BA Product Design (with Foundation Year)
About this course
BA(Hons) Product Design (with Foundation Year), a design degree centred on user experience, prototyping, and human-centred design methodologies. Core topics include Research Methods and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and an optional placement year. The foundation year covers initial ideas generation and technical workshops through Core Studies in Art, Media and Design, Building Creative Skills, Foundation Project, and Disciplinary Projects. The first year introduces cross-discipline design methods via Design Contexts, Studio 1, Design Communication, and Objects and Experiences. The second year focuses on human-centred design and prototyping through Design Futures, Studio 2, Experience Design, and Experience Prototyping. The final year involves advanced research and portfolio production through Design Research Project, Final Major Project, Studio 3, and Product Futures.
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
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent. Tariff points: 88 Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page. English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page. A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required. For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page. Access: No specific subjects required. Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Irish Highers: No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required. T Levels: No specific subjects required.
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What students say
Based on about 208 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 425 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Gained a higher qualification: 3%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 66 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 82%
- Working and studying: 6%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 13%
- Design occupations: 12%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 77%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 53%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 14%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 51%
- Wales: 7%
Who gets in
Based on about 440 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Foundation course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirements for Registered Product Designer (RProdDes) and partially meeting the requirements for Chartered Technological Product Designer (CTPD).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Core Studies in Art, Media and Design
- Building Creative Skills
- Foundation Project
- Disciplinary Projects
- Design Contexts
- Studio 1
- Design Communication
- Objects and Experiences
- Design Futures
- Studio 2
- Experience Design
- Experience Prototyping
- Design Research Project
- Final Major Project
- Studio 3
- Product Futures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £26,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £31,500. The £26,000 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol do next?
89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
89% 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 (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
Is BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirements for Registered Product Designer (RProdDes) and partially meeting the requirements for Chartered Technological Product Designer (CTPD).
Does BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Product Design (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.