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Product Design BSc (Hons)

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • UCAS Code(s): W244 / H715
  • Start Date(s): September 2019
  • Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

Our BSc (Hons) Product Design course concentrates on the underlying technology of product design, with projects that combine both form and function. The course concentrates on the design of products for manufacturing, digital, industrial, electronics and medical applications, placing technology and scientific advancement at the core of the design process.

You'll develop your knowledge of materials, and explore new and emerging technologies, including mechanics and electronics. Through commercial projects with industry you’ll reflect, model, test, modify, develop and improve your ideas.

Why study this course?

  • You'll benefit from excellent employability prospects. 100% of our BSc (Hons) Product Design sandwich students are in graduate level employment within six months of finishing their studies, earning an average graduate salary of £25,800 (DLHE, 2016-17).
  • Learn how to use a range of design tools and techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratories and industry-standard workshop spaces, including 3D printers, design and test laboratories, electronics workshops and CAD design suites.
  • 96% of our BSc (Hons) Product Design Sandwich students are satisfied with their student experience (National Student Survey, 2019).
  • Our course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), recognising the quality and relevancy of our course content and enabling you to become members of the IED throughout the duration of your studies.
  • Gain vital skills and experience in the workplace by undertaking a one-year placement.
  • Explore local and international design, with inspiring trips in the UK and abroad included in your course fees. Previously students have travelled to Berlin and Prague as part of their studies.
  • Take part in live design projects with briefs from real clients. Previous clients have included SAPA, McGee and PepsiCo.
  • Turn your ideas into a viable business with help from The Hive, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
  • Add to your CV and challenge yourself by taking part in competitions such as the Engineers Without Borders Challenge, producing innovative and exciting designs to complex briefs.

How does the course differ from our BA (Hons) Product Design and BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design courses?

  • Our BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design course specifically focuses on furniture and homeware product design.
  • Our BA (Hons) Product Design course concentrates on the design of products, systems and services including consumer goods, electronic gadgets, sustainable products, sports and healthcare equipment, packaging, and transportation.

What you’ll study

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Matthew Russell-Smith

BSc (Hons) Product Design

In five years time I hope to have started my own business with fellow students at NTU. We will offer product development services as well as consultancy.

Bethany Wignall

BSc (Hons) Product Design

There’s lots of staff involved with teaching and supporting the course. We’re quite a small course and so have a close-knit relationship with the academic staff and always feel comfortable to ask for help and advice.

Video Gallery

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Staff Profiles

Chris Lamerton - Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Chris has developed and manage the learning experience for all year groups across our suite of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Product Design courses. As both a manager and designer he contributes…

James Dale - Head of Department

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

James Dale is the Head of Product Design in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.

Careers and employability

Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the design industry, through work placements, working on real projects from industry, input from industry professionals, and regularly updated course content.

Where do Product Design graduates from NTU work?

NTU has a strong product design alumni community with many graduates working in senior positions in leading national and international companies.

Recent graduate destinations include Dyson, Triumph, TATA, Cummins Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover, Solid Solutions, AECOM, Brett Martin, Harkess-Ord and Accuride.

Our Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies and up to three years after completing your course.


Excellent placement opportunities

NTU is ranked first in the UK for the number of year-long placement undergraduates studying design-related courses (HESA 2016-17).

By choosing our sandwich (4 year) route, you’ll have the opportunity to take a year-long work placement during your studies, giving you the opportunity to gain real experience in industry. The majority of our placement students receive a salary.

As well as working on briefs as part of the course, our students have won national competitions with Starpack, the Engineers Without Borders Challenge, and Innovation in Plastics.

Alex Bordino, BSc (Hons) Product Design, working a new design for fire helmets with Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service

Where can I work on placement?

Students typically gain placements in product design companies across the UK and abroad.

Recent destinations have included Solid Solutions, HJC Design, Nestlé, Bosch, Games Workshop, Tesco and Vauxhall. There are a wide variety of placement roles available within the industry and the majority of our students have worked as designers or in design engineering roles.

Professional qualification

Successful completion of the 36 weeks leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice, which will further enhance your CV.

Campus and facilities

How to apply

Apply through UCAS.

As part of your application, you’ll submit a personal statement. Tell us about your ambitions, skills and experience. You have 4,000 characters to impress us – here’s how to make your words count.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.

Apply through UCAS (if applying to more than one university in the UK), or through our NTU Applicant Portal if you're not applying to any other UK university in the same year.

  • For a step-by-step guide on making an application to the University, please visit our how to apply page.
  • For advice on applying for a visa, please visit our visa information page.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Please also take a look at our international students pages and our application guide for international students, which are full of advice and information about the University.

If you need any more help or information, please contact our International team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our official NTU representatives for your country.