Program Overview

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Overview of the Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) Degree

The Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) degree is a trans-disciplinary course that aims to educate and energize the next generation of product designers. Its primary goal is to teach skills that enable the definition of new product opportunities, defined through applied research, tested through working prototypes, and detailed in terms of design for manufacture.

Course Structure

The course is structured over three or four years, with the option to undertake a year in enterprise or a professional placement. The four-year course includes a placement year, while the three-year course is taught full-time without a placement.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the course, students must meet specific entry requirements, which vary depending on their country of origin and qualifications. The typical A-level offer is ABB, including one from Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Electronics, or Computer Science. Students are also required to submit an electronic portfolio.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the course are as follows:

• UK fees: £9,535 per annum for full-time study, with a placement year costing approximately 20% of the full-time fee.
• International fees: £30,700 per annum for full-time study, with a placement year costing approximately 20% of the full-time fee.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Product Design and Technology BSc course have entered various careers, including consumer product designers, product design consultants, digital and 3D printing designers, design engineers, product interface designers, chief design officers, product technologists, CAD/CAM experts, entrepreneurs, product buyers, and technical salespersons.

Companies Students Have Worked for After Graduating

Some of the companies that graduates have worked for include McLaren Racing, PriestmanGoode, Dyson, Joseph Joseph, Gravity Industries, Williams Racing, Crux Product Design, Princess Yachts, Deloitte Technology Consulting, IBM iX, and Smallfry.

Course Statistics

According to Discover Uni, 48% of students say staff value their views and opinions about the course, 90% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well, and 90% are in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Additional Costs

While the cost of tuition covers many things, it does not cover everything. Students will need to cover the costs of project work and the creation of design folios, which can vary depending on material and manufacturing process selection, as well as other creative choices.

Placement Year

The course offers an optional placement year, which provides students with the opportunity to gain a year of invaluable experience, enhance their CV, and broaden their professional network. The placement year can lead to various exciting opportunities, including design competitions, live briefs, and potential employment.

Study Abroad

Students also have the option to study abroad for a year, which can provide an exciting way to experience new cultures, see more of the world, and expand their learning experience to include other cultural perspectives to design.

Facilities

The course is housed in the £21M, purpose-built design building, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including interconnecting workshops, studios, specialist technology and prototyping laboratories, display areas, and high-specification computer facilities.

Accreditation

The Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) course is accredited by the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED), recognizing that the course meets an internationally recognized standard of professional competence, ethics, career development goals, and professional aspirations.

Language Modules

Students can give their degree an international edge by taking credit-bearing language modules as part of their course. The University Language Centre provides a range of modules in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese from beginners' level upwards.

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods are varied and include design projects and case studies, workshop and lab logbooks, sketchbooks, and development folios, mid and hi-fidelity physical and digital prototypes, presentation boards, research and design reports, in-class and online tests, and verbal presentations.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning on the Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) course are hugely varied and conducted using a variety of face-to-face and online activities. Each year consists of two semesters, and each semester is split into two six-week taught blocks. Modules typically run entirely within one six-week block.

Entry Requirements by Country

The entry requirements for each course should be read alongside the University's general entry requirements, which give further details on acceptable subjects, alternative UK and international qualifications, and minimum English language requirements. The requirements vary by country, and students should check the specific requirements for their country of origin.

English Language Requirements

All students must also achieve the University's English language requirements, which can be found on the Approved Qualifications table on the English Language page.

International Students

Loughborough University offers a Foundation Year through ONCAMPUS for international students who need to complete a suitable Foundation Year before entering the undergraduate course. The University also considers students with A Level or IB qualifications for direct entry to undergraduate degree courses.

