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MA Interior and Spatial Design
College
CHELSEA
Start date
September 2019
Course length
1 year (full time)
Course summary
MA Interior and Spatial Design at Chelsea College of Arts explores conceptual spatial concerns and notions of how we inhabit space. This is an area of study that's distinct from but still complementary to architecture.
The course allows you to look at interior and spatial design from either a research or professional practice point of view or combination of both.
Dr Ken Wilder talks about MA Interior and Spatial Design at Chelsea.
Student work
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John Collins - MA Interior and Spatial Design -
Huilin Gao - MA Interior and Spatial Design -
Architecture model - MA Interior and Spatial Design -
Nia Lessard - MA Interior and Spatial Design
MA Interior and Spatial Design Stories
Life At Chelsea: MA Interior and Spatial Design – Manon Jayet
As part of our Life At Chelsea series we talked to MA Interior and Spatial Design alumna Manon Jayet to find out more about how her learning experience at Chelsea shaped her practice. “During my studies before Chelsea I was mostly
Life At Chelsea: Nazifa Hussain – MA Interior and Spatial Design
Continuing our Life At Chelsea series, we interview students about their experiences at Chelsea has shaped their practice and led to new opportunities. We caught up with Nazifa Hussain MA Interior and Spatial Design 2018. Please tell […]
Life at Chelsea: Eloise Morant – MA Interior & Spatial Design
In the lead up to our 2018 MA Summer Show opening on Friday 7 September, we’re catching up with current students to find out about their experience of life at […]
Course details
What you can expect
- To address issues about how we inhabit space
- To develop sensibilities about intervening into existing architectural structures or situations
- To engage with the language of architecture and the experiential aspects of what it is to inhabit and interact with our spatial environment. This might be the functional design of built structures, fine art installations, furniture, computer animation or film
- To have access to Chelsea's shared workshops. These include ceramics, casting, laser cutting, photography, an audio-visual editing suite, metal and woodwork. View the Chelsea facilities section
Course units
- Phase 1: Analysis of Practice and Exploration of Methodologies
- Phase 2: Development and Consolidation
- Phase 3: Resolution
These phases are set within a credit framework of 3 assessed units:
- Studio practice
- Advanced studio practice
- Theoretical studies, which runs throughout the course
Studio practice involves developing a personal programme of studio work and research. Theoretical studies provide a framework for you to develop a critical research paper. This enables you to locate your ideas and practice in relation to contemporary debate on cultural and theoretical issues.
Throughout the course you will have individual and group tutorials. You will develop skills through Personal Professional Development workshops and on-line resources. While postgraduate talks introduce you to a range of visiting artists and practitioners.
Learning and teaching methods
- Exhibition tutorials
- General theory forum lectures
- Independent research
- Individual and group tutorials
- Research methodology workshops
- Technical support and courses
Assessments methods
- Essays, reports and final dissertation
- Final show examination
- Peer assessment
- Student self-evaluation
- Tutorials and mid-year interim reviews
Staff
- Amritt Flora - Course Leader
- Pete Maloney - Senior Lecturer
- Julia Dwyer
- Emma Hunter
- Kristina Kotov
- Aaron McPeake
- Dr Ken Wilder - Theory Coordinator
Visiting staff
- Paul Bavister
- Lorenzo Brusci
- Jin Cheng
- Dan Gleadall
- Charlotte Greenleaf
- Mikhail Karikis
- David Littlefield
- Oswaldo Macia
- Phil O'Shaughnessy
- Fernado Rihl
- David Ryan
- Aura Satz
- United Visual Artists
- Paul Whitty
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
- 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:
- IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our English Language requirements)
Selection criteria
We look for:
- The necessary subject specific skills, including architectural drawing, model making and computer aided design (CAD). Some exception may be made with regards to applicants with a fine art background who can demonstrate an equivalent exploration of spatial ideas
- A developed spatial awareness and an ability to creatively organise space and represent spatial ideas
- Evidence of an engagement with the critical debate surrounding contemporary interior and spatial design practice
Making your application
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
You should apply by making a direct application.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 31 July 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.
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 submit a mini portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.
Mini portfolio
The portfolio should show the following:
- Subject specific skills including architectural drawing, model making, computer aided design (CAD) or equivalent
- A developed spatial awareness and an ability to creatively organise space and represent spatial ideas
- An engagement with the critical debate surrounding contemporary interior and spatial design practice through writing or other creative practice
- Evidence of approaches to research, design thinking and experimentation
Following the review of the mini portfolio we select applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to 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 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 your mini portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.
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.
There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course at Chelsea College of Arts:
- Through one of our official representatives in your country
- By direct application
Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.
Application deadline
There is no deadline for international applications, but students are advised to apply as early as possible.
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 submit a mini portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.
Mini portfolio
The portfolio should show the following:
- Subject specific skills including architectural drawing, model making, computer aided design (CAD) or equivalent
- A developed spatial awareness and an ability to creatively organise space and represent spatial ideas
- An engagement with the critical debate surrounding contemporary interior and spatial design practice through writing or other creative practice
- Evidence of approaches to research, design thinking and experimentation
Following the review of the mini portfolio we select applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview selection event.
Interview Selection Event
You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academic 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 applications are available 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 Chelsea College of Arts
If you choose phone or Skype your mini portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.
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
£11,920 (2019/20).
International fee
£22,500 (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.
Careers and alumni
Graduates from MA Interior and Spatial Design have an excellent record of gaining employment in both architectural and design practices, while our other course alumni either continue their practice as fine artists, have architectural books published or make furniture.
Alumni
- Karimah Ashadu - Video artist
- Charlotte Greenleaf - Designer, Shed
- David Littlefield - Academic and author
- Work // Shop - Phil O’Shaughnessy and Charlotte Storrar
Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.