Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,050 per year
International/EU: £18,900 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A009
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When do I start?
September 2027
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Learn the creative, practical and digital skills needed to become a professional product or service designer
- Put learning into practice with leading product design brands and the opportunity to take a placement year
- Collaborate with practising designers with a diverse range of experience and professional networks
- Challenge convention as you learn how to contribute to a more sustainable future.
By studying this course with a foundation year, you’ll begin by developing the creative, practical and academic skills needed for degree level study within the Creative Industries. You’ll learn alongside other foundation year students from across the Creative Industries Institute, becoming part of a vibrant creative community with access to specialist facilities, technical expertise and industry focused teaching. The foundation year prepares you to progress directly onto the Product Design degree, while also giving you the flexibility to transfer to another Creative Industries course without needing to reapply.
Our Product Design course prepares you for an exciting career as a globally minded product or service designer. Through real-world projects and the exploration of new materials, processes and systems, you’ll learn to identify and respond empathetically, sustainably and collaboratively to creative opportunities and challenges. You’ll develop the creative, practical and digital skills needed for professional practice while applying your learning through collaborations with leading product design brands and the opportunity to take a placement year. Alongside working with practising designers and their professional networks, you’ll challenge convention and explore how design can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
Employability
95% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2022/23 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Number 19 in the UK
Our art and design courses are ranked 19th among 81 universities in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Come to an open day
Discover our TEF Gold rated teaching and see why students voted Sheffield Hallam a top five university in England at the prestigious Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
How you learn
You’ll start this course with the foundation year, joining students from across our Creative Industries courses as part of one creative community. You’ll learn together in an immersive studio environment with access to specialist facilities, exploring a range of materials, methods and processes through practical workshops that encourage experimentation and creative thinking.
Working collaboratively across different creative disciplines will help you discover your interests, develop new approaches and build confidence in your skills. With regular support and feedback from expert tutors, you’ll also be encouraged to develop your independent practice and extend your learning beyond the studio.
You learn through
- Practical workshops
- Technical inductions
- Creative projects
- Lectures and seminars
- Self-directed study and practice
- Presentations
- Field trips
- Regular formative feedback
- Group and individual tutorials
- Guided critical reflection
- Live projects
What you’ll study on the foundation year
On the foundation year, you’ll gain a strong introduction to the creative industries. You’ll develop creative thinking, practical making skills and the confidence to explore ideas, experiment and take creative risks in a supportive studio environment.
Your learning is built around two core modules. The first introduces a broad range of creative skills, materials and processes through hands-on experimentation. The second gives you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through longer, project-based work, with a choice of briefs linked to different degree routes.
Assessment is 100% coursework. You’ll build a portfolio that showcases your creative development, including project work, sketchbooks and digital documentation.
Product Design key themes
This Product Design course focuses on insight-driven design for future-facing products, services and experiences. We recognise the responsibility we have as creators and agents for environmental sustainability. You’ll learn to be globally-minded designers, seeking out future challenges, challenging convention and embracing creative risks.
In our studio-based collaborative learning community, you’ll explore both the feasible and the conceptual, the highly technical to the hand-made, from individual products to product-service systems. You’ll gain the skills to identify and respond to future needs and opportunities using industry-standard design strategies and digital technologies. Through engaging design projects, you’ll gain key skills, techniques and principles – such as design for sustainable manufacture, new and emerging digital technologies, creative research methods, and principles of colour, material and finish.
As the course progresses, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the ecological, social and economic factors that all designers must consider when designing for diverse audiences and contexts.
In the final year you’ll develop your own insight-driven, individual creative design project/s closely aligned to your own interests, skills and personal career aspirations.
Course support
We’re a dedicated, qualified, and highly experienced teaching team, with world-leading research and recognised professional creative reputations, who take the time to get to know you.
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated personal, academic and career development support, such as:
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones and online resources to help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelancing opportunities and a vast business network to tap into
- Industry-specific employability activities and careers support for up to five years after you graduate
The course develops strategies of attention, empathy, imagination, courage and resilience in the face of an uncertain future. Our course prioritises care as a critical activity – care for global human contexts and for the more-than-human world.
Graduate View
Take a peek at graduate Ollie’s journey as a product designer at Joseph Joseph, a leading luxury and innovative homeware brand.
