Course contact details
Future Students Enquiry Team
Email:futurestudents@bournemouth.ac.uk
Phone:01202 961916
Bournemouth University
Talbot Campus
Fern Barrow
Poole
BH12 5BB
Course summary
This cutting-edge course will give you the skills and guidance to develop successful commercial products. Take a creative and innovative approach to problem solving, while addressing the functional, social and economic needs of your design.
Why study BA (Hons) Product Design at BU?
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Graduate with a balanced view of the product development process, learning all the practical and theoretical skills necessary to work in the sector
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Use state of the art facilities including a specialist CAD laboratory and our manufacturing design centre
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Spend your third year on a work placement, gaining at least 30 weeks experience in a relevant industry
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Design your own original product and make a working prototype in your final year
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Exhibit your work to industry visitors and the general public at our annual Festival of Design & Engineering
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Be career-ready like 90% of our graduates in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with skills allowing you to go into a variety of careers in the industry from a designer through to production manager.
The BA (Hons) Product Design focuses on the aesthetic and contextual issues relating to product design whereas the BSc focuses on the technological aspect of design. You don’t need to decide which route you’ll take until your final year.
Course accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) as fully meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Registered Product Designer (RProdDes) for the 2025-2029 intake years.
Modules
Course Modules
Year 1: Digital Design Tools and A.I, Design Communication, Materials and Engineering Fundamentals, Materials and Technology for Design, Design Projects & Prototyping and Human Factors in Design.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- B50
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Bournemouth University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Institution code:
- B50
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
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Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A level
112–128 UCAS tariff points (grades BBC–ABB) from a minimum of 2 A-levels.
T LevelM
120 UCAS tariff points
UCAS Tariff112-128
The entry requirements for this course are 112-128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.
Scottish Higher
112 - 128 UCAS tariff points (grades AABC–AAAB) from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.
Access to HE Diploma
102 - 118 tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework.
Scottish Advanced Higher
112–128 UCAS tariff points (grades CCD–BCC) from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)D*D
Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Extended Project
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
OCR Cambridge Technical DiplomaD*D
104 tariff points (Grade D*D)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme28-31
An overall score of 28 - 31 points.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DMM
Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaDMM
112 tariff points (Grade DMM)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.
Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.
Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.
Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- Portfolio
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading. |
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Please note that this information reflects historical entry requirements for UK 18-year-olds who pursued A level and BTEC qualifications. Please see the relevant course page of our website for the most up-to-date details on this course’s entry requirements and selection methods. Our offer-making process is based on your potential to succeed on your chosen course and considers a range of factors. This course also has additional selection methods, such as a portfolio.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland, EU & International | TBC |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
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