BA (Hons) Design · Loughborough UniversityBachelor's degree · 4 years
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Loughborough University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Design Bachelor's degree at Loughborough University

BA (Hons) Design at Loughborough University. Design at Loughborough spans products, service systems, and spaces in an integrated way. Over four years full-time, you'll develop competence across core theory, research methods, applied practice, specialist options, and professional…

BA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
87%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

The BA Design (Hons) degree is a multi-disciplinary course involving the design and experience of products, service systems, and spaces. From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Design is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Loughborough University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.

For Engineering graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 89% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.4
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong70

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent87

Stronger evidence Published sample: 260. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional95

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 4 modules
  • Prototyping for DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    The aim of the module is to develop an understanding of applied physical prototyping techniques with respect to proof-of-concept testing within the industrial design process. To gain a basic introduction to the Arduino IDE, digital prototyping through CAD and industrial process machine tools for use in physical prototyping.

  • Design Foundations 1Compulsory
    Module details

    Design Foundations 1 aims to support students with the transition into university design education, familiarising themselves with both the theory and practices associated with the process of 'Design at Loughborough'. Both individually and in teams, students will be encouraged to develop and foster imaginative and creative capabilities through understanding design, its history, and its impact on individuals, society, and the environment, whilst simultaneously developing their core design practice

  • Research for Design 1Compulsory
    Module details

    Research for Design 1 aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles, processes, methods and tools needed to acquire an understanding of user needs and how these needs are leveraged within a design process to deliver useful, usable, and desirable design outputs. Students will research user needs and requirements, gain an understanding of human variability through ergonomics and human factors in design, and apply basic inclusive design principles to re-design a product or artefact from

  • Designing InteractionsCompulsory
    Module details

    Designing Interactions aims to develop in students an understanding of the distinct nature of designing for physical and digital interactions and its relationship to shaping experiences. Students will gain an appreciation of typical principles and practices used within these areas, extending, and enhancing the design development and conceptualisation skills introduced in the Semester 1 modules: Design Foundations 1, Research for Design 1, and Prototyping.

Year 2 6 modules
  • Design Foundations 2Compulsory
    Module details

    Design Foundations 2 aims to advance students core design competencies, building on the skills taught in Semester 1 modules Design Foundations 1, Research for Design 1, and Prototyping. Students will be encouraged to further develop and foster imaginative and creative capabilities, through developing an understanding of both design for branding and regenerative human-centred design practices. Whilst completing the module, students will further develop their appreciation of form, colour, and othe

  • Shaping MaterialsCompulsory
    Module details

    Shaping Materials aims to develop students' understanding of the distinct and inter-related nature of design practices concerning the development of products and artefacts, experiences, and spaces and environments. Students will gain an appreciation of typical materials and processes used within these areas, extending and enhancing the design development and conceptualisation skills introduced in Part A modules: Design Foundations 1 & 2, Research for Design 1, and Designing Interactions, whilst

  • Research for Design 2Compulsory
    Module details

    Research for Design 2 aims to extend and enhance students' knowledge and application of user research methods in the context of design. Students will collect primary data, identify insights, and develop opportunity statements from the data. Students will further develop and apply skills introduced in Part A, in particular Research for Design 1.

  • Digital Skills for DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    Digital Skills for Design aims to develop students' expertise in software and digital tools commonly used to design, develop, prototype, and communicate digital user interfaces, three-dimensional objects and products, and three-dimensional environments and spaces. Students will use digital tools and produce outputs from software, advancing and augmenting the design skills introduced in Part A modules Design Foundations 1 and 2.

  • Shaping TechnologiesCompulsory
    Module details

    Shaping Technologies exposes students to the notion that technologies are entities that are shapeable by design and designers, and in doing so can lead more meaningful design outputs. Students will understand the position of technology in society now and in the future and propose new future facing design concepts. Students will extend and enhance the design development and concepting skills introduced in Part A, and prior to Part B modules.

  • Speculative FuturesCompulsory
    Module details

    Speculative Futures aims to encourage students' to discuss the notions of a critical art/design studio based on a future-facing and/or speculative design or art practice. Individually and in teams, students will identify and interpret a range of roles and functions for artists and designers in the future, including in post-capitalist or non-human-centred communities, based on historical context and existing frameworks. Students will leverage design practice and communication skills from prior mo

Modules 8 modules
  • Arts ManagementOptional
    Module details

    The aims of this module are to: Give students an awareness and understanding of arts management as a discipline, in the context of arts organisations and the creative industries. Provide students with a context in which to explore ideas and practices related to professional environments they may wish to progress to post-graduation. Present students with the opportunity to evaluate and apply information, resources and ideas to a scenario relevant to their career futures.

  • Re-imagining CommunitiesOptional
    Module details

    This module highlights the social production of art. It explores the extent to which art and cultural production contributes to protest movements and activates social and political transformation. Addressing historical and contemporary connections between art and activist practices, it will provide students with an understanding of the complex relationship between art, politics and wider social movements. In addition to facilitating the development and contextualisation of their own socially-eng

  • Creative PlacemakingOptional
    Module details

    The aims of this module are to: Explore how creative interventions can transform how spaces function. Develop theoretical and practical understanding of how creative practitioners can actively work to inform placemaking.

