BA (Hons) Product Design
When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
- This is an exciting and dynamic subject area, where you can really start to express yourself.
- During this course you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to work in today's design and manufacturing industries.
- You'll study at our Markeaton Street site, which has fantastic facilities.
About the course
This BA (Hons) Product Design 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'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.
Your lecturers have real world experience as designers working for manufacturing companies and as consultants.
You can specialise in furniture design or eco-design during this course. We offer you a great opportunity to develop your design skills - our students and graduates are now regularly winning national prizes.
If you want to gain work experience, you can take an optional work placement between stages two and three during which you'll study an additional qualification, the Diploma in Professional Practice.
This course is in the process of being professionally accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) at Membership level for graduates. It is also accredited by the Engineering Council.
If you don't have the appropriate qualifications to start this course, you can study Year Zero for a year first.
Your career
Employment prospects in this sector are good. Our graduates have shown that there is a wealth of career opportunities available to product designers. Many still find employment in traditional industries, despite the downturn in British manufacturing and industrial output.
There's a strong market for good designers - it's a global business. Many international organisations choose to centre their design efforts in the UK. With modern technology, geography is no longer a limiting factor.
Sam Johnson - a recent graduate has gone on to work at LEGO in Denmark as a Junior Designer. He said "My job does involve a lot of LEGO building, which is great. I have also found the skills that I learned at the University of Derby have been very useful in aiding me with the design process." Read more about his story.
What our students say
Gemma Maddox, created an innovative baby crib designed to reduce the risk of cot death. It was showcased at the New Designers' Exhibition in London. Gemma said:
"I took on board all of the concerns and anxieties of parents, listened to the advice of midwives and designed what I considered to be a modern product which answered all of the concerns raised by parents by designing out these problems. Everyone has been very positive."
How you'll learn
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.
How you're assessed
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.
Fieldtrips
There will be frequent visits to companies as part of project work.
Work placements
A placement year is possible at the end of stage two.
Start dates
This course starts in September.
If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course full time in:
September 2012
If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:
September 2012
Please contact the programme leader for more information about part time study.
UCAS code
W241
Fees
This is a resource intensive course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £7,495 (each year)
- Part time: £935 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total).
International students
- Full time: £9,975 (each year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
More information about our fees for September 2012 and the support available
Course length
Full time: 3 years, 4 years sandwich. (Placement year is optional.)
Part time: available by negotiation.
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 280 UCAS points from A levels (excluding General Studies) or ...
