent to the 1st term of the Diploma course. This allows for progression. 

If you are doing the Online Certificate, will you have the opportunity to do a placement/ work experience? 
You would only gain access to the Careers Newsletter, which is sent out every couple of weeks. 

How much time do you need to dedicate to the online course per week? I work full time. 
Around 12+ hours a week in order to complete the course within 12 months. 

If I don’t complete the course within 12 months, is there an option to extend access? 
The extension options are as follows: £750 for the 2nd year and £550 for the 3rd year, with a maximum of 3 years in total. Unfortunately, we cannot extend by a month; it has to be a year at a time.