MDes Interior Design
Four years full-time
UCAS code • W251
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Art and design
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Second year interior design students have won the opportunity to install a show apartment which will be used to sell new homes at Europe’s largest Listed building.
View examples of project work from our MDes interior design students.
View examples of project work from our final year interior design students.
Student work from a selection of our second year students
Find out about Creative Spark, our annual graduate showcase of final year students' work, and Brightest Spark, an exhibition featuring projects completed by our elite students.
View a 360 degree tour of our print making studio.
Our Digital Design Centre can print medium to large format high quality outputs on a range of different media. The laboratories have software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications. Find out more.
All new students on this course undergo a comprehensive induction program to learn how to make the most from our workshop facilities. Find out more.
One of the most valuable resources available for you to access is our highly experienced technical support team. Find out how they can help support your development.
View a 360 degree tour of our print making studio.
At a glance
Explore the fundamental characteristics of interior space through analysis and study of existing buildings. Then apply this knowledge creatively, tackling live briefs set by real industrial partners and develop an understanding of the building process alongside creative design thinking. You then continue developing your professional experience with a 15 week placement in industry.
Key points
• Engage with ‘live’ projects mirroring the experience of design employment.
• Work in facilities that include specialist workshops and an open studio environment.
• Visit design consultancies and industrial facilities to learn about design professions.
• Gain industry experience with a 15 week placement or exchange.
What is interior design?
Interior design involves creating innovative and functional spaces for a range of internal environments including public buildings, retail outlets such as shops and restaurants, and community based projects such as schools, hospitals, museums, leisure venues and galleries.
Interior design can also be applied to temporary environments, whether that’s pop-up shops that are in existence for just a few months at a time, or exhibition stands that last days. Anything that has an interior can be designed, redesigned or refurbished.
For more information on interior design go to www.biid.org.uk/ and http://www.csd.org.uk/ http://interioreducators.co.uk/aims
This course
This is a creative and challenging course that introduces you to all aspects of interior design. You develop a range of practical and intellectual skills that will allow you to take risks and develop an inventive problem solving approach to your work.
Studio-based learning enables you to develop your creative and technical skills. You work both collaboratively and individually and take part in small group tutorials in the studio environment.
Lectures and seminars will focus on contemporary issues affecting design today to help you understand your work in a wider historical and social context. Areas covered include
• environment and sustainability
• international culture and context
• renewal and regeneration
• new technologies and communication
As a student, you benefit from state-of-the-art workshops, our Digital Design Centre with six computer suites and the Sheffield Institute of Arts gallery for displaying student work and touring exhibitions.
During the course you visit design consultancies, industrial facilities, museums and exhibitions. These visits contribute to the development of a deeper contextual and industrial understanding of interior design and often they have a direct link with studio-based projects or theoretical studies.
You continue building your understanding of the design industry by working with clients and industry professionals on 'live' projects. These projects mirror the experience of design employment where you have the opportunity to work with real industrial clients. These commercial projects help you to develop your understanding of the business context of design work, preparing you for your career.
You also have the opportunity to enter both national and international design competitions.
Placement or exchange
You continue to develop your professional skills and experience by completing a 15 week placement. This opportunity enables you to develop invaluable contacts in specialist areas of the industry and offers you a valuable boost to your CV ready for your career. Or you can take part in a European or international student exchange programme at one of our many partnering institutions.
About the MDes
This course runs parallel to the BA (Honours) Interior Design. The main difference begins in year three. The pace of work increases as you complete your undergraduate studies and begin your postgraduate studies.
In year four, self-directed study forms the main part of your learning. This is supported by taught modules, which are common to the masters programme. You also increase the professional activity in your specialist area. This improves your skills and develops career opportunities by building on links with external partners.
Key areas of study
Key areas include • history of design • contextual studies • computer-aided design (CAD) • model making • design skills • creative design projects • drawing and visual communication • building techniques • materials technology • digital image manipulation • interactive interiors.
Free Range exhibition
Our students exhibit at the Free Range art and design exhibition in London’s Brick Lane.
