Application and Contact Details

Dr. Ian Walsh
Phone: 01792 481117
Fax: 01792 481158
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Programme Length

This Masters programme, validated by the University of Wales, is being offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis. The full-time mode will be of one calendar year's duration, while the part-time mode has a minimum duration of two academic years.

Programme Description

The MSc Industrial Design programme aims to reconcile consumer needs with manufacturing possibilities. It is concerned with the advancement of innovative paradigms for new product development. It does this by allowing students to explore alternative design methodologies in an increasingly digital field. This programme would be of particular benefit to teachers of design technology or to those working as designers/engineers in a design and development environment.

The programme places a strong emphasis on the use of the latest Computer Aided Design tools and Rapid Prototyping Technologies. The objective is to allow students to expand their knowledge base and contribute to the development of the profession. The lecture programme extends to embrace all the aspects of human environment, which are conditioned by industrial production in order to determine the formal qualities of objects produced in industry.

Programme Content and Structure

The programme consists of two parts: a taught part consisting of 120 credits, followed by a second part (the project) requiring in-depth research and the design and development of a product or system conditioned by industrial processes.

Part I

Students study the following subject areas grouped together in discrete modules. The total value of part 1 is 120 credits. The full time students study over a period of one calendar year but part-time students study the same subjects but over two years.

MSc Industrial Design Modules:

Contemporary Issues in Design
Design Development Principles and Practice
Research Methods
Product Realisation
Technology Futures
Rapid Product Development

Part II

Part II, the Major Project, is an in-depth investigation into a particular area. This element of the programme will be equivalent to 60 credits. The execution of this project may take a variety of forms and is a process of negotiation between student and project director. The outcome of the project would typically be a prototype consumer product utilising CAD and Rapid Prototyping in its design, development and realisation.

Assessment

The taught modules in Part I are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination. Each module is examined by means of course work assignments of a maximum of 6,000 words or equivalent.The project in Part 2 is normally assessed through the submission of a project and dissertation of not more than 20,000 words.

Full-time mode

The full-time scheme runs over a calendar year. The 6 taught modules in Part 1 will be studied over three ten week terms. Each term includes an allowance for revision and assessment of a module.
Part 2 (the project) will involve regular tutorials with members of the project supervisory team.

Part-time mode

A student enrolled on the part-time MSc programme would require a minimum of two years to achieve the award.

Entry Requirements

The normal entry requirements for admission to the MSc programme are:

1. an Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
2. for graduates of non-UK universities, sufficient command of spoken and written English to meet the demands of the programme (e.g. TOEFL 550 or equivalent)

The nature of the programme is such that candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds will be considered.

To be read in conjunction with this page

Equivalent Qualifications

Equivalent qualifications will be considered for entry onto the programme. For example, a candidate with a good HND, together with at least five years relevant experience would be considered. The candidate would be expected to provide evidence to support his/her application.

Other Skills Considered

Our offers are not solely based on academic results. We take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration.