Intro

Product designers use creativity and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions that enhance people’s lives. 

Our Product Design BSc(Hons) integrates practical experience and theoretical knowledge in a supportive environment as you develop the skills to become a well-rounded professional. You learn to navigate every stage of the product development process, with the ability to design sustainable, socially conscious, commercially viable and technically sound solutions.

Project-based learning in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary studio environment that mirrors industry, encourages you to learn from and with each other, helping prepare you for your career.

Key facts

Location 91快活林: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code W242

Full-time 4 years with placement year
3 years without placement

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers

What are my next steps?

Open days are the best way to find out about your course, the campus where you'll be based, and get a feel for the University of 91快活林.

Book your place: Moulsecoomb campus open day 23 November

Or if you're ready,

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBB–BCC (120–104 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

If your predicted or actual grades fall below the range but you can evidence your thinking, ideas and abilities through a high-quality portfolio we will still consider your application.

International Baccalaureate
27 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at merit or distinction.

T-level
Merit in one of these T-levels. Other T-levels are not accepted.

  • Design Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Design, Surveying and Planning

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least three subjects including English language and maths.

Foundation degree/HND
May allow direct entry to year 2 of the course.

Other
Recognised foundation programme in relevant area or relevant professional experience will be considered.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits, or relevant experience may count towards your course at 91快活林, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Don’t meet these entry requirements?
Our architecture and design integrated foundation year provides an extra year of study at foundation level if you do not have the academic qualifications or experience needed for entry to this course.
 
Successful completion of the foundation year enables you to progress onto year 1 of our Product Design, Architecture or Interior Architecture degrees.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English preparation courses.

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Portfolio advice

Before we make you an offer for a place on this course, we will ask to see a portfolio of your work. Sharing your work enables us to see your potential and to understand your approach and motivations.

After you apply we will be in touch asking you to share the link to your online portfolio. You'll be asked to upload the link to .

Creating your portfolio
We've put together advice and guidance to help you create and share your portfolio, and we run regular online portfolio advice sessions where you can get help from our expert team.

Contextual admissions

When you apply to 91快活林 we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Graphic with the text 'Potential + possibility'

Course content

Why choose 91快活林?

  • Work alongside others in a friendly, creative and collaborative studio environment. 
  • Develop your practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge, from placement opportunities to taking part in competitions and projects supported by industry such as the Fixperts project in the Design Practice: Inclusive Design module.
  • Bring your ideas to life in our workshops and prototyping labs equipped with the latest industry tools and technologies including 3D printers, CNC machines, VR and robotics.
  • Learn from our expert staff with a range of specialisms and excellent industry contacts, as well as visiting professionals, and gain a real grounding for a career that fuses creativity, science, technology and innovation.
  • Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers.
Lecturer and student discussing work in the studio

Year 1

In your first year you take four core modules that build on each other as they become more specialised in the four areas. The first part of the year introduces you to the fundamental elements of product design, developing your skills in making, thinking and evaluation. Later in the year you’ll be introduced to more complex design issues and skills including digital prototyping and manufacture, and inclusive design, and human factors, such as engaging with a global community of design innovators through Fixperts.

Modules

  • Design Practice: Creativity, Prototyping and Communication

    This module introduces you to product design knowledge, skills and abilities. You will explore 2D, 3D and digital skills as well as the workshop facilities and making practices and skills that will help develop your understanding of prototyping, and design for manufacture. You'll also find out about design methods, approaches and ways of thinking that will enable you to better understand ways in which designers research, develop and communicate ideas.

  • Design Cultures: Histories and Theories

    This module is the first Design Cultures module which introduces the designers, global design styles and movements that have helped to shape the world we live in and the way we design today. You'll develop analytical skills such as critical thinking that will allow you to understand design more fully and become a better designer. You'll explore the importance of history and geography, including the legacies of power that have shaped it as a practice, as material culture and a body of knowledge. You'll learn from a diverse range of sources enabling you to challenge the dominant narratives and approaches that you encounter.

  • Design Practice: Inclusive Design

    Work with other students to create ingenious solutions to an everyday problem for a real person. Your group will research, develop, test and propose viable human-centred design solutions using research methods, creative techniques, prototyping and testing methods, communication and storytelling techniques. Alongside the group work you will enhance your 2D, 3D and digital skills, building on your ability to design and present using CAD and supporting your ability to record and communicate using film-making and editing. You'll also learn methods and approaches that support  effective group working.

  • Design Technologies: Digital Manufacturing

    This module introduces you to digital fabrication principles, methods and tools which are explored and applied in a practical way through a series of mini design exercises followed by a 'stretch' exercise enabling you to apply what you have learned in an area that interests you. Students can make a variety of prototypes using CAD/CAM, 3D printing and scanning, electronics design and production, and wired and wireless communications. Your learning will be practical and hands-on, and you'll explore how to use the tools, equipment and machines developing your understanding the theory of how they work along with a critical evaluation of their applications.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through .

