BA (Hons) Product Design

This exciting very hands on practical approach we take on the BA (Hons) Product Design programme provides an educational and creative framework that enable you to become professional product designers and will ultimately give you, as graduates, the knowledge and tools to explore, experiment and find interesting solutions to complex problems.

The curriculum will provide you with the right transferable skills required to be problem-solvers and creative product design thinkers. These traits include having the ability to empathise so that you fully understand who you are solving the problem for and why and how it benefits society.

The course will help you gain a solid understanding of the processes, practices and expectations of a future product design culture in an international workplace which is changing at an ever-increasing pace. Throughout the course, engagement with industry experts and real work experience will be embedded into the core elements of learning and assessment.

During your studies you will compile a portfolio of creative and inspiring designs which are unique to your individual approach and which will showcase your talent and expertise to potential employers.

You'll cover all aspects of product design in our purpose-built design studios and workshops. We have traditional workshops as well as digital and fabrication facilities that boast industry standard equipment.

By studying product design, you'll be gaining a range of skills.  You'll learn to experiment and think both creatively and analytically and you'll develop research skills relevant to the history and context of the product and the materials and processes used to develop the design.

You'll gain an understanding of the marketing and branding appropriate to your project work. And you'll master design skills including drawing, sketching, rendering, sketch modelling, computer modelling and prototype making, investigating, researching, interviewing, debating, presenting and working in a team. We'll also give you advanced computer representation and photography skills.

Our well-established links with local businesses mean you'll have the chance to work on real-life project briefs. These projects often lead to work experience and career opportunities. 

And of course there is also the potential for designing products with direct commercial value.

• Tawjihi: 60% for Foundation
• 3 x AS Levels: Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 2.0 for Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 3.0 + SAT1 1070 for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 25 points with minimum 15 at Higher Level for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• 3 x A Levels: Direct Entry to Bachelor's

Our graduates' design skills are highly transferable. Studying product design will give you an excellent grounding in related areas such as design management, research, consultancy and teaching. 

Our students are successful in many national and international competitions and events, and often use these as a springboard to employment.

For example, our students have won the prestigious Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce award and the D&AD global student award. They've also exhibited at the Crystal Research Centre and taken part in an exchange programme with Braunschweig University of Art in Germany. 

After completing your course, you'll be able to exhibit your work at the highly regarded 'New Designers' exhibition at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. 

This attracts professionals and academics from the wider national and international design field, giving you the chance to win prizes, gain publicity in the design press and impress prospective employers or investors.

Some of our recent graduates have gone on to work in British and overseas consultancies, design engineering firms and website design companies. Others have moved on to postgraduate courses.

Some have set up their own consultancies with the expert support of Knowledge Dock, or developed and marketed their project work with the support of our Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Throughout the course, you will develop a comprehensive knowledge and professional portfolio, which is your gateway to a rewarding career including, 

• Product designer
• Industrial designer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Digital fabrication
• Product engineering
• Engineering
• Freelance designer
• UX/UI design
• Social design
• Design management and strategy

UEL has a dedicated team to forge close and strong links within industry and with individual businesses and all the while supporting students with placements during study and advice with graduate employment.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.