Product Design (with Foundation Year option) Bournemouth University (BU)

Why study BA (Hons) Product Design at BU?

• Graduate with a balanced view of the product development process, learning all the practical and theoretical skills necessary to work in the sector  
• Use state of the art facilities including a specialist CAD laboratory and our manufacturing design centre 
• Spend your third year on a work placement, gaining at least 30 weeks experience in a relevant industry 
• Design your own original product and make a working prototype in your final year and exhibit it at our annual Festival of Design & Engineering 
• Choose to extend your undergraduate study and continue to the award of Master of Design (MDes) Product Design 
• Be career-ready like 90% of our graduates in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with skills allowing you to go into a variety of careers in the industry from a designer through to production manager.

The BA (Hons) Product Design focuses on the aesthetic and contextual issues relating to product design whereas the BSc focuses on the technological aspect of design. You don’t need to decide which route you’ll take until your final year.    

This cutting-edge course will give you the skills and guidance to develop successful commercial products. Take a creative and innovative approach to problem solving, while addressing the functional, social and economic needs of your design.

Course accreditation 

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) as fully meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Registered Product Designer (RProdDes) for the 2025-2029 intake years.

Entry requirements

For September 2026 entry: The entry requirements for this course are 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. T Levels: Merit (120 UCAS tariff points). 

Foundation Year Entry Requirements for September 2026 entry: 48 - 72 UCAS tariff points

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2026 entry:

• China: Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 61-71%. Grade depends on the course

• France: Baccalaureate with 11.5–12.5 overall or 10.5-11.5 (international option)
• Hong Kong: HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
• India: All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 60-70%
• Spain: Titulo de Bachillerato with 6 - 7. Grade depends on the course
• Turkey: Devlet Lise Diplomasi/Lise Bitirme Diplomasi 3.5/5.0 or 70%

For September 2026 entry: If English is not your first language, you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent.