1. 2018-2019 Interior Architecture & Design – Induction Pack
Faculty of the Arts, Design and Media
Birmingham School of Architecture and Design
Interior Architecture & Design – Induction Pack

2. Contents 1 - WELCOME AND COURSE OVERVIEW 2 – ICE BREAKER ACTIVITY
3 - TIMETABLE
4 - ENROLMENT
5 - LOCATION MAP
6 – READING LIST
7 – EQUIPMENT LIST
8 – INDUCTION PROGRAMME
9 – KEY UNIVERSITY SERVICES

3. 1 – WELCOME Glenda Strong
Welcome to the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design Programme at Birmingham City University.
The purpose of this document is to provide key information to prepare you for life as part of the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design Programme. Additional details to assist your preparation for life at the University will be sent out prior to your arrival. This will also include the necessary documents and information required for you to bring to ensure that your induction onto the programme is hassle free.
The first week of the programme commences 10am Monday 17TH September. During this week you will have the opportunity to engage in a series of ‘ice-breaking’ tasks, whilst also allowing you to get to know your tutors, classmates, and surroundings.
The formal timetable for the induction week will follow, although some minor changes may take place during the week – don’t worry, we’ll keep you well informed! It is however vital that on Monday 17TH September at 10am, you report to Room P436 on the 4h Floor of the Parkside building.
The information in this pack will be supported by your student handbook – which will be provided to you once you start at BCU. We look forward to welcoming you this September and sharing your journey with you.
Kind Regards
Glenda Strong
Level 4 Leader for BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design

4. 1 – COURSE OVERVIEW
LEVEL 4 - The first year of study aims to implement a programme of study that builds on varying levels of your knowledge and understanding through the introduction of the design principles, design processes, materials and visual language that make up this fascinating field.
LEVEL 5 - The second year aims to advance your studies through professional practice and ‘live’ project based learning, as well as inform your appreciation of the diversity of activities within the field of interior design. It is envisioned that you will conduct in-depth self evaluation and personal development, learn to develop effective creative CVs and communicate with industry. The year also aims to develop advanced verbal and visual communication skills, as you learn to position yourself within the industry.
LEVEL 6 - The third year aims to encourage individual direction, collaborative opportunities and establish study methods of a more self-directed nature, requiring the application of previously acquired knowledge and skills. L4 L5 L6
Student Work

5. 1 – COURSE OVERVIEW

6. 1 – COURSE OVERVIEW

7. 2 – ICE BREAKER ACTIVITY
In preparation for jour first ice breaker activity please bring along the following on Monday:
A photograph of your favourite view. This needs to be a place you have physically been to so that it is meaningful for you. This view is a view from a window that you have looked out of and a view that brings you happiness. It could be city, nature, your own home, a holiday etc. Any view that is special to you. Printed as hardcopy.
A photograph of your favourite interior room. Again it must be a place that you have visited yourself. Printed as hardcopy
A small object that is meaningful to you.

8. 3 – Time Table
A Detailed Timetable will be issued to you in induction week. From a personal planning point of view you will be expected to be on Campus on:
Tuesdays from 8.45am (for 9am start) to 5.00pm
And
Wednesdays for selected Super Studio activities.
Fridays from 9.30am (for 10am) start to 5.00pm
As a general rule, for every hour on campus you should also be spending at least another hour on self-directed study, where you prepare, review and improve on work covered during taught sessions. Although you are at University for two and a half days a week, plan to work on your assignments five days a week.

9. 3 – Time Table
Term Dates
A detailed timetable will be issued to you at the start of term, from a personal planning point of view these are the key dates for your diary: (Please do not book holidays during term time)
Monday 10/09/2018 International Orientation Week
Monday 17/09/2018 Welcome week - Induction
Monday 24/09/2018 Term Starts
Friday 14/12/2018 End of Term
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Monday 07/01/2019 Term Starts
Friday 12/04/2019 End of Term
EASTER BREAK
Monday 29/04/2019 Term Starts
Monday 27/05/2019 End of Term
RESIT PERIOD
Do not book your holidays until you know that you have passed all your modules.
If you have modules to retrieve you will be required to attend weekly re-sit tutorials
Wednesday 04/06/2019 Resit period starts
Wednesday 12/07/2019 Resit period ends