Student working with wood in the product design studio

Year 2

In your second year you develop products for a real market, including learning how to use different technologies to create prototypes as you build your understanding of the commercial side of product development. You also consider challenging global issues and how everyday practices connect with long-term consequences and become familiar with frameworks to help guide design decisions and ambitions. During this year you also explore contemporary issues in design and begin to identify paths you want to follow in terms of practice and further study.

Modules

  • Design Practice: Design to Market
  • Design Cultures: Contemporary Issues in Design
  • Design Practice: Responsible Design
  • Design Technologies: Interactions and Experiences
Two students working in the product design workshop

Placement 

A placement year gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience either through external work placements with industry partners or working on live projects. An alternative to professional placement is offered through the study abroad initiative which provides you with the opportunity to study with a partner university overseas. 

These experiences help to strengthen your portfolio and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Graduating award

If you undertake and pass your placement year, your experience will be reflected in the degree that you graduate with – Product Design with Professional Experience BSc(Hons).

George Gilliat did his placement with Lego in Denmark -

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can .

Ben Taylor talks about his experience of our product design degree course and how his placement year led directly to a job offer with an international FTSE 100 company.

Final year

Projects at the beginning of your final year help you to define your design specialism by allowing you to focus on your professional ambitions. Alongside this you undertake your dissertation, the knowledge you uncover as part of your research can also be used to support your design practice. 

In the second part of the year you undertake a single self-directed major project that integrates your learning across both the Design Practice and Design Technologies modules. Your final project embodies the values, principles, skills and experience you have developed during your studies into well-resolved clearly communicated design outcomes.

Modules

  • Design Practice: Professional Practices
  • Design Cultures: Dissertation
  • Design Practice: Self-directed Project
  • Design Technologies: Self-directed Project
Product Design student showcasing final year project

Kyle Withey won first prize at the 2023 University of 91快活林 Ideas Competition for his idea for a new type of 3D printer.


Facilities 

You have access to our specialist facilities equipped with the latest industry tools and technologies as well as our creative, collaborative studio space.

Technicians are on hand to offer expert guidance on the use of all facilities. They offer support and training with machinery and software as well as providing professional knowledge and advice for making and manufacturing your prototypes.

Workshops and equipment include:

  • 3D print workspace with a range of different printers and finishing areas
  • CNC workshop with a five-axis CNC machine
  • VR lab
  • Robotics lab
  • Wood workshop
  • Metal and welding workshop
  • Finishing room equipped with spray booths
  • Wind tunnel
  • Computer facilities with industry standard software including Photoshop, Illustrator and SolidWorks
Product design 360 tour

360 facilities tour
Take a look at our studio and workshop facilities 

Meet the team

You will learn from a dynamic teaching team of designers and researchers, with technicians on hand to provide support. You will also benefit from regular visiting lecturers sharing their knowledge of the industry.

James Tooze, course leader
James Tooze is a designer, maker and researcher whose work focuses on the interconnected areas of digital manufacturing, open data, urban production and future cities. His work is centred on the realisation that to transition to an economy that is regenerative by design, almost everything needs to be reevaluated, reimagined and redesigned. James's previous role was at the Royal College of Art where he was Senior Tutor on the Design Products MA. His research includes leading the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Future Makespaces in Redistributed Manufacturing Network and the British Council’s and Arts and Humanities Research Council’s study into ethics in makerspaces. He is a member of the Fab City Collective, a global network that is advocating, developing and researching the concept of locally productive and globally connected cities. James is a visiting tutor on the Masters of Design for Emergent Futures at IAAC Barcelona. James is a graduate of Design Products at the Royal College of Art and has a 3D Design BA from the University of Plymouth.

Dr Damon Taylor
Damon's research centres around the relationship between the designed environment and the politics of action. He takes a transdisciplinary approach, including methodologies such as design history, design studies, anthropology, social and cognitive psychology, and philosophy. He is interested in projects concerned with design activism, social design, critical approaches to design, emotion and design, affect and design practice, the politics of design history, craft practice, and the relationship between design, craft and other disciplines. .

Other staff who teach on the course include , , and .

James ToozeJames Tooze

Summer shows 2024

Every year our brilliant architecture, interior architecture, product design and design engineering students show their work at the University of 91快活林 Summer Shows. The shows are finished for 2024 but you can still take a virtual wander and explore our student’s creative work. 

More about this subject at 91快活林

Careers

 Preparing for your career

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, technical ability, communication skills and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree.

The product design degree course provides subject knowledge and expertise, opportunities to put what you learn into practice and work-related experience. You'll also develop transferable personal skills in teamwork, and project and time management skills that will be valued wherever your career takes you.

Working and collaborating with students from all years of your course, and with postgraduate and research students, is a big part of your learning experience.

Through your final year project you will demonstrate that you can design and take a product to market and show your work in the graduate show exhibition. Selected students will exhibit their work at the prestigious New Designers show in London. 

