Program Overview

Design (Product, Ceramics, Silversmithing and Jewellery) - BDes (Hons)

Overview

A dynamic course with specialist pathways in Product Design, Ceramics, and Silversmithing & Jewellery, exploring innovation through design and making.

Summary

BDes (Hons) Design is a dynamic studio-based programme where you will develop an investigative and material-led design practice within one of three specialist pathways: Product Design, Ceramics, or Silversmithing & Jewellery. Situated within the Belfast School of Art, the programme encourages critical thinking through making, combining conceptual development with practical skill.

Award

Bachelor of Design with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School

Belfast School of Art

Campus

Belfast campus

UCAS code

W260

Start date

September 2025

Careers

With this degree you could become:

• Product Designer
• Furniture Designer
• Industrial Designer
• Ceramicist
• Jewellery Designer
• Silversmith
• Designer Maker

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Freelance Designer Maker
• Teacher
• Lecturer
• Big Small Design
• Leckey
• Consider It Design
• Mivan

Modules

Year one

• Visual Investigation
• Material Practices
• Design Research and Cultural Contexts 1
• Design Studios 1

Year two

• Professional Practice
• Design Enterprise
• Design Studio 2
• Design Research and Cultural Contexts 2

Year three

• International Academic Studies (optional)
• Industrial Placement (optional)

Year four

• Design Futures
• Major Project Research and Context
• Major Project

Standard entry conditions

• A level: CCC (one of which should be either Art & Design or Technology & Design)
• Applied General Qualifications: RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (Subject must contain Art, Technology or Design Units) Award profile of MMM
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects including Art or Technology at H4 or above (four of which must be at higher level) and English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
• GCSE: Pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language
• English Language Requirements: Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Fees and funding

• Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees: £4,855.00
• England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees: £9,535.00
• International Fees: £17,010.00

Additional mandatory costs

• Students purchase materials for their own coursework.
• Consumable workshop contribution of up to £100 is optional and contributes to materials used by students.
• Field trips may incur additional costs.
• Student Trips: Approx £250 Year 1 & 2 (Elective)