Product Design BA/BSc

Product Design is about creating functional, beautiful and sustainable objects that improve everyday life - from smartphones to furniture, packaging to tools.

It’s a hands-on, idea-driven degree that blends creativity, technology and problem-solving. If you’re curious about how things work and how they could work better, Product Design could be the ideal path for you.

BA or BSc?

A product design degree in the UK can be a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc), with the main difference being the course's focus: a BA emphasizes aesthetics, user-centered design, and creative/social aspects, while a BSc focuses on the technical and engineering side, including manufacturing and materials.

What You Study

Product Design degrees typically combine creative thinking with technical and practical skills. You’ll cover:

Design Foundations:

• Sketching and ideation – communicating design ideas visually

  
  

• 3D modelling – using CAD tools like SolidWorks, Rhino or Fusion 360

  
  

• Prototyping and model-making – from hand tools to 3D printing

  
  

• Human-centred design – focusing on user experience and ergonomics

  
  

• Sustainable and ethical design

  
  

• Design thinking and innovation methods

  
  

• Materials and manufacturing processes

  
  

Additional Topics May Include:

• Branding and product identity

  
  

• Packaging design

  
  

• User interface (UI) and interaction design

  
  

• Market research and consumer trends

  
  

• Creative entrepreneurship

  
  

• Working to industry briefs

  
  

You’ll usually spend lots of time in:

• Workshops and fabrication labs

  
  

• Computer suites using 3D software

  
  

• Studio-based projects and critiques

  
  

• Group collaborations with engineering, business or marketing students

  
  

Useful A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications)

Entry requirements vary, but a strong creative and technical background is important. Useful subjects include:

• Design Technology

  
  

• Art and Design

  
  

• Graphic Communication

  
  

• Product Design or 3D Design (if available)

  
  

• Maths or Physics (especially for more technical design courses)

  
  

• BTECs in Art & Design, Engineering or Creative Practice are widely accepted. A portfolio is usually required to show your creativity and development process.

  
  

What Makes a Strong Application

To stand out:

Submit a portfolio that includes:

• Sketches, design ideas and product concepts

  
  

• Models or prototypes you've built (physical or digital)

  
  

• Projects showing how you approached a design problem

  
  

• Evidence of research, testing and iteration

  
  

• Show genuine curiosity about how things are made and used

  
  

• Mention influences — designers, brands, products or movements that inspire you

  
  

• Reflect on design in your everyday life: what works, what doesn’t, and what could change

  
  

Career Prospects

Product Design leads to careers in a wide range of creative, technical and strategic industries. Graduates work across consumer goods, furniture, transport, healthcare, sustainability and more.

Career options include:

• Product designer

  
  

• Industrial designer

  
  

• UX/UI designer (with further specialisation)

  
  

• Packaging designer

  
  

• Furniture or lighting designer

  
  

• Design engineer (often with technical training)

  
  

• Innovation or R&D consultant

  
  

• CAD technician or 3D visualiser

  
  

• Entrepreneur or design studio founder

  
  

Transferable skills include:

• Creative problem-solving

  
  

• Visual communication and presentation

  
  

• Research and analysis

  
  

• Technical and digital proficiency

  
  

• Project planning and teamwork