Part Time Certificate Residential Interior Design KLC School of Design

Interior Design

Certificate in Residential Interior Design - Part Time

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Award: Certificate in Residential Interior Design
Duration: 1 academic year, part time (January or September entry)
School: KLC School of Design
Campus: London

Learn the essentials of residential interior design, style, and sourcing and advance your career in the world of interior design on this part-time industry-respected certificate course.

This part time, one-year course is the perfect option for those with busy life commitments who want to become a professional residential interior designers in an immersive, but flexible way. Tailored to help students develop their personal creativity and encourage them to start thinking like an interior designer, this part-time course is a great option for those looking to fast track their route to employment.

Why study Interior Design at West Dean

  • Balance work, life and studies with our flexible part-time study option
  • Regular inspirational talks from industry experts on the latest design trends
  • Option to progress to the full-time or part-time Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design
  • High levels of tutor support and careers advice

Course structure

Alongside engaging and carefully formulated lectures and workshops, the course is enhanced with regular inspirational talks from leading designers and industry experts as well as showroom visits and trips to the V&A.

In between easy-to-follow inspirational lessons and fundamental skills workshops, students undertake a number of learning research projects and sourcing assignments in the first half of the course. This gives them a good foundation of knowledge as they work towards commencing their first concept design project where they have an opportunity to put skills learned into practice.  The course then culminates in an exciting final live project where students are able to work with an actual client, pitching their design exactly as they would in a real-life job.

Students will leave the course ready to work in the residential interior design industry with all the key decorative and technical skills to design, style and source for kitchens, bathrooms living and sleeping areas of the home. Others may wish to combine previous knowledge and workplace experience with their new skills to open up exciting entrepreneurial opportunities.

Course units

Projects and Assignments

Design Project 1 - Residential bedroom and bathroom

Design Project 2 - Residential kitchen, dining and living space  

Research Project 1 - Evolution of Style project and test 

Research Project 2 - Sourcing Assignments x3.
 

Syllabus

Design Process
Taking the brief, research and conceptual work
Design analysis and development
Design implementation and evaluation. 
Colour, Texture and Styling
Theory and psychology of colour
Suitability, composition and application of textiles and trimmings, wall and floor coverings and materials and finishes
Upholstery
Window treatments
Accessories, art and antiques
Styling

Decorative Schemes and Sourcing
Putting together a successful decorative scheme, incorporating patterned and plain fabrics, paint finishes and wallpaper
Sourcing furniture and accessories for a given brief
Sourcing from different trade suppliers
Writing a professional design statement

Introduction to Technical Understanding
Introduction to the principles of design to include scale, proportion, ergonomics and space planning
Introduction to lighting
Introduction to building construction
Introduction to kitchen and bathroom design

Communication Skills
Drawing from survey notes
Drawing plans, elevations, sections, furniture layouts and lighting plans
Graphics
Freehand sketching
Introduction to EstiPC / EstiMac
Visual presentation skills to include concept, presentation and sample boards
Rendering techniques
SketchUp
AutoCAD (taught on PC)
Evolution of Style
French and English interior styles from the 17th to early 21st Century
Influential interior designers and decorators

Professional Practice
Specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing
Record keeping and business administration
Preparation of fee proposals
Setting up trade accounts and the use of trade showrooms
Time management and working to budget
Planning permissions
Contracts and insurance requirements
Working in the industry and introduction to BIID
Portfolio preparation
Advice on finding work in the industry

Please note that students cover the same content and receive the same qualification whether they take the full time or part time study option. 

Teaching & Learning

Part Time, 2 days a week (10.00am - 4.00pm). Plus, a minimum of 5 hours of self-directed study per week is required to complete the course. During projects, many students voluntarily spend more than the minimum.

Term dates

Term dates

Student gallery

    •

    Facilities

    Certificate Interior Design students have access to professional studio space with plenty of natural light, state of the art IT suite with digital editing software including Sketch-Up, Library, Refreshment area and food shop, collaborative work spaces and common rooms

    IT Suite at West Dean London Campus

    IT Suite

    West Dean London Campus

    London campus

    KLC School of Design at West Dean

    KLC School of Design

    Our KLC School of Design offers industry-leading interior design degrees and garden design courses with unrivalled teaching, flexible learning and ongoing career support

    KLC School of Design

    Work placements & careers

    Our extensive links with designers, suppliers, manufacturers, specialists and professionals within the interior design and garden design industries allow us to offer our students unmatched opportunities to work on live design projects, placements and employment opportunities.

