BA (Hons) Design

Design isn’t just a way of making and doing; it’s a way of understanding and engaging with the world.

• The BA Design degree enables you to think imaginatively about the possibilities of design. Not just what design is – but what it might be. You’ll discover how design affects the environment as a whole, as you investigate its role within society and culture. You’ll learn to see design as a complex combination of systems and actions, and not just as a set of distinct practical skills.

• We give you access to studio space and industry-standard workshops, with the latest in laser cutting and 3D modelling technology.

• You’ll work on live briefs set by real companies. These projects allow you to develop your ideas and present to design professionals, gaining valuable experience and insight.

• In your second year, you’ll have the chance to do a placement. Past placement hosts have included Selfridges and Alexander McQueen.

• Our graduates have gone on to work for top London design consultancies and major international brands including Dyson, LEGO, Google and Burberry. Many have also gone on to set up their own design studios.

• Students and graduates have also been successful in national and international competitions, winning awards including the New Designer of the Year Award, RSA Design Directions Award, the Design Museum’s ‘Design Mart’ and NESTA’s Creative Pioneer Programme.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dash MacDonald.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
UAL Extended Diploma: Merit overall
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

Alternative qualifications and experience

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

You may also be able to apply if you're a mature student without formal qualifications, as long as you have relevant work experience and examples of your art and design work. If you don't have A-levels in Art and Design, but have an interest in a future career in the creative industries (this may include students with strong A-levels in the humanities and sciences), then we will also consider your application.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Selection process

After submitting your application you'll be contacted if you have been selected for interview. We interview throughout the autumn and winter, so please apply as early as possible.

Porfolio requirements

If you're invited to an interview, we'll ask you to bring along a hard copy of your portfolio. If you're an international student who can't attend an interview in person, we'll ask you to submit an electronic portfolio.

In your portfolio you should aim to include a range of work that shows the breadth of your developing skills and interests. Include only work that you can talk about. We are not looking for success stories but at how you demonstrate your working process, your motivations and learning, and if and how you have begun to develop your own identity through your practice. In addition we require you to bring a printed copy of your answers to the Pre-interview Questions that were sent to you when invited to interview.

For more information about what we would like to see at interview, please read our guidance on creating a portfolio.

Design graduates go on to work in a huge variety of industries and careers. Some of our recent graduates are now employed as:

• Creative strategists
• Set designers
• Studio managers
• Product designers
• Design teachers and lecturers

Some of our recent graduates have worked for companies such as Don't Panic London (creative content agency), Studio Raw (design agency), Urban Food Fest (pop-up events company) and Peter Millard & Partners (art centre).

Many others set up their own agencies, enterprises and businesses.

You can find out more about career options open to you after graduation on our Design careers page.

Skills

The degree encourages you to develop as an independent and reflective learner and think systematically about the role of design: now, and in the future.

You'll learn how to understand and address key concepts and issues of sustainability and how to critique and develop your design methods and processes to arrive at sensitive and meaningful conclusions.

You'll also gain the ability to:

• Represent, communicate and manifest your ideas convincingly
• Develop, refine and apply methods and strategies that create meaningful relationships between design and people
• Develop your innovation and creativity skills, and personal and interpersonal skills