About Product Design Bsc (hons) in University of Northampton

We believe in teaching you to challenge ideas of functionality, aesthetics, materials, sustainability, social contexts and ethics so that you can design products that work and make a difference to society. This mindset will be put into practice with industry projects and contemporary technologies.

We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

*with a 2:2 degree classification or higher

Course Highlights

• Degree show to showcase your work.
• International competition briefs including Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and Design and Art Direction (D&AD).
• Guaranteed paid internship with theNorthampton Employment Promise.

HP Laptop and software included with this course.

Course Details

Creative and original design is built on the marriage of visual and technical considerations. We will teach you these skills throughout your course, developing and nurturing them through studio-based, practical problem solving activities.

Our course team are dedicated to working with you on an individual basis so that your learning experience is personalised and tailored to you.

In your final year, you will be given briefs from real international competitions, such as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and Design and Art Direction (D&AD) and awards at the New Designers exhibition in London. In recent years our students have won these prestigious accolades.

In the first year, you will be introduced to computer aided design (CAD), model making, design drawing and communication. Your learning will be consolidated by short projects that are relevant to technical, commercial or social issues.

Your second year will include professional development, through projects briefed by local, national or international companies. The projects will develop your skills and your knowledge.

During your final year, you will work on a self-focused design project and a minor design project which is usually the RSA international competition. You might even be invited to display your designs at a London exhibition.

Materials, Exhibitions, Event and Visits

Materials for workshops and for Masterclasses, entry to competitions associated with your programme of study, and those visits that are necessary for your course are all made available at no additional charge.

You will need to budget approximately £200 per academic year for extra materials. You may choose to purchase less or more materials, but this is the average from successful current students and recent graduates. Please note that this is not compulsory and will depend upon the projects you choose to undertake.

Assessments

You will be continually assessed during the course through studio-based design projects and written assignments. In the final year, you will have a minor design project and a final major project which will both be exhibition-based.

Scholarships

EU and International Scholarships

We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

Sir Thomas White Scholarship

The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

TD Lewis Scholarship

The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

The Chancellor's Fund

The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

Wilson Endowment Scholarship

The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

Entry Requirements

Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC. In addition, applicants are expected to have studied an Art, Design, Design Technology, Product Design or related subject in an A-level or BTEC level 3 Diploma, or equivalent qualification. We will also accept a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

Applicants are interviewed and are requested to provide a portfolio of their own work. International students may submit their portfolio electronically. Students with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree with a suitable profile of achievement may be admitted onto Stage Two or Three of the BSc Product Design programme.

If you would like to make an application as a Home or EU student, please visit our How to Apply page.

If you are an International student and would like more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

Foundation Study Framework Entry Requirements

Admission to this foundation programme is normally DEE at A-Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.

English Language Requirements

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

• IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
  for study at undergraduate level.

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

University of Northampton Highlights

University of Northampton Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

For all the prospective candidates for the institute, an estimated cost of living in the UK is as cpmipield below.

University of Northampton Tuition Fee

The tuition fee varies from one course to another. Following are some of the popular courses along with the tuition cost:

University of Northampton Undergraduate Courses 

University of Northampton Graduate Courses 

University of Northampton Cost of Attendance

Basic list of expenses apart from tuition fee are as follows:

University of Northampton Application Process

Basic Admission Requirements

1. Certified transcripts of high school/college/university
2. One reference required
3. Statement of Purpose depicting the interest of the applicant in the chosen course
4. MBA applicants must also have a proof of work experience
5. Arts and design applicant must also submit their portfolio 

The outcomes of the English proficiency tests taken by all of the international applicants. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and Pearson PTE are acceptable tests. The minimal IELTS scores needed to get admitted are as follows:

Additional Requirements

1. An overseas student who has been accepted must pay the GBP 5,000 deposit fee before the university would issue them a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
2. Other documents for the visa application process are:

• Passport
• UK visa history form
• Proof of financial support