What's it like to study at Northumbria?
Studying at Northumbria has been a really positive experience for me. I previously completed my undergraduate degree here, so coming back for my PGCert in Interior Architecture felt natural. The university has a very supportive and creative environment, and the tutors are approachable and genuinely invested in helping students develop their ideas.
Best thing about studying Interior Architecture
The best thing about the course is the creative freedom we are given. It allows us to explore our own design interests while still being challenged academically. I also really enjoy the studio culture because you learn a lot from the people around you as well as from the tutors.
Favourite thing to do on campus / community
One of my favourite things is spending time in the studio and hanging out with friends on campus. The studio environment makes it easy to connect with other students, share ideas, and support each other during projects.
I definitely feel part of a community at Northumbria. The peer learning aspect of the course is really strong, and being surrounded by creative people motivates you to keep improving.
Course & career goals / industry links
The course is helping me build both my creative and technical skills, which will support my goal of working as an architectural assistant or architectural designer in the future. During my studies I have improved my software skills, model making, and design thinking, all of which are important within the industry.
I also completed a practical placement over the summer, which gave me valuable insight into professional practice and helped me understand how the skills we learn at university apply to real projects.
A time you realised you were capable of more
One moment that stands out for me was seeing how much my confidence developed through model making and learning new software skills. At the beginning, some of the technical aspects felt challenging, but over time I realised I was capable of producing much stronger and more detailed work than I initially expected.
The course pushed me creatively and helped me become more confident in presenting and developing my ideas.
Support that boosted confidence / ambition
The tutors have made a huge difference to my confidence because they are supportive and encourage us to develop our own design identity. Peer learning has also been very important for me. Being able to discuss projects and exchange feedback with other students creates a motivating and collaborative atmosphere.
Those experiences have helped me grow both creatively and professionally.
Advice for someone considering Northumbria
I would say to fully embrace the creative opportunities and make the most of the studio culture. Don't be afraid to experiment with your ideas and learn from the people around you.
Northumbria is a supportive environment with great tutors and a strong creative community, so if you are passionate about design and want to develop both personally and professionally, it is a great place to study.
