Product Design BSc

Course overview

Product design spans a wide variety of sectors and requirements by combining creativity with technical skills. The next generation of product designers could find themselves working on the design and development of physical products, such as electronics, furniture and other manufactured goods, but also on digital products such as software or apps.

Successful product designers bring together a variety of skills from different specialisms including the arts, engineering and technology, visualising and creating new products to meet the demands and challenges of the modern world.

Studying product design at Leeds will give you the broad base of skills needed to work with designers from both arts and engineering backgrounds. You’ll also learn the entire product development process – from developing user insights and creating concepts through to detail design and production.

This is a practical course, so you’ll benefit from specialist facilities including computing and prototyping facilities, as well as the technical expertise of our staff. Our design studios are equipped with the latest design software, including SolidWorks and the Adobe Creative Suite, and our model-making facilities include forming, laser cutting, foam model sculpting and CNC machines. You’ll also have access to a 3D printing system to convert your ideas into physical prototypes and test for form, fit and function. All of this means you’ll have everything you need to get started on your career in product design.

Why study at Leeds:

• This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers. 
• Work on your own design projects, putting into practice what you have learned by designing, prototyping and testing their performance. 
• Our world-leading research here at Leeds helps to solve real-world societal problems and feeds directly into your course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking.
• Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with a paid industrial placement year.
• Access specialist facilities, including a high-spec computer cluster and extensive laboratory space. 
• Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society for Product Design. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds who share your passion for Product Design.

Related course

Want to give your CV that competitive edge? Take a look at our degree that includes an industrial placement year, giving you the opportunity to build key professional skills and gain invaluable work experience that could set you apart in the jobs market when you graduate.

Accreditation

Institution of Engineering Designers (iED)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) as fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Registered Product Designer (RProdDes).

It also fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partially meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Course details

Each academic year, you'll take a total of 120 credits.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Years 1 and 2

During the first two years, the course is divided into three broad subject areas: design studio, design technology and design awareness.

Design studio learning will help you develop important design and communication skills through design project work. These projects vary in length and focus. Some are driven by research, others are connected to national and international competitions, while others still are supported by industrial partners through ‘Live’ projects which have real- world applications.

Content on design technology provide you with the technological understanding to create and deliver efficient and effective designs, covering the basics of mechanical, electronic and materials engineering. This will support you to deliver solutions that have an awareness of state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, environmental implications of a design and the ability to engage with both user experience and user interaction for products that are becoming increasingly electronically focused.

Design awareness includes visualisation techniques, design context and history, creativity and innovation, design information, computer-aided design systems and business. These form the basic technological and design process skills you’ll need to tackle complex design problems, giving you the ability to respond to any challenge you face in your professional career.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Engineering Materials – 20 credits

Develop a good understanding of engineering principles relating to structure-property relationships and how these can be controlled by various manufacturing methods including heat treatment. You'll learn how to distinguish between microstructure, crystal structure and other material aspects determined by intrinsic bonding. All of these are important in the selection of materials in your design work.

Contextual Studies and Ergonomics – 20 credits

Learn about aspects of design and technological awareness, and contemporary influences on design. The module reflects the importance given to developing your ability to recognise that design and technological activities are inextricably linked. You’ll develop the skills associated with value judgements that are an essential part of the product design and development process.

Engineering Analysis for Product Designers – 20 credits

Develop both your engineering analysis skills – including mathematics and mechanics – and your ability to apply these skills to design problems. A mixture of lectures, a practical design and build project, and laboratory-based activities are used to encourage you to learn and apply these skills from various perspectives.

Basic Electronics for Product Design – 20 credits

Explore the fundamental concepts of C++ Arduino programming, library usage, basic electronics theory, Ohms law, and Kirchhoff's circuit laws. The theory is complemented with practical skills in microcontroller programming to interface with electronic components. By the end of the module, you’ll emerge equipped with a robust understanding of electronic fundamentals along with practical prototyping and programming skills.

Design Studio 1 – 40 credits

Build an understanding and practice of the Product Design discipline through a series of design briefs/projects. You'll learn how to approach the different phases of the product design process, whilst exploring and developing design proposals using a range of methods, practical skills and specialist knowledge.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Design Studio 2 – 40 credits

A problem-based design studio module with projects that will challenge you to apply and combine your skills and learning so far to develop and communicate creative solutions to complex problems.

Creativity in Professional Practice – 20 credits

Develop your commercial awareness and explore the value of design thinking and design communication skills within industry. The module will help you maximise your potential in preparation for industrial placements and your professional career. The content of this module focuses on careers in industrial design and the creative industries.