10. 4 – Enrolment Tuition Fee Payment
If you have secured a tuition fee loan or grant through the Student Loans Company you will need to bring your ‘Notification of Entitlement’ letter.
Evidence of sponsorship if a sponsor, such as an employer, is paying your fees.
If you are paying your own fees you will be required to make a payment in accordance with the University’s Fee Payment Policy.
Additional Information
Documentary evidence we may have asked for in your offer letter as a requirement for entry onto your course (i.e. a completed Occupational Health Form and/or a completed DBS form if applicable).

11. 5 – Location
The Interior Design school is situated within the Parkside Building.
Parkside forms part of the “City Centre campus”:
The Parkside Building
5 Cardigan Street, Birmingham B4 7BD
Click here for further maps and directions

12. 6 – Reading List
The list of books overleaf are recommended for your studies in Interior Design. A good idea would be to form a book club with your new colleagues and share resources. Whilst prices of books vary good sources can be found at Amazon ( for both new & used books; ABE Books, which deal specifically in quality 2nd hand books ( The Book Depository, which offers a great range of books – often beating many other prices ( with all books having free delivery. Laurence King publishing also offers good deals for students (
To find out & compare the prices of books, visit the website Searches conducted via the site compare the prices (including delivery) of a book from a multitude of different sources, allowing you to select the best deal. The books included are for a cross-section of the different modules, which make up the entire programme. Please refer to your handbook & modules guide when you receive them for the separate reading lists for each.
In addition to these books it is also suggested that you invest or look at the following journals/magazines: AD
Icon
Dezeen (Online)
Frame
Design Boom (Online)
Design Milk (Online)
Archdaily (Online)

13. 6 – Reading List BOOK LIST – References for level 4 students
All modules include a recommended reading list. Here are some for early consideration:
Essential
BROOKER, G. (2008) Key Interiors Since London : Laurence King Publishing
CURTIS, W. (1996) Modern Architecture since 1900, (3rd ed. ) London, Phaidon
FARRELLY, L. (2012). Materials and Interior Design. London: Laurence King Publishing
WHITEHEAD, J. (2017). Creating Interior Atmosphere: Mies-en-scene and Interior Design. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Recommended
BROOKER, G & STONE, S. (2007) Basics Interior Architecture. London: AVA Publishing
CHING, F.D.K. (1998)  Interior Design Illustrated New York: Wiley.
COTTRELL.S. (2010) Skills for Success: the Personal Development Planning Handbook 2nd ed., Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Grimley, C & Love, M. (2013) The Interior Design Reference and Specification Book. Rockport Publihsers, USA.
KARLEN, M  Lighting Design Basics. Hoboken, N.Y: Wiley.
PLUNKETT, D. (2014) Drawing for Interior Design (Portfolio Skills). London: Laurence King.
PLUNKETT, D. (2014) Construction and Detailing for Interior Design (Portfolio Skills). London: Laurence King.
SPANKIE, R. (2009) Basics Interior Architecture - Drawing out the Interior. London: AVA Publishing

14. 7 – EQUIPMENT LIST
Whilst many facilities are provided you must budget to fund your use of materials throughout the programme. As a student on the Interior Design programme you are required to obtain your own set of basic tools. As you are buying your own equipment it is likely that you will want to look after it and it is advisable that you purchase a suitable case to keep them in. The list below includes both studio and workshop items.
A broad range of good quality pencils – 2B, B, HB, & Eraser
A set of good quality coloured pencil crayons such as Faber Castel
Scale Ruler for 1:20, 1:50, and 1:100 scale
Black fine liner pens in three sizes ( )
Small adjustable set square
A3 cutting mat
300mm Steel rule
Craft knife or utility knife with a retractable blade (NOT a scalpel !)
White tack (not blue tack)
Steel tape measure – 5mtr (metric NOT inches !)
A3 pad of good quality cartridge paper for drawing
A3 Tracing paper pad and
One roll of Sketch/Detail light weight Yellow Tracing paper
Medium sized scissors
Overall or apron/ old shirt/ Strong shoes
5 x Good quality marker pens in very light colours and a pad of bleedproof paper for marker pens.
1 inch Masking Tape
UHU Glue. Do not buy the solvent free variety

