UCAS Course Code: W242 
UCAS Course Code Title: BA/PD 
Duration: 3 Years

Admissions Tutor: Matthew Archer
Tel: 01792 481117
Fax: 01792 481158
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Programme Philosophy

Our vision is to produce design professionals able to respond creatively to the changing needs of people in a commercially and environmentally sustainable manner.

Programme Design

This programme focuses on the humancentred aspects of product design. Emphasis is placed on idea generation, form development and product styling through studio and workshop practice, allied with a sound understanding of materials and manufacturing. The programme integrates traditional studio practice with state-of-the-art digital tools, with students utilising the latest versions of industry standard computer aided design and visualisation software, and rapid prototyping facilities.

You are encouraged to focus on people, exploring the visual and socio-cultural perspectives to better understand our relationships with consumer products. A heavy emphasis is placed on evaluating human needs, both utilitarian and emotional, in our interaction with designed artefacts.

Employment Opportunities

The diverse nature of the programme provides the graduate with the necessary creative thinking and communication skills so highly desired in today's dynamic workplace. Graduates from the programme are prepared for commercial practice and can explore sustainable design for mass or smaller scale production depending on individual career aspirations. Graduates can pursue employment opportunities as designers within established consultancies, in-house design teams of manufacturing companies or by setting up their own creative businesses. Final year students prepare for their launch into the highly competitive graduate marketplace with the Marketing and Self-Promotion module, and all students are encouraged to protect and exploit their intellectual property through entrepreneurial initiatives.

Programme Structure

Each year of the programme has a value of  120 credits spread over the following subject areas.

Year 1

Design Methods

History of Design and Material Culture

Materials and Manufacturing

Design Visualisation

Design Prototyping

Year 2

Professional Practice

Design in Context

Design for Sustainability

Advanced Surfacing and Visualisation

User Analysis

Year 3

Major Project

Design Manifesto

External Project

Marketing and Self-Promotion

Entry Requirements

To be read in conjunction with this page

All candidates are invited to the Faculty for an informal interview and must normally also fulfill at least one of the following requirements

- Normally at least 220 points with at least 100 points in a Design related subject (D&T, Art & Design, Graphics etc.), plus grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level (or equivalent), together with passes at grade C or above in another 4 approved subjects.

- BTEC National Diploma or Certificate in a relevant subject, with minimum grades of Merit.

- GNVQ Advanced in an appropriate subject.

- Foundation Diploma, plus at least 80 points in a relevant academic subject.

- Successful completion of an appropriate Access course.

- Other qualifications considered to be equivalent.

Advanced Entry
Appropriate HND or HNC qualifications will enable direct entry to Year 2 of the programme.

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