Product design exhibitions at the New Designers show

A stand at New Designers, the London show where graduating students display their work to design educators, professionals and consumers.

Career destinations

91快活林’s product design course equips you for a wide variety of professions, ranging from traditional manufacturing and design consultancy through to creative industries such as graphics, social media, marketing, research and new technologies. We have an excellent graduate employment record and your CV will be enhanced by 91快活林's reputation in the industry.

Our students have gone from 91快活林 into both local and internationally renowned companies including:

  • Apple
  • Dyson
  • Hallmark Cards
  • Jaguar
  • Mars
  • Nokia

Many have gone on to set up their own enterprises with support from the university.

Becoming a product designer

Our Product Design BSc(Hons) is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED). This is a mark of assurance that shows that our degree meets the standards of the profession and provides confidence in your qualification to your future employers.

Our studio structure mean that when you graduate you will have experienced working in a studio culture, collaborating with peers and presenting your work to an audience.

IED Logo

Placement year 

The experience you gain on your year-long placement is invaluable in helping you on your way to becoming a professional designer.

Many students find that this year informs their final year projects and enhances their employment prospects after graduating. Some go into their final year with a job offer from their placement company when they graduate.

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can .

Pete Barr talks about how his placement helped shape his career aspirations and final year at university.

Careers service 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more about our Careers Service...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Employment demand for arts graduates

The quantifying the demand for arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) skills in the workplace. It helps to answer the legitimate question of what the economic return is on undertaking a degree, both in time and money. 

According to the report:

  • As arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates progress through the first ten years of their career they are able to make strong progress up the career ladder into roles attracting higher salaries
  • Arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates are employed in some of the fastest growing sectors including financial services, education, social work, the media and creative industries
  • Of the ten fastest growing sectors, eight employ more graduates from AHSS than other disciplines.

This makes AHSS graduates at the heart of some of the most exciting, productive, largest and fastest-growing sectors of the UK economy.

Future skills demand

According to the report:

  • With the challenges the world is facing – climate change, global pandemics, the growth of populism – the UK needs the insights of the arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS) as much as those from science, technology and engineering (STEM)
  • Evidence within the report shows that Arts, humanities and social science (AHSS) graduates are central to these challenges and changes – they will be vital in giving us the tools to examine and explain human behaviour, understand how society functions, learn from the past and apply those lessons to the present, and analyse the drivers and implications of a changing world and how different countries, places and cultures interact.

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 15,900 GBP

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £2,280 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Fee information for this course for 2025 entry will be updated here no later than December 2024.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that are included and any extras that you may be expected to pay while studying a course  in the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
  • There will be opportunities to attend additional study trips or optional taught residential field trips throughout the school, but these are not required to pass your course. Normally, a contribution will be required towards expenses such as travel, entrance fees and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the trip is, but you should budget around £1,500.
  • Where optional international field trips are offered, these are not required to pass your course. You should expect to budget £300–£500 for these, to cover flight, accommodation, food and entrance to museums. The total amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • If you choose to take an optional paid placement, you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
  • Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £150.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software; however, many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices, but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available from the University of 91快活林.
  • Course books are available from the university, but you may wish to budget from £15 to £100 per year to buy your own copies and subscribe to design magazines.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.
  • Costs of up to £50 are included in the fees for students on engineering courses to pay for materials for their final year projects. On rare occasions where material costs exceed £50, they will need to be paid for by the student.

Architecture, interior architecture, design and product design additional costs

  • Students should budget around £25 for printing and binding dissertations in their final year.
  • In your first year of studies, you will need to buy a drawing and modelling toolkit. Each course will suggest a list of items of which some will be essential, and others optional. You should budget around £100–£250 for these.
  • For most courses you will need to budget between £100 to £300 per year for printing and portfolio costs. Costs will vary depending on type of printer and type and size of paper used. Some students tend to work digitally, spending more on printing and some by hand, spending more on materials so these costs vary widely between students.
  • For most courses you will need to budget between £10 and £100 for material costs per design project. Costs will vary depending on how and what you use to make models. You are encouraged to recycle used materials where possible.
  • You will need to budget between £5–£50 to exhibit work for the end-of-year show. Fundraising by the student society, BIAAS, normally helps towards this cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of 91快活林 seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can .

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

91快活林: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About 91快活林

The city of 91快活林 & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

91快活林 is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from 91快活林 to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from 91快活林
91快活林 Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

Loading maps...

Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our 91快活林 Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at 91快活林

Sport 91快活林

Sport 91快活林 brings together our sport and recreation services. As a 91快活林 student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Follow our product design courses on and .

Find out about news and events: subscribe to our .

Statistics

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at 91快活林. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment, so that you have all the information before you come to 91快活林.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website.

Course specification

Course specifications are the approved description of each course. They contain a breakdown of the content and structure of the course, learning outcomes and assessment. Course specs are updated following course changes.

Search again

Find your course