BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year)
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Product Design (with an industrial placement year), a product design degree focused on creative development, manufacturing processes and human-centred design. Core topics include Research Methods and Project Management. This four-year course includes a compulsory industrial placement year and an optional foundation year. The first year covers core fundamentals through Creative Research Methods for Design, Drawing for Design, Materials and Processes for Product Design and Computer Aided Visualisation. The second year progresses to practical application through Design for Manufacture, Human Factors and Ergonomics, Interaction Methods and Toy and Game Design, alongside preparation for the placement year. The final year centres on advanced concepts and independent work, featuring the Design Project, Business and Project Management, Design Philosophy and The Role of Design in the Circular Economy.
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: ABB or BBB IB: 32 points
What students say
Based on about 35 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 78%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 67%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 80%
- Student voice: 68%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 15%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Design occupations: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 37%
- South East: 42%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirements for Registered Product Designer (RProdDes).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative Research Methods for Design
- Drawing for Design
- Materials and Processes for Product Design
- Mathematics for Product Design
- Applied Technology for Product Design
- Computer Aided Visualisation
- Experience Prototyping
- The Narrative of Design in Modern Culture
- Global Design Challenge
- Industry Ready: Mastering the Placement Application Process
- Design for Manufacture
- Design Techniques in Practice
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Interaction Methods
- Design for Industry
- Integrated Product Design: Research, Theory and Practice
- Professional and Managerial Skills
- Toy and Game Design
- Design Project
- Business and Project Management
- Design Philosophy
- The Role of Design in the Circular Economy
- Thinking Big: The 5 Senses
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £32,000 after 3 years, £38,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £48,000. The £38,500 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Production and manufacturing engineering.
What do graduates of BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex?
78% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Is BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirements for Registered Product Designer (RProdDes).
Does BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Product Design (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.