Product Design (with an industrial placement year) BSc (Hons)

at University of Sussex

Program structure

Year 1 Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Creative Research Methods for Design and Communication

• Drawing for Design

• Materials and Processes for Product Design

• Mathematics for Product Design

Spring teaching

• Applied Technology for Product Design

• Computer Aided Visualisation

• Experience Prototyping

• The Narrative of Design in Modern Culture

Intersemester Week

• Global Design Challenge

Year 2 Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Design for Manufacture for Product Design

• Design Techniques in Practice

• Human Factors and Ergonomics

• Interaction Methods

Spring teaching

• Design for Industry

• Integrated Product Design: Research, Theory and Practice

• Professional and Managerial Skills

• Toy and Game Design

Year 3 Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Business and Project Management

• Design Philosophy

• The Role of Design in the Circular Economy

Autumn and spring teaching

• Design Project

Spring teaching

• Thinking Big: The 5 Senses

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer    

30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects    

Higher Levels should include either Visual Arts or Design Technology. Applicants without one of these at Higher Level will still be considered but will need to demonstrate a strong, recent background in art and design through other means.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer    

Overall result of at least 75% to 77%.

Additional requirements    

Evidence of academic studies in Art or design with good results is essential and a good level of Mathematics.

Other international qualifications

India

Typical offer    

Standard XII results

• 75% - 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)

• 80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)

• 80% HSC higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )

Additional requirements    

Evidence of academic studies in art or design and mathematics with good results are essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Home students: £9,250 per year

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,250 per year

International students: £22,500 per year

You’ll develop creative, problem-solving and project-management skills throughout your course. You can attend tailored careers events, including drop-in sessions, industry talks and one-to-one support.

Recently, some of our Product Design undergraduates won a design competition, creating a brand new toy concept at the Inventors Workshop conference. The students worked together as a team on a live brief, using the skills they gained during a module on Toy and Game Design at Sussex. Their ‘Bandit’ wristband concept won the Inventors Workshop New Designers Award.

Your Product Design degree prepares you for jobs in manufacturing, consultancy-based design and the creative industries (graphics, marketing, research and digital design). You can work in a variety of roles, including as:

• an industrial, packaging or furniture designer

• a UX (user experience) designer and 3D visualiser

• a design engineer or product developer.