Get ready to apply, explore your Clearing options now.

Great choice!

To ensure we guide you through the correct application process, we just need you to answer a few quick questions.

Already applied?
Log in to view updates.

Who’s applying?

This course offers two separate application routes, depending on whether the application is submitted by the student or an international agent.

Duration

Please select your desired length of study from the available options.

Placement Route

This course includes a placement option. Please indicate whether you’d like to apply with or without a placement.

Location

Please select where you would like to study.

Academic Year

All the available academic years are displayed below.

Starting

All the available start months for the selected academic year are listed below.

Summary

Please review the information below carefully before continuing.

If you need to make any changes, click the < Back button to return to the previous step.

1 2 3 4

Where are you from?

Are you an international student or an agent?

Agent

How would you prefer to study?

Which academic year would you like to start in?

When would you like to start?

How would you prefer to study?

Which academic year would you like to start in?

When would you like to start?

level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Waterside

Product Design BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    BA: W240
    BA with Foundation: W241

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 years
    Full Time Foundation: 4 years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 years

  • Starting

    September

    SEP

Updated 23/05/2025

Open Days

Updated 23/05/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134


Our BA (Hons) Product Design course is your launchpad into the world of creative innovation – where your ideas can become real products that shape how people live, work, and play.

From day one, you’ll be designing and making: sketching bold ideas, solving real-world problems, building prototypes, and bringing your concepts to life through 3D modelling and cutting-edge CAD software. Whether you’re passionate about designing sustainable consumer goods, modular furniture, intelligent wearables, or the next big smartphone app, this course gives you the creative freedom and technical skills to make it happen.

Blending creativity, technology, and innovation, it’s an exciting journey that equips you to design for the future – and for real impact.

Highlights


  • Collaborative, studio-based learning guided by experienced industry professionals.
  • Live-client projects or collaborative working with creative companies.
  • Training and hands-on experience with leading industry software, including SolidWorks and Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Access to Fab-Lab and workshops equipped with 3D printing and scanning, CNC routing and laser cutting technology.
  • Self-directed study tailored to your personal objectives and career ambitions.
  • Opportunities to showcase your Product Design work through exhibitions.
  • Access to potential project funding and business mentorship after graduation.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
  • HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students* (*see Eligibility criteria and Terms and Conditions)

Entry Requirements


A typical offer to study Product Design would be:

  • BCC at A-Level or,
  • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

We will also accept a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

  • We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    Applicants are interviewed and are requested to provide a portfolio of their own work. International students may submit their portfolio electronically. Students with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree with a suitable profile of achievement may be admitted onto Stage Two or Three of the BA Product Design programme.

    If you would like to make an application as a Home or EU student, please visit our How to Apply page.

    If you are an International student and would like more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  • Admission to this foundation programme is normally:

    • DEE at A-Level or,
    • MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • Pass (D or E) at T Level

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.

  • Once your Product Design degree application has been reviewed, you may be invited to attend an interview with us.

    Prior to your interview you will be asked to send in a digital portfolio of some of your work. Your portfolio can be up to 12 pages and should include 3-5 pieces of your design work. We would like to see a range of 2D and 3D work, for example, ideation and sketching, concept renderings and visualisations, sketch-modelling and prototyping, 2D and 3D CAD drawings, images of finished design or artwork.

    Not all your examples need to be completed pieces so you can include some works in progress – we’re looking to see your ideas and experimentation, as well as some finished work.

    Your interview will be with a member of the programme team and you’ll go over your portfolio with them. They’ll ask you some questions around your work and your interest in the course. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask them any questions you may have about the course.

    We hold our Product Design interviews online and it will take around 30 minutes.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content


  • In your first year, you’ll dive straight into creative problem-solving and start building your design skills through exciting hands-on projects. You’ll work solo, in pairs, and as part of a team on workshop and studio-based challenges that push your creativity and critical thinking. From sketching and observational drawing to photography, and vector graphics, you’ll explore different ways to bring your ideas to life, shape your personal design style, and start curating a professional portfolio.

    You’ll also look at the history and evolution of product design, using this knowledge to inspire fresh, modern design solutions. In addition, we’ll train you in industry-standard CAD software so you can turn your sketches into 3D-print-ready models, technical drawings, and stunning photo-realistic visuals.

    By the end of Year One, you’ll have a strong creative toolkit and the confidence to take on the more specialist and advanced projects in the following year.

    In your second year, you’ll take your design skills to the next level through exciting real-world projects and professional development opportunities. You’ll tackle live briefs and competitions set by local, national, and international companies – giving you the chance to work on commercial challenges that boost your creativity, build your confidence, and sharpen your communication skills. You’ll deepen your understanding of product design by dissecting, analysing, and reimagining existing consumer products, learning what makes them succeed (or fail).

    Your CAD abilities will grow as you explore advanced modelling, simulation, and animation techniques. You’ll also get hands-on with emerging technologies, using AI to visualise future-facing concepts and developing app interfaces through UI/UX design.

    To round off the year, you’ll collaborate in a group to pitch a brand-new design business – complete with company identity, pricing, video show reel, and a realistic financial plan that includes profit and loss and cashflow forecasting.

    By your final year, you’ll be ready to take on your biggest challenge yet: the Major Design Project (MDP) – a self-driven venture that brings together everything you’ve learned into one comprehensive piece of work. Focused on new product development (NPD), this is your chance to design something you’re truly passionate about, following the full design journey from identifying a problem through to research, ideation, concept development, prototyping, evaluation, and high-quality 3D modelling.

