- Are you inspired by emerging technologies?
- Would you like to collaborate on live design projects with leading companies, including projects supplied by Unilever, PepsiCo and Tyrone Textiles?
- Would you like to be involved in designing with ground-breaking, innovative technologies and materials?
- Do you recognise the importance of interdisciplinary design, and aspire to develop creative products and systems within teams from a range of backgrounds?
- Are you interested in developing products which will be used in everyday life today, tomorrow and into the next century?
The MA / MSc Smart Design are unique courses providing the multidisciplinary skills and understanding required to develop new products and systems, using innovative, emerging technologies.
Scholarship opportunities
Industry sponsored bursaries
- PepsiCo have confirmed two bursaries for students starting in 2012.
These will be to the value of £4,600 and are open for UK/EU and International students to apply for.
Details for the first bursary can be downloaded.
Information for the second bursary will be available inMarch 2012.
- We are awaiting confirmation on further industry sponsored bursaries for 2012.
In 2011 the following companies also provided bursaries for Smart Design students, in the following areas:
Tyrone Textiles – technical textiles
John Pacey-Lowrie - developing improved ocular prosthesis.
School scholarships
There are also several School scholarship opportunities for UK, EU and international Smart Design students.
Please visit the School scholarships page for full details and terms and conditions.
Recent projects
Take a look at the gallery of work from our 2011 graduates - this shows the variety of projects from retail packaging solutions to adaptive buildings and 'smart muscles'.
Working with industry
Working on live briefs set by industry you will:
- learn how to look for requirements and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and solutions
- consider how good design requires the combination of the latest materials, technology and hardware, designed to be straightforward for the end user, becoming an integral part of life.
You will be at the cutting-edge of product development, creating imaginative products and systems, capable of changing the way we live.
Industry support
Throughout the development of the Smart Design courses the School has engaged and consulted with industry to ensure that the content meets their requirements.
Many leading companies have expressed their commitment to supporting the course through live briefs and projects.
Accreditation
The MSc Smart Design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
This means students are fully supported by the Institution, and receive free IED student membership for the duration of their studies and first year of graduate membership.
MA or MSc?
The courses are available as an MA or MSc.
The key differentiation between the MA and MSc pathways will be the Futures module and your major project outcomes as outlined in your learning agreement.
Postgraduate open events
21 March and 9 May 2012
Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities.
Find out more and book your place.
Further information
Course enquiries:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2572
Admissions enquiries:
Ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Please note the following information for applicants
"I've just started work for Kraft, as a packaging technologist in the next generation packaging team. Basically we'll be doing exactly the sort of thing the course prepared me for - looking ahead at emerging packaging trends etc. It's going to be pretty exciting." Chris Holt, MSc Smart Design, 2011
What do current students say about the course?
“It's project orientated – practical side prepares you for a career.”
“We look at emerging technologies. Focusing on a future in design rather than learning technologies that are already in use. It'll help get ahead of the rest.”
“Approachable staff. It’s not an ivory tower mentality here.”
“It really is multidisciplinary. They don’t assume a pigeon hole and don’t expect expertise at the start. Use a bit or art and science and research in different areas.”
About the course
The course places great emphasis on the development of a major project based on a platform of considered research, and on an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Potential major project areas include, but are not limited to the following:
Medical / clinical products
Explore smart devices that can think for themselves, such as portable devices for use by medical patients within their own homes, innovative new medical instruments and devices or bandages that can detect bacteria.
Intelligent environments
Create intelligent environments such as systems which recognise you and acclimatise your house to your preferences, without even the flick of a switch!
Personal robotics
These include mobile devices made to make your life easier in and around the home – a study by ABI research predicts that the personal robotics market will be worth $15billion by 2015.
Smart packaging
Explore innovations in packaging which may include deterring counterfeiting, self heating containers or perhaps improving users convenience, such as milk cartons that change colour when the lifespan of the milk has been exceeded.
Technical textiles / smart fabrics and wearable devices
These include sports performance monitoring, medical monitoring and health care or for fashion and textiles garments with additional functionality.
Industry collaboration
A key focus of the courses is collaboration with industry. The School has established links with many companies who will provide live briefs, case studies and projects. This makes the courses particularly exciting and relevant to real word product development.
During the academic year 2011 / 12 students will have the opportunity to work on the following projects with leading industry partners:
- PepsiCo Europe – Smart packaging
- Tyrone Textiles and Future Factory – Technical lace
- John Pacey-Lowrie – Responsive ocular prosthetics
- Unilever - Wearable health monitor
The course is multidisciplinary, utilising experience and resources from established programmes within the School and also with the School of Art & Design and the College of Science.
Recent projects
Take a look at the gallery of work from our 2011 graduates - this shows the variety of projects from retail packaging solutions to adaptive buildings and 'smart muscles'.
Who teaches on the courses?
