Program Overview

MA/MSc Product Design

The MA/MSc Product Design course is designed to further students' understanding of design theory and practice, with opportunities to fuse creative, technical, and scientific approaches to product design and manufacture. This course brings together students from creative and technical backgrounds, fostering original approaches to the application of product design and design innovation.

Course Overview

The course supports students in exploring and developing personal design methodologies and philosophies, locating these within a deep understanding of historical, contemporary, and future design practices, and wider social and cultural contexts. Students undertake core modules delivered by product design specialists, consisting of design theory and practice lectures, group seminars, individual tutorials, live external projects, and research study trips.

Core Modules

• Art & Design: Culture & Context (MA:X)
  • This module offers focused opportunity for students to extend and enhance their practice by including working in a wider design research community.
• Design Thinking
  • This module introduces an applied understanding of how design can be used as an iterative process for creative problem-solving.
• Design Futures
  • This module provides an in-depth understanding of the scope, nature, and role of how design can be used to shape the future.
• Design Innovation
  • This module introduces the core principles of design innovation and develops a broad understanding of how design can be used as a strategic resource to drive innovation.
• Synthesis Project: Product Design (MA)
  • The final synthesis MA module supports students in developing, resolving, and presenting a significant body of work, located within a defined area of product design practice.
• Synthesis Project: Product Design (MSc)
  • This final MSc module supports students in developing and resolving a significant body of specialist product design practice.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 35% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 65% independent study
• Part-time: 35% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 65% independent study
• Assessment for both full-time and part-time students is 100% coursework, with 0% practical and 0% examination.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum 2:2 UK undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.
• A portfolio submission is required.
• Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee £12,000 per year, part-time fee £2000 per 30 credits.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee £22,000 per year, part-time fee £3667 per 30 credits.
• Additional costs may include books, printing, and a laptop, estimated at £400.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Graduates will develop skills suitable for employment in design and design management roles, in manufacturing and consultancy.
• Skills in research and contemporary design philosophies also lead to opportunities for roles in academic research and teaching.
• The programme prepares graduates for self-employment routes, developing business knowledge in support of the challenges inherent in establishing and running a product design and manufacturing business.

Related Courses

• MA/MSc Textiles
• MA/MSc Craft
• MA Design Innovation

Programme Review

Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6-year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.