BSc(Hons) Product Design Technology (with Foundation Year)

Content

The programme sits within the wider Design community within the School of Art and draws on expertise spanning the field of design. We respond to current thinking and practices in the professional design industry as well as developments with cutting edge research so these areas of inquiry may be subject to change. Through a series of structured briefs each year, you'll develop your skills and tailor your practice in a multi-discipline approach. Topics and skills you'll cover include:

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.

Year one

• Analysis of a wider critical realm and investigate design in context
• Graphic Design
• Mechanisms and Structures
• Physical/digital modelling and communication techniques
• Studio-based practice
• The fundamental skills required to begin your design journey

Year two

• Development of digital and CAD-based skills
• Electronics prototyping
• Further development of your studio practice
• Materials and processes
• Product design engineering

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.

You'll complete a placement learning module during this time, which is the Work-Based Research Project.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

• Critically responding to a creative context and developing your own concepts within a clear design direction
• Design research methods
• Digital generative design
• Honing your studio-based practice with an individually driven project
• Learning to professionally communicate your project work
• Producing a final portfolio project to demonstrate everything you have learned on the programme and help you gain employment.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Our lecturers all have years of professional practice within the design industry. Along with an emphasis on hands-on learning, this gives the course professional practice focus that will prepare you for your career in design.

The course is project-led and taught mainly in studios. Apply your new knowledge to diverse projects that solve human-centred problems through design practice.

Focus on learning technical skills such as using computational stress analysis to design the structure of products.

Get intensive one-to-one mentoring with tutors for practical guidance on your work. Attend guest lectures with professional designers and receive help with your CV and interview skills from our partner organisations.

Lay a foundation in professional design skills including 3D design, sketching, concept generation, presentations, computer-aided design (CAD) and practical workshops. Gain an understanding of people and their complex emotional relationships with products.

Learn about human-centred design, co-design and innovative design processes, materials and manufacturing and form and aesthetics development.

Work on a range of studio projects with real companies (Brabantia, Dremel, Bloodhound and Piper Moto). Research, develop and create a product that will demonstrate your skills in the design area you'd like to grow in.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Showcase your work

Showcase your final year projects to family and friends, as well as regional employers at the annual degree show.

Graduates also exhibit at the New Designers exhibition in London, where awards and media interest are a springboard for careers.

Assessment

In Foundation year, you'll be assessed using coursework and exams. Exams are held in either January or May/June. Coursework will be a mix of essays, reports, surveys, design projects, teamwork and progress tests.

From year one, you'll be assessed mostly on your project work and the presentation of a portfolio of design and development studies. Four modules include conventional exams as a form of assessment.

Learn more about assessments.