Country-Specific Requirements

• Australia: Typical offers are based on the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
• Austria: For students taking the Reifeprüfung (Matura), we typically require an average score between 2.2 and 1.2 from 6 written or spoken exams.
• Bahrain: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Bangladesh: Students taking the Higher Secondary Certificate will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Belgium: The Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) and Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (DSO) are both acceptable qualifications for direct entry into first-year undergraduate courses.
• Brazil: Students taking the Brazilian High School Certificate will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Brunei: Students with A Level or IB qualifications will be considered for direct entry to undergraduate degree courses.
• Bulgaria: For students taking the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie, we would typically ask for an overall score ranging from 5.3 to 6.0 overall with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Canada: Typical offers for students from Canada are based on having completed Grade 12.
• China: Students taking the Senior Middle Examinations will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Croatia: For students taking the Croatian Matura (Svjedodžba o Maturi), we typically require an average score between 4.0 and 5.0.
• Cyprus: The Apolytirion is not accepted for direct entry to the University when studied on its own.
• Czech Republic: For students taking the Maturita (Vysvědčení o Maturitní Zkoušce), we typically require an average ranging from 2.00 to 1.00 from best 4 subjects with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Denmark: For students taking the Bevis for Studentereksamen (STX), typical offers range from 8.0 to 10.5 in the weighted average mark from the STX.
• Egypt: Students who have studied the Thanaweya A’ama (Certificate of General Secondary Education) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Estonia: For students taking the Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus, we typically require a high average grade between 4.3 and 4.8 as well as an average percentage between 77% and 90% from best 4 state exams.
• European Baccalaureate: For students taking the European Baccalaureate, we typically require an overall average mark between 78% and 88% with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Faroe Islands: Students taking the Studentsprógv would normally be required to achieve a score between 8.0 and 10.5 with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Finland: For students taking the Ylioppilastutkinto / Studentexamen, typical offer requirements would normally be based on achievement in best 4 subjects.
• France: For students taking the new French Baccalauréat Général (assessed from 2021 onwards), we typically require an overall result between 13.0 and 15.5 with results of 14-15 in two speciality subjects.
• Germany: Students taking the typically require an overall score ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Ghana: Students taking the WASSCE will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Greece: Students taking the Greek Apolyterion are normally required to also take the Panhellenic Exams.
• Hong Kong: Typical offers for students taking the vary by course and range from ‘5, 4, 4’ – ‘5*, 5, 5’ from best 3 subjects, of which 2 must be electives and excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese.
• Hungary: For students taking the Hungarian Matura (Érettségi Bizonyítvány), we typically require an average ranging from 70% to 83% from best 5 subjects which must include at least 2 higher level exams.
• Iceland: For students taking the Stúdentspróf, we typically require an overall grade between 8.0 and 9.3 with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• India: Typical offers are based on the Standard XII school leaving qualifications.
• Indonesia: Students who have studied the Ijazah: Sekolah Menengah Atas/Madrasah Aliyah (SMA/MA) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Ireland: Students who have taken the Leaving Certificate under the new grading system (post 2016) would normally be required to achieve 5 higher level passes with grades ranging from H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 to H1 H1 H2 H2 H2.
• Israel: For students taking the Bagrut, we would require students to have studied at least 21 study units.
• Italy: For students taking the Diploma di Esamo di Stato, we typically require an overall score ranging from 85% to 98% overall.
• Japan: Students taking the Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Jordan: Students taking the Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Kazakhstan: Typical offers for students from Kazakhstan are based on the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate.
• Kenya: Students taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Kuwait: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Latvia: For students taking the Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību, we typically require a high average grade between 9.2 and 10.0 as well as an average between 87% and 95% from best 4 state exams.
• Lebanon: Students taking the Baccalauréat Général will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Lithuania: For students taking the Brandos Atestatas, typical offers generally range from 9.0 to 10.0 overall.