Applied learning
The foundation year has strong links across all Creative Industries degrees, offering opportunities to engage with live projects, competitions and work related learning. You’ll graduate from the year as an adaptable, collaborative and creatively confident learner, ready to apply your cross disciplinary experience to your future degree and career.
The BA Product Design course you’ll progress into has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful.
We do this by developing your expertise in collaboration with the professional creative and cultural sectors – with commercial and creative practitioners, commissioners, clients and arts organisations.
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your second and final years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Previous students have secured placements with prestigious brands such as Disney, Burberry, Smallfry Industrial Design, Studio Underdog, Joseph Joseph and Jaguar Land Rover.
Students can also apply for funding through the Turing Scheme to support a study exchange or placement outside of the UK.
Live projects
Take part in live projects where you work with external partners to respond to real-world challenges, projects and opportunities. These projects give you the chance to apply your skills in a professional setting and gain valuable feedback, exposure and networking opportunities.
Our students have worked with Habitat, the NHS, Astro Lighting, Alpkit and Joseph Joseph. You'll have the opportunity to pitch project outcomes to company representatives, and potentially receive payment for designs.
Field trips
In each year of the course you will have the opportunity to go on UK study trips. These might include workshops, conferences or visits to practitioners’ studios, cultural institutions and special collections.
Networking opportunities
All our academic staff have industry experience – they won't just teach you professional skills, they’ll introduce you to their thriving design networks.
With a diverse set of live projects and lectures, you’ll hear first-hand advice from leading designers, curators and thinkers.
Competitions and exhibitions
We’ll give you the support you need to enter national and international design competitions. These competitions can significantly impact your professional reputation.
Recent successes include the RSA Student Design Awards and three prizes awarded at the 2024 New Designers graduate exhibition in London, including the Kenwood and Joseph Joseph Design awards.
- 2025 Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Design the Change competition WINNER and RUNNER UP
- The 2025 New Designers Kenwood Appliances Award – WINNER
- The 2024 New Designers Joseph Stannah Award – WINNER
- The 2024 New Designers Oxford Products Award – WINNER
- The 2024 New Designers Joseph Joseph Brilliantly Useful Design Award – WINNER
- RSA Student Design Awards 2023: All being well WINNER
At the end of your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work in our annual Future Now Festival of Creativity – to which we invite VIP guests, employers, businesses, influencers, friends and family, and the general public. The festival is widely attended and is hosted in the city centre. You’ll also be able to curate and exhibit your work on our online Gallery.
Course leaders and tutors
Mark Fisher
Course LeaderMark is a product designer, researcher and course leader on the BA Product Design course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module provides the opportunity to apply and extend what you have learned in the first module. With a structured approach to project work you will be supported through a creative process to create an individual outcome to a brief. Workshops, seminars and studio practice help you to investigate, interrogate, research, test, trial and refine a project outcome. You extend this learning by developing strategies for organising independent study and time management.
You will be encouraged to consider the wider influences of history, environment, society and culture on Creative Industries disciplines as well as your own practice.
Indicative Content:
Theme based creative research
Choice of project briefs written in collaboration with Creative Industries degree route staff
Synthesising and communicating research
Core discipline specific vocabulary, terminology and some core discipline knowledge
Example independent study tasks to develop discipline specific knowledge
Technical inductions and other activities to support your project work
Creative process
Project proposal, management and planning strategies
Communication of work for different audiences and in different formats
Knowledge of other degree routes and broader creative and contextual awareness of the Creative Industries
This module introduces, and builds upon, core skills and techniques needed to develop creative work. Studio based activities promote an experimental approach to making which embrace risk-taking as part of the process. Curiosity, experimentation and exploration are core components of this module, developed through a wide range of workshops and practical activities.
Structured critical reflection alongside formative assessment throughout the module encourage independence and autonomy.
Applied learning strategies enable you to work alongside other students in an immersive studio environment. You learn from, and with, each other, while developing your own creative confidence.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Creative thinking core skills: curiosity, enquiry, exploration and reflection
Drawing confidence: observational, effective sketching, technical/perspective drawing, life drawing, drawing from imagination
Workshops in: print, photography, laser cutting, sewing, woodwork and more
Group projects and tasks
Fundamental principles for all disciplines with freedom for interpretation, e.g. colour theory, form, structure and image making
Field trips and local visits
A range of additional support through the Learning Centre including, planning and managing your time, academic writing skills and digital literacy skills
Using SHU email account and the virtual learning environment (Blackboard) to help manage your time, work independently and communicate with your tutors
Use of, and exposure to, facilities across the city campus alongside meeting staff from across the Creative Industries Institute
How to access student support services offered by the university and connect with others
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module introduces fundamental skills, techniques and principles for designers of contemporary products, services and experiences.