The exhibition, which this year features 438 students from 28 UK interior design degree courses, provides them with the opportunity to showcase their work on an international level to both the public and industry.
Find out more about MDes Interior Design
Related courses
- MDes Graphic Design (Full-time)
- BA (Honours) Product Design: Furniture (Full-time)
- BA (Honours) Interior Design (Full-time)
- BA (Honours) Graphic Design (Full-time)
- MDes Jewellery and Metalwork (Full-time)
- MDes Product Design: Furniture (Full-time)
- MDes Product Design (Full-time)
- MDes Fashion Design (Full-time)
- BA (Honours) Fashion Design (Full-time)
You apply for this course through UCAS.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• projects • written assignments
Key Information Set 
Student design competition winners
The winning team of Layla Barakat, Helen Wood and Shaniqua Johnson
A group of student designers are celebrating after winning a competition run by Park Hill property developers Urban Splash.
Second year students studying for a degree in interior design have won the opportunity to turn their designs into reality, by installing one of four show apartments at Park Hill, which will be used by Urban Splash to sell the new homes at Europe’s largest Listed building.
The winning design, which the group entitled Re-Made in Sheffield, is inspired by the iconic styles and fashions from the 1960s, the decade when Park Hill was built and initially hailed as the future of social housing.
The winning team of Layla Barakat, Helen Wood and Shaniqua Johnson, presented their design ideas to Urban Splash in the form of a commercial pitch, competing against other teams. After winning, they will now get the opportunity to spend a day working through their designs with Manchester based creative studio NoChintz, who will help them to install the furniture and dress the show apartment later this month.
Director of Sheffield Institute of Arts at the University, Professor Chris Rust said: "Urban Splash is one of the UK's most adventurous property developers so it was great to be approached by them for an opportunity for our interior design students to work on such a high profile project."
Nicola Wallis, Director of Sales at Urban Splash said: "The winning team delivered an excellent presentation and their design ideas are great. At Urban Splash we were very impressed by the high standard of designs and presentations from all the groups and it was quite difficult for us to pick a winner. They all understood the brief we gave them and showed a good deal of commercial and financial understanding to work within a budget. We can’t wait to see the finished apartment!"
Layla, Helen and Shaniqua are all excited by the prospect of being able to turn their designs into reality and are looking forward to getting started. Layla said: "We are really happy that we won and will be able to make our mark on the development. We tried to capture the spirit of Park Hill when it was built with our designs, and hopefully that excitement will return when it reopens. We are now busy ordering items and can’t wait to get started on installing and decorating the show-apartment!"
Banana Plantation
The Banana Factory – the converted petrol station is now with its own artificial, outdoor, microclimate garden producing bananas, with an elegant cocktail bar beating at its heart.
Banana Plantation
The Banana Factory – the converted petrol station is now with its own artificial, outdoor, microclimate garden producing bananas, with an elegant cocktail bar beating at its heart.
Banana Plantation
The Banana Factory – the converted petrol station is now with its own artificial, outdoor, microclimate garden producing bananas, with an elegant cocktail bar beating at its heart.
Banana Plantation
The Banana Factory – the converted petrol station is now with its own artificial, outdoor, microclimate garden producing bananas, with an elegant cocktail bar beating at its heart.
Threadbare Crafts Centre
ThreadBare promotes textile craft through a variety of workshops, exhibition and social spaces to create a craft community.
Threadbare Crafts Centre
ThreadBare promotes textile craft through a variety of workshops, exhibition and social spaces to create a craft community.
Threadbare Crafts Centre
ThreadBare promotes textile craft through a variety of workshops, exhibition and social spaces to create a craft community.
Multicultural market
The Moor Multicultural Market Sheffield aims to bring together a diverse range of cultural foods to a regenerated area of Sheffield.
BA Interior Design
Multicultural Market
The Moor Multicultural Market Sheffield aims to bring together a diverse range of cultural foods to a regenerated area of Sheffield.
