Nottingham Trent University
Product Design BSc (Hons)
Nottingham Trent University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 35 graduates of Product Design BSc (Hons) at Nottingham Trent University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
57 /100
35 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Design Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Design Studies 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 £23500 £23500 £28000
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £26000 £19500 - £27500 £22000 - £34000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Design Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22025 £20113 £23568
25-75 percentile range £19981 - £25071 £15144 - £24676 £17604 - £29974

Course Description

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, 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. Top 2 Ranking | NTU is 2nd for the number of undergraduate students studying Design subjects (HESA 2021/22). Graduate Outcomes | 100% of BSc (Hons) Product Design sandwich students are employed or in further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (latest Graduate Outcomes survey 2020/21).

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirements for Registered Product Designer (RProdDes).

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 BSc (Hons) at Nottingham Trent University

15% Information Technology Professionals
15% Sales occupations
15% Process, plant and machine operatives
15% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
15% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Design occupations
5% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

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

Costs

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 Nottingham Trent University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 28 university rankings of Nottingham Trent University

About Nottingham Trent University

Established in 1843, Nottingham Trent University, also known as NTU, has four separate campuses spread throughout Nottinghamshire, with the main City Campus being located right in the heart of Nottingham. NTU is particularly recognised in British academia for having some of the best post-graduation employment statistics of any university in the UK, with the Institution helping more than 94% of their students get started in their chosen field.

List of 368 Bachelor and Master Courses from Nottingham Trent University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Nottingham Trent University

undergraduates:
31595
postgraduates:
5235
Total:
36830
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Where is this programme taught

City Campus
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