    As part of our commitment to offering industry-ready qualifications, our students are offered guidance on CV preparation, portfolio presentation, professional practice and upon graduation; our careers service also helps graduates find internships, job placements, and freelance appointments through out Alumni Careers Newsletter. 

    Read more

    Stories & news

    •
    Sonia B Design photographed by Chris Snook
    Interior Design 1st October 2025

    Life After Graduation: Interior Design with Sonia B Design

    - By Interior Design alumna, Sonia 

     

    I am Sonia, Founder of Sonia b design, half French, half Spanish and London has been my home for many years now. Before re-training and creating my interior design practice in London, I pursued a career in risk management and strategy in engineering and financial services. I retrained in 2020 with the Full Time Diploma HE in Ap...

    Find out more
    Interior Design alumni, Courtney Devine
    Interior Design 22nd April 2025

    Life After Graduation: Interior Design with Courtney Devine

    - By Certificate in Residential Interior Design graduate, Courtney Devine

     

    I completed the Certificate in Residential Interior Design at KLC School of Design in 2023. Today, I run my own interior design studio, Room Service Interiors, creating bold, creative, and thoughtfully curated spaces that reflect personality and function. My business is based in London and Edinb...

    Find out more
    Interior Design students outside West Dean house
    Interior Design 10th March 2025

    Interior Design students experience the heritage of West Dean’s Sussex Campus

    Over the course of two inspiring days, Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design - Part Time students from our London campus had the opportunity to explore the West Dean Estate at our Sussex campus, gaining valuable insight into the spaces they’ll be designing for their final projects. The commercial project focuses on the Old Biomass Building, transforming it into a craft shop and visitor ce...

    Find out more
    Interior Design 25th November 2024

    Life after graduation: Interior Design with Rebecca Leivars

    - By Diploma HE Applied Interior Design graduate, Rebecca Leivars

     

    I am the Founder and Creative Director of LEIVARS Interiors Studio, I started the studio in 2007 following my one year Diploma in Interior Design course at KLC School of Design in 2006/2007. Prior to this I was in HR Management, a role that I left as I wanted to do something that I was passionate a...

    Find out more
    Commercial design
    Interior Design 18th November 2024

    Interior Design: work placement experience

    - By diploma interior design student, Mira Kjöller

     

    My name is Mira, and last year, I decided to finally pursue my dream of becoming an interior designer. After completing my BA in International Communication Management and working in marketing for several years, I realized that interior design was my true passion.

    I first heard about KLC Schoo...

    Find out more

    Entry requirements

    The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

    • No previous art and design experience is required
    • Applicants may need to complete basic IT assessments in order to prove proficiency. Applicants will usually be invited for interview upon receiving assessment tasks
    • Applicants must be 18 or over

    English Language Requirements

    • Good command of written and spoken English is required for all applicants
    • If you reside in the UK, but English is not your first language, you may be asked to undertake an approved English language test

    Please note: We are currently unable to sponsor student visas on this programme due to UK Government visa rules.

    Fees

    January 2026 tuition fees

    UK Home students

    • £10,900

    September 2026 tuition fees

    UK Home students
    •    £11,350

    Find out more about tuition fees and admissions.

    How to apply

    Entry onto the course is by interview only. Applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to [email protected].

    Computer-aided design is a key part of this course; therefore applicants must be computer literate and able to confidently use their personal laptop.

    Apply Now

    Related courses

    Our online Certificate Interior Design course is accessible on all your devices 24/7 via KLC's bespoke virtual learning environment (VLE). Through this online web portal, students have constant access to dynamic course materials developed by industry experts. Broken down into four sections, the course layout is clear and easy to use with practical step by step instructions. 

    Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design

    Ask a question

    Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors

    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1 

    Send an Enquiry

    FAQs

    How many contact hours are there for the Certificate course? 

    • Full-Time (FT): 5 days per week (Wednesday is typically an independent study). 
    • Part-Time (PT): 2 fixed days per week 

    Can I get a job with the Certificate course? 
    Yes, 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 large Interior Design companies, employers will usually be looking for a higher qualification (Diploma HE or BA Hons). 

