Course summary
Learn the fundamentals of residential interior design, styling and sourcing whilst still fulfilling your busy work / life commitments on this industry respected part time course
The Part Time Certificate Interior Design course has been producing quality employable graduates to the interior design industry for over 15 years. This part time, one-year course is the perfect option for those with busy life commitments who want to become a professional residential interior designer in an intensive, but manageable way.
Open days
Join us at our next open day and speak with course advisors, course leaders and alumni. See current students work and have all your questions answered to find out which course and study mode is best suited to you.
Great reasons to apply
- Ideal for anyone needing to balance work, life or studies.
- The curriculum is enhanced with regular inspirational talks from leading designers and industry experts as well as showroom visits and design trips.
- Offers the opportunity to progress into the full time or part time Diploma HE Level 5 Qualification part way thorugh that course.
- High levels of tutor support by a team of professionally trained practicing interior designers with added careers support
Student gallery
Course details
This tried and tested vocational course is taught by a team of professionally trained interior designers with extensive industry experience between them and all of whom studied at KLC in the past. So, they know where you are at now, where you need to get to and how to get you there.
KLC has always been at the forefront of innovating teaching methods and using the latest technologies to improve the student learning experience. In December 2017, this strategy was recognised officially when KLC won two accolades at the inaugural 2017 Independent Higher Education Awards for ‘Breakthrough in Course Design and Delivery’ and 'Innovation in Digital Teaching and Learning’.
Tailored to help students develop their personal creativity and encourage them to start thinking like an interior designer, this part-time course is a great option for those looking to fast track their route to employment. Alongside engaging and carefully formulated lectures and workshops, the course is enhanced with regular inspirational talks from leading designers and industry experts as well as showroom visits and trips to the V&A.
In between easy-to-follow inspirational lessons and fundamental skills workshops, students undertake a number of learning research projects and sourcing assignments in the first half of the course. This gives them a good foundation of knowledge as they work towards commencing their first concept design project where they have an opportunity to put skills learned into practice. The course then culminates in an exciting final live project where students are able to work with an actual client, pitching their design exactly as they would in a real-life job.
Students will leave the course ready to work in the residential interior design industry with all the key decorative and technical skills to design, style and source for kitchens, bathrooms living and sleeping areas of the home. Others may wish to combine previous knowledge and workplace experience with their new skills to open up exciting entrepreneurial opportunities.
Contact us
To register your interest and receive information and updates about studying at KLC please complete this form.
If you can't find the information you are looking for or to ask a question, please contact our Admissions team on 020 7376 3377
Course Dates
(two entry points)
23 September 2019 - 30 June 2020
OR
15 January 2020 - 26 November 2020
Duration
1 Year
Progression
KLC Diploma HE Interior Design (Level 5)
Study Hours
Two days a week: Wednesday & Thursday (January start), Monday & Tuesday (September start) 10.00am - 16.00pm
"I loved every moment of the course, but I think studying lighting – the effect it has on colours and the mood within a space was very eye-opening." Amy Keast
Course units
Projects and Assignments
Design Project 1 - Residential bedroom and bathroom
Design Project 2 - Residential kitchen, dining and living space
Research Project 1 - Evolution of Style project and test
Research Project 2 - Sourcing Assignments x3 (three).
Syllabus
Design Process
- Taking the brief, research and conceptual work
- Design analysis and development
- Design implementation and evaluation.
Colour, Texture and Styling
- Theory and psychology of colour
- Suitability, composition and application of textiles and trimmings, wall and floor coverings and materials and finishes
- Upholstery
- Window treatments
- Accessories, art and antiques
- Styling.
Decorative Schemes and Sourcing
- Putting together a successful decorative scheme, incorporating patterned and plain fabrics, paint finishes and wallpaper
- Sourcing furniture and accessories for a given brief
- Sourcing from different trade suppliers
- Writing a professional design statement.
Introduction to Technical Understanding
- Introduction to the principles of design to include scale, proportion, ergonomics and space planning
- Introduction to lighting
- Introduction to building construction
- Introduction to kitchen and bathroom design.
Communication Skills
- Drawing from survey notes
- Drawing plans, elevations, sections, furniture layouts and lighting plans
- Graphics
- Freehand sketching
- Introduction to EstiPC / EstiMac
- Visual presentation skills to include concept, presentation and sample boards
- Rendering techniques
- SketchUp
- Vectorworks.
