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Product Design and Technology (with placement year)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Loughborough University

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

The Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) degree is a trans-disciplinary course that sets out to educate and energise the next generation of product designers.

Its primary aim is to teach skills that enable the definition of new product opportunities, defined through applied research, tested through working prototypes, and detailed in terms of design for manufacture.

The course is underpinned by the concept of responsible design, which is embodied through the consideration of ethical interaction with users and clients, and product design which is inclusive and sustainable. Teaching takes a technologically innovative approach to the design and creation of beautiful, ingenious, functional, and viable products, developing students to become responsible designers who can establish technology-focused, creative responses across both creative and engineering domains.

This accredited course takes a technologically innovative approach to the design and creation of beautiful, ingenious, and functional products. It is well suited to students who are excited at the prospect of utilising modern technology for the creation of contemporary design solutions.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Assessment methods are varied and include the following methods: design projects and case studies; workshop and lab logbooks, sketchbooks, and development folios; mid and hi-fidelity physical and digital prototypes; presentation boards; research and design reports; in class and online tests; and verbal presentations.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 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:
HJ79
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
HJ79
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

ABB including one from Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Electronics or Computer Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM plus one of the required A Level subjects at Grade B.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus one of the required A Level subjects at Grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate: D plus two A levels at Grades BB including one of the required A level subjects.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

AB including one from Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Electronics or Computer Science plus Highers at majority B grades

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

34 (6,5,5 HL) including one from HL Physics, Maths or Computer Science.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels providing individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop-down field for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language Grade 4/C

T Level - D

Distinction Overall B in Core Component T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing with Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering Occupation Specialism are considered.

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.

Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/

Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application and also a portfolio submission and design task. Many of our courses receive a large number of applications for each available place. We cannot unfortunately always make offers to all applicants who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades in line with our advertised typical offers.
Other
Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application and also a portfolio submission and design task. Many of our courses receive a large number of applications for each available place. We cannot unfortunately always make offers to all applicants who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades in line with our advertised typical offers..

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. For full details of the acceptable English language requirements see our website. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

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.

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.

Learn more on the Loughborough University 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
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Loughborough University, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
ABB Most common
  1. A*A*A
  2. Highest grades
  3. BBC
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

59% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

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

70 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

80 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

LocationFeeYear
EU£29750Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£29750Year 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 stationary, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

All costs for direct engagement in taught sessions are included as part of the tuition fees – this includes some materials used in the workshops and safety equipment. Students will need to cover the costs of project work and the creation of design folios. This amount will depend on material and manufacturing process selection, as well as 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.

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