You will be taught by an experienced team who are passionate about this subject area. Take a look at their profiles to find out more about their areas of expertise.
MSc Smart Design and MA Smart Design
Course leader: Dr Phil Breedon
Dr Amin Al-Habaibeh
Professor Daizhong Su
Leslie Arthur
MSc Smart Design
Martin Higginson
Dr Sarah Kettley
Luke Harmer
What do you study?
Modules
Weeks 1 - 15:
- Research Methods (20cp)
- Horizon Scanning (20cp)
- Design Tools and Processes (20cp).
Weeks 16 - 30:
- Applied Design and Research (20cp)
- MA: Design Futures (20cp) / MSc: Technology Futures (20cp)
- Group Design Project (20cp).
Weeks 31 - 45:
- Major Study Project (60cp).
cp = credit points
These modules provide a broad education in design with a focus on technologies and materials and also allow you to benefit from studies outside of the chosen area of specialisation.
How do you study?
These modular, taught, practice-based courses involve individual and group project work.
The courses place great emphasis on the development of a major project based on a platform of considered research and on an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
The projects involve live briefs supplied by industry which involves working directly with companies and possibly also working in-house for short periods.
The group projects allow students to work with, and learn from, students exploring different platforms.
The Horizon Scanning module incorporates case studies and briefs from industry, consultancy, experts from NTU and other UK and European universities. The module will open up your horizons introducing you to new and diverse areas – which may enthuse you to explore a different project or to combine your skills with a new technology.
Accreditation
The MSc Smart Design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
This means students are fully supported by the Institution, and receive free IED student membership for the duration of their studies and first year of graduate membership.
Course location
The courses are based on the City site and benefits from the multidisciplinary features of the School - combining strengths in engineering, design, art, architecture and the built environment.
Many leading companies have expressed their commitment to supporting the course through live briefs and projects.
On successful completion of the course you will have unique, specialist skills and understanding, to be able to work on an international level in a wide range of roles, including:
- textiles, medical / clinical devices, packaging and robotics design
- architectural technology / intelligent homes system design
- teaching (specialist / specific design groups)
- design, materials and technology advisor.
"I've just started work for Kraft, as a packaging technologist in the next generation packaging team. Basically we'll be doing exactly the sort of thing the course prepared me for - looking ahead at emerging packaging trends etc. It’s going to be pretty exciting."
Chris Holt, MSc Smart Design, 2011
Read what leading contacts in industry say about Smart Design.
Although these courses do not offer formal placements, our collaboration with industry can provide opportunities for working in-house at companies on specific briefs.
Entry requirements
You will need a good UK honours degree (minimum 2.2), or equivalent. The course is designed for graduates from a wide variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to, those with a background in one of the following:
- art and design (2D and 3D)
- science
- engineering technologies
- multimedia
- architecture
- sports science
- robotics
- materials
- clinical /medical products
- textiles.
We welcome applications from mature applicants with non-standard qualifications who have relevant work experience. These applications will be considered on an individual basis.
- All applicants will be required to attend an interview (for international students via telephone or internet).
- If invited for interview: MA applicants will be asked to provide a design portfolio or examples of previous project work.
- If invited for interview: MSc applicants will be asked to provide examples of project work, which can be from your previous studies or work in industry. This is requested to enable us to understand your interests, and the level and type of work you have undertaken.
English language entry requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
Pre-sessional English courses
We offer Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) courses from six to 30 weeks for students who need help achieving these requirements. Even if you have already met the minimum entry requirements you could still benefit, as many students do, from the study skills and orientation to the UK education system that is offered by a short PEAP course.
For more information on PEAP including dates, fees and English language entry requirements for these courses, please visit our website.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
How to apply
Applications should be made via the online application form.
Applicants are advised to provide a comprehensive personal statement which clearly indicates why they have selected the course, their motivations for it, and how they expect to benefit from it.
Scholarship opportunities
Industry sponsored bursaries
- PepsiCo have confirmed two bursaries for students starting in 2012.
These will be to the value of £4,600 and are open for UK/EU and International students to apply for.
Details for the first bursary can be downloaded.
Information for the second bursary will be available in March 2012.
- We are awaiting confirmation on further industry sponsored bursaries for 2012.
In 2011 the following companies also provided bursaries for Smart Design students, in the following areas:
Tyrone Textiles – technical textiles
John Pacey-Lowrie - developing improved ocular prosthesis.
School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment scholarships
There are also several School scholarship opportunities for UK, EU and international Smart Design students.
Please visit the School scholarships page for full details and terms and conditions.
Other funding opportunities
The University offers several bursaries and scholarships. For the latest information please visit the Fees and funding section of the website.
Postgraduate open events
Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities.
Find out more and book your place.
Any questions?
Course enquiries:
Email us
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2572
Admissions enquiries:
www.ntu.ac.uk/askntu
Tel: +44 (0)115 9418 418
