Product Design BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): H715 (with placement year) / W244 (full-time)
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Four years full-time with placement year, three years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course has both eyes (and hands) on the technological side of design — the making and manufacturing of products, systems, and services. It’s a great option if you’re naturally curious about design engineering, and looking for a practical, hands-on approach.
We’ll be analysing form and function in design, encouraging your creativity whilst also taking a specialist’s dive into areas like electronics and robotics, mechatronic techniques, materials testing, and manufacturing. We’ll explore the emerging trends — things like UX, smart technology, and sustainability.
In product teardowns, you’ll ‘reverse engineer’ items from the inside, and then design out their flaws; on site visits, you’ll receive live project briefs from some of the industry’s biggest players, who’ll review and feedback on your work. You could even test your skills on a year-long professional placement; our previous assignments have included TATA, Samsung, Autodesk (San Francisco), and Hubs (Amsterdam).
We’ve developed this course to ensure you’re not just an option for employers, but their priority. You’ll graduate with a designer’s eye for innovation, an engineer’s skill in manufacturing, and a CEO’s appetite for the bottom line. That’s a powerful package — and it’s why our graduates secure work with companies like Dyson, Disney, Unilever, and McLaren F1.
Explore the work of our graduating students in our Student Showcase.
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NTU is 2nd for the number of undergraduate students studying Design subjects (HESA 2021/22). -
You’ll be using the same equipment as the pros. From 3D printers to water-jet cutters and bandsaws, plus dedicated workshops for wood, metal and concrete working, we’ve got the lot — minimising the jump from uni to industry. -
We’re industry-focused with great connections. Through live projects and placements, you’ll be working with leading companies such as Tesco, PepsiCo and JCB. It’s great for your portfolio and CV, and you’ll also get excellent employability support. -
Prove your talents to industry reps — exhibitions like New Designers and NTU’s annual Degree Show are fixtures in the product design calendar, while our students have won big at competitions like the Starpack Awards and Engineers Without Borders.
Main image: Work by Bethany Wignall
Read more on our success at the 2023 StarPack Student Awards 2023 - where we received a record number of awards given to our current Product Design students.
What you’ll study
Video Gallery
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.
Sandwich placement year
In your third year, you'll have the opportunity to take a year-long, full-time placement. Placement years are the perfect opportunity for you to put your skills to the test in a real design role, and test out potential careers. Through modules and projects, you'll study in Years One and Two, you'll develop skills that employers are looking for and a design portfolio that showcases your design interests and capabilities. Our Employability team will support you in everything from finding opportunities to preparing your CV and practicing interview techniques.
This year in industry will provide you with invaluable experience that is hugely valued by graduate employers. It can also give you a sense of focus and direction for your final year work, and graduate jobs. Some of our students design their final year projects around their experiences in industry and sometimes work with their placement companies to deliver the work. Many students return to their placement company after graduation, having developed a useful network of contacts within the industry.
Students typically gain placements in product design companies across the UK and abroad. Recent destinations have included:
- Nestlé (Switzerland)
- Asap Water Crafts
- Antalis
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Rail Renewables
- ReCyrcle
NTU is 2nd for the number of Undergraduate students studying Design studies (HESA, 2021/22).
Professional qualification
Successful completion of the 36 weeks leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice, which will further enhance your CV.
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
- Accuride
- Disney
- Unilever
- NHS
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.
Course accreditation
Our course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), recognising the quality and relevance of our course content to industry. It also provides a pathway to progress through the membership stages of the body following graduation.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Final Year Showcase
Check out our NTU Design Industries Virtual Student Showcase, an online exhibition celebrating the work of our Class of 2023 graduates.
Keep up to date with our current Final Year Product Design student work on Instagram - @NTUDI
What our students are doing now
Employer-led project – Alpkit
As part of their Year 2 of study, BSc (Hons) Product Design students were invited to take part in a live project brief set by outdoor clothing and equipment supplier, Alpkit
Product Design students celebrate success at the WPO WorldStar Global Packaging Awards
Product Design students celebrate achievements at Hydro Extrusions design competition
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.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU Applicant Portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. 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.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.