• Malaysia: For students taking either the Matrikulasi (Matriculation Certificate) or the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysian (STPM), we would typically require grades ranging from AAA-BBB from best 3 (core) subjects excluding general studies.
• Malta: For students taking the Advanced Matriculation Exam, typical offers would normally be based on achievement in 2 advanced level subjects (typically between BB and AA) and 3 intermediate level subjects excluding Systems of Knowledge (typically between BCC and AAA).
• Netherlands: For students taking the Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), typical offers range from 6.6 to 7.4 average from the VWO with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• New Zealand: For students taking the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3, typical offers will be based on overall achievement in the NCEA plus a required number of credits achieved at the next level up.
• Nigeria: Students taking the WASSCE will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Norway: For students taking the Vitnemål for Videregående Opplæring, typical offers range from 4.00 to 5.25 average of all Final Assessment Grades.
• Oman: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Pakistan: Students taking the Intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Poland: For students taking the new Matura, typical offers are based on average achievement from 3 extended level exams and offers normally range from 75% to 85% overall.
• Portugal: Students taking the Diploma de Ensino Secundário would normally be required to achieve a score between 16 and 18 with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Qatar: Students taking the Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (Senior School Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Romania: For students taking the Diploma de Bacalaureat, typical offers range from 8.6 to 9.4 overall.
• Russia: Students taking the Certificate of Unified State Examination will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Saudi Arabia: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Singapore: For students with Singapore A Levels, typical offers normally range from BBC to AAA from three H2 Level subjects and offers are typically one grade lower than the typical A Level requirement as stated in the undergraduate prospectus due to the comparative difficulty.
• Slovakia: For students taking the Slovakian Matura (Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške), typical offers range from 2.00 to 1.00 average from best 4 subjects with specific subject marks required for some courses.
• Slovenia: For students taking the Maturitetno Spričevalo, we typically require an overall total score of between 22 and 30 out of 34.
• South Africa: For students taking the National Senior Certificate (NSC), typical offers range from 6,6,6,6,6 to 7,7,7,7,7 from the best 5 subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
• South Korea: Students taking the High School Diploma will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Spain: For students taking the Titulo de Bachillerato, we typically require an overall score of 7.50 to 9.50.
• Sri Lanka: Students with A Level or IB qualifications will be considered for direct entry to undergraduate degree courses.
• Sweden: For students tasking the Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola, typical offers are normally based on an average score from 2500 credits with an ‘A’ counting as 20 points, a ‘B’ counting as 17.5 points, a ‘C’ counting as 15 points etc.
• Switzerland: Students taking the following qualifications would be considered for direct entry to undergraduate courses: Certificat de Maturité, Attestato di Maturità.
• Taiwan: Students taking the Senior High School Diploma will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Tanzania: The Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) is acceptable for entry into the first year of undergraduate courses.
• Thailand: Students taking the Certificate of Secondary Education/Maw 6 will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• The Caribbean: For students taking the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), we typically require a range from ‘2, 2, 2’ to ‘1, 1, 1’ achieved from three 2-unit exams with specific subject marks of ‘1’ or ‘2’ required by some courses.
• The Gulf: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Turkey: For students taking the Anadolu Lisesi (Anatolian High School Diploma) or Fen Lisesi (Science High School Diploma), will typically require a pass mark of higher than 80%.
• Uganda: Students with A Level or IB qualifications will be considered for direct entry to undergraduate degree courses.
• Ukraine: Students taking the Atestat pro Povnu Zagal'nu Sersdniu Osvitu/Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• United Arab Emirates: Students who have studied the Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• United States of America: For students studying in the USA, typical offers for entry onto undergraduate level courses are based on obtaining 3.2/4.0 GPA in the High School Graduation Diploma, in addition to a combination of any three of the following: Advanced Placement (AP) Exam, IB Higher Levels, College level class credit, Honors classes.
• Vietnam: Students who have studied the Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học will need to complete an appropriate Foundation Year.
• Zambia: Students who have studied the General Certificate of Education will need to complete a suitable Foundation Year.
• Zimbabwe: Students with A Level or IB qualifications will be considered for direct entry to undergraduate degree courses.