    Alongside this, the Design Enterprise project will give you a deep dive into the entrepreneurial side of design – covering branding, marketing, financial forecasting, funding, and professional pitch-deck presentation. Think of it as your very own “Dragon’s Den” moment!

    Together, these final projects help you build a bold, career-ready portfolio that will grab the attention of employers in design, tech, digital, UI/UX, start-ups, and beyond.

    Studio culture is at the core of our programme, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical debate. This dynamic environment inspires personal perspectives on design and equips you with the skills and mindset needed to thrive professionally in the creative industry.

    Product Design – the synthesis of creativity and functionality 

    List of modules
      • Design Project 1 (20 Credits)
      • Design Thinking (20 Credits)
      • Design Studio (20 Credits)
      • Design for Industry (20 Credits)
      • Design in Practice (20 Credits)
      • Design Visualisation (20 Credits)

      All modules in Year 1 are compulsory.

      • 3D Modelling and Manufacture (10 Credits)
      • 3D Modelling and Simulation (10 Credits)
      • Design Project 2 – Technology (20 Credits)
      • Design Project 2 – Production (20 Credits)
      • Design for Manufacture (20 Credits)
      • Design Futures (10 Credits)
      • Design Business (10 Credits)
      • User-centred Design (20 Credits)

      All modules in Year 2 are compulsory.

      • Major Design Project (60 Credits)
      • Major Design Project Research (20 Credits)
      • Design Enterprise (40 Credits)

      All modules in Year 3 are compulsory.

  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join this full time Product Design BA degree at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree in Product Design, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

    If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

    Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  • What specialist equipment will I need for the Product Design degree?

    To study on a Product Design degree, a high-specification laptop capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud and professional CAD software is essential. You will require a laptop, with the following specification:

    PC Laptop specification – preferred option:

    • CPU: Intel/AMD Processor scoring a single thread CPU Mark of 2,200 or higher. (Such as the AMD Ryzen 5 2600, Intel Core i7-4790 or better)
    • System Memory : 32GB (16GB minimum)
    • Graphics Card: a GPU scoring a G3D Mark of 14,000 or higher with up-to-date drivers. (Such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070, AMD Radeon RX 5700XT, Quadro RTX 3000 or better)
    • Graphics Card Memory: 8GB or more
      Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
    • Hard Drive: 500GB SATA3 SSD or NVME m.2 storage
      Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (up to date)
    • Wi‑Fi networking: 802.11ac

    MacBook specification with additional required software*:

    • CPU: Apple M1 chip (or Intel)
    • Memory: 32GB (16GB minimum)
    • Operating System: MacOS 11 Big Sur
    • Hard Drive: 500GB Solid State Drive (SSD) (256GB minimum)
    • Wi‑Fi networking: 802.11ac
    • Software*:  Windows 10 64-bit, Bootcamp and/or Parallels

    You will need to budget approximately £200 per academic year for extra materials to cover the costs of sketch books, marker pens, modelmaking materials, 3D printing, and 2D printing of presentation graphics. This amount is a guide based on what successful current students and recent graduates have spent and will depend upon the projects you choose to undertake.

    You will need to purchase, drawing and modelmaking equipment such as digital Vernier callipers, cutting tools, basic hand tools, plus a toolbox to contain them. A comprehensive list will be provided prior to starting the course.

    How will I be assessed on the Product Design BA?

    You will be continually assessed during during your degree in product design through studio-based design projects and written assignments. In the final year, you will have a minor design project and a final major project which will both be exhibition-based.

Fees and Funding


2025/26 Tuition Fees

  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £15,700
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

Fees quoted for the Product Design course relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.

  • Equipment and trips: (approx pricing)

    • Year 1 – £250 toolbox, modelling tools, drawing equipment
      Year 1 – £50-100 materials & printing
    • Year 2 – £75-150 materials and printing
      Year 2 – £350 design trip (optional)
    • Year 3 – £150-300 materials & printing
      Year 3 – £75-150 degree show & New Designers exhibition
  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted for the Product Design course relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
    • International – Full Time: £15,200
    • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200

Staff


Placeholder image for Paul Hines, Senior Lecturer in Product Design

Senior Lecturer in Product Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Paul Hines
Friedemann Schaber, Senior Lecturer in Product Design

Senior Lecturer in Product Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Friedemann Schaber

Facilities


The University of Northampton’s product design course is based in the Creative Hub and utilises the following facilities.

Specialist facilities include:

  • MakerSpace – 3D polyjet printing & XYZ deposition modelling
  • CAD Suite – SolidWorks, Vectorworks & Cinema4D
  • Mac Suite – Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Photo Studio – infinity curves & controlled light facility
  • Electronics Lab – PCB soldering & Arduino Uno Micro Controller
  • Engineering Test Lab – tensile, bending, deflection & hardness testing
  • Workshops – wood, metal & plastics machining and & laser-cutting.

Special features and events include:

Students will be able to showcase their final year design projects at the University’s Art Degree Show. The private view is attended by local dignitaries, design alumni and potential employers.

Product Design BA (Hons) has participated in the New Designers exhibition, in London, for over twenty years – you may get the opportunity to display your final year design project.

Is this course for you?

Share