Design

We pride ourselves on offering a hands-on, practical education, taught by academic staff who are at the forefront of contemporary research.

32nd in the world for Art and Design QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
3rd in the UK for Art and Design The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
5th in the UK for Product Design The Guardian University Guide 2024
3rd in the UK for Art and Design The Complete University Guide 2025

Design at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

Our focus is upon the key design principles of aesthetics, technology, and understanding the user and their environment. Students are inspired to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge via emphasis on creative practical work that is underpinned by the latest theory and cutting-edge research.

Our teaching, research and enterprise activities are all dedicated to the pursuit of viable solutions to real-world societal issues, from climate change and physical/mental healthcare to transport safety, user experience, and global sustainability. Our students graduate from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ as highly employable, capable designers, ready to pursue a successful career across a variety of major industries.

Links with industry

Design students at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ can benefit from our longstanding industry links in a myriad of ways. From accessing sought-after work placement and internship opportunities to entering renowned competitions (such as the New Designers Exhibition) and working on real-life industry briefs, you’ll never, ever be short of ways to develop your employability.

A group of our Design students were recently awarded £24K in funding towards their ideas which have the potential to offer solutions to communities of the future, as part of the Smart Mobility Challenge led by Ford Motor Company. Recent placement destinations of Design students at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ include Adidas, Microsoft, Priestman Goode, Lego, Walt Disney Company, Mondelez, Rolls Royce, and Unilever, to name a few.

Facilities

Our courses are taught in the £21M, purpose-built Design building on campus. It boasts a huge variety of industry standard workshops and facilities, along with bright and airy studio spaces for group and individual work. The building not only offers access to state-of-the-art equipment, but it also nurtures a unique spirit of its own – thriving with hard-working, like-minded, visionary staff and students from all corners of the globe.

Student tour of our facilities

The Design Degree Show

Every year our Design finalists get the opportunity to showcase their work at our annual degree show, which is attended by industry representatives and members of the public. It’s a chance to demonstrate your individuality, fresh-thinking, and innovation – you can browse the 2024 Degree Show online now.