Design at Cambridge
You will learn how small and large-scale designs influence people, cultures, economies and the natural world. The designs you study will be wide ranging. The course is centred on multi-disciplinary design in the built environment. But you'll also cover the design of physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence and electronics.
The course is structured around a series of core studio projects. The goal of each project is for you to create solutions to real-world problems. As part of this, you will learn about:
- sustainability in design
- how the science of sustainability and engineering can inform design
Outside of the studio, you will study related subjects. These include:
- design history
- environmental design
- mathematics
- engineering
- natural sciences
You'll then have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to your design projects.
Teaching and facilities
Teaching
The course is taught by a combination of:
- practising engineers, architects and designers in studio
- academics at the forefront of research in the fields of sustainability and design, resilience
The research we do includes:
- work on refugee camps
- studying the effect of earthquakes on structures
- creating a more inclusive environment
- participatory design through our forthcoming urban room
- the use of traditional and new sustainable building materials
Facilities
You will be based in the Department of Architecture and have access to a range of facilities.
These include:
- workshops
- studios
- reprographics
- digital fabrication lab
- computer workstations
Course costs
When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).
Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here.
Other additional course costs for Design are detailed below. If you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Department.
Equipment
- Safety boots. Estimated cost £30.
- The Department covers all the costs of materials for model making and drawing. It does not cover basic stationery and consumables such as pens, pencils and glue.
Field trips
- Compulsory trip in Year 1. The Department covers the costs of travel, entrance fees and accommodation. Students are only required to bring money for subsistence (food and drink).
Your future career
The Design degree crosses different disciplines.
You will gain the knowledge and skills needed for careers in the built environment and a range of technical and creative sectors. You will also get a strong grounding in programming and mathematics, opening up fields such as AI and finance.
The route you take through the course will help to shape your future career. For example, you may choose to explore careers:
- in the built environment
- in manufacturing
- in the design sector
- or as an entrepreneur
You could also choose to continue to a PhD in a particular area of the course that interests you, such as emerging materials.