BA Design (Placement Year)
About this course
BA Hons in Design (Placement Year), a fashion design degree centred on creative problem-solving and studio practice. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, Design & Creative Practice, Global & Comparative Perspective, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. This four-year course includes a dedicated work-based placement year in the industry, alongside practical client projects and a major independent final-year project. The first year introduces foundational creative approaches through core modules such as The Reflective Design Process, Design Contexts, Visual Communication, Design Through Making, and Design Sprints, with optional study areas including Raw Materials of Performance. Year two deepens practical engagement via Interaction and Experience Design, Insight-led Design, Design Visualisation, Design for Sustainability, and Speculative Design. The third year consists of the Work Based Learning Year placement. The final year focuses on professional readiness through Design Consultancy, Design Independent Project, and Design Leadership, supported by optional modules such as Confronting the Climate Crisis.
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: BBB IB: 30 overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 97%: 28 offers from 29 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 20%
- Media Professionals: 15%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 9%
- North West: 36%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 14%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 9%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 16%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Reflective Design Process
- Design Contexts
- Visual Communication
- Design Through Making
- Design Sprints
- Raw Materials of Performance
- Understanding Media and Culture
- The Arts and Identity (Discovery module)
- Interaction and Experience Design
- Insight-led Design
- Design Visualisation
- Design for Sustainability
- Speculative Design
- Employability, Purpose and Social Impact (Discovery module)
- Global Challenges and Collaborative Solutions (Discovery module)
- Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)
- Visual Cultures
- Work Based Learning Year
- Design Consultancy
- Design Independent Project
- Design Leadership
- Confronting the Climate Crisis (Discovery module)
- People Power and Collective Action (Discovery module)
- Queer Futures (Discovery module)
- Audiences, Fans and Participatory Cultures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £33,500. The £27,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 137 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
97% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 28 offers from 29 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.