Course summary
The BA Design (Hons) degree aims to develop the next generation of multi-disciplinary designers that can enter the workplace as empathic, creative, responsible, and persuasive facilitators of change.
The Design BA programme is multi-disciplinary, highly creative, and intellectually stimulating; encouraging students to experiment with independent design judgement and creative risk taking. It is designed for students that are more open-minded about their career trajectory in design.
The programme fosters an experience-driven approach to design, building within students a creative, compassionate, and systemic mindset.
Students can experiment with the design of a range of design outputs including physical products and objects, digital products and interfaces, digital and non-digital services, and the spaces and environments these might inhabit to creative positive economic, social, and environmental impact.
The course develops students’ core design practice capabilities (both physical and digital) and exposes them to contemporary and future-facing design theory and practice including interaction and user experience design, service design and design futures.
Modules
Years 1 and 2 of this course will provide all students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to facilitate their education in design through a series of practical and skills-based modules. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/a-z/design/
Assessment method
All assessment is conducted through the submission of project coursework, conducted individually and in groups. The work that is assessed is varied and may include: sketchbooks and development folios; low, mid, and hi-fidelity physical and digital prototypes; presentation boards and posters; video and verbal presentations; research reports; and short essays.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 28/09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W240
- Institution code:
- L79
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Loughborough 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
Apply by
14 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- W240
- Institution code:
- L79
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher - AB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - D
Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/. This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- Additional info Applicants are required to submit the design task and portfolio electronically.
English language requirements
All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/
Contextual admissions
We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
- Data from:
- This course and 7 other creative arts and design courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A
- Highest grades
- BBC
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £29750 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £29750 | Year 1 |
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
The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.
UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.
All costs for direct engagement in taught modules are included as part of the tuition fees – this includes materials used in the workshops and safety equipment. From time to time students will need to cover the costs of project work and the creation of design folios. This amount will depend on what materials, manufacturing techniques and other creative choices the student makes.
The final mark awarded for all assessed submissions bears no relation to the amount of money spent on the work. Students will not gain any marking advantage merely through the costly development of work.