Product Design BA (Hons)

Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
ABB-BBB
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
HW22
Start date:
September 2026

At Sussex, you’ll learn to create products that satisfy the needs and behaviours of people and our changing society – both now and into the future.

During your studies, you’ll:

  • be taught by design experts with industry experience
  • combine design, art, environment, science, business and technology skills, reflecting the multifaceted subject of product design
  • work with industry professionals on live creative briefs that will challenge you and develop your understanding of how design fits in different sectors
  • have opportunities and guidance on how to develop your products beyond university.

We’ll ground you in critical design thinking and research. This helps you develop informed solutions and produce them through responsible prototyping and manufacturing models. You’ll also design your products to fit within the circular economy – a complex systems-based model of working that is regenerative to the planet and takes sustainability to a new level.

Your degree prepares you for success. In recent years, our students have:

  • won international awards from design leaders such as Dyson, LEGO and Hasbro
  • taken their own designs to market through the Sussex Innovation Centre
  • a wide range of career options – from stepping into design jobs after graduation, to setting up their own design studios.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

BSc or BA?

Course Overview
Product Design BSc

You learn to apply advanced mathematical and engineering principles along with human-based methods to evaluate, analyse and design material objects, systems and environments.

Product Design BA

You learn to apply foundational mathematical and engineering principles along with human-based methods to evaluate, analyse and design material objects, systems and environments.

Sussex helped me re-think how we consume and use products, and what we waste.Lucy Hughes
Product Design BSc graduate
Winner of the International Dyson Award 2019
Read Lucy’s story

Meet with us
Book a visit now

Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

ABB-BBB

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects

A-levels should include Art or a Design subject normally at grade B. Without A-levels in these areas you will still be considered but will need to demonstrate a strong, recent background in art and design through other means. 

GCSEs

You must have GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics with at least grade 4 (grade C) and, if you are not offering Art or a Design subject at A-level you must also have GCSE Art or Design Technology at grade 6 (grade B).

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects

Higher Levels should include either Visual Arts or Design Technology with at least grade 5. Applicants without one of these at Higher Level will still be considered but will need to demonstrate a strong, recent background in art and design through other means.

 

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 75% to 77%.

Additional requirements

Evidence of academic studies in Art or design with good results is essential and a good level of Mathematics.

Other international qualifications

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

English language qualifications

Country exceptions

Admissions information for applicants

Portfolio review

In some cases we may request a portfolio of your work.

Transfers into Year 2

Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Modules

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

Placement (optional)

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

Find out more about placements and internships

Recent students have gone on placements at:

  • Rolls-Royce
  • IBM
  • Black+Decker.

You develop your technical, team-working and transferable skills, and apply what you have learnt in your studies to a business environment. 

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

Our staff

Fees

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2026/27 – please check back in September 2025. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026/27.

Careers

During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to work on live industry briefs. You’ll gain valuable experience working with leading experts from a broad range of companies. Recent collaborations include:

  • IBM
  • Aardman Animations
  • Big Potato Games
  • Stanley Black and Decker
  • Dyson
  • Bird and Blend Tea
  • Paladone
  • Lush Cosmetics
  • Brighton Museum.

In recent years, a team of product designers won the Inventors Workshop New Designers Award, creating the brand-new toy concept Bandit at the Toy and Game Fair in London. The students worked together as a team on an industrial live brief, using the skills they gained at Sussex.

You’ll develop creative, problem-solving and project-management skills throughout your course. There are tailored careers events opportunities including drop-in sessions, industry talks and one-to-one supportYour Product Design degree prepares you for jobs in manufacturing, consultancy-based design and the wider creative industries (graphics, marketing, research and digital design).

Product Designers can work in a variety of roles including:

  • industrial, packaging, toy or furniture designer
  • design engineer or product developer
  • design researchers, strategists and consultants
  • UX (user experience) designer and 3D visualiser
  • UI (user interface) designer
  • specialist designers within sectors such as aviation/automotive
  • designer makers with their own studios.

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
  • one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

National Enterprise Educator Awards logo

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services logo

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

Rate My Placement Awards - Celebrating the Best Student Employers and Universities for Work Experience

Top 50
Best Universities for Work Experience in the UK
2025 RateMyPlacement Awards

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