The Essential Interior Design Programme (SEG Award – Level 2 Certificate)

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn
Length: 30 weeks

Overview

This comprehensive 30-week Skills Education Group Level 2 accredited programme is designed for aspiring interior designers who want to develop both creative flair and professional, industry-relevant skills.

To book your place today, simply click Book Now to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

Course information

You'll develop strong 2D and 3D drawing skills, learning how to communicate your ideas clearly from initial sketches through to fully realised design proposals. The course includes introductory sessions in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop, giving you valuable insight into digital design tools used within the industry.

Throughout the programme, you’ll create mood boards and sample boards, explore materials and finishes, and learn how to source furniture and interior elements to bring your ideas to life. You’ll gain confidence in presenting and explaining your design concepts as if working with a real client.

You'll also investigate historical and cultural influences on interior design, including movements such as the Bauhaus, and examine how these continue to shape contemporary interiors. Through practical projects, you’ll explore spatial awareness, furniture design, storage solutions and model-making to support your design development.

In the final stages of the course, you'll work to a client brief, applying your skills to a complete interior design project from concept through to 3D visualisation and presentation. By the end of the year, you'll have developed both the creative and technical foundations required to pursue further study or take your first steps into the interior design industry.

Please note: As this is a structured 30-week qualification delivered across three terms, it's not possible to enrol part-way through the course.

Level 2 Skills Education Group (SEG) accredited qualification
Colour theory and the psychology of colour in interiors
Site surveying and drawing accurate scale plans and elevations
3D drawing and spatial visualisation techniques
Historical and cultural influences in design and architecture
Exploration of interior design styles
Working to a client brief
Concept design, mood boards and sample boards
Spatial planning and sourcing materials, furniture and finishes
Developing 2D concepts into 3D outcomes
Model-making techniques
Presentation and communication skills
Introductory sessions in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop

By the end of the course, you'll have a thorough understanding of the role of an interior designer and the complete interior design process – from research and concept development to technical drawing, 3D visualisation and presentation.

Will I be assessed?

You'll be assessed throughout the year through ongoing project work and practical assignments. Students who successfully complete the full 30-week course and meet the required assessment criteria will be awarded a SEG Level 2 qualification certificate.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

Monday 6 October – 8 December 2025 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 29 November 2025 (09.00–16.00)

Continuation in Spring term 2026

Monday 12 January – 16 March 2026 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 14 March 2026 (09.00–16.00)

Continuation in Summer term 2026

Monday 6 April – 8 June 2026 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 16 May 2026 (09.00–16.00)

Autumn term 2026

Monday 5 October – 7 December 2026 (10 Mondays, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 12 December (09.00–16.00)

Continuation in Spring term 2027

Monday 11 January – 15 March 2027 (10 Mondays, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 20 March 2027 (09.00–16.00)

Continuation in Summer term 2027

Monday 5 April – 7 June 2027 (10 Mondays, 18.00–21.00)
Saturday 22 May 2027 (09.00–16.00)

Please note, it’s not possible to enrol on this course partway through. You’ll need to attend from the start date in October.

You’ll be expected to complete projects, exercises, and research outside your sessions at AUB. You’ll be provided with more details about timelines and project submission deadlines at the start of the course.

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Ideal for students that possess beginner knowledge of interior design and wish to enhance their skills and knowledge. As this is a Level 2 qualification delivered across three terms, you should be prepared for consistent attendance and engagement throughout the academic year.

Experience or qualifications required

No previous experience or qualification is required - only enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine interest in interior design.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£1,379

Can I secure my place with a deposit?

You can secure your place on the course today with a deposit of your total fee. Choose this option when you book your place online. Total balance of course fees payable by 28 September 2026.  Please refer to our AUB Academy Booking T&Cs for more information.

Instalment option

Deposit: £400
Instalment 1: £400
Instalment 2: £579

Any additional costs

You may need to purchase items or materials for your projects – this can be budget-dependent and will be discussed with your tutors throughout the course. Please refer to the ‘What to bring to class' section for more information.

Additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

A2 sketchpad or approximately 12 sheets of A2 cartridge paper
Portable A2 drawing board with parallel motion ruler (Blundell Harling recommended, though alternatives are available)
Selection of pens, pencils and eraser
Notebook
Scissors/craft knife/scalpel
Pritt stick or paper glue
Metal ruler
Coloured pencils
Set squares (1 x 45° and 1 x 30° or adjustable set square)
Helix 300 mm Metric Triangular Scale Ruler (with 1:20, 1:50 and 1:100 scales)
Paint colour charts and colour mixer cards
Fabric, flooring or material samples (if available)
A selection of design magazines for sourcing imagery

If you're unsure about any materials, your tutor will review and clarify the list during the first session.

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

AUB Academy FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

A person leans in and looks closely at a big display board with assorted pieces of graphic design work.

AUB Academy booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

Meet your tutor

Katie Thomas

Katie completed a BA in Interior Architecture and Design with us, followed by achieving a distinction in Architecture: Spatial Practices.

Book your place today

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Interior design gallery

Various different colour swatches of a fabric

A plan for an interior space with swatches of different fabrics

Moodboard of various materials and pieces of furniture

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.