This MA programme is designed for art, architecture, and design graduates who wish to specialise in creative approaches to the making of the interior. The programme works contextually and aims to provide an adaptive response to under-utilised built-heritage at risk.
The design studio is the vehicle for the delivery of a teaching and learning strategy which is largely project-based. This allows for the presentation of the studio as a simulated interior architecture and design consultancy. Students act as design associates in a firm with an established ethos, knowledge base, culture, documentation standards, and design approach under the direction of a team of managers.
It is foreseen that this approach will produce an enabling and encouraging work environment, which respects individual well-being, sets realistic expectations, and allows for personal development and growth.
The programme offers two pathways: Treatise by Practice and Treatise by Research; both pathways are designed to provide a platform to progress to further employment in interior consultancies or to advanced study at the doctoral level.
How You Study
MA Interior Architecture and Design is a full-time course with two intakes: in October and in February.
All students enrolled on the Master’s programme. You may then elect to take a stage qualification or pursue the full programme. The full programme comprises of four compulsory modules. There are no elective modules.
The programme offers two pathways: Treatise by Practice and Treatise by Research; both pathways are designed to provide a platform to progress to further employment in interior consultancies or to advanced study at the doctoral level. In both pathways, students will partake in research and design activities.
The postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in the studio, lectures, and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least three hours in an independent study. This is a full-time programme and students are expected to dedicate 40 hours per week to the course. For more detailed information, please contact the Programme Leader.
Delivery:
Contact Sessions (25%)
Seminar: a classroom session focussing on a particular topic or project; typically a tutor-led group discussion.
Tutorial: a meeting involving one-to-one supervision, with feedback or detailed discussion. Students must be prepared and bring discussion points/agenda items and project management documentation.
Supervised work: students work independently but under supervision in a studio.
Peer-to-peer: students explain their ideas to each other and participate in shared learning/working activities.
Charrettes: students participate in directed design activities/exercises under supervision.
Self-directed learning (75%)
Fieldwork: practical work conducted at an external site; such as building surveys, accessing archival information (physical and digital), and other forms of data collection.
Projects: students plan and execute their own projects.
Library: students conduct independent reviews of subject literature in the library.
E-learning: students complete prescribed online learning activities in their own time.
Studio meetings take place on Mondays, and studio work on Fridays. Research seminars are presented on a Monday for the first six weeks in Term 1 and 2. These are supported with theory seminars for the first six weeks in Term 1 and 2. Fieldwork and self-directed study are scheduled for the remainder.
Contact Hours
Owing to the nature of postgraduate programmes, a significant proportion of your time will be spent in independent study and research. Research students will have meetings with their academic supervisors, however, the regularity of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of the programme. For taught programmes, weekly contact hours may vary depending on the individual module options chosen and the stage of study.
Methods of Assessment
The way you will be assessed on your course will vary depending on the subject and the type of postgraduate programme you select. A taught programme could include a written dissertation, exams, presentations, and projects. A research programme could include a thesis, oral examination, and presentation to a group of research academics. You may be expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding. Please see the individual course pages to find out more.
Modules
Definition and Direction (Core)
Interior Architecture and Design Research Methods (Core)
Interior Architecture and Design Thesis Project (Core)
Preparatory Work (Core)
How You Are Assessed
Formative assessment occurs regularly throughout the programme by means of student critiques, draft written assignments, and progress reviews. Summative assessment is via project presentation supported by written project documentation.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly – usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Scholarships
There are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
For each course, you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake fieldwork or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional, you will normally be required to pay your own transport, accommodation and general living costs.
There are additional costs associated with this course. These will vary depending on the scope and ambition of the research and practice carried out by each student on the programme
With regards to textbooks, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Entry Requirements 2021-22
First or second class honours degree or equivalent professional experience.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. This qualification must have been obtained prior to submitting your application.
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Teaching and Learning During Covid-19
At Lincoln, Covid-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the student experience. We have made changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience. We will continue to follow Government guidance and work closely with the local Public Health experts as the situation progresses, and adapt our teaching and learning accordingly to keep our campus as safe as possible.
Research Areas and Topics
The course is supported by the research endeavour of the Critical Heritage and Place Consumption Research Group. (https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lsd/research/criticalheritageandplaceconsumptionresearch/)
Students develop their own projects, within set parameters. Projects are conceptualised as the critical response to existing built heritage (this includes contemporary and historic buildings which can be considered as heritage at risk or as underutilised resources).
Studio production incorporates knowledge-based practices, is inquiry-based, and can be described as research-engaged design. In this, the course fully embraces ‘Student as Producer’ as an organising principle.
Features
The design process utilised in the course is based on the imaginal strategy defined by Konigk (2015) and Scott’s (2008) process of altering architecture.
The programme is focused on the critical response to cultural heritage: students produce contemporary and progressive interior outputs. All modes of alteration (installation, insertion, intervention) and additions are possible, but preservation and new build are prohibited. The emphasis is on change of use adaptive-reuse (which distinguishes interior architecture and design from conservation and architecture).
