skip to main content

Chelsea College of Arts

an image

Graduate Diploma Interior Design

College
CHELSEA
Start date
September 2019
Course length
1 year (full time)
Apply Book an open day

Course summary

Applications closed 2019/20

Applications for 2019/20 entry to this course have now closed.

Graduate Diploma in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Arts is a one-year programme.

This course provides you with the skills and experience required for further study at MA level.

Student work

  • Digital render of exterior architecture and garden design.
    Exterior architecture and garden design - Graduate Diploma Interior Design
  • Architecture model by Anna Mackie.
    Anna Mackie - Graduate Diploma Interior Design
  • Computer generated architecture drawing by Sara Alrashed.
    Sara Alrashed - Graduate Diploma Interior Design
  • Architecture model by Victoria Lin.
    Victoria Lin - Graduate Diploma Interior Design

Course details

This course is subject to re-validation. Re-validation is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During re-validation there maybe be some changes to course content and structure. Please contact us if you have any questions about this course.

What you can expect

  • To develop a flexible, open-minded approach to thinking about interior design or engaging with contemporary design
  • To connect with interior design in a number of ways such as designing, writing, visual communication and research
  • To explore the possibility of making narratives from interior design
  • To give you the opportunity to engage with contemporary design approaches
  • To design small-scale interiors and explore new opportunities within existing architectural spaces
  • A personal tutor who supports your development
  • To have access to Chelsea's shared workshops. These include ceramics, casting, laser cutting, photography, audio-visual editing suite, metal and woodwork. View the Chelsea facilities section

Course units

The course runs over a total of 30 weeks. It is a combination of taught study, self-directed negotiated study, personal research and written assignments. There are also 2 major practical projects undertaken during the year and each is the subject of a book.

The course is studio based and delivered in 3 units of study:

Unit 1 - Commodity and Design

This is a design project that explores a small-scale domestic interior. This project focuses on how the client / user can have a new opportunity to perform within a space. It will look at the various methods you have to envisage and communicate this.

Unit 2 - Negotiated Design Programme

In this unit you will start a design project. You will choose a location make an analysis of an interior and establish a design brief for a new programme of habitation.

You will find a context in the public realm rather than the domestic one. You should reflect upon and discuss how habitation is better as a result of it.

Unit 3 - Professional Context

This unit is about professional practice and creative processes. You will learn about communication within interior design. It will look at the writing requirements of an interior designer when communicating design proposals. This will prepare you for professional practice and support the position of your design proposals.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Group crits, demonstrations and workshops
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Site and gallery visits
  • Studio based group and individual tutorials
  • Studio teaching by practitioners
  • Visiting specialists

Assessment methods

  • Oral and visual presentations
  • Peer assessment
  • Self-assessment
  • Written work

Staff

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
  • Evidence of ability in art or design
  • Some experience of architectural drawing is required
  • Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

  • Evidence of visual and conceptual creative abilities
  • A clear commitment to the chosen field of study
  • The potential to develop the full range of practical, expressive, critical and conceptual skills necessary to complete the course
  • The ability to benefit from the learning environment and experience
  • An awareness of the contemporary and historical context of interior design
  • Some understanding of the role that contemporary critical thought and historical study can play in the development of personal creative work
  • The ability to communicate and discuss issues and ideas both verbally and in writing
  • The ability to manage your own time and initiate projects

Making your application

Portfolio advice

A portfolio with 30 images of creative design work. This does not need to be specifically interior design focused.

Personal statement

This should be about 500 words long and include:

  • Your reasons for choosing the course
  • Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
  • If you do not have any formal academic qualifications please describe your relevant education and experience

Applications for 2019/20 entry to this course have now closed for Home/EU applicants. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.

You should apply by making a direct application.

Apply

Application deadline

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. This course will close when all our places have been offered.

This course will give consideration to deferred entry application. If you are interested in requesting a deferral, you can only request this if you are successful at application.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.

Interview selection event

You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

The event will also give you a chance to meet current students, take a tour of the college and see the facilities.

More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for Home/EU applicants happens in a variety of different ways:

  • In person at Chelsea College of Arts
  • By phone or Skype

If you choose phone or Skype, you will be sent an email requesting that you upload a digital portfolio using UAL’s online portfolio review system.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed for international applicants. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a graduate diploma course at Chelsea College of Arts:

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by midday Friday 30 August for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

This course will give consideration to deferred entry application. If you are interested in requesting a deferral, you can only request this if you are successful at application.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Immigration history check

Whether you’re applying online via UCAS, through a UAL representative or by direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you don’t complete the check we won’t be able to proceed with your application.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.

Interview selection event

You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for international applicants happens in a variety of different ways:

  • By phone or Skype
  • In your country, if your application was made through one of our official representatives
  • In person at our international office based at Chelsea College of Arts

If you choose phone or Skype, you will be sent an email requesting that you upload a digital portfolio using UAL’s online portfolio review system.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.


Fees & Funding

Home / EU fee

£10,890 (2019/20).

International fee

£19,930 (2019/20).

Course fees may be paid in instalments.

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Scholarships and awards

Use our search tool to find out more about the scholarships and awards available to students.

Scholarship search

Or view all

Careers and alumni

Many of our graduates go on to further study programmes in interior design and other related disciplines, and we also encourage students to arrange a meeting with an employability adviser from the University's Student Jobs and Careers service before students leave.

Alumni

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.

View college guides

Contact

  • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7751

Address

  • Chelsea College of Arts
  • 16 John Islip Street
  • London
  • SW1P 4JU

Follow us