BA (Hons) Product Design

UCAS code: W241

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, four years sandwich (placement year is optional), part time: available by negotiation.

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

This course has its emphasis on industrial design and the relationship between people and products. This is an exciting subject area - it's where art meets science in the quest to make better, more attractive products that people want.

You'll focus on the things that employers tell us they want from graduates:

• Industry sponsored assignments
• Group projects
• Knowledge of the latest technologies in CAD, visualisation and rapid prototyping

You can specialise in furniture design or eco-design, and we offer you a great opportunity to develop your design skills. Our students and graduates are now regularly winning national prizes.

You'll study at Markeaton Street and you'll work in studios and workshops, running alongside computer based systems, to develop traditional design skills that employers say are relevant in a modern design environment.

You'll study a total of 120 credits per year. This will be made up of single or double modules.

Stage one

You'll study modules such as:

• Management of the Business Environment
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes
• Product Design Studies
• Innovation
• Computer Aided Product Design
• Design Evaluation

Stage two

You'll study modules such as:

• Design Project Concept
• Innovation Applications and Personal Development Planning
• Design Project Development
• Design Context
• Industrial Design

You'll choose one module from:

• Eco Design
• Furniture Design

Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)

You'll study modules such as:

• Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice
• Applied Professional Practice

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Major Project Research
• Major Project (double module)
• Advanced Industrial Design
• Design Management and Personal Development Planning

You'll choose one module from:

• Advanced Eco Design
• Advanced Furniture Design

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) not including General Studies or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

‌

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £8,250 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Your lecturers have real world experience as designers working for manufacturing companies and as consultants, so you'll benefit from their expertise.

You'll have a mixture of lectures, tutorials, group work and self-directed study. Much of your time will be spent in the studio, workshop or CAD facilities.

Learning strategies include practical studio-based project work with formal lectures, seminars and debates to embed underpinning theoretical knowledge. We demonstrate relevance of the curriculum to industry and profession through industry learning opportunities, live project work, competitions, teamwork, cultural field study visits and visiting speakers.

You can go on an optional work placement between stages two and three, which is a fantastic opportunity to gain some real experience of working in the industry.  You'll also gain an additional qualification - the Diploma in Professional Practice.

Find out more about placements

Our graduates have shown that there is a wealth of career opportunities available to product designers, in the UK and abroad.  This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to start your career in the industry.