The BSc(Hons) programme concentrates on the development of innovative design solutions considering latest research evidence from social and technical sciences. The programme integrates a wide range of technological topics with design theory and human factors highlighting the responsibilities the designer has towards the needs of the individual as well as towards our future environment.

Design for manufacture accompanies the design project work throughout the programme and the integration with the practical work enhances the understanding of the subject area. Industry sponsored design projects, competitions and work placement opportunities give a real life context to the academic environment and the programme benefits from close links with Knowledge Dock, the University’s support services for local business and graduates. Well established links with local industry and business give us the opportunity to introduce our students to realistic project briefs and real life scenarios. Most recent project clients included companies such as Albany Washroom products, Beyon Office Furniture and Newton Motor Engineering.

The program aims to educate competent and imaginative designers who can meet the demands from industry. It is designed to equip the prospective student with an excellent foundation for careers in the design field, including design engineering, research, consultancy and teaching activities, giving high value to practical and creative skills as well as the tools to lead innovation in a fast changing world.

Our BSc(Hons) programme is designed to equip the prospective student with an excellent foundation for careers in the design field, giving high value to creative and practical skills, as well as the tools to lead innovation in a fast changing world.

Well established links with local industry and business give us the opportunity to introduce our students to realistic project briefs and real life scenarios within the academic environment.

We strongly believe in the responsibilities the designer has towards the needs of the individual as well as towards our future environment. The choice of our design projects reflects this.

Our programme benefits hugely from the cultural diversity of our students‘ backgrounds, enriching the learning experience and the potential for creativity and innovation.

The programme is modular in structure. Each year consists of two semesters of 15 weeks containing the equivalent of 3 modules.

The programme operates in purpose built design studios and is serviced by a workshop for model making. The design projects and design critiques take place in the studios. Lectures are held in purpose built lecture rooms or the studios.

Students benefit from the programme’s close links to the Schools variety of expert departments and labs and the Knowledge Dock, the University’s enterprise and support services for business and graduates.

Knowledge Dock facilities include a fabric print and design bureau and research centres.

Approximately half of the programme is taken up by the design project work which is subject to interim assessments and final presentations. Final year project work is assessed by the teaching staff, advised by external examiners. Other modules are either assessed by formal examination and course work or by coursework alone.

There is the opportunity to exhibit project work in an internal exhibition at the end of each year.

Industry sponsored design projects, competitions and work placements give a real life context to the academic environment. Most recent project briefs have been set by Newton Engineering, Beyon office furniture, Magpie furniture, Kamihimo paper products, Mungo&Maud pet accessories, Daler Rowney drawing equipment, Bill Amberg leather goods and Albany sanitary ware. 

Real life projects often lead to placements, publicity or other career opportunities.

The Erasmus Foreign Exchange Programme enables students to study abroad for the latter part of the 2nd year. A particular successful link has been established with the product design course at the University of Braunschweig, Germany. 

Students have the opportunity to explore employment opportunities following completion of their Year 2 of studies within a relevant design field for a Year and return to complete their studies on completion of a placement.

The design projects provide the main forum for creating and evaluating new concepts for innovative products and services. Projects include team projects, design competitions and ‘real life’ projects set by business and industry. Each level of the programme sees the project work increase in complexity applying the skills acquired. The final year provides you with the opportunity to carry out a major design project from the stage of project selection and research right through to a developed design solution. This project is evaluated against professional and academic standards of practice by the teaching staff and external examiners.

Learning, drawing, thinking, sketching, computer modelling, brain storming, model making, investigating, researching, interviewing, debating, presenting, team working, competing, blue sky thinking, analysing.

Design skills are highly transferable and the product design education provides you with an excellent grounding not only in the product design area but also in many design related careers such as design management, research, consultancy and various teaching activities.

Students benefit from the programme’s close links to the Knowledge Dock, the University’s enterprise and support services for business, public and voluntary sector organisations as well as for students. 

After the successful completion of the programme, students use the annual event ‘New Designers’ (a prestigious exhibition at the Business Design Centre Islington, London) as a platform to show their abilities and skills. With the support of the design tutors the students design their own exhibition stand and present their best project work. New Designers’ attracts professionals and academics from the wider national and international design field. The event offers the opportunity for prize winning, publicity with the design press and recruitment. 

Recent graduates have moved on to:

-           Postgraduate courses across the country

-           Employment with British and overseas consultancies

-           Employment with design engineering firms

-           Employment in website design

-           Setting up consultancies with the support of Knowledge Dock

-           Developing and marking their project work with the support of the Petchey Centre and Knowledge Dock.

All UEL students are eligible to receive support from the student advice centres for study skills, IT, career advice, learning resources, language support, health and personal advice.

On the product design course at UEL we have a personal tutor system in place. Apart from lessons and tutorials teaching staff can be contacted via email. The Virtual Learning environment (VLE) offers another platform for students and lecturers to engage in debate and teaching material.

The design projects are reviewed with the lecturers either in small team or in individual tutorials.