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University of Leeds · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Product Design Bachelor's degree at the University of Leeds
BSc (Hons) Product Design at University of Leeds. Product Design at Leeds sits at the intersection of engineering rigour and creative problem-solving, giving you the chance to move from sketch and concept through to working prototype within a single project.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
100%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
BSc (Hons) Product Design is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Leeds. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Engineering and technology graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% 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.
9.4
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86
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
Exceptional100
Stronger evidence Published sample: 140. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2021-23; 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 5 modules
- Engineering MaterialsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop a good understanding of engineering principles relating to structure-property relationships and how these can be controlled by various manufacturing methods including heat treatment. You'll learn how to distinguish between microstructure, crystal structure and other material aspects determined by intrinsic bonding.
- Contextual Studies and ErgonomicsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Learn about aspects of design and technological awareness, and contemporary influences on design. The module reflects the importance given to developing your ability to recognise that design and technological activities are inextricably linked.
- Engineering Analysis for Product DesignersCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop both your engineering analysis skills – including mathematics and mechanics – and your ability to apply these skills to design problems. A mixture of lectures, a practical design and build project, and laboratory-based activities are used to encourage you to learn and apply these skills from various perspectives.
- Basic Electronics for Product DesignCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the fundamental principles of microcontroller programming and embedded electronics within the context of product design. You will explore core concepts in C++ programming, library usage, basic electronics theory, Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's circuit laws, building your understanding from first principles.
- Design Studio 1Compulsory40 credits
Module details
Build an understanding and practice of the Product Design discipline through a series of design briefs/projects. You'll learn how to approach the different phases of the product design process, whilst exploring and developing design proposals using a range of methods, practical skills and specialist knowledge.
Year 2 5 modules
- Design Studio 2Compulsory40 credits
Module details
A problem-based design studio module with projects that will challenge you to apply and combine your skills and learning so far to develop and communicate creative solutions to complex problems.
- Creativity in Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop your commercial awareness and explore the value of design thinking and design communication skills within industry. The module will help you maximise your potential in preparation for industrial placements and your professional career.
- Design for Manufacture for Product DesignersCompulsory20 credits
Module details
A problem-based design studio module with projects where you'll apply your understanding of manufacturing processes and develop advanced CAD (computer-aided design system) skills to produce 3D solid models of a detailed design for mass production that also satisfies user needs.
- Advanced Electronics for Product DesignCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Through this module, you'll explore key electronics and processes needed for product design. You'll cover programming microcontrollers, design products that incorporate electronic sensing and build proof-of-concept prototypes to demonstrate solution principles of your own designed products using standard electronic parts.
- Economics and ManagementOptional20 credits
Module details
Explore economic concepts relevant to manufacturing enterprise and apply these to business problems. You'll also learn how to identify the structure of an industrial market and understand the principles of finance for manufacturing investment.
Year 3 4 modules
- Design ProjectCompulsory60 credits
Module details
This module allows you to develop a project that is focused on an area of your interest and will give you the best opportunity to progress your career after you graduate. You'll be supported by regular meetings with a project supervisor which will be a combination of small group sessions and individual one-to-one meetings.
- Additive ManufacturingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to key concepts of Additive Manufacturing and demonstrate the different techniques that are commercially available. You'll also cover the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field, including elements of research-led teaching.
- Mechanical SystemsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Explore the principles of mechanical systems and develop the skills required to build working prototypes. This will concentrate on the value of working prototypes and mechanical systems in product design, and the selection of appropriate standard components to meet required performance criteria.
- Experience Design & User InteractionCompulsory20 credits
Module details
With product design and technology continuously evolving into the digital world and the emergence of new devices, it's important to understand the fundamentals of human-centred design and interaction design to enable an appropriate user experience. In this module you'll be introduced to the principles of human-centred design, visual design, perception and cognition to help inform effective interactions and user experience design.
