Bachelor of Arts with Honours Validated Programme

Interior Architecture
& Design

More info

Study Interior Architecture & Design in English at Marbella Design Academy in sunny Spain and be awarded an official UK Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Interior Architecture & Design by our UK partner, the University of Bedfordshire.

Innovative design, sustainability and persuasive communication are ongoing themes of our exclusive programme.
Studying with us, you will focus on the mass potential of the Interior Architecture & Design programme, focusing your attention on creative solutions for the design industry.

To meet the needs and necessities of the future, our programme pushes students to learn and practise critical thinking within a multicultural and interdisciplinary approach.

During the 3-year programme, Interior Architecture & Design students will explore how to innovate in a growing discipline through the use of various design complexities and realities of the contemporary industry.

Starting from the first year, students will be guided in exploring Fundamentals of Design, Communicating Design, and several Design Projects to be executed individually or in a team.

With a main focus on technologies and advanced communication tools, during the second year, our students will learn how to use the most up-to-date software and technologies to present high-quality and imaginative designs and projects. Combining strong research and unconventional strategies with advanced design software, 3D modelling, rendering and graphics, students will reach valid, accurate and captivating design solutions.

Students also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a work placement in the interior architecture industry for 6 weeks during their 3rd year of study.

The combination of strong theoretical courses and real professional projects, offers students the opportunity to build a solid academic foundation, while acquiring valuable work experience directly linked to their future professional career.

Our graduates are fully prepared to start their career as freelance designers, or easily gain top positions in companies worldwide.

Why should you study Interior Architecture & Design at Marbella Design Academy?

The Interior Architecture & Design Validated programme at Marbella Design Academy is aimed at all creative minds, passionate in the field of interior design, architecture, design engineering, visual arts or other related disciplines.

We are continuously developing our educational and training programmes and constantly updating the course content to ensure that it reflects the market. It’s essential for us that our students are fully prepared with the essential design and management skills to compete in diversified interior environments in the private and public sectors.

The Interior Architecture & Design programme allows the students to understand the theory, the context and the development through all the stages of the design project. Studying with us, you will learn how to use your creativity for producing innovative interior spaces while exploring inventive approaches to spatial organization, psychological perception, technologies, materials, furnishings and also lighting. Wherever possible, projects are based on real-life scenarios, and students will leave the academy able to manage the challenges of working at the industry and business level of the profession.

The programme includes a series of seminars, lectures and tutorials, complemented by workshops and practical experiences. Students can count on the guidance of highly educated industry professionals and tutors who follow them through coaching and mentoring activities.

Validations and State Recognitions

After graduation from Marbella Design Academy, you are awarded your official BA (Hons) degree in Interior Architecture & Design, validated and awarded by the University of Bedfordshire (UK).
When awarded your official BA (Hons) degree in Interior Architecture & Design, you can apply for a Master’s Degree at University of Bedfordshire or any other University of your choice.

More about our Interior architecture programme

Interior Architecture & Design Showreel 2023

Interior Architecture & Design student testimonial by Nicoline M.

We have two intakes per year.
Next coming intakes are:

2024 Starting on:

08th January 2024
23rd September 2024

2025 Starting on:

07th January 2025

Tuition Language: English

Duration: 3 Years

Schedule: 6 Hours daily (Monday to Friday) From 09:00 to 16:00

Application form Contact Us online BROCHURE
Bachelor of Arts degree by University of Bedfordshire - Marbella Design School

When awarded your undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree by University of Bedfordshire, you can apply for a Master validated programme at any university of your choice.

Study Plan & Material list

General Information

Duration: 3 years, 6 hours daily (Monday to Friday) Language: English

Credits: 360CP in the UK = 180 ECTS points

Calendar: The programme starts twice a year, in January and September

Fees

11.500 € tuition Fee per academic year + 500€ administration fee to be paid 1st year only 

From September 2024:

14.000€ tuition fee per academic year, for both September and January intake.

No administration fee required.

September intakes (3 years of study): Three academic years beginning in September ending in June.

