Higher National Certificate Home Study

Attain advanced entry to the second year of a degree with a fully-accredited Higher National Certificate or receive the professional qualification to become an interior designer.
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Start Date

Can be started at any time

Price

€2,524 (Easy-pay plan available)

Duration

Approximately 9-18 months

Work Placement

Graduates of this course are eligible for a one month work placement with an interior design company. All placements are made in the Dublin and Cork areas.

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Study Option
Home Study
Course Level
Level 4 on the RQF (comparable to level 6 on the NFQ)
Entry Requirements
18 years old or over
Note: If English is not your first language, we recommend you have at least level 5.5 IELTS or equivalent. Or, have completed your last two years of schooling through English.
Assessment
15 practical assignments
Recognition
BTEC
The Interior Design Academy of Ireland has partnered with global educational experts Pearson Education to offer BTEC courses to our students. These courses are a recognised route to university, leading to the final year of a degree course or progression on to other professional qualifications.

Completing this course will lead to the second year of a degree, or enable you to start your own successful interior design business by honing your skills to create, plan and manage your own design projects.

Designed around 15 practical assignments, you will incrementally develop the advanced techniques and deep understanding of the industry that you need to succeed as an interior designer.

As a home study student you will have full access to our student area, the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts including: instructional videos, written content and assignments.

Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.

On average a student studying around 15 hours per week can complete the course in 18 months, a student studying around 30 hours a week can complete the course in 9 months*.

*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.

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Topics

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

    • Communication in Art & Design

    Research communication techniques and develop an interior design project, from the first client meeting to the final presentation of your design.

    • Researching communication techniques
    • Surveying
    • Compiling a client brief and sourcing inspiration
    • Technical drawings
    • Creating a sample board
    • Producing final designs for presentation
    • Visual presentation techniques
    • Techniques & Processes

    Develop an awareness of a standard approach to the development and execution of the design cycle through the design of a studio apartment. You will learn about:

    • Evaluating a given brief
    • The design cycle
    • Research and design development
    • Spatial planning
    • Colour rendering
    • Model making (optional)
    • Portfolio presentation to include technical drawing and sample board
    • Contextual Studies

    Research and analyse key historical eras and movements that will allow you to understand the context of contemporary designs. You will learn about:

    • History of interior design
    • Exploring research methods
    • Visual and textual analyses
    • How to present research findings professionally
    • Critical research analyses
    • 3D Practices

    Gain an understanding of the vast variety of materials and their application in different contexts. Explore the properties of materials that are commonly used in interior design and their suitability and application in a wide variety of contexts. You will learn about:

    • Designing residential spaces
    • Interior design communication techniques
    • Analysing materials and finishes for the residential market
    • Presentation techniques
    • History of art through interior design and architecture
    • Interpreting a client brief
    • Technical drawing
    • 3D visuals
    • Health and Safety
    • Workflows and project management
    • Workflows

    Explore the different ways in which workflow can be organised to allow you to plan, execute and deliver your own projects in the future. You will learn about:

    • Exploring specialised industries within the design sector
    • Interior design communication techniques
    • Presentation techniques
    • Workflow mapping
    • Workflow systems
    • Tracking issues and solutions
    • Computer Aided Design (CAD)

    Learn the basics of CAD in order to produce your own computer generated drawings and photorealistic visuals. You will learn about:

    • Understand the use of CAD
    • 2D CAD drawings
    • 3D modelling
    • Visualisation
    • Isometric/Axonometric drawings
    • Detail drawings
    • Dimensions and text
    • Individual Project

    Apply all the skills you have learned and develop your creative ability with the design of project with a set theme and topic. Plan the project from start to finish and to review the skills and processes used throughout your work. You will learn about:

    • Designing spaces
    • Interior design communication techniques
    • Analysing and applying materials and finishes
    • The design development
    • Presentation techniques
    • Space planning
    • Technical drawing - CAD
    • 3D Visuals - SketchUp
    • Workflows and project management
    • Sustainable materials
    • Health and safety compliance
    • Specification sheets
    • Professional Development

    Explore how changes in technology and in response to social and cultural change within the industry impact on the interior design profession and the role of the Interior Designer. Reflect on the implications of these changes on your own personal development and career plan. You will learn about:

    • Exploring the development of the interior design profession
    • Assessing own knowledge and skills
    • Identifying areas for personal/professional development
    • Exploring personal career goals
    • Creating a personal development plan
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Tutors

All our tutors are interior design professionals working in the industry.

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I would recommend this course to anyone interested in interior design… and I have actually. I felt like an interior designer from the very first assignment!

Student testimonial

Miriam Brady

Student

I didn’t find it difficult to motivate myself because I absolutely loved the work. It’s been life changing - it’s been really great for me.

Student testimonial

Olive Wilson

Graduate

It is a really good course. You cover so much content and you can continue your studies if you wish to specialise.

Student testimonial

Louise Higgins

Interior Designer, Graduate

I was meant to start studying interior design over ten years ago but got sidetracked. This is just brilliant - so far, so good. I’m loving it so much.

Student testimonial

Saara Malmioja

Home Study Student

The Interior Design Academy of Ireland

Our philosophy at the Interior Design Academy of Ireland is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!

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Choosing the right course

We offer a range of interior design courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

Postgraduate Diploma Home Study
Higher National Diploma Home Study

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