    Read More FAQs

    What kind of roles can Certificate graduates pursue? 
    Here are some examples: 

    • Interior Design Assistant 
    • Showroom Consultant 
    • Home Stylist 
    • Visual Merchandiser 
    • FF&E Specialist 
    • Kitchen/Bathroom Designer 
    • Design Blogger/PR 
    • Colour Consultant (with further training) 

    And more roles in residential and freelance design. 

    Will I have a strong enough portfolio after the Certificate to apply for internships or jobs? 
    Yes, the course equips you with a portfolio suitable for entry-level roles and freelance work. 

    Do I need to buy AutoCAD and SketchUp for the course? 
    Yes, please see the costs below: 

    • SketchUp: around £60/year 
    • AutoCAD: Free educational version 
    • Adobe (InDesign & Photoshop): around £16.24/month (student license) 

    Please note that prices are subject to change. 

    Can I choose to learn only one software (AutoCAD or SketchUp)? 
    No, both are taught as they serve different purposes in design. 

    Will AutoCAD and SketchUp work on a normal laptop? 
    Yes, ideally on a PC laptop. Mac is acceptable but may have interface differences. 

    What kind of computer do I need for the course? 
    Students must have a computer that is suitable to run the following applications:  

    Please consult the websites above to confirm the minimum system requirements and ensure that your computer is suitable for the software. 

    How long does the admissions process take? 
    Application timeline: 

    • Application acknowledged: within 5 working days 
    • Interview offered: within 10 working days 
    • Outcome: within 10 days post-interview 
    • Acceptance deadline: around 14 days after offer 

    Is the Certificate course eligible for Student Finance (SFE)? 
    No. Only BA and Diploma courses qualify. 

    Is the Certificate equivalent to the first term of the Diploma? 
    Yes. For this reason, Certificate graduates can progress to the Diploma by skipping Term 1 and starting Term 2 of the Full Time Diploma (January) or Term 3 of the PT Diploma (April).  

    Where is the course taught? 
    All teaching takes place at the Bloomsbury campus. 

    Is accommodation provided or discounted? 
    No, but recommendations can be sent via email. 

    Can Certificate graduates join the BIID (British Institute of Interior Designers) or SBID (Society of British and International Interior Design)? 
    BIID membership is valuable to a graduate from any course. The BIID is a professional body. Not everyone can become a member, and there is a requirement to prove your subject knowledge (either through evidence of working in the industry or via other assessment). Being a recognised member of a professional body can give clients greater confidence in your ability. In addition, students graduating from KLC School of Design can get free Graduate Membership with the SBID. More information here. KLC School of Design is an SBID Centre of Excellence.   

    Are placements or mentoring available for Certificate students? 
    No. These are only offered to BA and Diploma students. 

    Does the course support career development? 
    Yes, students receive portfolio guidance, professional practice training, and networking opportunities with the design industry. 

    Is an English test required for international applicants? 
    Good command of written and spoken English is required for all applicants. If you reside in the UK, but English is not your first language, you may be asked to undertake an approved English language test: International Student Information | West Dean College.  

    Student life at West Dean

    Student Life

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    International Students School of Design

    International Students

    We welcome students from around the globe. Discover more about studying in the UK, fees and student life
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    Tutors

    Ally Wates DipAD

    Certificate Course Leader
    Ally Wates originally trained as a theatre designer, moving into decorating and then attending KLC as a Diploma student.

    Daniela Cava BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA

    Daniela La Cava, BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA is our course tutor who is an experienced Interior Designer, holding a First Class BA Honours in Interior Design.

    Natalie Arnold

    Natalie Arnold is a multi-faceted artist, illustrator and designer. After graduating with a degree in Interior Architecture BA (Hons), she worked in the commercial design industry while continuing to practice her fine art.

    Ariela Cassinelli BA Arch MSc.Arch

    Ariela Cassinelli is our Subject Lead Interior Design at KLC School of Design with 13 years of practical experience working in London, Miami, Lima and Tel Aviv.

    Jelena Radelj, interior design tutor

    Jelena Radelj

    Jelena Radelj  is a trained Architect and Interior Designer with 22 years of experience working in London, Milan and Zagreb. Jelena has five years of teaching experience as a supporting Interior Design Tutor at KLC School of Design.