Buckinghamshire New University
Product Design (Top Up) BSc (Hons)
Buckinghamshire New University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of Product Design (Top Up) BSc (Hons) at Buckinghamshire New University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Drama & Theater.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Performing Arts

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Drama & Theater at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21000 £18500 £23500
25-75 percentile range £18500 - £25500 £14000 - £23500 £18500 - £29000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Performing Arts

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £20903 £17931 £21753
25-75 percentile range £17825 - £24915 £12598 - £22386 £15916 - £27274

Course Description

Our course reflects the realities of working as a professional in industry. Everything you do on the course is working towards you getting your first job in the sector. If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

Gain key knowledge of the product design process, and opportunity to acquire the necessary skills required to become a professional within the industry. This course will teach you how to design and create the products you desire using the latest industry software, making you a key candidate for employers.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of an undergraduate degree, and offers a chance to deepen your knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject, while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification.

On this course you’ll have the chance to use our professional workshops that replicate those you’ll find at global product companies. We also keep on top of the best equipment, using professional facilities and software for your designing needs. Our course is also accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).

Our staff are all designers themselves and keep updated on the challenges that surround the industry. You receive group and one-to-one teaching as we fully support you throughout your studies. While independent study makes up most of your time, staff and peers are never too far away to bounce ideas off when you’re in the workshop.

With London only a short train journey away, we are perfectly placed for you to discover some beautiful product design. It also means we can bring in industry professionals to run a range of masterclasses, as well as enabling you to get the opportunity to work on a series of live briefs for real clients in our well-equipped studios.

What facilities can I use?

Using our state-of-the-art facilities, you will undertake computer-aided design with our 3D CAD and CAD/CAM systems. As well as having access to some fantastic workshop facilities to produce 3D models, fully working prototypes, computer models and animations.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is mostly practice-based so you will have ample opportunity to develop your subject through a hands-on, experimental approach. This will involve access to workshops to support the design process.

The programme has also been designed with inputs from industry practitioners and professional organisations to meet the requirements of the graduates in the field of Product Design.

You will also learn through:

  • lectures, seminars and workshops;
  • guided research and reading;
  • laboratory experiments;
  • examination of projects, simulated or real;
  • analysis of work-based scenarios;
  • independent learning through individual learning plans;
  • tutored classroom sessions;
  • visiting speakers and guest lecturers.

To achieve the full BA (Hons) in Product Design you will need to complete a major project, a dissertation as well as undertake a Professional Practice module.

The major project and dissertation will allow you to investigate a topic important to you within graphic design. You will cover the whole research process, undertaking empirical investigation and analysis. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, who will offer support and advice.

The Professional Practice module gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning or answer live industry briefs, gaining the practical and transferable skills you need for your career in the creative industries.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Product Design (Top Up) BSc (Hons) at Buckinghamshire New University

20% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
15% Sales occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Media Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Elementary occupations
5% Secretarial and related occupations
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

ALL applicants must possess a Level 5 qualification, such as an HND or FdA in a relevant area in order to be considered for this course. A copy of your HND/FdA module transcripts will be requested, and the original required to be seen at enrolment.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Product Design (Top Up), BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Product Design (Top Up) BSc (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £15000 year 1
International £15000 year 1
EU £15000 year 1
International £15000 year 1

Additional fee information

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Buckinghamshire New University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 6 university rankings of Buckinghamshire New University

About Buckinghamshire New University

Buckinghamshire New University, also known as Bucks, was founded in 1893, in the town of High Wycombe, South East England. This university has chosen to divide its academic offerings into seven separate schools, which is reflected in that learning resources such as libraries are located in their relevant areas to reduce crowding and also increase the ease of looking for the materials the student needs. Bucks has been the recipient of numerous awards, among which we can find the Silver Award from TEF.

List of 191 Bachelor and Master Courses from Buckinghamshire New University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Buckinghamshire New University

undergraduates:
16465
postgraduates:
860
Total:
17325
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Where is this programme taught

Buckinghamshire New University
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