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Product Design and Technology

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C-C,C,C

Including a Science or Technical subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Biology Further Maths, Design Technology, Engineering Science and Electronics): BBC: Standard offer BCC: If the student is also presenting either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B CCC: Contextual offer (more details https://www2.aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextual-offer)

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15,P:0

Subject related Access at level 3.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Maths Grade C/4 and English Language or Literature Grade C/4

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

29

with 5, 5, 4 at Higher Level subjects, including a Science or Technical subjects.

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

DDM

in either Engineering/Science/Technical subjects. For other BTEC combinations please see Aston's web pages.

T Level

D

The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course: - Building Services Engineering for Construction - Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - Onsite Construction - Digital Business Services - Digital Production, Design and Development - Digital Support Services - Health - Healthcare Science - Science - Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing - Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control - Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

UCAS Tariff

96-112

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Engineering design

Our BSc Industrial Product Design course is offered as either a three or four year course with an integrated placement year. The course is stimulating, relevant, challenging and rewarding. We aim to provide you with the knowledge of materials, production processes and technology as well as skills in aesthetics, ergonomics and management that will enable you to develop a successful career in design.

Throughout the course, you will develop your understanding of the significance of design to the profitability of business, commerce and the economy as a whole. There will be continual development of relevant skills including presentation, ICT and team working which are sought after by employers and you will expand your knowledge, confidence, professional values and attitudes essential for a successful career in product design.

Career opportunities exist for our graduates in design, general management and consultancy, technology, engineering and education. Our students are able to demonstrate creative design skills alongside sound technical knowledge and experience, a balance which employers consider to be an advantage.

Key course benefits:

- In the final year exhibit your designs at our annual design exhibition 'Aston Inspired', where you get to showcase your concepts and findings during the event.

- 1st for graduate prospects (General Engineering) (Complete University Guide 2022)

- Our optional placement year offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and set your studies in the context of a working environment, to boost your future employment prospects.

- We teach using a hands-on framework called CDIO - Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate. This enables you to apply real-world skills as you learn, enabling you to maximise your learning.

- Learn in our state-of-the-art facilities, which include advanced 3D printing facilitates and a dedicated design studio with specialist equipment designed just for you.

Modules

Year 1:
• Introduction to Engineering and Design
• Prototyping & Development
• Design Fundamentals
• Engineering Principles 1
• Engineering Practice

Year 2:
• Design and Engineering for the User
• Design Studio
• Digital Design Skills
• Engineering Principles 2
• Industrial Product Design
• Product Experience

Year 3: Optional placement year

Final year:
• Product Design Final Year Project
• Advanced Product Experience
• Professional Preparation for Industry
• Design Competitions
• Advanced Industrial Product Design

Please Note: All modules are based on the current academic year. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review.

Assessment methods

You’ll undertake individual and team projects throughout your studies, as well as having opportunities to work in partnership with industrial partners. The course includes analytical material provided through lectures, tutorials, labs and directed study, to ensure you have a solid understanding of engineering principles. Additional lectures and seminars provided by specialists from industry will support your learning. 

You will be assessed by combination of coursework, case studies, design projects and in-class tests.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,250
per year
International
£21,100
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Aston University, Birmingham

Department:

School of Engineering and Technology

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Engineering (non-specific)

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

87%
UK students
13%
International students
78%
Male students
22%
Female students
87%
2:1 or above
10%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Engineering (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£25,140
med
Average annual salary
91%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

36%
Engineering professionals
12%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
5%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

Very few students study this subject, so there isn't a lot of information available on what graduates do when they finish - bear that in mind when you look at the stats above. Most graduates get jobs in engineering or management, but if you would like to find out more specifically about the prospects for your chosen course, it might be a good idea to go on an open day and talk to tutors about what previous graduates went on to do.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Engineering (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£26k

£26k

£30k

£30k

£40k

£40k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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