January intakes (2,5 years of study): Three academic years: 1st academic year begin in January and ends in the beginning of August. 2nd and 3rd academic year begin in September ending in June.

This three-year Bachelor of Arts validated Interior Architecture & Design programme offered to our students is developed, delivered and assessed by Marbella Design Academy and validated by University of Bedfordshire.

Interior Architecture & Design validated programme

Total – days – hours and CORE credits during the 3 years of study (Holidays are not included in this calculation).

1st Year, 1200 hours incl: lectures, direct, independent study – 120 CORE CREDITS

2nd Year, 1200 hours incl: lectures, direct, independent study – 120 CORE CREDITS

3rd Year, 1200 hours incl: lectures, direct, independent study – 120 CORE CREDITS

In total for all 3 years of study: Approx. 3.600 hours incl. lectures, direct and independent study:

360 CORE CREDITS (UK) = 180 ECTS Points (60 ECTS points per academic year)

STUDY PLAN – 1ST YEAR

120 Credits = 60 ECTS points. In total for all 3 years of study: 360 CORE CREDITS (UK) = 180 ECTS Points (60 ECTS points per academic year)

 LEVEL 4

Fundamental Methodologies of Design

Design Thinking for Interior Architecture and Design I: Introduction to the implications of worldwide economic trends and cultural, social and environmental issues. This component will allow you to understand the design practices fundamental to interior architecture and will form the basis for future design projects.

History of Interior Architecture and Design I: offers an overview of key historical periods from ancient eras to recent ones. This component explores changes in the mode of production and the prevalence of historical influences in modern-day architecture design practice.

Interior Architecture and Design Technologies I:  This component will introduce students to some common terms, fundamentals of construction systems, materials and technical solutions.

Introduction to Visual Communication and Media

Observation and Imagination manual skills:  Introduces the resources and processes that guide manual freehand representation. Initiation of the philosophy of “seeing vs looking” will allow an interpretation of objects and persons through understanding the basic shapes implied in their forms using hand drawings and manual skills for physical models.

Visual Expression using digital Cad and Rendering Skills: will teach you how to use the best IT software for architecture and interior design and make informed choices about the most appropriate tool.

You will create pieces in response to project briefs acquiring practical and technical digital skills (material handling, production and presentation) and transferable skills (career and personal development, effective learning, IT, communication).

Verbal Performance and selling Skills: will teach you selling tips to reach success for your design ideas through the storytelling of a strong design process and methodology. You will get confidence and ability in verbal performance and graphic presentations exploring different tools of communication.

Design projects in interior Architecture I

Design strategies for Interior, Project I: The students have to establish the contextual and critical basis of design and apply the knowledge acquired during the programme to date, not only to address the creative and problem-solving aspects of the Project but also to organise a compelling presentation of the work to market standards, to be presented to external design competitions and real-life clients.

Collaborative Multidisciplinary Practice I: working in a team environment and interlacing skills from their specialities will give the students the capability of managing a team and delegating tasks and roles within a group.

Knowledge, subject skills and understanding are progressively and cumulatively acquired, refined and consolidated, demonstrated by application within projects.

Spatial Experimentation I

Final Project of the year: the student will be guided through every stage of the design process for a type of Interior Architecture and Design brief. You will develop higher skills in evaluating needs and clients’ necessities, developing original composition strategies for interior space composition, and communicating your Project within all IT and performance skills learned so far.

STUDY PLAN – 2ND YEAR

120 Credits = 60 ECTS points. In total for all 3 years of study: 360 CORE CREDITS (UK) = 180 ECTS Points (60 ECTS points per academic year)

LEVEL 5

Innovative Methodologies of design

Design Thinking for Interior Architecture and Design II: Will teach you how to explore, analyse and interpret conceptual issues in the field of interior decoration. Students will investigate and research materials, trends, styles and analysis methods to be applied in future projects, and extend their capabilities to conceptualise design thinking and processes.History of Interior Architecture and Design II: will teach students how to critically analyse and extract creative ideas from artists and art movements and recognise their features in buildings as well as to formulate a subjective or personal vision regarding a specific piece. There will be further investigation and exploration of the environmental factors that influence the design of interior spaces and assessment of how these factors are considered in design concepts.

Advanced Theories for Materials, Technologies and Construction: This unit aims to introduce students to building technologies and standards. It will introduce various ways of designing and constructing building technologies and systems and focus on the methods for researching materials, and documenting to standards and codes. The unit also introduces the development of detail drawing to resolve design intentions learning how to document your drawings in a professional technical specification.

Advance visual communication and media

Advanced observation and Imagination Manual Skills: develop advanced resources and processes to progress in advanced manual freehand skills.

Advanced Modelling and Rendering Expression Skills: develop advanced skills for the IT software explored in the previously year. You will be leaded trough advanced modelling and advanced photorealistic skills, as well as, high quality communication tools for presentations, and career development.

Advanced Verbal Performance and Selling Skills: students will continue to critically consider how the design of interiors is represented and communicated within advanced selling skills using all tools for presentations and interior architecture and design performances.

Design projects in interior Architecture II

Design strategies for Interior, Project II: Working on a detailed brief, you will have the opportunity to develop design proposals that consider very specific issues, including ergonomic needs, finishes and materials, within a focused on a small-scale design to large scale projects.

Collaborative Multidisciplinary Practice II: Team working will be actively encouraged through the inter-disciplinary nature of the group project and you will experiment with modes of group participation. This module will encourage students to communicate with their fellow peers and across other creative design areas where ideas can be shared and exploited to their full potential to deliver the best results.

Spatial Experimentation II

Final Project of the Year & Portfolio review: The students will establish the contextual and critical basis of design and apply the knowledge acquired during the programme, not only to address the creative and problem-solving aspects of the Project, but also to organise an effective presentation of work to market standards. It will give an opportunity to work to professional levels of practice and presentation through participation in external design competitions and ´live´ client briefs.

The combined uses off these skills are meant to produce a creative solution to a specific design challenge and equip the Student with resources to accomplish a professional portfolio.

STUDY PLAN – 3RD YEAR

120 Credits = 60 ECTS points. In total for all 3 years of study: 360 CORE CREDITS (UK) = 180 ECTS Points (60 ECTS points per academic year)

LEVEL 6

Interior Architecture Practices

Project Planning and Design Management: students will analyse the content of a project and the development of a timeline (time management) relevant to the Project. There will be a study of a simple planning process for a given project, having to determine the time to allocate to each phase and how these affect each other, in order to meet client requirements, deadlines and objectives. This will further explore the role of the Interior Architect within the construction and design process, and the relationship with clients, local-state authorities and external consultants. As a result of this study, a Cost Estimating budget will be developed which will cover and enforce design decisions within the market availability, its cost, and common construction solutions.

Project Management Practices for Success: students will consider the process, responsibilities, and scope of work, tasks, and communication skills that are required to engage a Design project. It will analyse the participants in a project and their different roles as well as the rationale of their relationship with the Project Manager.

The students will undertake and develop their own Project Plan with the guidance of the tutor, detailing and developing every phase of the Project, from the initial client contact to the handing in and delivery of the final product.

Design projects in interior Architecture III

Theory of Innovative Interior Architecture: The students will synthesise the contextual and critical basis of innovative design strategies and apply the knowledge acquired during the programme, not only to address the creative and problem-solving aspects of the Project, but also to organise an effective presentation of work to market standards. It will give an opportunity to work to professional levels of practice and presentation through participation in external design competitions and ´live´ client briefs.

Environmental Behaviour & Sustainable factors in the Built Environment: Students will address the application upon interior design and contemporary philosophy of compliance with the principle of innovative sustainability for the building environment. Sustainability and ecological design will be explored and critically challenged in the exploration and formulation of creative interior architectural strategies.

Sustainable and Innovative Rehabilitations and Reformation Practice: During this component, the students will learn all the steps involved in a real live scenario.

