Product Design BSc

Product Design touches every aspect of modern life, and there is growing demand from industry for students who are both creative and technically literate.

This multidisciplinary course bridges the gap between arts and engineering-led courses. It offers an even balance of art and technology, allowing you to explore the links between the two. You’ll gain the broad base of skills to work with designers from both arts and engineering backgrounds to see a product development process through from initial concept to design and production.

You’ll study at a university with an international reputation for design and innovation across many disciplines. All of our staff are experienced product designers or active researchers in related fields, which means that you’ll benefit from cutting-edge learning and teaching – and our strong links with industry ensure that course materials meet the needs of the sector.

Our active Industrial Advisory Board helps inform the development of this course to ensure that it is up to date with industry developments and requirements. This is one of the reasons why our graduates are so in demand from industry.

Course Highlights

• You’ll be taught by internationally renowned academics working at the forefront of their fields, who are passionate about the subjects they teach.

• The content of your course is shaped by our world-leading research.

• Project work is a key part of our product design degrees, where you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience. It enables you to develop skills as a researcher, asking and answering important questions about the way our world works.

• Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.

Specialist facilities

As a design course based in the School of Mechanical Engineering, this degree will give you access to our computing and prototyping facilities, as well as the technical expertise of our staff. Our design studio is equipped with the latest design software such as SolidWorks, and the Adobe Creative Suite, and our model-making facilities include forming, laser cutting, foam model sculpting and CNC routing.

In addition, you’ll have access to a 3D printing system that allows you to convert your ideas into physical prototypes to test for form, fit and function, allowing you greater freedom in designing and customising products.

Find out more about our facilities.

Enhancing your degree

During your time at Leeds, you can decide to study abroad or undertake an industrial placement.

Accreditation

Our Product Design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (iED) and by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. An accredited course must meet the quality standards set by the awarding bodies.

The course is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer by the iED and IMechE.

An Incorporated Engineer is an engineer who has become professionally registered with the Engineering Council. After registration you’ll be able to use the initials ‘IEng’ after your name, which signifies that you have met the necessary competence and commitment standard.

Years one and two

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

Design studio modules 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.

Modules 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 UX and UI for products that are becoming increasingly electronically focused.

The design awareness modules include visualisation techniques, design context, history, psychology, creativity and innovation, design information, computer-aided design systems and business. These from the basic technological and design process skills you will need to tackle complex design problem, giving you the ability to solve any challenge you will face in your professional career.

You will also have the opportunity to complete an industrial placement or study abroad, which will extend your degree by 12 months.

Year three

Approximately half of your third year is dedicated to major design projects. you will have the opportunity to develop a major project in an area of your choosing. This choice allows you to develop a project that is focused in an area of your interest and will give you the best opportunity to progress your career after you graduate. You will be supported by weekly meetings for a supervisor which will be a combination of small group sessions and individual 1-2-1s.

During this major project you will be able to demonstrate all of your design skill and capabilities for User centred design, UX design, electronics design, 3D printing, low fidelity prototyping, poster design, app design, manufacturing design and business case development.

Additionally you will develop 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.

Projects

Every year of the course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.

Find out more about the projects you could work on.

Design and Engineering ethics

You’ll study design and engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Visit our engineering ethics webpage to find out more.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Product Design BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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 lectures that mix teaching with practical work. In years three and four around half the course is dedicated to major design projects, which will allow you to develop your ideas and skills independently.

You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds, who will be an academic member of staff. You will have fortnightly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first two years, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings twice per semester. In addition, our excellent student support team is based close to where you’ll work and study to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries. You will also receive support from fellow students through our peer mentoring scheme.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

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 will be assessed in a variety of ways; through coursework such as design portfolio work and exhibitions, written reports and examinations.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA in an Art and Design related A-level such as Design, Design Technology or Art and Design is desirable but not 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.

Excludes A-level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Applicants must also present a design, design technology, art or engineering portfolio either during an applicant day interview (a physical, hard-copy is required) or via email (as an electronic copy). Please note that digital portfolios cannot be reviewed on the applicant day.

Applicants should 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.

Extended Project Qualification and International Project Qualification: Whilst we recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, 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: English Language at grade C (4) or above or an appropriate English language qualification, plus a minimum grade B (6) in Mathematics and B-B (6-6) in Combined Science or equivalent. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above, preferably including an Art and Design-related subject.

• BTEC

  DDD in Product Design, Engineering or an Art and Design-related subject.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, D3, D3 preferably including an Art and Design-related subject (desirable but not essential).

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level preferably including an Art and Design-related subject (desirable but not essential).

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 preferably including an Art and Design-related subject (desirable but not essential).

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AA at Advanced Higher level preferably including an Art and Design-related subject (preferable but not essential), and AABBB at Higher Level.

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 an alternative 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 alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: ABB, and minimum grades of 5 and 6 (B) in Mathematics and Science (in any order) at GCSE.

Please note that the Access to Leeds offer is dependant on completion of the Access to Leeds Scheme.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

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 a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

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.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on 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.

Read our guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Visit days

If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our visit days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

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.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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 about additional costs

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.

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a graduate job.

University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2021, High Fliers’ Research.

Our degrees will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in industry, including design, problem solving, design and engineering ethics, numeracy and analysis skills, together with transferable skills, such as communication and working as a team. Graduates have secured positions including:

• User Experience Consultant

• Creative Lead

• Design Manager

• User Centred Designer

• Product Engineer

• Industrial Designer

• Design Engineer

• Brand Manager

• Product Designer

• Design Researcher

• Enterprise Consultant

• Graphic Designer

To gain employment in the design industry, it is important that you are able to present your work in the form of a portfolio. You will therefore take a purpose-built career development module where you will put together and critically appraise what is likely to be your first professional portfolio and CV.

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. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You will be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Employability team, who will provide you with specialist support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and industrial placements, as well as graduate positions. You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers.

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

Visit our Careers and employability page to find out more.

There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

The optional study abroad year takes place between years two and three and will extend your studies by 12 months. You will return to Leeds to complete your final year of study.

Find out more on the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. 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.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

An industrial placement year is a great way to help you decide what kind of career you might like when you graduate. As well as giving you the opportunity to develop your skills, you’ll gain a real insight into working life in a particular company or sector.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability team, you can choose to undertake a salaried industrial placement year at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

During your industrial placement you will have an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout your placement.

Find out more about Industrial placements.