BA Interior Design
Multicultural market
The Moor Multicultural Market Sheffield aims to bring together a diverse range of cultural foods to a regenerated area of Sheffield.
BA Interior Design
Reading centre
Amazon Book Stop / Kindle - A reading centre encouraging both modern and traditional forms of reading in an attempt to bring back the joy of reading.
BA Interior Design
Reading centre
Amazon Book Stop / Kindle - A reading centre encouraging both modern and traditional forms of reading in an attempt to bring back the joy of reading.
BA Interior Design
Reading centre
Amazon Book Stop / Kindle - A reading centre encouraging both modern and traditional forms of reading in an attempt to bring back the joy of reading.
BA Interior Design
Performance space
Swamp Circus – a circus school, performance space and leisure venue, inspired by the form of movement and dance, creating an inspirational and innovative space.
Performance space
Swamp Circus – a circus school, performance space and leisure venue, inspired by the form of movement and dance, creating an inspirational and innovative space.
Performance space
Swamp Circus – a circus school, performance space and leisure venue, inspired by the form of movement and dance, creating an inspirational and innovative space.
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Spark - be creative
Subjects included are • animation • architecture • computers • creative writing • digital media production • engineering • fashion design • film and visual effects • film and media production • fine art • furniture and product design • games design • graphic design • interior design • jewellery and metalwork • performing arts • photography • product design.
Creative Spark
Creative Spark is an annual showcase of student work and celebrates the innovation, creativity and imagination of our most talented graduates. Creative Spark is hosted across four university venues • Owen • Cantor • Sheaf • Arundel Gate Court and S1 in the city centre.
For further information visit the Creative Spark website.
Brightest Spark
Brightest Spark is an exhibition housed in the SIA Gallery and Cantor building. This exhibition features the elite students in each Sheffield of Institute of Arts course as chosen by industry professionals.
For further information visit the Brightest Spark website.
Project Spark
Sheffield Hallam students have the opportunity to play a key role in the promotion of the Creative Spark and Brightest Spark exhibitions by submitting entries for Project Spark. The 2012 competitions included • concept design • branding and wayfinding • creative writing • image • brightest spark logo and branding.
For further information visit the Project Spark website.
Print making studio
Our print making studio supports a wide range of print activities including etching, drypoint, cyanotype, lithography and screen printing.
The Digital Design Centre
The Digital Design Centre comprises a suite of 6 IT laboratories (4 PC and 2 MAC) together with the Print Output room, an area for printing medium to large format high quality output on a range of different media. The laboratories have a wide range of software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications.
The Digital Design Centre runs a high quality computer printing facility and has the ability to print sizes between A4 and A0 and wide format banners. A3, A2, A1, A0 and Banner photo quality printing is available on a range of papers, as well as AutoCAD type plans ( B & W ) on standard paper.
Workshop skills induction
These are specifically designed for all first year students that will require access to the workshop facilities as part of their course. The core essential techniques are covered and include both theory and practice.
Core techniques covered include
• using hand held power tools
• using a bandsaw and scroll saw – wood, foam and plastic
• using a pedestal drill – wood, metal and plastic
• sanding techniques – wood, plastic and foam
• metalworking techniques – cutting, shaping and grinding
• plastics manipulation – use of strip heater and vacuum forming
Technical support team
While you will find excellent facilities throughout, the most valuable resource you will have at your disposal is access to our extremely dedicated, highly experienced technical staff.
All the staff are there to support you during your time in the workshops. The technical team with its professionally qualified staff and practicing professionals, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across all areas of our provision and comprises engineers, designers, silversmiths and jewellers, fine artists, media arts specialists and IT experts.
The team are committed to using their diverse range of skills and knowledge to support practical aspects of your
course work, whether solving a simple software problem, producing a complex engineering project or creating design work for an international exhibition. There are currently 50 technical staff directly supporting the Technical Resource Centres and the research institutes of the faculty.
Art and design print making studio 1
Our print making studio supports a wide range of print activities including etching, drypoint, cyanotype, lithography and screen printing.
