BSc(Hons) Product Design Technology

Program Overview

The Product Design Technology BSc(Hons) at UWE Bristol combines creativity and practicality, equipping graduates with the skills to create innovative products. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, project work, and industry collaborations, preparing students for careers in product design, industrial design, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Combines creativity and practicality to bridge the gap between product design and design engineering.
• Equips graduates with the skills and confidence to create innovative concepts and transform them into real working products.
• Graduates will have a deep understanding of technology, sustainability, and materials.
• Provides a foundation in professional design skills, including 3D design, sketching, concept generation, presentations, computer-aided design (CAD), and practical workshops.
• Develops understanding of human-centered design, co-design, innovative design processes, materials and manufacturing, and form and aesthetics development.
• Offers opportunities to work on projects with real companies.
• Graduates are prepared for careers in product development roles for design consultancies, joining in-house design teams for manufacturers and major brands, or launching their own products or establishing themselves as freelance design consultants.

Outline:

• Year 1: Design Communication, Design in Context, Graphic Design, Mechanisms and Structures, Product Design Studio 1.
• Year 2: Materials and Processes, Physical Computing, Product CAD, Product Design Engineering, Product Design Technology Studio 2.
• Optional Placement Year: If chosen, students spend a year away from the university on a work placement, completing a placement learning module.
• Final Year: Design in Practice , Design Research Methods, Individual Project (Product Design), Innovation, Technology and Design, Product Design Studio 3.
• Students who complete the placement year do not study this module.

Assessment:

• Assessed primarily through project work and presentation of a portfolio of design and development studies.
• Four modules include conventional exams as a form of assessment.

Teaching:

• Taught by lecturers with years of professional industry practice.
• Project-led and taught mainly in studios.
• Emphasis on hands-on learning.
• Focus on applying knowledge to diverse projects that solve human-centered problems.
• Technical skills development, such as using computational stress analysis to design product structures.
• Intensive one-to-one mentoring with tutors.
• Guest lectures with professional designers.
• Support with CV and interview skills from partner organizations.

Careers:

• Potential career paths include product design, industrial design, design engineering, user experience, graphic or web design, teaching, and exhibition and packaging design.
• Many graduates launch their own products or establish themselves as freelance design consultants.
• Strong links with local companies offering graduate jobs.
• Award-winning careers service provides career coaching, helps find graduate jobs, placements, and global opportunities.
• Access to employer events.

Other:

• Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
• Opportunities for students to participate in exhibitions and industry presentations.
• Graduates exhibit at the New Designers exhibition in London.
• Modern, well-equipped school facilities simulating industry.
• Dedicated Project Room for group assignments and brainstorming.
• Design studios for collaboration.
• Integrated studios for developing CAD, model-making, design, and drawing skills.
• Product design workshop with 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC routers.
• Field trips to study locations and meet relevant individuals.
• Residential field trips locally, nationally, and internationally.

Fees:

• Full-time; Sandwich course fees: £9,250 per year for home students, £15,850 per year for international students.
• Additional costs of £385 per year for materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software, or printing.

Entry Requirements:

• Typical offers: 112 UCAS tariff points.
• Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
• International applicants: Minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component.
• A-level subjects: A2 in Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science, Design and Technology, Electronics, Engineering, ICT, Maths/Further Maths, Music Technology, Physics, Product Design, Statistics.
• Access: 15 Level 3 credits at Merit in Art; Design and Technology; Mathematics; Product Design; or similar.
• Baccalaureate IB: Pass at Higher Level in Design Technology; Mathematics; Visual Arts; or similar.
• Irish Highers: Higher Level in Art; Biology; Chemistry; Engineering; Geography; Mathematics; Physics; Technology.

Application Process:

• Apply through UCAS.
• International applicants: Contact the International Admissions Team.

Full-time; Sandwich course

| Fees | Amount (£) | |---|---| | Home Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 | | Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 | | Home Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 | | Home Placement Year Fee | 1156 | | Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 | | International Annual (Per Year) Fee | 15850 | | International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 15850 | | International Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1981 | | International Placement Year Fee | 1981 | | International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 13869 | | Offshore Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 | | Offshore Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 | | Offshore Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 | | Offshore Placement Year Fee | 1156 | | Offshore Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 |

Indicative Additional Costs

| Fees | Amount (£) | |---|---| | Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per year | 385 |