August Update: All courses continue as plannedKLC School of Design has been operating as close to normal as we finish the Summer Term and the academic year. We look forward to welcoming students on site for all new and continuing courses for the new 2022-23 Academic year commencing this Autumn. Please be assured that whatever the future government guidelines with any new variants, KLC is one of the best prepared UK educators to give students a seamless and quality learning experience whether the course is delivered live online, onsite or in a blended combination. This confidence is based on the 2020-21 academic year, where all KLC courses continued successfully throughout the pandemic, switching smoothly between onsite and live online depending on requirements and receiving positive student feedback... READ MORE We are currently experiencing increased demand for all courses commencing in the new Academic year starting September 2022 - so please APPLY NOW, so you can hold an offer and decide to enrol nearer the time! |
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.
Contact us
Our friendly team are ready to help you - Mondays to Fridays, 09.00 to 17.30 - Tel: +44(0)20 7376 3377.
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 partway through that course
- High levels of tutor support by a team of professionally trained practising interior designers with added careers support.
Register for our next London Open day
Join over 20 staff and alumni for a course by course enhanced open day at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour or try our virtual online open day from your own home.
Latest News
Recent Certificate Student, Annabel Davies, shares her course experiences
KLC Certificate Student wins X AMARA Student Interior Designer Award
"Having the chance to present to a panel of professionals was incredible preparation for the design industry. I enjoyed the guest speakers and having the chance to meet some of the industry's key players." Jess Lavers
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.
Course Dates
(two entry points)
26 September 2022 - 27 June 2023
OR
25 January 2023 - 1 December 2023
Please contact us for information on half-term dates.
Duration
1 Year
Progression
KLC Diploma HE Interior Design (Level 5) - Terms 2 and 3.
Study Hours
Part Time, 2 days a week (10.00am - 4.00pm). Wednesday & Thursday (January start), Monday & Tuesday (September start) plus a minimum of 5 hours self-directed study per week is required to complete the course. During projects, many students voluntarily spend more than the minimum.
This course has half-term breaks for each of the three terms: 2 weeks for Autumn Term, and then 1 week each for Spring and Summer Terms.
"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
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.
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
- AutoCAD (taught on PC)
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.
How to apply
Entry onto the course is by interview only, so please complete the Request an Interview form 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
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
Good command of written and spoken English is required for all applicants.
If you reside in the UK, but English is not your first language, you may be asked to undertake an approved English language test.
Fees and Funding
Home/EU/International fee
£9,995
Schedule of Fee Payments for September 2022
Enrolment fee: £1,800.00 non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 1 payment of £8,195 (8 weeks before the course start date)
| 8 weeks before the course starts | £8,195 |
- Please make a careful note of our refund policies, so that you are clear about what you might expect in the event of cancellation.
Instalment Plan
Schedule of Fee Payments for September 2022
An Instalment Plan is available for this course starting July 2022
Enrolment fee: £1,800.00 non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 3 payments of: £2,865:
| 01 July 2022 | £2,865 | |
| 01 September 2022 | £2,865 | |
| 01 December 2022 | £2,865 |
Schedule of Fee Payments for January 2022
An Instalment Plan is available for this course starting November 2021
Enrolment fee: £1,800 non-refundable but deductible from the overall fees.
Followed by 3 payments of: £2,865:
| 01 November 2021 | £2,865 | |
| 01 January 2022 | £2,865 | |
| 01 March 2022 | £2,865 |
- 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 £133.33 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 for our different courses 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)
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 2018, 93% are now working in the industry.