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
Across the three years you'll build up from foundational understanding towards independent, self-directed work. Early study covers core theory, the principles of design, materials science and mechanics that underpin any product, however simple or complex. Alongside this sits research & methods, where you learn how to properly investigate a design problem: understanding users, testing assumptions, and gathering evidence rather than guessing. Applied practice translates that theory into tangible outputs, through studio projects, prototyping and hands-on making. As you progress, specialist options let you steer your studies towards areas that interest you most, such as sustainable design, digital manufacturing or human-centred design, depending on what's offered in a given year. The course culminates in an independent project, a substantial piece of work where you define a brief, carry out research, and design and develop a solution largely under your own direction, a genuine test of everything you've learned. Running throughout is a strand of professional skills: communication, project management, and the practical habits that separate a good design concept from one that actually gets made and used.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who's naturally curious about how things are made and why they're made that way, someone who picks up an object and wonders whether it could work better, look better, or last longer. You'll likely enjoy sketching ideas but also want to see them through to something physical, rather than stopping at a nice drawing. A comfort with both creative thinking and more analytical, technical reasoning will serve you well, since the course asks you to move between imaginative concept work and the kind of rigorous problem-solving associated with engineering. Patience matters too: prototypes fail, materials behave unexpectedly, and iteration is part of the process rather than a sign of failure. If you're the sort of person who likes taking a project from a vague idea to a finished, working object, and who doesn't mind getting stuck into workshops, testing, and refining designs multiple times over, you'll find the day-to-day rhythm of this course genuinely engaging. Most students who arrive here have studied A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 160–175 UCAS tariff range, though what matters most is a genuine interest in design and making rather than any single subject background.
Careers & job market
Nationally, graduates from Engineering courses report strong outcomes: 90% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 80% of those in work are in roles classified as highly skilled. These are national Graduate Outcomes figures across Engineering as a field, not specific to this course or university, but they give a useful sense of the broader labour market that Product Design graduates enter. Earnings data, again national rather than course-specific, shows starting salaries 15 months after graduation typically ranging between £29,000 and £35,000. Three years on, reported earnings span £26,775 to £37,800, and by five years post-graduation the range moves to £33,150 to £46,800. These figures reflect a spread of outcomes across the graduate population, not a guarantee for any individual, and actual earnings depend heavily on sector, role and location. Separately, national continuation data shows that 88% of students continue past their first year of study, either still enrolled or having completed their course, which is a reasonable indicator of how manageable and engaging students generally find courses in this area.
University & format
The course runs full-time over three years at the University of Leeds, a public, research-intensive institution founded in 1904 and a member of the Russell Group. Teaching combines lectures, studio-based design work and workshop or laboratory sessions, reflecting the blend of theory and hands-on practice at the heart of Product Design. The course is taught in English and is identified by UCAS course code H795. Bursaries and scholarships may also be available; it's worth checking the university's own funding pages for current details, as these can change year to year. The university holds a Silver award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality, and its research-intensive Russell Group status means design teaching is informed by ongoing engineering and design research happening at the institution.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
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
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryAAB typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
PlacementPublished placement option
Paid industrial placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of AAB. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 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 the University of Leeds'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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
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
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 gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeH795quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H795). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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 University of Leeds 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 University of Leeds →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 3 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
All University of Leeds funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
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Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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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
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £32,000 | £30,000 – £36,000 | 140 |
| 3 years after | £31,000 | £27,000 – £37,000 | 465 |
| 5 years after | £38,500 | £32,500 – £48,000 | 485 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 140. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
100%
in work or further study 15 months on
90%
in highly skilled work or study
95%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
85%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 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 – £35,000After 3 years LEO
£31,000
£26,775 – £37,800After 5 years LEO
£38,500
£33,150 – £46,800national 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.
100 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
90% working5% working and studying5% in further study90% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 140. Cohort 2021-23. 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 £38,500Peer median £38,500Middle 50% £35,500–£42,500
48th percentile
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Brunel University of LondonBEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering£38,500Brunel University of LondonBEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Placement Year£38,500Brunel University of LondonMEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering - integrated£38,500Brunel University of LondonMEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering - integrated with Placement Year£38,500
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
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: 30; response rate: 70%. 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 Outcomes80%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled88%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
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
100% 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 9.4 out of 10: NSS 85.7% · in work or study 100% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Leeds
All students34,580
International31.5%
Aged 25+13.6%
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 The University of Leeds
3,846 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1125Shoplifting 724Other Theft 322Public Order 319Anti Social Behaviour 305
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 University of Leeds from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Leeds; 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 University of Leeds’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 University of Leeds and gov.uk before you apply.
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Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Leeds. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Engineering and technology graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
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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