What's it like to study at Northumbria?
Studying at Northumbria has been such a good balance of creativity, independence, and opportunities outside of the course. As a second year Interior Architecture student, the workload can be intense, but the studio environment makes it really rewarding because you're constantly surrounded by people creating, collaborating, and pushing ideas further. I also play netball alongside my degree, which has made uni feel much more social and balanced. One of the best things about Northumbria is how much is available if you actually make the most of it - from sports teams and societies to events, workshops, and industry opportunities. It feels like a university where you can genuinely build both your career and social life together.
Best thing about studying Interior Architecture
One of the best things about studying Interior Architecture at Northumbria is how personal and supportive the course feels. There are only around 20 people in my year, split between 2-3 tutors, you get a huge amount of individual feedback and guidance throughout projects. It never feels like you're just another student in a lecture hall because the tutors genuinely know your work, your design style, and where you need to improve. The smaller course size also makes the studio environment much more collaborative, as everyone knows each other well and is always sharing ideas and helping each other out.
Every week we have a review meeting where you get around an hour with your tutor to discuss the work you've completed that week and receive detailed feedback. This is really helpful because it keeps projects moving forward consistently and makes sure you don't fall behind. It also means ideas are constantly being refined rather than left until deadlines. We each also have our own designated studio desk, which makes the course feel much more professional and creative, especially because you can leave models, drawings, and materials there while developing projects. We also regularly have guest lecturers and industry professionals review our work, giving us valuable real-world insight and feedback from people actively working within the design industry. All of these opportunities are incredibly valuable, but the best part of the course is how personal the experience feels, allowing you to grow creatively with constant support and guidance.
Favourite thing to do on campus / community
One of my favourite things to do on Northumbria campus is explore different places and make the most of everything available. I love finding new study spots depending on my mood, especially places like The Zone when I want a change from the studio environment. The campus always feels busy and social, so there's constantly something going on, whether that's events in the Students' Union or even the comfort dogs that come in during stressful periods, which everyone looks forward to. I also really like trying different food spots around campus and Newcastle, as there's so much choice and it makes breaks between long studio sessions much more enjoyable.
Course & career goals / industry links
Studying Interior Architecture at Northumbria is helping me develop both the creative and professional skills needed for a career within the design industry. The course is very studio-based, which means we are constantly producing portfolio work, developing concepts, and learning how to present ideas professionally, all of which are essential within industry. Because the course is smaller and more personalised, the feedback we receive is detailed and helps push our projects to a much higher standard. We also regularly have guest lecturers and industry professionals reviewing our work, which gives us insight into real projects and expectations within practice.
The course has strong links with industry through live projects, professional reviews, and opportunities to network with practising designers and architects. Many students also complete placements or internships alongside the course, helping build experience before graduation. The focus on both technical skills and creative thinking means the course prepares us well for working within architecture and interior design practices after university.
A time you realised you were capable of more
One moment at Northumbria that made me realise I was capable of more than I first thought was during presentations and design reviews on my Interior Architecture course. At first, speaking about my work in front of tutors, guest critics, and industry professionals felt really intimidating, especially explaining creative ideas in detail. However, through constant feedback, weekly reviews, and regular presentations, I became much more confident communicating my ideas and trusting my own design decisions. Looking back, I never thought I'd feel comfortable presenting work so openly, but Northumbria has really helped me grow in confidence both creatively and professionally.
Support that boosted confidence / ambition
The support from tutors on my course has made the biggest difference to both my confidence and ambitions at Northumbria. Because the course is smaller, the tutors really get to know you personally and understand your design approach, which makes feedback feel much more valuable and encouraging. They genuinely want you to do well and constantly push you to develop your ideas further, while still making you feel supported throughout the process. Having weekly reviews and regular conversations about our work has really helped me become more confident when presenting ideas and trusting my own creative decisions.
A special mention has to go to Patrizio Martinelli and Peter Dixon, who have both been incredibly supportive and motivating throughout the course. Their encouragement and honest feedback have really helped me grow creatively and pushed me to aim higher with my work and future career ambitions.
Advice for someone considering Northumbria
My biggest advice for somebody considering Northumbria would be to get involved in sports and societies as early as possible because it completely changes your university experience. Going to the society and sports fairs at the start of the year is one of the best ways to meet people, try something new, and find a community outside of your course. Joining netball alongside my degree has helped me build friendships, stay motivated, and create a much better balance between university work and social life. Even if you've never tried a sport before, Northumbria makes it really easy to get involved at any level. I'd also say to say yes to opportunities and make the most of everything available, because the university has such a social and supportive atmosphere and there's always something happening on campus or within societies.
