Program Overview

Furniture Design and Make (FdA)

Key Facts

• UCAS code: W261
• Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026
• Location: City of Oxford College (part of Activate Learning)
• Course length: Full time: 2 years, Part time: 3 years
• School(s): School of Arts

Overview

This foundation degree in Furniture Design and Make has been developed by Oxford Brookes University and City of Oxford College, where the course is delivered. It is linked closely with the furniture industry and aims to inspire creativity in design and excellence in craftsmanship through work-related study.

Situated in the Rycotewood Furniture Centre, our students develop skills as creative thinkers and makers who innovate furniture craft through the exploration of materials and skills. This programme balances design, craft, and theory to nurture furniture designers and makers of excellent ability. Students can progress to employment or further study with a broad understanding of the processes involved in the design and craft of furniture.

Course Details

Course Structure

• Year one introduces you to a wide range of practical skills, crafts, theories, and issues within furniture design and make including graphic communications and visual language through the use of CAD programmes and case studies, craft skills including hand and machine processes progressing to the manufacturing processes used in batch production and theoretical issues relating to manufacturing and material culture.
• Year two focuses on the development of skills and issues introduced in year one. You will be encouraged to explore a wide range of materials and processes in the design and development of your own furniture projects responding to aesthetic, functional, and technological issues. In addition, you will engage with materials technology, the history of furniture, sustainability, and the social implications of design through an extended essay on a topic of your choice.

Learning and Teaching

• Strong links to the furniture industry, professional-level workshops, and the technical expertise of our staff will provide you with a professionally relevant programme. Learning is based on practical scenarios and real-life situations with half of all projects in year two being work-related through live project briefs and competitions set by the industry. Our design and make projects are industry-linked so you will gain professional guidance and feedback from industry professionals.
• You will be taught through lectures and individual and small group tutorials in our Design Studio. Practical workshop sessions will take place at your own dedicated workbench and in our wood machine and veneering workshops. You will develop your learning through three-dimensional exploration, testing, and evaluation of design proposals, and high-quality outcomes supported by specialist lecturers and workshop supervisors.

Assessment

• You will be assessed on your practical and written coursework including practical projects, sketchbooks, and technical notebooks, case studies, reports, and essays. You will receive regular verbal feedback on your learning during tutorials and written feedback once you have submitted your practical or written work for assessment. Our feedback is designed to be supportive and to help you identify where you could develop your knowledge or skills further.

Tuition Fees

• Home (UK) full time off-campus: £7,700
• Home (UK) part time off-campus: £5,140
• International full time off-campus: £9,900

How to Apply

Further Offer Details

• Activate Learning welcome applications from mature students without formal qualifications, who now want to take the opportunity for some practical skills development. It also welcomes applications from those who wish to place their experience and knowledge within a formal educational framework.
• Students are normally expected to start at Level 4, but can be admitted to any level of the course which is considered suitable, after portfolio review and interview using the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Under this arrangement, a student may apply to have previous academic credits or other learning (APL) or experience (APEL) taken into consideration. Such applications are considered by the Faculty CATS committee and must be supported by the Programme Coordinator.

Entry Requirements

• Either:
  • a minimum of the equivalent of two years’ full-time relevant work experience and a current role in an appropriate workplace setting
  • evidence of ability to study at academic Level 4
  • evidence of support from their employer and recommendation;
• Or:
  • a minimum of one A-level at grade C plus the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes at C grade or above normally including Mathematics and English Language - or a recognised equivalent vocationally related qualification, or;
  • A National Diploma in General Art and Design,or;
  • An Art Foundation course, or;
  • Level 3 City and Guilds Diploma in Furniture, or;
  • Access to Art and Design

Selection Process

• All applicants to the course will be interviewed and their portfolios reviewed. As a minimum, the portfolio interview should be able to demonstrate that the applicant can do the following:
  • Show that they have an understanding of the course
  • Demonstrate that they have the necessary (or required) academic, artistic, and practical skills, to enable them to embark upon their chosen course of study.

English Language Requirements

• Where applicable; IELTS normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components and a minimum of 5.5 in the speaking and listening components.

Careers

• You will be equipped with the theoretical understanding and the practical expertise needed to undertake work in a variety of roles within the furniture design and make industry. You will widen your knowledge and experience and gain insight into the many organisations that provide employment opportunities.
• Our graduates have been successful in gaining employment as furniture makers, furniture designers, and furniture CAD technicians with local, national, and international companies. Others have set up their own design studios and some well-known alumni have gone on to make essential contributions to the industry.
• You can also apply to continue your study with us on our BA (Hons) Furniture Design and Make when you have successfully completed the Foundation Degree.