British Academy of Interior Design. Any opinons?

[Deedee92]

I have started my diploma course at Baid about a year ago. Studying from home I did not appreciate how difficult this is going to be. I am now almost halfway through. Submitted assignment 5 but only just found out that I have not passed assignment 4. I have to submit every single assignment at least once as there is always something wrong with it. I barley every get a good word from my tutor and it really puts me off the whole course. I am going to push through it and finish the course but I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with BAID? Or studying from home?

Hi,
I joined the certificate course ( part time) an year ago.
I am completed my assignment 7 and feel I am getting no where.I have to constantly remind them of feedback on assignments as they don’t review on time ( within 2 weeks).Just like you , I had to submit Assignments twice with the hope of getting better marks ( merit / distinction) , but I get new reasons for not meeting outcomes everytime.
I am really fed up and don’t know if I should continue as it is very discouraging.
When I called up couple of days ago they send me an email for upgrade of course ( HNd) Which is starting this Sept.
Apparently this is my last chance as the course is now changed.
I have no confidence as struggling a lot with current assignments and don’t want to commit any more.
I am very disappointed and should have joined a proper institute like Klc or Inchbald.

This is not encouraging at all. I was hoping to enroll at BAID this month but I have now changed my mind.
Anyone with any suggestions?

Hi Seela,
In my opinion KLC and Inchbald are the best options if you are looking for private institutes. You can get their prospects online and do visit open days. They also offer taster sessions free of cost , you can gauge for yourself.
Good luck!

Personally I have done their course and found it to be good value for money - certainly in comparison to KLC and Inchbald standards - you would nearly need to remortgage to afford their courses. I did find studying from home tough at the start but once you get into it and become self disciplined I actually enjoyed it - it was my 'me time' :-) .
One thing I would advise is to forget about the grades - just pass - that is all you need... no one is going to ask you if you got a distinction or a merit or a pass when you go into their house to give a consultation! - well at least I have never been asked! Good luck and keep going ladies! It will be worth it in the end! We had a fab graduation day!!

I studied the HNC (level 4). To be honest I found the assignments OK - some more interesting than others as they touched on specific areas of interest for me but I guess that is to be expected. We did ideas generating, surveying and tech drawing, contextual studies (history), a living room.... (sorry struggling to remember). I don't really think it matters what the focus or subject of the assignment is as the principles are the same. Whether I am designing a friend's house or a coffee shop I still follow the same process. I loved the whole design cycle and how you come up with your design in the first place. What I have found since working in the industry is that the suppliers of the products are the experts anyway - I go to kitchen manufacturers and work hand in hand with them if I am designing a kitchen. I can't remember if I ever did a whole kitchen design whilst studying but it hasn't affected my ability to design a kitchen. Hope that helps. Keep at it! It will be worth it I promise :-)

Hi all, just joining this thread and also in the process of doing research on BAID. I was thinking of doing the classroom based Post Graduate Diploma program. Has anyone taken a classroom based program and if so, how did they find it? I feel that the reviews on the school is such a mixed bag.

Clicksmay, your feedback was very helpful and glad overall your experience was positive.

Does anyone know how design firms view the education from BAID? It’s my understanding that you don’t learn AutiCAD but you do learn Google SketchUp. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!

Interesting, I’ve been researching for a course too and have looked at all three but can’t decide. Has anyone looked at NDA?

Keafsom- Thank you very much for your feedback! I think I am going continue to research other programs. I do have experience with more of the soft furnishing side, I was a product developer/designer in my previous career. I really wanted to learn more about the technical side, CAD, sketchUp and 3D rendering. I can only do this by hand at the moment! I’m also looking to learn more about sourcing/FFE - pricing, etc. How that whole process works. I’ve looked into other schools with similar programs but they’re so expensive!

Keafsom- ah! Then would you say it might be a good fit for me? I guess I am bit confused with all the poor feedback with organisation and the lack of interesting projects but maybe it would be a good fit. What you said about classroom support and meeting likeminded people sounded great. I guess I just want to make sure that I am making the best use of my time/money.

