Course summary
This course offers a practical programme of study with design, creation, entrepreneurial and employability skills at its core. The course focuses on the high-quality practical skills needed to be a professional product designer. Develop your material and design skills through a series of projects including concept design, digital fabrication, and user-centred design. Our graduates have varied and exciting careers across the design sector; some go on to work for well-established companies while others start studios of their own. 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. • 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. You will 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. KEY COURSE FEATURES • 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 suit you will need including Creative Cloud and Autodesk Fusion. • 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 you 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 • 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
The programme of study will give you experience of designing products from initial ideas to results. The first year has an emphasis on drawing, designing and the creative process, as well as digital fabrication and workshop skills. You will learn to generate ideas, research inspiring references, create engaging final images of your products and developing prototypes. During the first and second year you will learn to apply the principles of product design using diverse techniques. These will include sketching, CAD, and fabrication. You will acquire industry standard software skills and the creative strategies to be able to develop professional projects as well as client briefs. The course aims to provide you with a portfolio that will allow you to start professional activities, apply for post-graduate studies, and enter the design industry. Year 1 (Level 4) 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 2 (Level 5) 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 3 (Level 6) 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
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.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.
EU
Wales
England
International
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
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:
- PD20
- Institution code:
- G53
- Campus name:
- Wrexham (Main Campus)
- Campus code:
- W
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 80 - 112 points
A level - CDD - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
AS
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.
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9000 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9000 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Provider information
Wrexham University
Plas Coch
Mold Road
Wrexham
LL11 2AW