Design for Manufacture for Product Designers – 20 credits

A problem-based design studio module with projects where you’ll apply your understanding of manufacturing processes and develop advanced CAD (computer-aided design system) skills to produce 3D solid models of a detailed design for mass production that also satisfies user needs.

Advanced Electronics for Product Design – 20 credits

Through this module, you’ll explore key electronics and processes needed for product design. You’ll cover programming microcontrollers, design products that incorporate electronic sensing and build proof-of-concept prototypes to demonstrate solution principles of your own designed products using standard electronic parts.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Choose either the optional module or select a 20-credit discovery module instead.

Economics and Management – 20 credits

Explore economic concepts relevant to manufacturing enterprise and apply these to business problems. You’ll also learn how to identify the structure of an industrial market and understand the principles of finance for manufacturing investment.

Year 3

Approximately half of your final year is dedicated to a major design project where you’ll have the opportunity to develop a 3D design in an area of your choosing, alongside other modules in manufacturing, mechanics and product design.

Compulsory modules

Design Project – 60 credits

This module allows you to develop a project that is focused on an area of your interest and will give you the best opportunity to progress your career after you graduate. You’ll be supported by regular meetings with a project supervisor which will be a combination of small group sessions and individual one-to-one meetings.

This major project gives you the platform, to further develop and demonstrate your design skills and capabilities including user-centred design, mechanical and electronics design, low and high fidelity prototyping, design for manufacturing and business case development.

By developing a project from market and user needs, through design generation and evaluation to a working prototype, as well as a technical understanding, you’ll gain the planning, time management, presentation and report writing skills that are in demand from employers.

At the end of the project, you’ll showcase your work at our annual Product Design degree showcase event.

Additive Manufacturing – 20 credits

This module will introduce you to key concepts of Additive Manufacturing and demonstrate the different techniques that are commercially available. You’ll also cover the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field, including elements of research-led teaching. You’ll learn through various interactive lectures, hands-on tutorials using 3D printing equipment and demonstrations using the various Additive Manufacturing equipment in the School.

Mechanical Systems – 20 credits

Explore the principles of mechanical systems and develop the skills required to build working prototypes. This will concentrate on the value of working prototypes and mechanical systems in product design, and the selection of appropriate standard components to meet required performance criteria.

Experience Design & User Interaction – 20 credits

With product design and technology continuously evolving into the digital world and the emergence of new devices, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of human-centred design and interaction design to enable an appropriate user experience. In this module you’ll be introduced to the principles of human-centred design, visual design, perception and cognition to help inform effective interactions and user experience design.

Engineering summer internships

As a student in our Faculty, you’ll have the unique opportunity to do a paid summer internship. It’s your chance to get involved in the real-world research projects happening in and around the University – and advance your own professional skills in research and experimentation.

Want to find out more? Check out what our recent students got up to on their summer internships.

One-year optional work placement or study abroad

During your course, you’ll be given the opportunity to advance your skill set and experience further. You can apply to either undertake a one-year industrial work placement or study abroad for a year, choosing from a selection of universities we’re in partnership with worldwide.

Learning and teaching

This course combines design theory and technology with practical design work. As a result, you’ll benefit from a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, design studio work, tutorials and interactive workshops that mix teaching with practical work. In your final year around half the course is dedicated to a major design project, which will allow you to develop your ideas and skills independently.

You’ll have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds, who will be an academic member of staff. In your first year, you’ll have academic tutorials in your tutor group (of typically 5 students). In addition, across all three years, you’ll have one-to-one meetings with your personal tutor once or twice per semester. In addition, our excellent student support team is there to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a variety of assessment approaches to test different knowledge and skills. Assessments will enable you to demonstrate your competency in a particular skill, as well as measuring the extent of your knowledge and understanding. They are designed to be fair and inclusive.

We’ll use different forms of assessment including written examinations (held at the end of each semester) and coursework that also develops key transferable skills that will be relevant to your future professional practice, such as design portfolio work and exhibitions, written reports, teamworking and presentations.

Assessments will develop your ability to bring together evidence from a variety of sources, and to critically understand and evaluate. You’ll also have frequent opportunities to develop your understanding of assessment and to improve your performance, for example through formative assessments with feedback, guided marking, peer review and opportunities to practise key assessment methods.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

An Art and Design related A-level such as Design, Design Technology or Art and Design is desirable but not essential. An interest in art and design is essential.

Where an A-level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-level at the stated grade.