Keafsom- Many thanks for providing all this information and so much detail. This is so helpful. Wish the school would do taster session to get a better feel hence why I am doing this kind of research. Sounds like you’ve covered a lot, and this was within the Post Grad diploma program? What are you upgrading to next? Can I ask you this? Would you do it all over again if you could? They also claim to place you at a firm upon completion, do you have any feedback on where they’ve placed people? Thank you again!

I've been looking at doing the HNC with BAID as there is not really any other option where I live.. I am wanting to go onto Uni, does anybody know if the qualifications are actually recognised and are able to get you into higher education?
I want to work for myself to be honest but have no clue where to start!

Hi Joe, Here is a link to some of the universities you could apply to for advanced entry: degreecoursefinder.pearson.com/search/?st=Q&LoS=6&sid=115&IsCourse=1#LevelOfStudy:6;Subject:115;@Page=1~k=$IsCourse=

By completing the HNC you will be awarded 120 BTEC credits and by completing the HND you will be awarded 240 BTEC Credits.

The BTEC HNC will help you to develop a portfolio of your work to gain advanced entry to the Universities above.

I did the PG Dip course with BAID last February and have to say I enjoyed it. One of the main reasons I chose BAID over the others was because it suited me in terms of flexibility. I was in a really demanding job at the time where id sometimes have to stay late and do wknds etc and missed the odd class but could always access the class presentation online. Its also ok to go along to class with no work done. While they advise you to try and do the assignments along with going to class, they wont throw you out either if you've nothing done. This suited me because at the time it was impossible to have anything done before class. I just didn't find anywhere else that allowed you this much flexibility, I think if I went elsewhere I would've had to give up work to keep up with course demands which with kids & mortgage wasn't an option. I'm now doing the assignments and still have full access to the course online and am in touch with my tutor by email. I found assignment 4 really hard and student services arranged a call with an in house tutor who talked me through it. This set up works for me, I know a lot of students prefer more hand holding than this but if you're prepared to manage your time well I'd recommend this

FYI: In fairness to BAID, I have to add that over the last month I have been in contact with BAID and they have taken on board my feedback and made changes, therefore my previous comments (under Keafsom without the 1 because I couldn't seem to log in!) regarding course content and organisation may no longer be valid.

" I did the PG Dip course with BAID last February and have to say I enjoyed it. One of the main reasons I chose BAID over the others was because it suited me in terms of flexibility. I was in a really demanding job at the time where id sometimes have to stay late and do wknds etc and missed the odd class but could always access the class presentation online. Its also ok to go along to class with no work done. While they advise you to try and do the assignments along with going to class, they wont throw you out either if you've nothing done. This suited me because at the time it was impossible to have anything done before class. I just didn't find anywhere else that allowed you this much flexibility, I think if I went elsewhere I would've had to give up work to keep up with course demands which with kids & mortgage wasn't an option. I'm now doing the assignments and still have full access to the course online and am in touch with my tutor by email. I found assignment 4 really hard and student services arranged a call with an in house tutor who talked me through it. This set up works for me, I know a lot of students prefer more hand holding than this but if you're prepared to manage your time well I'd recommend this "

This reads like the British Academy posing as a student, just a theory.

Also where are all Keafsoms posts?

Anyone else have experience of BAID, KLC, Inchbald or Institute of Interior Design? i am looking at a potential career change...

Hi, I’m also in the same position as you. Having looked at the courses available, I have been in contact with a lady who completed the diploma and I think I’m going to go with The Interior Design Institute.

I graduated BAID in January from BAID but enrolled with the Interior Design institute in the past. Found the Interior Design Institute very poor and could never contact my tutor or get a straight answer. I didn't finish the course and chose the BAID for their accreditation as I wanted a degree. KLC was too expensive for me so I found a happy medium. It also offered me the flexibility to study in Manchester on Saturdays and give me a break from home life and the kids. Tutors made the course for me but I can't comment on them in other areas. I had some trouble uploading work but I was able to call BAID and they helped. I did notice that it took me longer than expected because I am a perfectionist. BAID suited what I wanted but might not be for everyone