BA Product Design
Manchester Metropolitan University
About this course
BA (Hons) Product Design is an undergraduate degree focused on creating and communicating design ideas through practical activities, materials exploration, and manufacturing strategies. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can optionally undertake an industry placement year before their final studies. The first year introduces core competencies through modules such as Line Plane Form, Product Design Fundamentals, and Investigation and Application, building fundamental skills in interpreting design briefs and generating ideas. The second year advances into manufacturing, innovation, and contextual applications via modules like Manufacturing Strategies for Design, Product Design Innovation, and Contexts for Design. The final year centres on independent enquiry and advanced application through modules including Design Research Project and Product Design Practice, culminating in a major resolution of personal design ambitions.
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: BCC IB: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 98%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Design occupations: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 76%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 71%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 66%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 525 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 55%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 12%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Line Plane Form
- Product Design Fundamentals
- Investigation and Application
- Future X: Kinship
- Manufacturing Strategies for Design
- Future X: Symbiosis
- Product Design Innovation
- Contexts for Design
- Design Research Project
- Future X: Re-worlding
- Product Design Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
Does BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Product Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.