Course summary

Why choose this course? Our Product Design degree focuses on the high-quality practical skills needed to be a professional Product Designer. You will gain experience in digital technologies and techniques that will enable you to turn your imaginative ideas into design boards through prototypes and practical making skills. You will:

Learn principles of design communication and drawing- applying these to your own client pitches, design boards, prototypes and final ‘market ready’ products.

Develop your material and design skills through a series of projects including concept design, digital fabrication, and user-centred design.

Explore key elements of product design with a focus on sketching, 2D digital techniques and CAD.

Work with other students on a group project to develop solutions to real-world social and environmental challenges.

Understand the importance of high-quality fabrication, originality and generating personal responses to materials and processes.

Specialise and develop a final degree project that will push the boundaries of your skills to set you apart from the crowd in the job market.

Complete your studies with the professional skills and creative thinking strategies to pursue your chosen career- whether that be as a product designer, working as a freelance designer, or starting your own business.

*Study a course that is part of a subject area rated 2nd out of Welsh universities for satisfaction with the course and 3rd out of Welsh Universities for satisfaction with teaching in the Product Design subject league tables, The Guardian University Guide 2023. Key course features:

Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further study.

We have excellent commercial links with direct access to live design projects.

The software you will use is of the latest industry standard. We provide the full suite you will need including Creative Cloud and SolidWorks.

You will also have access to Wacom Cintiq tablets, material workshops and digital fabrication equipment.

We offer industry-focused visits and a variety of study trips so you can gain first-hand insight into how the design industry works and the variety of employment opportunities that are available while you develop your career aspirations.

Throughout your time with us, our academic team will ensure you are aware of opportunities, such as competitions, available to enhance your portfolio.

Be part of an end of year degree show exhibition - view the 2022 Degree Show e-magazine, Unjammed.

We offer friendly pastoral care within our welcoming creative community. Our enthusiastic staff set aside a high number of contact hours to ensure that you can always draw on their knowledge and support.

Modules

What you will study The programme of study will give you experience of designing products, from initial ideas to results. The course aims to provide you with a portfolio that will allow you to start professional activities, apply for postgraduate studies, and enter the design industry. Year 1 (Foundation Year) MODULES Visual Investigation Materials and Methods Creative Processes Progression Project The Skills You Need Contextual Studies Year 2 (Level 4) Level 4 will introduce you to breadth and skills. You will gather the fundamental skills to operate and look for practical, material knowledge and experience. MODULES Concept Design (20 Credits) Digital Fabrication (40 Credits) User Centred Design (20 Credits) Sustainable Design (20 Credits) Prototypes and Production 1 (20 Credits) Year 3 (Level 5) Level 5 is all about improving your depth and advancing your skills. You will learn to practice skills within the context of application and learn to analyse the effectiveness of your design. MODULES Ergonomics and Human Factors (20 Credits) Environmental Sustainability (20 Credits) User Centred Design 2 (20 Credits) Prototypes and Production (40 Credits) Creative Futures: Making a Living (20 Credits) Year 4 (Level 6) Level 6 is all about gaining your independence and starting to specialise in skills. You will identify and analyse design problems and devise solutions in discussion with tutors and students. MODULES Dissertation (20 Credits) Creative Futures: Professional Practice (20 Credits) Design for X (20 Credits) Manufacturing and the Marketplace (20 Credits) Product Design Degree Project (40 Credits) The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Assessment method

Teaching & Assessment There are no set exams. Assessment is continuous and relates to all aspects of the programme, providing more carefully defined emphasis on formative assessment and feedback on your coursework throughout the academic year. We will advise you on your level of attainment and direct you towards a strategy for further progression as you complete assignments and modules. There are varied formats of assessment to encourage your learning through group seminars, critiques, and tutorials. This can be through group interaction with critical analysis where you will submit a range of work including design sheets, finished artwork, 3D work, screen-based work, CAD files, journals, essays and presentations. There are reviews of work at key points before Christmas and before Easter and this provides time for you to reflect on your progress prior to a final or summative year end assessment. Teaching and Learning Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential. We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available. In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference. On this course, teaching and learning are tailored to support students from a variety of backgrounds with diverse needs, and to encompass the supportive learning environment and pastoral care the School of Art and Design provides. Timetabling is developed to help learning, teaching and assessment methodologies, and provide clear and effective feedback to students. Contact hours are 16 per week in year 1, 14 per week in year 2 and 12 per week in year 3. The programme is structured to enable you to work in a multidisciplinary manner, to be flexible and enable you to develop individually. This is supported by a personal tutor / tutorials system that provides you with guidance throughout all aspects of the programme.

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:: PDFY

Institution code:: G53

Campus name:: Wrexham (Main Campus)

Campus code:: W

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 - 72 points

Our general entry requirement for the foundation year is 48-72 UCAS tariff points but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications as well as motivation and potential to succeed. The programme welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

A level - EEE - DDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP - MPP

Access to HE Diploma

Scottish Higher

AS

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MP - MM

Scottish Advanced Higher

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Extended Project

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Wrexham Glyndwr University takes into account a variety of qualifications and experience when considering applications to our programmes. If you are unsure if the qualifications you currently hold will be accepted for entry, or if you're not sure you'll achieve the required UCAS Tariff points, please contact us at [email protected] for further advice and guidance.

Student Outcomes

England	£9000	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9000	Year 1
Scotland	£9000	Year 1
Wales	£9000	Year 1

Degree level: Undergraduate

Awarded by: Wrexham University (Prifysgol Wrecsam)

Product Design (with Foundation Year)

Course options

Open days