HE Diploma in Applied Interior Design - Part Time

Interior Design

Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design - Part Time

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Award: Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design
Duration: 2 academic years, part time (September 2026)
School: KLC School of Design
Campus: London
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding

Our part-time Diploma of Higher Education in Applied Interior Design is a unique and specialised vocational higher education qualification designed to make its students highly employable industry-ready Interior Designers.

This highly intensive two-year, part-time course is packed with extensive practical study time, constant direction from tutors, and input from industry experts while offering flexible study alongside work or family commitments.

Favoured by career changers, this rigorous programme, covering residential, commercial and hospitality design, equips students with the 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

Course structure

Course features

The course is structured around the development of knowledge and skills across the different domains that inform interior design practice. These include:

Design

The development and awareness of the design process, evaluation of design precedents and developing design solutions related to a brief

Technical Studies

The ability to apply technical/construction solutions to design problems, using industry standards in the production of design & construction information

Professional Practice

The awareness of the professional, legal and ethical issues associated with the subject. The ability to interpret and produce professional documentation related to a project and preparing for employment

Communication Practice

The development of the skills associated with different forms of communication, including visual, technical and professional communications, using industry standard software and techniques. The ability to moderate forms of communication to appropriate audiences.

Contextual Studies

An awareness of the historical, social and political issues that inform design solutions. The ability to undertake research and form critical positions based on research and analysis.

 

The curriculum combines group and individual tutorials to support the development of knowledge and skill in the different domains, along with seminars, practical workshops, peer reviews and presentations.

Throughout the year, projects become more complex, challenging students toward more and more integration of knowledge and skill across the domains.

During and after the course, students will have opportunities for industry mentoring and placements to further give context to the relationship between study and the realities of the industry.

Throughout the course, students are supported by our teaching team, visiting tutors, and industry representatives.

Upon completion of the Diploma of Higher Education, students are eligible to be considered for progression to the final year of the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme.

Course units

Design

  • Design Process
  • Concept Development
  • Design Analysis
  • Taking the Brief
  • Sourcing
  • Planning & Ergonomics
  • Accessories
  • Colour
  • Residential Design
  • Introduction to Lighting Design
  • Spatial Planning
  • Lighting Design
  • Furniture & Joinery
  • Surfaces, Textiles and Patterns

Contextual Studies

  • History of Interior Design
  • Evolution of Styles
  • Contextual Influences
  • Theories of Architecture and Interiors
  • Research Methods
  • Critical Thinking
  • Introduction to Academic Writing & Critical Writing

Technical Studies

  • Structural Principles
  • Construction Processes & Principles
  • Construction Information
  • Materials & Processes
  • Building Services
  • Technical Design
  • Sustainability & Supply Chains
  • Textiles & Upholstery

Communication Practice

  • Technical Drawing
  • Sketching & Observational Drawing
  • Concept Boards & Mood Boards
  • CAD, 3D Modelling & Visualisation
  • Perspective Drawing
  • Rendering | Modelmaking
  • Verbal Presentation Techniques
  • Client Communications
  • Contractor Communications
  • Project Management Documentation

Professional Practice

  • Estimating Process & Software
  • Specifications & Schedules
  • Budgeting & Costings
  • Time Management
  • Project Management
  • Building & Planning Regulations
  • Roles & Responsibilities in Practice
  • Tender Process & Documentation
  • Specifications & Schedules of Work
  • Personal Professional Development & Career Planning

Teaching & Learning

Two days per week of directed study. Additionally, a minimum of 12 hours of study outside of directed study times.

Assessment

Design

Portfolio

40 credits

Contextual Studies

Essay

20 credits

Technical Studies

Report

20 credits

Communications Practice

Portfolio

20 credits

Professional Practice

Report

20 credits

 

Course Specification

Course Specification

Term dates

Term dates

Student gallery

    •

    Live and breathe interior design with our Diploma HE 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

    Live and breathe interior design with our Diploma HE 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

    Live and breathe interior design with our Diploma HE 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

    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:

    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
    • 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

    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
    • Applicants applying from outside the UK requiring a student visa must complete a UKVI approved English test, also known as Secure English Language Test (SELT). You can read more about the test requirements on the Gov.uk website.

    Fees & funding

    2026/27 Tuition fees

    UK Home students
    •    £24,400 (tuition fee is for both years of study)

    Find out more about tuition fees and admissions.

    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.

    Scholarships & Bursaries

    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.

    Apply Now

    Related courses

    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.

    Diploma HE in Applied Interior Design - Full Time

    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 days per week are students onsite for the Diploma course? 
    Full-Time (FT): 5 days per week (Wednesday is typically independent study as well as some Thursdays) 

    Part-Time (PT): 2 fixed days per week 

    What software is taught on the Diploma course? 
    InDesign, Photoshop, SketchUp & AutoCAD 

    Read More FAQs

    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 course eligible for Student Finance (SFE)? 
    Yes, the Diploma & BA courses qualify. However, please bear in mind that our courses are not fully funded, there is a maximum of approximately £6,150 available per year for full time courses and approximately £4,635 available per year for part time courses.  

    Can I progress onto the BA (Hons) course after the Diploma? 
    Yes. On completion of our FT or PT Diploma, students can continue onto the 1-year FT BA (Hons) Top Up in order to complete Year 3 and obtain a bachelor’s degree. In order to progress, you would need a recommendation from the Diploma Course Leader, then an informal chat with the BA (Hons) Course Leader. If you are successful, then you will be able to progress. For example, if you start the Diploma in September, you will finish in July of the following year and can then apply for the BA course starting in September. 

    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 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 students? 
    Yes, we offer a mentoring scheme and summer placements within the industry for students doing the Diploma HE or BA (Hons) courses.  

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

    What happens if applicants do not have a degree?   
    Students will be required to complete a Diploma Preparatory Course, which costs around £400 and needs to be completed online within 4 weeks. However, this is offered free if you apply, accept your offer and pay the £250 course fee.   

    Is an English test required for international applicants? 
    A 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.  

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    Tutors

    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.

    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.