Evolution of Style
- French and English interior styles from the 17th to early 21st Century
- Influential interior designers and decorators.
Professional Practice
- Specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing
- Record keeping and business administration
- Preparation of fee proposals
- Setting up trade accounts and the use of trade showrooms
- Time management and working to budget
- Planning permissions
- Contracts and insurance requirements
- Working in the industry and introduction to BIID
- Portfolio preparation
- Advice on finding work in the industry.
Please note that students cover the same content and receive the same qualification whether they take the full time or part time study option.
"Since studying at KLC I have been lucky to work for successful design practices in London, New York, Vancouver and Toronto and have worked on a variety of amazing homes including Manor houses in the country and a penthouse over looking Central Park." Bhavin Taylor
How to apply
Entry onto the course is by interview only, so please complete the Request an or call our Admissions team to book your appointment.
To prepare for your interview, you will be asked to complete the following:
- Interview forms, including education and career history
- A multiple choice spatial awareness test.
Computer-aided design is a key part of this course; therefore applicants must be computer literate and able to confidently use their personal laptop.
Please contact our Admissions Team on 020 7376 3377 or info@klc.co.uk if you need any further information or advice about the Entry Requirements for this course.
Request an interview >
Entry requirements
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
- No previous art and design experience is required.
- Applicants must be 18 or over
English Language Requirements
IELTS score of 6.5 (www.ielts.org)
Fees and Funding
Home/EU/International fee
£9,945
Schedule of Fee Payments for September 2019
Enrolment fee: £1,800.00 inc VAT non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 1 payments of: £8,145 inc VAT (8 weeks before course start date)
| 8 weeks before the course starts | £8,145 inc VAT |
- VAT will be charged at the rate in force at the date payments are made which may increase the total fees quoted if the VAT rate changes.
- Please make a careful note of our refund policies, so that you are clear about what you might expect in the event of cancellation.
Schedule of Fee Payments for September 2019
An Instalment Plan is available for this course starting July 2019
Enrolment fee: £1,800 inc VAT non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 3 payments of: £2,845 inc VAT:
| 01 July 2019 | £2,845 inc VAT | |
| 01 September 2019 | £2,845 inc VAT | |
| 01 December 2019 | £2,845 inc VAT |
Schedule of Fee Payments for January 2020
An Instalment Plan is available for this course starting November 2019
Enrolment fee: £1,800.00 inc VAT non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 3 payments of: £2,845.00 inc VAT:
| 01 November 2019 | £2,845 inc VAT | |
| 01 January 2020 | £2,845 inc VAT | |
| 01 April 2020 | £2,845 inc VAT |
- VAT will be charged at the rate in force at the date payments are made which may increase the total fees quoted if the VAT rate changes.
- Please make a careful note of our refund policies, so that you are clear about what you might expect in the event of cancellation.
- Each instalment includes a charge of £130 inc. VAT for using this facility.
- The instalment option is only available to UK bank account holders (incl. Northern Ireland).
Funding
There are a number of funding options available and it can be complicated establishing the most appropriate route for you, so if you would like any advice then please do not hesitate to contact our Registrars by telephone (020 7376 3377) or email (registrar@klc.co.uk)
Student Finance England
This is a government loan to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs. Non Degree holding applicants may be able to borrow £6,165 per year towards the cost of a course – you start repaying once you earn over a certain amount.
To check your eligibility and to start your application, please visit the Student Finance website. Our UK provider number is 10008325.
For students to be eligible for Student Finance, they must be studying a designated course. Courses at KLC are designated each year by the Department for Education. Please visit OfS for more information.
Personal Education Loan
There are many different companies offering personal loans, including some that specialise in private education loans which have a reduced repayment through the duration of your course.
Please note that we are unable to accept the 24+ Advanced Learner Loan for our courses.
Alumni and careers
Alumni
Certificate Interior Design students leave KLC with a broad and industry-ready knowledge of residential interior design.
Careers
During the course, KLC's dedicated Careers service ensures Certificate students are educated on CV preparation and portfolio presentation. Students will also benefit from a very useful 1-to-1 careers session helping to facilitate career entry.
On graduation, students will get access to the KLC Online Jobs Board to assist with their self-directed job searches with Alumni support provided on an ongoing basis.
Out of the Certificate students who used the Careers Service in 2017, 93% are now working in the industry.
