Design
About this course
BA (Hons) and MDes in Design, a civil engineering and architecture degree centred on multi-disciplinary design in the built environment, physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence and electronics. Core topics include Programming. The course is taught over three years for the BA (Hons) or four years for the MDes, featuring studio projects and a compulsory field trip in the first year. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Professional Skills I, Materials and Fabrication I, History and Theory of Design, Form and Forces I, Mathematics and Programming I, and Environmental Design I. The second year builds upon this with Professional Skills II, Materials and Fabrication II, Environmental Design II, Form and Forces II, Mathematics and Programming II, alongside option choices including Sound and architecture, Architecture and Gender, History of Construction, Current Topics in Urbanism, Sustainable Housing and Climate Change, Inclusive design an interdisciplinary approach, Design by Making, Techniques in Materials Science, Modelling natural ventilation systems, Human-centred design and neurodiversity, and Robotics and manufacturing. The third year consists of Professional Skills III, and the fourth year concludes with Professional Skills IV.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . To apply to any of our Colleges for Design, you will need an A level/IB Higher Level (or the equivalent) in: Mathematics (A* at A level/7 at Higher Level) If you’re studying IB, we ask for Analysis and Approaches for this course. If this isn’t an option at your school, please contact the College you wish to apply to for advice.
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What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 40%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 22%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 43%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 13%
- Information Technology Professionals: 12%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Finance Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 70%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional Skills I
- Materials and Fabrication I
- History and Theory of Design
- Form and Forces I
- Mathematics and Programming I
- Environmental Design I
- Professional Skills II
- Materials and Fabrication II
- Environmental Design II
- Form and Forces II
- Mathematics and Programming II
- Sound and architecture
- Architecture and Gender
- History of Construction
- Current Topics in Urbanism
- Sustainable Housing and Climate Change
- Inclusive design an interdisciplinary approach
- Design by Making
- Techniques in Materials Science
- Modelling natural ventilation systems
- Human-centred design and neurodiversity
- Robotics and manufacturing
- Professional Skills III
- Professional Skills IV
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Design at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £38,000 after 3 years, £59,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,500 and £78,000. The £59,000 median after five years is £22,500 more than the UK median for Civil engineering.
What do graduates of Design at University of Cambridge do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Design at University of Cambridge?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Design at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 191 UCAS points.
How many students continue on Design at University of Cambridge?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.