The brief will take place on a fixed location where they will be asked to analyse the interior space, the surroundings, the area and the client and develop different ideas and suggestions the client could use for a future business.

The combined uses of these skills are meant to produce a creative solution to specific design challenges and equip the Student with resources to accomplish professionally presented projects.

Design studio and experimentation III

Final Major Project & Portfolio Review:  It focuses on how to address the creative and problem-solving aspects of a project, looking at how designers research, analyse and make decisions, and how the design of building interiors is initiated, conceptualised, developed, sanctioned, realised and implemented. The purpose of the component is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. The students will apply their knowledge of the technical and concepts that are part of the Interior Architecture perspective, recognising the needs of these within the use of the client brief. At the same time, the environmental and sustainability issues and post-occupancy performance and adaptability are addressed in the design, construction and use of building interiors.

Students will formulate professional strategies for representing and communicating their ideas across a range of media and techniques, and will be reflective in their professional skills as applied in design practice. The outcome take the form of a professional design project dissertation and a practice-based final portfolio.

Professional Practices

This module is designed to build on the presentation skills and reflective techniques developed in earlier academic years. You will consider your immediate career aims and develop your personal ‘pitch’ through the design of a tailored application, evidencing your skills and defining your identity as a graduate practitioner. You will learn how to succeed within a mock application, realising online website and digital portfolio of personal design work, written plan and emails for a successful postgraduate career development.

MATERIAL LIST for our Interior Architecture & Design Students

General Equipment and materials will be provided through the course by your tutor and your academy. It is important to note that the brief will define some materials requirements at the beginning of the course module. Please note the list of the following predetermined materials required at all levels of study:

  • Gaming computer (no MacBook)
  • Set of drawing pens for Architectural Drawings
  • Set of drawing of pencils ((5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, H)
  • Modelling scalpel
  • A3 sketchbook
  • A4 sketchbook
  • Copic Marker 12-Piece Set for Architecture1 eraser
  • 1 roll of masking tape
  • Tracing paper
  • 1 Set of colour pencils
  • Scalpel and blades
  • ScissorsStanley knife
  • CompassScale ruler
  • Steel rulerUHU glue
  • Spray adhesive
  • Masking tape
  • Adjustable set square

Computer and Programmes

Will be convenient to buy the latest version of a high-performance Lap Top: with sufficient RAM and powerful graphic card.

Autocad latest version, 3ds Max latest version. Student version available on the Autodesk website.

You will be eligible for the Autodesk Educational Access on presenting a proof of status letter which will be provided at enrolment.

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Acrobat. The student version of the software is available on the Adobe Creative Cloud (previously Adobe Creative Suite).

Please note: Adobe Creative Cloud is accessed via a monthly subscription.

You will be eligible for Adobe’s educational discount on presenting a proof of status letter which will be provided at enrolment.

More Details

tuition fees entry requirements international student accommodation Application form

