Interior designer

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject like:

• interior design
• art and design
• interior architecture
• spatial design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could take a college course to get started, for example:

• Level 3 Diploma in Interior Design
• Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design
• A Level in Art and Design

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and a creative subject

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could do a furniture design technician advanced apprenticeship to get into interior design.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a design assistant with a company and take further training and qualifications on the job.

Further information

You can get more details about careers and training in design from the British Institute of Interior Design.

You can get information on working in this and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• meeting clients to discuss their requirements and ideas
• developing designs to suit clients' needs, their budget, and the type of building
• preparing initial sketches and mood boards for the client to approve
• advising on use of space, colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
• working out costs and preparing estimates
• creating detailed drawings from the initial sketches, usually on a computer
• finding suppliers of fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings

You could work in an office, from home, in a creative studio or at a client's business.