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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Interior Architecture merges competences between architecture, interior design, and social science. Its fluid approach permits for a shift of focus from the design of ‘objects’ (buildings and furniture) to an evaluation of the 'subjective' experience of the users. As the ‘spatial art of environmental design’, Interior Architecture refers thus to the process by which the interiors of buildings and public spaces are designed to support human activities, in a range of crafted environments that maintain a sustainable relation with the communities they serve.
Although the ability to design is not necessarily required for admission in this programme, each successful applicant must demonstrate an awareness of design consequences as evaluated in ‘real’ environments through a portfolio of social research work.
Modules
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Admission to the programme will normally be open to applicants who fulfil either of the following requirements:
hold a minimum of a second class honours degree (2:2), or an equivalent overseas qualification from a recognised institution, in either a design-related discipline (e.g. interior design, interior architecture, architecture or product design) or in a environmental-oriented discipline (e.g. applied sociology, environmental psychology or human geography).
submit a portfolio of research and design work which will be requested after a valid application has been submitted.
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview, either in person or via a digital platform.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
the Welsh Baccalaureate
the Access to Higher Education Diploma
a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
the International Baccalaureate Diploma
the European Baccalaureate Diploma
Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
a recognised foundation course
T-levels*.
* T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
The student cohort includes graduates and practitioners from a variety of design related courses (interior design, interior architecture, product design, and architecture) as well as from environmental disciplines (sociology, environmental psychology, human geography). The purpose of this integrative approach is a practical one: we seek to equip students to intervene effectively in the production of an improved public realm, through a practice that is relevant to the design and the process of actual inhabitation in the built environment.
The concept of the reflective practitioner is therefore central to the MA Interior Architecture philosophy, with a unique blend of taught competences and critical expertise provided to enable students upon graduation to gain a significant leverage in practice.
Learning and teaching
The course's teaching and learning methods are concerned with the practice of interior architecture as mediating between the disciplines of interior design and architecture, in relation to the social activities that occur in public and shared environments. This requires a combination of theoretical knowledge, professional competence, and direct experience acquired through research and design modules, project work, and analysis of specific sites.
Learning and teaching occurs within the dedicated Interior Architecture studio, where lectures, seminars, analysis and evaluation, students-led discussions, and formal presentations provide for a stimulating learning and teaching environment. Wherever possible, we will assign ‘live projects’, where the learning experience is enriched through debate with the stakeholders and end-users.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
A holistic approach to design specifications articulates the professional curriculum in the MA Interior Architecture, with an emphasis on critical methodologies of social evaluation and performance. To ensure that students from different academic and professional backgrounds are equally able to perform in the course, upon agreement with staff students can tailor submissions to suit their personal abilities and graphic style.
Students’ submissions include site survey and analysis, written and photographic essays, seminar papers, project work and presentations, and workshops and design simulations. The assessment methods aim to test not only knowledge but also skills in research, analysis, and design awareness, in relation to five core attributes: Academic and Research Literacy, Professional Competence, Critical Self-Awareness, and Active Citizenship.
Research
The MA Interior Architecture broadens and consolidates the research on social design in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes, alongside the BA Honours Degree in Interior Architecture and the research group on Therapeutic Environments and Experiential Design.
Our team consists of architects, interior designers, historians and critics, with experience in dealing with social inclusivity, for example, live projects and client-led built propositions for education, flexible living, community infrastructure, and hospitality. In professional application, we have several design consultancies established with design practices and social services providers with the purpose of advising on the impact of design on people. This includes the (re)design of buildings from inside out as well as outside in, and the rehabilitation of existing structures to accommodate changed purposes, as well as contributions to new design propositions as part of a more sustainable architecture practice.
Career Opportunities
Design practices are increasingly required to produce socially inclusive design solutions, by aligning spatial qualities to individual multi-sensorial experience. Graduates from the MA Interior Architecture will be proficient in the shift from sustainability quantitative indicators to qualitative experiential parameters, with the ability to provide comprehensive people-focused design competences and tailored solutions to fulfil the changing demands from users.
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