Testimonials

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“This year has been very good in all aspects. I have learned a lot and I have improved from the beginning until now. I am very grateful to my teachers because without them I would not have achieved these results. You can always improve, and here I am, looking forward to starting the next year to give my best and keep learning and growing“
Encarni Muños Cabello from Spain
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design – 2nd year.
“I have been to international schools, but never one as diverse as Marbella Design Academy, and I have made many friends from different cultures and backgrounds. One of the things I liked most at the academy is that the projects we were given had a wide range of choices, meaning we could customize them to however we wanted our career path to go down, and what type of style we wanted to practice. At the end of the course, we really had found out our own style and our own creative personality.”
Nicoline Nør Mønsted
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design
Undoubtedly, I had one of the best university experiences in Marbella Design Academy. Studying in a friendly environment is always enjoyable. I have found a big family that I can be proud of. Having good friends from different countries was a gift that Marbella Design Academy gave me.
Best wishes for Marbella Design Academy
Houman Zendehdel
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design
My time at Marbella Design Academy was the toughest and best time of my life. The tutors there pushed me and believed in me when I didn’t and in the end I’m amazed at what I have accomplished. I learned to do things I never thought I would be able to do and made friends I’ll never forget.
Sigrún Hreiðarsdóttir from Iceland
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design
When my son started with the Foundation Course I knew he was creative and his mind full of ideas and imagination.
I am overwhelmed by the way during the following 3 years of the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture programme he has been taught how to develop this creativity into the professional, organised way he is now able to communicate and present his ideas.
Rebecca Bright, mother of Oscar Bright
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design.
My time at Marbella Design Academy was very rewarding.
During my years at the school I worked on several different projects that helped me evolve as a designer and interior architect. You will have all the resources you need to launch your professional career after graduation thanks to the supportive and knowledgeable professional educators as well as the welcoming atmosphere of the school. Overall a school I can definitively recommend and I’m happy I decided to move abroad – not only for the education itself – but also for the cultural aspects. By attending Marbella Design Academy it has prepared me for work in Spain of which the Academy has obtained and helped me to get.
Finally I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for all the help and encouragement I’ve received over the years.
Anna Udeland – Norway
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design
My 2nd year in Marbella Design Academy has been a great experience. The teachers are professional, experienced and passionate in their field, and are always there to help, encourage and inspire you. The classes are relaxed yet productive, and are structured to meet individual student needs. The projects are diverse and interesting, making you see out for new innovations, technologies and methods, and most importantly – be innovative yourself. Everyone in the university is very friendly and helpful. Being there gives you a sense of security and contentment.
I am looking forward to all the new, exciting and educating experiences my final year is going to bring!
Paula Sonora – Sweden
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design – 2nd year
I transferred this year to the second year at Marbella Design Academy.
During the year I have learnt many different things but among the most remarkable I have learnt are a professional approach to a project. I have learnt how to make all the technical drawings (electrical plan, sewerage plan, lighting plan… ) and graphically how to create a nice layout, how to work with Photoshop and Indesign applying it to our renders, floor plans, sections…. )
I have also been taught the importance of making a perfect research and incorporate the results into my design projects.
Adrian Redondo – Spain
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design – 2nd year
The time at Marbella Design Academy has been very rewarding in many ways.
Both the friendly atmosphere in the academy, as well as the support and knowledge given by the professional tutors give you all the necessary tools for starting your professional career upon graduation.
The programme is innovative in terms of teaching you about new technologies, sustainable architecture and providing you with knowledge of advanced modeling techniques and software skills.
I have enjoyed my time at Marbella Design Academy so much and the department of Interior has provided me with so much new knowledge for my future career!
I want to say a big thank you for all the help and support I’ve gotten this year! And thank you for always pushing me to become better!!
Kristine Heisholte – Norway
BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture & Design
I am an Interior architecture student, completing my first year at Marbella Design Academy. I chose Marbella Design Academy for many reasons, but most importantly, because I will soon graduate with an official United Kingdom BA Honors degree.
The best thing about being a student in Marbella Design Academy is that there are only a few students in each class, which enables you to have the freedom of asking as many questions you desire, as well as the chance of getting more one-on-one attentiveness from the teacher.
The best thing about living in Monda is that it is a quiet, relaxing village with lots of greenery. Also, all the students in the Academy live at walking distance from my house.
After completing my studies I’m going to work at my Grandfathers Architectural Company in Kuwait.
Farah – Lebanon
Interior Architecture student
Interior design second year September.
Found it on the internet as I want a bachelor degree in interior architecture.
You learn to be independent. It is nice and quiet.
Work Experience and after Independent business.
Heidi – Faroe Islands
Interior Architecture student
I am studying interior architecture and am in my first year of study.
My dream has always been to move to Spain and I have always been interested in interior design, so I wanted to combine my two interests.
The best thing about studying in Spain apart from the good weather is that you get to meet new people and learn a new culture.
My plans are to either continue studying in London or look for a job anywhere in the world.
Miriam – Sweden
Interior Architecture student

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