Product Design (with Foundation Year)

Your Foundation Year will introduce you to the skills you’ll need to prepare you for your future studies. From perfecting freehand drawing and sketchbook use to learning about materials and fabrication, you’ll gain practical experience through real-world briefs and develop your confidence in presenting your ideas.

This course has both eyes (and hands) on the technological side of design — the making and manufacturing of products, systems, and services. It’s a great option if you’re naturally curious about design engineering, and looking for a practical, hands-on approach.

We’ll be analysing form and function in design, encouraging your creativity whilst also taking a specialist’s dive into areas like electronics and robotics, mechatronic techniques, materials testing, and manufacturing. We’ll explore the emerging trends — things like UX, smart technology, and sustainability.

In product teardowns, you’ll ‘reverse engineer’ items from the inside, and then design out their flaws; on site visits, you’ll receive live project briefs from some of the industry’s biggest players, who’ll review and feedback on your work. You could even test your skills on a year-long professional placement; our previous assignments have included TATA, Samsung, Autodesk (San Francisco), and Hubs (Amsterdam).

We’ve developed this course to ensure you’re not just an option for employers, but their priority. You’ll graduate with a designer’s eye for innovation, an engineer’s skill in manufacturing, and a CEO’s appetite for the bottom line. That’s a powerful package — and it’s why our graduates secure work with companies like Dyson, Tesco, PepsiCo, Disney, Unilever, and McLaren F1.

Key Features

• Inspiring Spaces | You’ll be using the same equipment as the pros. From 3D printers to water-jet cutters and bandsaws, plus dedicated workshops for wood, metal and concrete working, we’ve got the lot — minimising the jump from uni to industry.

• Live Projects | We’re industry-focused with great connections. Through live projects and placements, you’ll be working with leading companies such as Tesco, PepsiCo and JCB. It’s great for your portfolio and CV, and you’ll also get excellent employability support.

• Placement Year | Acquire vital skills and experience in the workplace by undertaking a one-year placement on our sandwich route. Our students have spent their placements at companies such as TATA, Samsung, Autodesk (San Francisco), and Hubs (Amsterdam).

• Exhibitions and Shows | Prove your talents to industry reps — exhibitions like New Designers and NTU’s annual Degree Show are fixtures in the product design calendar, while our students have won big at competitions like the Starpack Awards and Engineers Without Borders.

Key Statistics

• Top 2 Ranking | NTU is 2nd for the number of undergraduate students studying Design subjects (HESA 2021/22).

• Top 2 Ranking | 2nd most sustainable university in the world (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023).

• Student satisfaction | 100% of BSc (Hons) Product Design sandwich students have improved their career prospects because of their course (NTU Student Survey, 2024).

Throughout the course, modules will cover a variety of subjects, a few examples include: Exploring Design, Materials and Making, Introduction to Design, Design & Technical Communication, Professional Practice, Advanced Design & Technical Communication, Exploration & Context and Commercial Project. To view the full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/architecture-design-and-the-built-environment/ug/product-design-with-foundation-year2