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Design

  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
28 Campuses
More about University of Cambridge

Course options

2027-2028
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Course summary

The Design course combines architecture, engineering, and material science in one degree. It will challenge you to think about global issues in the built environment, like climate change, and how to address them.

At Cambridge, you'll have the opportunity to design solutions to a range of environmental and social challenges.

You will learn how small and large-scale designs influence people, cultures, economies and the natural world. The designs you study will be wide-ranging. The course is centred on multi-disciplinary design in the built environment, but you'll also cover the design of physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence and electronics.

The course is structured around a series of core studio projects. The goal of each project is for you to create solutions to real-world issues. As part of this, you will learn about:

  • sustainability in design

  • how the science of sustainability and engineering can inform design

Outside the studio, you will study related subjects. These include:

  • design history

  • environmental design

  • mathematics and programming

  • structural engineering

  • materials sciences

You'll then have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to your design projects.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Selwyn
  • Jesus
  • Murray Edwards
  • Corpus Christi
  • Newnham
  • Lucy Cavendish
  • Sidney Sussex
  • Clare
  • Queens'
  • Churchill
  • Peterhouse
  • Gonville & Caius
  • St John's
  • Pembroke
  • Magdalene
  • Downing
  • Open application
  • Emmanuel
  • Girton
  • Wolfson
  • Robinson
  • Trinity
  • St Edmund's
  • Christ's
  • Hughes Hall
  • Homerton
  • Fitzwilliam
  • King's

Study options

  • Master of Design with Honours • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
C05

University of Cambridge 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:
C05

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

This is the minimum A level offer for this course. The entry requirements at each of our Colleges may vary.

It's important that you check the entry requirements for your shortlisted College(s) before you make an application. Visit our course page for entry requirements information: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes

Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. For example, some Colleges may expect you to have studied a particular subject, they might ask that you achieve an A* in a specific subject, or some may set a higher overall offer.

To apply to some courses, you may need to study specific subjects. Check the course page for subject requirements (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes).

If you haven't chosen your A level (or equivalent) subjects, visit our website for guidance: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
41-42

41 to 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level is the minimum IB offer level. The entry requirements at each of our Colleges may vary. Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum.

It's important that you check the entry requirements for your shortlisted College(s) before you make an application. Visit our course page for entry requirements information: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes

Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. For example, some Colleges may expect you to have studied a particular subject, they might ask that you achieve 7 in a specific subject, or some may set a higher overall offer.

To apply to some courses, you may need to study specific subjects. Check the course page for subject requirements (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes).

If you haven't chosen your A level (or equivalent) subjects, visit our website for guidance: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects.

When you apply to Cambridge, you can apply directly to one of our Colleges or make an open application. Please be aware that the entry requirements for this course may vary across our Colleges. Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. This could include making a higher offer, asking for specific subjects or specifying an A* in a particular subject.

You should check our website for more information about how to choose a College. It's very important to check the entry requirements at your chosen College before making an application. You can find a list of Colleges that usually make offers at the minimum offer level, as well as Colleges that have additional conditions, on our course pages (linked below).

We also accept a range of other qualifications at a level equivalent to A levels and IB Higher Levels. This includes Scottish Advanced Highers, Welsh qualifications, the Irish Leaving Certificate, and a range of international qualifications. Visit our website for more details about your qualifications: www.cam.ac.uk/entrancerequirements. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Portfolio
Other
My Cambridge Application This is an additional form that you need to complete if you're applying to study an undergraduate degree at Cambridge. Once you submit your UCAS application, you'll get an email from us within 48 hours with instructions and a link to your My Cambridge Application. For more information about completing My Cambridge Application, including the deadline for submission, visit our website (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/cambridge-application).
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Applicants are required to take an admissions assessment at all Colleges if they are shortlisted for interview. Please check the website for further details (www.cam.ac.uk/assessment).

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 adopt a balanced and holistic approach to admissions. We assess all applicants individually, meaning we can adjust our offers to take account of individual circumstances. You can find out more about the minimum offer level for each course on the course pages. Many offers will be made at this level, but sometimes we make an offer that is more challenging to achieve. This is to better ensure that you will be able to cope with the academic level of the course and really thrive at Cambridge.

Learn more on the University of Cambridge website

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 options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For information on tuition fees for Home, EU, and international students, please refer to:
www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-finance/tuition-fees

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