You will become part of a collaborative, studio-based learning community where you and your peers will begin to explore, understand and experience a diverse range of perspectives as you respond to exciting and challenging creative design briefs.
You will learn investigative and analytical skills, communication techniques and begin to develop an appreciation of form and visual language appropriate to different audiences and contexts.
Indicative content:
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Principles of contemporary design practice
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Strategies for creative thinking and ideation
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Risk as part of the creative process
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Critical and contextual awareness of design and designed products and experiences
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Visual language and aesthetic awareness
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Design sketching and 3D sketch modelling
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Foundational digital skills
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Communication and presentation of ideas and information
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Undertaking group and individual design project work
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APA referencing for academic writing
This is the level 4 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Applied Project.
Module Aim:
The focus of this module is to explore diverse aspects of contemporary commercial product design including the product and service user experience.
As part of this module, you will benefit from authentic professional work experience by working on an applied project with practising designers, industry and other external stakeholders.
This is your opportunity to influence human behaviour through disruptive, future-thinking design informed by signals of change. You will be introduced to core principles of design for accessibility, allowing you to consider the perspectives of diverse audiences and contexts as a fundamental principle of inclusive design.
Indicative content:
- Ethnographic and market research techniques
- Inclusive design
- Designing for enhanced user experience in physical and digital products and systems
- Narrative in design and user experience principles
- Service design methods and approaches
- Futures thinking
- Ethical, responsible and environmentally sustainable design
- Design specifications, technologies, materials and design for manufacture
- Market and ethnographic research analysis
- Intellectual property
- Critical evaluation of design concepts
- Digital and physical prototyping
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This project-based module will facilitate you to collaborate with others to tackle sustainable development challenges creatively. With the support of academics and external stakeholders, you will develop your collaborative, creative, communication, and presentation skills. Through multi-disciplinary project work, you will develop an informed and imaginative response to local and global sustainable development challenges.
Learning will be blended and delivered through teaching, workshops, doing, and independent study individually and in groups.
Indicative content:
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Study and consideration of Sustainable Development
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Exploration and utilisation of collaborative skills
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Exploration and utilisation of design thinking and creative thinking tools
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Project management
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Creative research methods
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Understanding audiences
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Communication and presentation skills
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Working with others, building relationship including with external stakeholders
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Critical thinking and reflection
This is the level 5 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Enhanced Applied Project.
Module Aim:
The module aims to build the professionalism of your design practice. You will develop your profile and portfolio, preparing you for applications to industrial placements or internships. You will also develop transferable skills for life beyond the university, such as negotiation, communication, presentation and project management.
Part of the module will be an enhanced applied project in collaboration with an industry partner. You will apply research techniques to tackle a complex real-world challenge whilst experiencing professional design culture. This project will be student-employer led, meaning the brief is to be negotiated between you and industry partners.
This module also includes preparation for sandwich placement success including the Applied Diploma.
Indicative Content:
The content of the module will typically include:
● Project planning and management
● Intellectual property, copyright and confidentiality
● A series of short concept development projects
● A professionally sponsored or inspired design project with a focus external to the university
● Design research and analysis
● Creative development through the analysis and synthesis of ideas and knowledge
● Origination of design proposals and creative outcomes
● Design communication and presentation
● Interdisciplinary collaboration
● Opportunities to undertake authentic work-related experiences that are representative of designing in a professional context
● Reflection on the role of a product designer in an entrepreneurial and enterprising commercial context
● Digital skills development
● Presenting yourself professionally through portfolio/ online presence
Module Summary:
This module builds on the principles of ethical and sustainable practice introduced at level 4 and aims to give you a thorough understanding of sustainable design, considering a balance of ecological, social, and economic factors.
You will apply sustainability knowledge and techniques to analyse the design of products and services, and create your own responsible designs, exploring what responsible design means to you as a creative practitioner. You will learn to assess the ecological impact of existing products and services, and predict the future local and global impacts of your own proposals.
The module will also include industrial design techniques such as material selection, component level design, CAD, costings, reverse engineering, and design for manufacture.