  • Drawing Characters: Representation and IdentityOptional
    Module details

    The aims of this module are to: Raise student's awareness of identity and representation issues in character designs. Equip students with transferrable character design skills that could be applied to a wide range of creative arts subject disciplines.

  • Fashion to Function: Designing Clothing and Wearable ProductsOptional
    Module details

    The aims of this module are to: Understand the core principles of human-centred design and fashion design, and how they apply to clothing and wearable products. Develop effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in multi-disciplinary teams for the successful execution of fashion design products for a specific consumer. Compile a portfolio showcasing individual and team contributions to clothing/wearable product designs, highlighting the integration of human-centred design

  • Co-Designing Products with Generative AIOptional
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to develop the students' capabilities in co-designing products with generative AI (GenAI). Including project framing with Large Language Models (LLMs), using image-GenAI and other more advanced 3D model and video tools, and the ethical implications of their use. Upon completion of the module students will have gained an appreciation for what GenAI tools are available and which are currently popular in product and industrial design, foresight into how they are developing

  • Creative EnterpriseOptional
    Module details

    This module aims to: Introduce enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and practices for creative applications such as pitching, developing market insights and understanding a target audience. Build team working skills to collaboratively work with other creatives with different skill sets and backgrounds. Identify and realise an enterprise concept based on group research findings and personal reflection.

  • BioDesignOptional
    Module details

    BioDesign and novel bio-material development are emerging growth sectors in creative industries, and are areas of inspiration and innovation across multiple fields, contexts, and applications- from product and packaging design to fashion, textiles and fine art. The aims of this module are to: Explore key theories underpinning ethical and responsible design with and inspired by natural and novel bio-based materials and more-than-human stakeholders. Explore hands-on material innovation, experiment

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course integrates the design and experience of products, service systems, and spaces into a multi-disciplinary programme. You'll usually start with engineering foundations, mathematics, mechanics, materials, and practical CAD and workshop skills. As you progress into Year 2, courses typically move towards discipline-specific depth through options such as thermodynamics and fluids or circuits and systems, alongside computing and simulation. A team-based design project reflects real-world practice. In Year 3, you'll choose from specialisations such as Mechanical, Electrical & electronic, Civil & structural, Robotics & mechatronics, or Energy & sustainability. You'll also study professional engineering practice, safety, ethics, sustainability and project management, before completing a substantial individual project that forms the degree's centrepiece.

Who it's for

You're drawn to how things work and feel in the world, both material objects and the experiences around them. You're comfortable moving between visual thinking and critical analysis, and you want space to explore rather than declare a specialism immediately. You'll thrive if you're curious about user needs, enjoy problem-solving through iteration, and can articulate ideas both visually and in writing. This course suits those ready for sustained, hands-on project work alongside theoretical reflection.

University & format

This BA (Hons) Design is studied full-time over 4 years at Loughborough University, a public university founded in 1909 and located in Loughborough. The course is taught in English and leads to a nationally recognised UK degree. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
80%
Learning opportunities
73%
Assessment and feedback
70%
Academic Support
85%
Organisation and management
51%
Learning resources
73%
Student voice
61%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryABB typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

Contextual offersPublished by this provider

Access Loughborough Contextual Offer. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.

AccreditationICE

Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.

PlacementPublished placement option

Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook on an open day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of ABB. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 128 - 143 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Loughborough University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent95%
a foundation course5%
No / unknown prior qualifications5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesAABA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Loughborough University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at Loughborough University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Loughborough University funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£32,000£30,000 – £36,000260
3 years after£34,500£29,000 – £39,500945
5 years after£42,500£35,000 – £51,000965

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 260. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

87%
in work or further study 15 months on
89%
in highly skilled work or study
95%
continue past their first year
70%
find their work meaningful
85%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£32,000
£29,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£34,500
£26,775 – £37,800
After 5 years LEO
£42,500
£33,150 – £46,800
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £25,000 – £48,500

National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

87 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

83% working6% working and studying1% in further study89% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 260. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.

This course £42,500Peer median £38,500Middle 50% £35,500–£42,500
73rd percentile

Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Design occupationsSOC 2020 342 · 38% of published destinations · ASHE median £35,957
  • Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 16% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 145; response rate: 59%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Engineering courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
80%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
88%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Engineering & manufacturing firms
  • Automotive & aerospace
  • Energy & utilities
  • Defence & consultancies

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 70.4% · in work or study 87% · continued 95%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Loughborough University

All students18,955
International18.4%
Aged 25+9.9%

Engineering and technology across the UK

Students176,530
Aged 25+23%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Loughborough University

1,024 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 256Shoplifting 209Anti Social Behaviour 152Criminal Damage Arson 94Other Theft 74

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Engineering right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Loughborough University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by Loughborough University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Loughborough University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Loughborough University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 128 - 143 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Loughborough University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Engineering graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 89% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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