Unleash your creativity with our accredited product design and innovation degree. Immerse yourself in this future-focused discipline, blending innovation and engineering expertise. Complete Individual and group projects and challenges, set by real companies, tutors and yourself. Cultivate practical problem-solving skills, tackle briefs in collaboration with diverse teams of engineers and designers, mimicking the typical working world with a wide range of technical and professional capabilities. Upon completion of this course you will be technically skilled, inspired, and at the forefront of design innovation.
Product Design and Innovation
BSc (Hons)
Discover limitless creativity with our Product Design and Innovation course, where research, technology, style, and interaction combine to shape a dynamic future.
Location: Aston University, Birmingham
Course overview
Course description
Facilities
Our product design and innovation degree boasts world-leading facilities to support your creative pursuits. Our Design Studio provides a collaborative space for ideation and innovation. Equipped with state-of-the-art Wacom tablets, interactive sketching becomes seamless. The Model Shop offers 3D printing capabilities, laser cutting, and water jet cutting, enabling you to transform your designs into tangible prototypes. Additionally, our Maker Space brings the prototyping techniques together into a vibrant creative place. These cutting-edge facilities will empower you to bring your visions to life with precision and craftsmanship.
Your learning and support is always at the forefront of all we do whilst you can benefit from PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) which offers assistance from students in higher year groups to those in lower years. Our dedicated technicians provide excellent support for team projects and practical sessions. Personal tutors, including year tutors and program directors, ensure you have regular scheduled meetings throughout the year. Additionally, you will have access to wider university support services, ensuring your overall well-being and academic success.
We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.
Entry requirements
A Levels
BBC (any subject) including one STEM subject
BCC including one STEM subject (with an EPQ or Core Maths* at grade B)
CCC when including one STEM subject (contextual offer)
List of STEM subjects: Art or Design, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Computer Science, Biology, Electronics.
*List of core maths qualifications we accept: AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies, City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning, Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context, WJEC Eduqas Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life and Level 3 Core Math.
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.
- Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM
- Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
- National Diploma and Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering subject): DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
- Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction plus an A-Level in any subject grade C OR achieve overall grade Distinction plus a BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert in any subject at grade Merit
- Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering subject): DM plus 2 A-level minimum grade B
- Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-level minimum grade B including a science or technical subject
- National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering types): M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B
- National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B including a science or technical subject.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
- 29 overall points with 5, 5, 4 in Higher Level subjects including a science or technical subject at Level 5.
Subject related Access (science or technical) with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at level 3.
The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D
- Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
- Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
- Onsite Construction Grade D
- Digital Business Services Grade D
- Digital Support Services Grade D
- Health Grade D
- Healthcare Science Grade D
- Science Grade D
- Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D
- Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control Grade D
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D
Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:
GCSE Maths Grade C/4 and English Grade C/4 and above
Non-standard qualifications
Degree
Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent Level 3) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 2 entry: Please note that second-year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space in that year of the programme.
Typically, applicants for second-year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content.
The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
Course Objectives
- Provides you with appropriately structured curricula, combining teaching and learning in theoretical design issues with practical skills training.
- Encourage, through a practical approach, you to have a passion for design and an enthusiasm for learning.
- Provide a grounding in the principles of design practice, concept development, manufacturing and relevant technology.
- Provide underpinning engineering principles and technology to support product design work.
- Produce capable graduates who are highly valued by a range of employers in both the product design and design engineering sectors.
- Provide an up-to-date and professionally focused curriculum, satisfying the accreditation requirements of the Institution of Engineering Designers.
- Offer you the opportunity to obtain relevant industrial experience by providing the option of a sandwich placement year.
- To produce capable graduate designers who are highly valued by employers.
Modules
Modules and Learning Outcomes
Year 1 modules
In your first year you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Introduction to Design | 15 |
| Design Innovation | 15 |
| Introduction to Design-Build-Test | 15 |
| Introductory Programming for Engineering and Physical Sciences | 15 |
| Electronics | 15 |
| Engineering for Design | 15 |
| Power Skills | 15 |
| Interdisciplinary Design Project | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 1 outcomes
On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental mathematics, programming, science and technology underpinning management and product design.
- Have the knowledge of fundamental design, innovation, concepts, principles, and methodologies of product design.
- Be able to utilise the basic design techniques appropriate in the design sectors.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to select, test and exploit materials and manufacturing processes in the synthesis of product design solutions.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse and solve simple design problems.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources.
- Evaluate and interpret data using industry-standard methods and communicate information effectively to ensure data-driven approaches to decision-making in solving complex problems.
- Use sustainable development strategies that reflect a deep understanding of the Circular Economy, Net-Zero strategies, Design and Systems Thinking, and Global Social Responsibility and lead to solutions that are ethically sound and globally relevant.
- Employ integrated problem-solving skills to analyse challenging and multifaceted problems considering professional, social, and ethical contexts.
Year 2 modules
In your second year you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Advanced Design Innovation | 15 |
| Innovation 1 | 15 |
| Design for Manufacture | 15 |
| Design Communication | 15 |
| Engineering for Design 2 | 15 |
| Product Experience 1 | 15 |
| Integrated Design Project | 30 |
| CDIO Team Project | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 2 outcomes
On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate visual literacy and apply a variety of software including 3D solid modelling.
- Utilise design for manufacturing and material selection as part of the design process
- Demonstrate modelling skills using appropriate prototyping processes.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate a complicated design problem, and create a solution to the design problem (being aware of business constraints and environmental impact) and evaluate the design and make improvements.
- Demonstrate the ability to balance engineering constraints with the design intent.
- Demonstrate the application of technology and engineering principles related to design solutions.
Placement year modules
You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.
| Module Title | Credits |
| EPS Placement Year | 120 |
Placement year outcomes
On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of business and the relevant commercial environment and/or intercultural study and their role within it
- Gain knowledge of key aspects of good practice relevant to industry and/or intercultural study context
- Develop new knowledge and understanding appropriate to the industrial, business, study or research sector related to degree programme.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a professional and industrial environment and/or in an intercultural study context
Final year modules
In your final year, you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Design Sprint | 15 |
| Design Futures | 15 |
| Product Experience 2 | 15 |
| Professional Engineering Practice | 15 |
| Design Innovation Final Year Project | 60 |
| Total | 120 |
Final Year Outcomes
On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:
- Use fundamental concepts, theories, innovation principles and methodologies of product design into problem-solving process.
- Demonstrate innovation, creativity, consultancy, time and resource management and user centred problem solving skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently and to facilitate professional development.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of the product designer in society including professional skills, ethics and sustainability.
- Demonstrate the relevant use and application of technology in the design process.
Fees and scholarships
Course fees
UK students
(2024/25)
| Annual tuition fees: | £9,250 |
| During placement year: | £1,250 |
International students
(2024/25)
| Annual tuition fees: | £21,100 |
| During placement year: | £2,500 |
