Live and breathe interior design with our immersive year-long Diploma qualification course. Validated by the University of Sussex and entirely career-focused, this inspirational and engaging course will open your eyes to the amazing possibilities of design ...
Interior Design
Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design - Full Time
Campus Open Evening - 10 July 2025 - Register now
Virtual Open Day – 16 July 2025 - Register now
Award: Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design
Duration: 1 academic year, full time (September 2025 & January 2026 intakes)
School: KLC School of Design
Campus: London
UCAS: 2W25
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
Our full-time Diploma of Higher Education in Applied Interior Design is a specialised vocational qualification designed to make its students highly employable and industry-ready interior designers in just one year.
This is a highly intensive course packed with extensive practical study time, constant direction from tutors, and industry experts.
Favoured by career changers, this rigorous programme covering residential, commercial and hospitality design, equips students with an array of creative, professional and technical skills, to gain employment in the interior design industry, with leading practices.
Why study Interior Design at West Dean
- Professionally recognised course (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education QAA)
- Explore residential, commercial and hospitality design through live projects with unprecedented access to design companies and professionals throughout the year
- Get involved in projects involving charities, local communities and commercial organisations. Previous collaborations have included Tom Faulkner, Chesneys and the Royal Hospital of Neuro-disability, Neuro Kinetix, Imperial NHS Trust, and many more
- Access to career advice and graduate job board
Student gallery
Live and breathe interior design with our immersive year-long Diploma qualification course. Validated by the University of Sussex and entirely career-focused, this inspirational and engaging course will open your eyes to the amazing possibilities of design ...
Facilities
Diploma 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
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
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.
Stories & news
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...
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...
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...
Interior Design
28th July 2022
Afrocentric Interior Design
by Bolanle Akindayomi
Find out more
I live in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria, and I get a lot of clients that request an African/contemporary fusion that fits their lifestyles; this is right up my alley because I am directly influenced by my environment.
It is advisable to begin with a clear vision of where each piece would be represented, and this is where a mood board can be useful. You d...
Interior Design
26th July 2022
Scholarship Graduate Experience
KLC's recent United in Design Scholarship graduate shares her thoughts, experiences and advice from studying on KLC's Certificate Residential Interior Design.
Entry requirements
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
Previous degree (in any subject)
- No previous art and design experience is required
- We can also accept applications from mature students who do not hold the above qualifications but have achieved sufficient prior learning experience. In this instance, the School will review any short courses, internships or work experience undertaken
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
- If you are applying from outside the UK, you may be required to take an approved English Language test to meet the requirements for a visa
Fees & funding
2025/26 Course Fees - UK & International Students
- £23,400
We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.
Funding
You may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan to cover course fees and/or maintenance; more information can be found on the Government Student Finance website.
Scholarships and Bursaries are also available based on individual need.
How to apply
Entry onto this course is by interview only. Applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to: [email protected].
All accredited courses require a portfolio or ‘creative project exercise’ if shortlisted for interview.
Computer-aided design is a vital part of this course; therefore, applicants must be computer literate and able to confidently use their personal laptop.
How to create a portfolio
Do you need help creating a portfolio to apply for one of our Interior Design courses? Read our portfolio advice to learn about the general requirements, what we look for in a good portfolio, and what it should reflect.
Related courses
Our part-time Diploma HE Applied Interior Design is a unique and specialised vocational higher education qualification designed to make its students highly employable industry-ready Interior Designers.
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
Student Life
Discover more about student life, campus facilities, accommodation and more
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International Students
We welcome students from around the globe. Discover more about studying in the UK, fees and student life
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Book an Open Day
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Tutors
Kevin McEwen DipRADA BA DipKLC PGCertHE FHEA
Subject Leader - Interior Design
Kevin is passionate about all things design, music, fashion and London. He is an experienced marathon runner and a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Ruth Casserly
Course Leader - Diploma HE Applied Interior Design
Ruth is a former Diploma graduate of KLC School Design herself, with good knowledge and experience in the Interior Design Industry along with a strong track record of success in multiple industry sectors. Ruth serves on the Equality Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group and is passionate about working supportively with students and staff.
Carly McGlynn BA (Hons)
Course Manager - Diploma HE Applied Interior Design
Carly studied Photography (BA Hons) at the Manchester School of Art. Upon graduating she freelanced at several photography studios. After moving to London in 2014, she worked for a Health and Fitness website, before joining West Dean in 2018.
Gerard Puxhe DipHE
Gerard Puxhe is an international award-winning Spanish British multi-disciplinary designer. He's also a researcher, lecturer and senior subject tutor at the KLC School of Design.
Nikoleta Ostreva BA (Hons)
Nikoleta is a qualified interior designer with experience working on residential and commercial projects. She holds a degree from Kingston University, London, and has received an award for sustainable design given by a leading architectural practice – Morrison Design Partnership.
Francesco Savini BA (Hons) MA
Italian designer and architect Francesco Savini come from the School of Architecture of I-U-A-V in Venice. The influences of classicism and from arts reflects in all the work produced in his career.