15. 7 – EQUIPMENT LIST So what do you need?
In addition to the basics you should seriously consider purchasing a laptop to support your studies (If you haven’t already got one!). Many first year modules require on-line activity and you will be required to utilise a range of design and visualisation software packages throughout your three years.
The entire City Centre Campus has free WIFI coverage to allow Internet access at all times. The type of (minimum) computer specification recommended is as follows:
Laptop Computer with large enough hard drive and memory to access relevant grpahics software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Vectorworks, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Please note that as BCU students Vectorworks is available free. It is also recommended that you purchase an external hard drive to assist with transferring information & to backup files. Laptops are available to hire from the ICT department – but not all laptops run all the software you will need for the course . You will be notified of any additional resources you will require throughout the course.

16. 8 – INDUCTION PROGRAMME Information for Overseas students
The types of activity that will take place during induction week will be:
Library Induction
Joining University Societies
Studio Introduction
Computer Induction
Orientation
Additional details to assist your preparation for life at the University will be sent out prior to your arrival. This will also include the necessary documents and information required for you to bring to ensure that your induction onto the course is hassle free.
Information for Overseas students
Students from overseas are invited to attend a Faculty orientation programme. (if applicable, the details will have already been posted to you).
Prior to the start of your programme the University runs an International Orientation Week designed specifically to be an informative and fun introduction to living in the UK and studying at Birmingham City University. The main registration day for Orientation Week is Monday 10th September.

17. 9 – KEY UNIVERSITY SERVICES
Where can I find support or advice?
Just ASK – we’re here to help!
The University operates a fantastic integrated student enquiry service called ASK.
Look out for a Helpdesk on the first floor of the Curzon Building. You can also contact us by telephone and online – you will see an iASK tile when you log into iCity.
We’re aiming to offer a fast, efficient and friendly service to help you with queries relating to:
Enrolment
Fees, payments and money issues
Changes to your student record
Health and wellbeing
Childcare
Visas and immigration
Careers
Graduation ceremonies certificates & transcripts
Complaints and academic appeals
You’ll still need to go to Course Central for questions about your course or to see your tutor but for everything else ASK us.

18. 9 – KEY UNIVERSITY SERVICES
Student Services
Our Student Services department offers a wide range of support for students. Specially trained staff can assist with issues related to health and wellbeing, finance, child care, as well as visas and immigration. Please visit the Student Services website for further information by following the link below:
If you have a disability you can talk in confidence to our Disability and Mental Health advisers. They can provide you with the help and advice you need. More information can be found by following the link below:

19. 9 – KEY UNIVERSITY SERVICES
Your University ID card
Please keep this with you at all times as you will be asked to swipe your card to access campuses and libraries as well as to record your attendance at teaching sessions. We want to make sure that you get the best out of your studies and monitoring your attendance will help us to see whether you may need additional support and guidance at times.
Your University address
When you have enrolled you will be given a personal University student address which will be used for ALL communications with you. It is essential that you remember to check your account regularly to ensure that you don’t miss important communications about your studies.
Your iCity portal
The University’s iCity web portal (icity.bcu.ac.uk) provides a single point of access for everything you need when starting at the University. It is the default web page on all University computers and allows quick and easy access to key services including: printing; ; the IT Service Desk; Library and Student Services. Important Faculty and University information is communicated via iCity in the form of news, notices and events listings. You can also access all your course-related information.
mySRS portal
This is the University’s portal ( where you will be able to enrol, update your personal details such as your term time address and much more.

20. AND FINALLY . . .
We very much hope you enjoy your time with us at the University!
See you in September!

21. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
As part of your enrolment at Birmingham City University you will be required to accept certain terms and conditions related to our regulations, policies and procedures. You will be asked to confirm that you have read, understand and agree to comply with them when you initially enrol on your course through the online enrolment task for the duration of your course.