MA Digital Media and Creative Industries
The MA Digital Media and Creative Industries at Loughborough University aims t...
Loughborough
INTAKE: October
The BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year is a four-year program at Loughborough University, where students gain an in-depth understanding of design principles, engineering technologies, and product development processes. The program emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach to learning, combining creative design with technical expertise to meet real-world challenges. With an emphasis on sustainable and user-centered design, students develop skills in areas such as computer-aided design (CAD), prototyping, material science, and manufacturing technologies. The program also offers a placement year, which gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in an industry setting, gaining invaluable work experience that enhances their skill set and provides a competitive edge in the job market upon graduation.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program is carefully structured to provide students with a balanced education in both design and technology. In the first year, students are introduced to core subjects, such as design thinking, materials science, and product development, along with key engineering principles like mechanics and thermodynamics. The second and third years build upon this foundation, focusing on advanced topics such as user-centered design, manufacturing processes, sustainable design, and CAD modeling. Students are also taught to integrate emerging technologies and trends into the design process, preparing them for the fast-paced, ever-evolving product design landscape. During the placement year, students gain industry experience by working with leading companies, applying their skills to live design projects and collaborating with professionals. The placement year enables students to understand how the theory they have learned in the classroom translates into real-world design and manufacturing processes. In the final year, students undertake a major design project where they conceptualize, design, and prototype a product, incorporating everything they have learned during their studies and placement year.
Research Focus: Loughborough University is renowned for its research in design and technology, with the BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program benefiting from its cutting-edge research in sustainable design, human-centered design, and advanced manufacturing techniques. The university’s research centers collaborate closely with industry partners to solve real-world problems and push the boundaries of product innovation. Students are encouraged to engage with these research initiatives, gaining exposure to the latest developments in product design and technology. By participating in research-led projects and working with industry leaders, students can apply the latest findings to their own design work, ensuring that they are prepared for the challenges of modern product development.
Industry Engagement: Loughborough University is highly regarded for its industry links, and the BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program is no exception. The program’s industry engagement opportunities ensure that students gain valuable experience and insights into the real-world application of product design. Students have the chance to collaborate with industry leaders on live projects, participate in internships and placements with top companies, and attend guest lectures by professionals working in the design and technology sectors. The university’s strong relationships with leading brands in industries such as consumer goods, automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing give students the opportunity to apply their learning in a practical context and establish professional networks that can be invaluable for their future careers. The placement year is a particularly important component of the program, as it allows students to gain direct experience working in the field, contributing to product development and learning from professionals. This experience is invaluable for students, providing them with the skills and confidence to tackle design challenges in real-world settings. Additionally, the program encourages students to take part in industry-sponsored projects, which enhances their employability and prepares them for the workforce after graduation.
Global Perspective: Loughborough University’s BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program adopts a global perspective by considering the international implications of product design. The curriculum encourages students to think about how their designs can meet the needs of diverse markets, cultures, and global challenges. The university’s international collaborations and research initiatives also provide students with opportunities to engage in global design projects, learning about different design practices and perspectives from around the world. The program emphasizes sustainability in product design, with a focus on creating products that are not only functional and aesthetically appealing but also environmentally responsible. Students learn to consider the environmental impact of their designs, taking into account factors such as material sourcing, energy consumption, and product end-of-life. By adopting a global outlook, Loughborough University ensures that its graduates are prepared to design products that address global challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and technological accessibility.
Loughborough
IELTS 6.5
£ 28600
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 75% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
Loughborough University offers a range of scholarships for international students to support their education and make studying in the UK more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, financial need, and the potential for students to contribute to the university community.
International Excellence Awards: These are merit-based scholarships offered to international students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These awards typically cover part of the tuition fees and are designed to attract outstanding students from around the globe.
Global Scholarships: Loughborough offers various global scholarships based on geographical location, supporting students from specific regions or countries with reduced tuition fees.
Loughborough University Elite Sports Scholarships: These are available for students who are competing at an elite level in their sport. The scholarship includes financial support, as well as access to the university's world-class sports facilities, coaching, and training programs.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Loughborough University offers country-specific scholarships for students from particular countries. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate high academic potential and a commitment to contributing to their home country upon graduation.
Loughborough University, located in the United Kingdom, is renowned for its innovative approach to education and research, particularly in the fields of design, engineering, and technology. The BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program offers a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum that equips students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills. The unique inclusion of a one-year industrial placement gives students valuable industry experience, making them highly competitive in the job market. Upon graduation, Loughborough's product design students can pursue diverse career paths in design, engineering, product development, and more.
Product Designer Graduates of the program are well-positioned to work as product designers, where they apply their creativity and technical expertise to develop new products and improve existing ones. These professionals work across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, and home appliances. They focus on creating products that are user-friendly, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, with a deep understanding of materials, user-centered design, and the manufacturing process.
Industrial Designer: Industrial designers are responsible for creating products used by people daily, from furniture to medical devices. Graduates from Loughborough University can work as industrial designers, where they are tasked with improving both the functionality and appearance of consumer products. By combining engineering principles with an eye for aesthetics, they ensure products are both practical and visually appealing.
Design Engineer: As design engineers, graduates leverage their engineering and technical design skills to create products and systems. In this role, they often work closely with product designers to ensure that a product’s design is feasible and manufacturable. Design engineers are employed in various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer electronics, applying principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science.
UX/UI Designer: Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology with Placement Year program, who are interested in the digital side of design, can pursue careers as UX/UI designers. In this role, professionals focus on improving the usability and interface design of digital products, ensuring that software, apps, and websites are intuitive and user-friendly. With the rise of tech-driven products, UX/UI design is a fast-growing career field.
Sustainable Design Consultant: Sustainability is a key focus in modern product design. As sustainable design consultants, graduates are responsible for advising companies on how to make products more eco-friendly. They help businesses adopt practices such as sustainable material selection, product life-cycle analysis, and energy-efficient manufacturing, ensuring that new designs align with global sustainability goals.
Innovation Manager: Graduates with a passion for technology and forward-thinking ideas can pursue careers as innovation managers. In this role, they lead the development of new ideas, products, and services within a company. They work closely with engineers, marketers, and designers to translate cutting-edge concepts into viable products, often focusing on breakthrough technologies and trends.
Design Consultant: As design consultants, graduates work either independently or with consultancy firms to help companies with product strategy, design, and development. They provide expert advice on how to design products that meet consumer needs, improve user experience, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Project Manager (Product Development): For those with strong leadership and organizational skills, a role as a project manager in product development may be an ideal career path. In this capacity, graduates oversee the product development process, coordinating teams of designers, engineers, and marketers to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products. Project managers are essential in ensuring that product development projects run smoothly and meet business objectives.
Prototyping Specialist / Model Maker: Graduates of the program can also specialize in prototyping and model making, which are essential steps in the product development process. Prototyping specialists work with designers and engineers to create physical representations of products that allow for testing and refinement. These professionals are crucial in turning conceptual designs into tangible prototypes that can be tested and evaluated.
Entrepreneur / Start-up Founder: With the strong entrepreneurial culture at Loughborough, some graduates go on to launch their own businesses. Armed with the skills to design and develop products, they may create innovative product lines or even start design consultancies. The university’s support for entrepreneurship, through its incubators and startup programs, helps students transition from idea conception to business launch.