Whilst a portfolio is not required as part of the decision/offer making process, successful offer holders will be invited to attend an optional in-person offer holder event, which will include an interactive portfolio review session with department academics. This is a good opportunity to get feedback from department academics.

If you choose to attend, please bring with you include two to three projects which demonstrate design abilities. These can include extra-curricular design projects or samples of work which demonstrate skills associated with design, for example: art- work, photography, CAD, engineering or technical projects. Please note that digital portfolios cannot be reviewed on the offer holder events.

Extended Project Qualification, International Project Qualification and Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: We do not currently include them as part of our offer-making. We do, however, encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement.

GCSE: A minimum of English Language grade 4 (C), Mathematics grade 6 (B) and Combined Science 6-6 (B-B) or equivalent. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English instead of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme, and minimum grades of 5 and 6 (B) in Mathematics and Science (in any order) at GCSE. Plus, a pass in the Access to Leeds Scheme.

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Applicants

If you are a mature applicant and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and Math qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Further information on the support available for mature students can be found at https://www.leeds.ac.uk/mature-students.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

Foundation years

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year.

We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without science and mathematics qualifications.

You could also study our Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc which is for applicants whose background is less represented at university.

On successful completion of your foundation year, you will be able to progress onto your chosen course.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
The fee for UK undergraduate students is decided by the Government and may vary if policy changes. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 will be £9,535.

The tuition fee for the following programmes with an integrated foundation year is £5,760 for the foundation year, and £9,535 for subsequent years of study:
•    Business Studies with Foundation Year BSC
•    Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
•    Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
•    Social Science (foundation year) BA
 

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.
 

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course and check the deadline for applications through the UCAS website.

We may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Admissions guidance

Read our admissions guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

What happens after you’ve applied

You can keep up to date with the progress of your application through UCAS.

UCAS will notify you when we make a decision on your application. If you receive an offer, you can inform us of your decision to accept or decline your place through UCAS.

How long will it take to receive a decision

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses. For applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline, UCAS asks universities to make decisions by mid-May at the latest.

Offer holder events

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer holder event. This event is more in-depth than an open day. It gives you the chance to learn more about your course and get your questions answered by academic staff and students. Plus, you can explore our campus, facilities and accommodation.

International applicants

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students.

We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Read about visas, immigration and other information here.

If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Contact us

School of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Admissions

Email: ugmech@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The employment opportunities in the field of product design are far-reaching, with the potential to take you all over the world. The range of roles includes Design Manager, User Experience Designer, Product Engineer, Product Designer, Design Researcher, Enterprise Consultant and Brand Manager.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Qualifying with a degree in product design from Leeds will set you up with the core foundations you need to pursue an exciting career across a wide range of industries, including:

• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Technology
• Marketing
• Construction
• Finance
• Retail
• Professional services

The breadth of knowledge and experience you’ll gain – including design, problem solving, design and engineering ethics, numeracy and analysis skills, together with communication and teamwork skills – are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Design Engineer, Dyson
• Design Project Leader – Jaguar Landrover
• Design Engineer, ETT Industries
• Mechanical Design Engineer, Tesla Motors
• Associate Consultant, Collaborative Solutions
• Experience Designer, Future Platforms
• Insights Researcher, Household
• Digital Analyst, BT
• Marketing Manager, Silver Fox

Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

You’ll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to explore the world, whilst gaining invaluable skills and experience that could enhance your future employability and career prospects too.

From Europe to Asia, the USA to Australasia, we have many University partners worldwide you can apply to, spanning across some of the most popular destinations for students.

This programme offers you the option to spend time abroad as an extra academic year and will extend your studies by 12 months.

Once you’ve successfully completed your year abroad, you'll be awarded the ‘international’ variant in your degree title upon completion which demonstrates your added experience to future employers.

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

An industrial placement year is a great way to help you decide on a career path when you graduate. You’ll develop your skills and gain a real insight into working life in a particular company or sector. It will also help you to stand out in a competitive graduate jobs market and improve your chances of securing the career you want.

On this course, you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

If you decide to undertake a placement year, this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you’ll be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability Team, you can find the right placement to suit you and your future career goals.

Here are some examples of placements our students have recently completed:

• Product Developer, Axora
• Customs Design Engineer, MTO, DePuy Synthes
• Retail Design, L'Oréal UK Ltd
• Product Designer, Sensio Ltd
• Project Management Intern, BMW Group Financial Services
• Junior Producer, Glass Eye Ltd

Find out more about Industrial placements.