Product Design Technology (with Foundation Year)
Program Overview
The Product Design Technology program at UWE Bristol is a four-year (or five-year with placement) course that combines creativity and practicality to prepare students for careers in product development. It emphasizes design principles, technology, sustainability, and materials, and offers hands-on experience through project-based learning and industry placements. Graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence to design and develop innovative products, and are accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Product Design Technology (with Foundation Year) - BSc(Hons)
is a four-year full-time or five-year sandwich program offered by UWE Bristol. This course focuses on bridging the gap between product design and design engineering, emphasizing creativity and practicality. Graduates will possess the ability to create innovative concepts and transform them into real, functional products.
Objectives:
- Equip students with the creativity, skills, and confidence to design and develop innovative products.
- Provide students with a strong foundation in design principles, technology, sustainability, and materials.
- Prepare students for a successful career in the creative industries, particularly in product development roles.
Program Description:
The program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Students learn through project-based learning, working on diverse projects that solve real-world problems. They gain expertise in various areas, including:
- Design communication
- Materials and processes
- Physical computing
- Product CAD
- Product design engineering
- Design in practice
- Design research methods
Unique Features:
- Professional accreditation: The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), providing students with professional recognition and access to exclusive opportunities.
- Placement opportunities: Students can opt for the five-year sandwich course, which includes a year-long work placement in the UK, Europe, US, or China.
- Fieldwork: The program includes day trips and residential field trips, allowing students to visit relevant locations and interact with professionals.
- Modern facilities: Students have access to well-equipped studios, workshops, and computer labs, simulating real-world industry settings.
Year One:
- Modules: Design Communication, Design in Context, Graphic Design, Mechanisms and Structures, and Product Design Studio 1.
Year Two:
- Modules: Materials and Processes, Physical Computing, Product CAD, Product Design Engineering, and Product Design Technology Studio 2.
Placement Year (Optional):
- Students on the sandwich course spend a year working in a design-related industry, gaining valuable practical experience.
Final Year:
- Modules:
- Design in Practice (excluding students who completed the Placement year)
- Design Research Methods
- Individual Project (Product Design)
- Innovation, Technology, and Design
- Product Design Studio 3
Assessment:
- Foundation Year: Assessed through coursework, exams, essays, reports, surveys, design projects, teamwork, and progress tests.
- Years One to Three: Assessed primarily through project work, portfolio presentations, and some conventional exams.
Teaching:
- Lecturers: Experienced professionals with extensive design industry experience.
- Teaching Methods: Project-based learning, hands-on workshops, individual mentoring, guest lectures, and access to professional support.
- Learning Environment: Modern, well-equipped studios and workshops simulating industry settings.
Careers:
- Potential Roles: Product design, industrial design, design engineering, user experience, graphic or web design, teaching, exhibition and packaging design, freelance design consultancy.
- Career Support: Award-winning careers service offering career coaching, graduate job opportunities, placements, global opportunities, and support for entrepreneurial activity.
Other:
- Indicative Additional Costs: £385 per year for materials, textbooks, travel, etc.
- Accommodation: Available in various options across Bristol campuses and the city center.
Conclusion: The Product Design Technology program at UWE Bristol provides a comprehensive and industry-focused education, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the competitive world of design.
Full-time; Sandwich course
| Fees | Amount (£) | |---|---| | Home Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 | | Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 | | Home Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 | | Home Placement Year Fee | 1156 | | Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 | | International Annual (Per Year) Fee | 15850 | | International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 15850 | | International Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1981 | | International Placement Year Fee | 1981 | | International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 13869 | | Offshore Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 | | Offshore Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 | | Offshore Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 | | Offshore Placement Year Fee | 1156 | | Offshore Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 |
Indicative Additional Costs
| Fees | Amount (£) | |---|---| | Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per year | 385 | Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year. You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Additional costs
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