Indicative content:
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Developing a professional portfolio
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3D Prototyping and testing
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One or more design projects
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Analysis of sustainability of existing design objects and systems
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Data analysis and use of spreadsheets
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Visual communication
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Use of CAD and other digital skills
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Design research and analysis
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Concept generation
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New product development
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Advanced visualisation and presentation skills
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Working with outside organisations
Elective modules
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Year 4
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
- Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
- Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
- Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
- Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
- Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
The focus of this module is a substantial piece of design work undertaken as a self-generated design brief that demonstrates the skills and competencies of a professional designer.
You are encouraged to reach beyond the university to explore global challenges and real-world problems. You will generate insights to inform and validate your ideas through engaging with relevant stakeholders and professionals.
The module brings together the theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and experiences gained during previous study to reflect the role of the professional product/ service designer in a collaborative environment that fosters professional practice and etiquette.
Indicative content:
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Individual project management
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Collaboration with subject specialists
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Creative development through the analysis and synthesis of ideas and knowledge
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Origination of personal design proposals and creative outcomes
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Design communication, presentation and exhibition
This is the level 6 work experience module and will enable you to work on a Consultancy, Employer Led Scholarly Research project.
Module Aim:
During this module you will apply your design skills and knowledge to a real-world design research challenge, such as a design competition set by an employer or consultancy. You will conduct in-depth primary and secondary design research, working more independently than in previous projects. This is likely to involve consulting external stakeholders as well as collaborating internally with subject specialists and peers to explore diverse perspectives and iterate ideas.
As part of this module, you will also develop a research-informed, insight-driven design brief and project plan for semester two. You will develop your ability to identify, validate, and persuasively communicate design opportunities within given constraints.
The content of the module will typically include:
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Planning, undertaking and analysing research activity
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Working with people and potential product/service users to understand their needs and wants
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Understanding and considering local and global contexts when responding to a set brief
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Undertaking a creative project and generating designed outcomes
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Scoping an appropriate set of project aims and objectives
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Generation of a creative project brief(s) driven by insight
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Project planning and effective time management
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Presenting research insights and project outcomes creatively and articulately
Future careers
This Product Design course prepares you for careers and future study in:
- Product design
- Service Innovation
- User experience (UX)
- Design consultancy
- Consumer insight and brand strategy
- Strategic innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Digital visualisation
- Education
- Sales and marketing
Previous graduates from our course have gone on to work for:
- BBC
- Brompton Bikes
- Dyson
- Fosters + Partners
- Habitat
- Joseph Joseph
- Kenwood
- Lucid Group
- Monitor Audio
- NESTA
- Panasonic
- Rolls Royce
- Ron Arad Associates
- Shark Ninja
- Stanley Black & Decker
- Thomas Heatherwick Studios
- Volvo
- Vtech Hong Kong
All in on your career
We promise you’ll be ready to launch your career. With employer connections, hands-on learning and lifelong career support, we’ll help make your ambition a reality.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEquipment and facilities
You'll have access to a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more. On the Foundation Year, you have a dedicated studio space on City Campus, with access to all the facilities below.
On the Product Design Degree course you'll be based in a fully equipped and purpose-designed studio, with state-of-the-art facilities, including:
- Industry-standard computer hardware and software
- Extensive workshops for soft modelling and prototyping
- Metal fabrication and fabrication (plasma cutting, welding, casting, bending and forming)
- A precision-metal workshop with milling machines and lathes
- Print, wood, plastics, metal, mixed media, casting and ceramic workshops
- CNC equipment including laser cutters, CNC routers (2D and 3D)
- An electronics and coding lab
- 3D printing (including SLA, FDM, SLS, Polymerand metal 3DP)
- 3D digital tools (including 3D CAD, FEA)
- 3D scanning (Artec Leo)
- Industry-grade spray painting and colour-matching facility
- Industry-standard XYZ CNC mills, DMG mill-turn lathes and EDM
- A structural-integrity laboratory for testing materials and components
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- Standard offer: 80 UCAS points
This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics). For example:
- CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- Pass (A*-C) overall from a T level qualification with C from core.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or literature at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent.
Portfolio review
If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio.
The portfolio helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you've applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you've applied for. Visit our portfolio review guidance.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2027/28 is £10,050 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2027/28 is £18,900 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 302KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
