Study Product Design, why & how to study 

CONTENTS

1. What is Product Design?

2. What Product Design degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto and Product Design degree?

4. What topics does a Product Design degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Product Design?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Product Design degree?

8. What do Product Design graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Product Design graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Product Design

12. Have any questions?

What is Product Design?

Product designers try to solve real problems for real people by using empathy and knowledge of their prospective customers’ habits, behaviours, frustrations, needs, and wants. 

Product design is essential in creating the initial user experience and product prototype, from user research to concept development and usability testing.  

The aim is to make the product design so flawless that no one notices all that went into it. Users should be able to use the product intuitively because the product designer understood their needs. 

Examples of great product design that have become part of everyday life are the Coca-Cola bottle, the iPhone, and the Vespa. 

What Product design degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Product Design may be combined with related subjects, for example:

• Product Design and engineering
• Product Design and furniture
• Product Design and innovation
• Product Design and manufacturing

Options may include an integrated foundation year, study abroad or professional placement.  

What do you need to get onto a Product Design degree?

Must have  

Entry requirements for a Product Design degree at a university range from 104–160 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.  

• A Levels: A*AA–CCC  
• BTECs: D*D*D*–DMM 
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA) 
• International Baccalaureate: 39–26  

Good to have  

• Your own interest and research in classic product design
• Furthering your knowledge through books, public lectures and going to the Design Museum
• Practice your own designs and expand ideas for new products
• Being familiar with software such as Autodesk or sketchup (free to students)
• Work experience, if you plan to apply to an engineering Product Design degree

What topics does a Product Design degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:  

• User-research  
• Design methodologies  
• Ergonomics  
• Aesthetics 
• Visual communication 
• Manufacturing   
• Technical specification 
• 2D and 3D CAD 
• Sustainability 
• Additive manufacturing 
• Technology integration 
• Elements of design
• Foundation drawing
• Basics of digital design
• Creativity skills
• Creative writing for designers
• Business communication and presentation skills
• Digital illustration techniques
• Physics for designing 

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Exams
• Group projects
• Presentations
• A dissertation is usually a final year option

Why study Product Design?

Career-specific skills:  

• Technical knowledge balanced with creative ability and a hands-on approach 
• Visual and spatial awareness 
• Commercial aptitude 
• Computer literacy including three-dimensional conceptual ability 
• Knowledge of industrial processes, techniques and standards
• Communication and customer service skills
• Able to cope with the pressure of deadlines
• Skilled in building and maintaining positive working relationships and sharing information with others
• Negotiating skills 

Transferable skills:  

• Attention to detail  
• Collaboration  
• Critical and analytical thinking  
• IT skills  
• Leadership 
• Presentation 
• Research 
• Written communication
• Team working 
• Project management
• Time management