What Will You Study
Lancaster’s approach to design reflects a department that is actively seeking new and innovative ways to apply design. The degree is taught by leading design researchers, and it moves beyond the scope of traditional disciplines such as graphic or product design. Instead you will be given the opportunity to develop the skills to solve complex cultural and social problems by combining design thinking with innovation, technology, business and research. This will equip you for a range of exciting careers in new and emerging industries.
- The course is structured around four aspects of design: materials, people, products and places. They allow you the opportunity to develop vital problem-finding and problem-solving abilities.
- History, theory and intellectual content are combined with creative design practice and design management.
- You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in prototyping and presentation in our purpose-built design studios and workshop.
- Through authentic projects and live briefs, including a group consultancy project, you’ll gain real world experience and prepare yourself for your future career.
- We aim to include guest speakers and external organisations to provide insight into design and related industries, giving you the opportunity to build professional contacts and gain work experience during your degree.
You can find out more about our facilities, research and the work experience we offer on our departmental website.
Modules
Year 1
Core
Year 2
Core
Optional
Year 3
Core
Optional
Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and others which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism. We divide academic study into two sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). For most programmes Part 1 requires you to study 120 credits spread over at least three modules which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects. A higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster please visit our Teaching and Learning section.
The following courses do not offer modules outside of the subject area due to the structured nature of the programmes: Architecture, Law, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Biomedical Science.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research.
Entry Criteria
Grade Requirements
A Level ABB
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects
BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Careers
This degree gives you the opportunity to develop skills preparing you to respond creatively to tomorrow’s fast moving business environment through the development of future visions for innovative products and services. Our degree addresses the need for graduates that are capable of transcending the traditional boundaries of design and possess the requisite knowledge, skills and creative experience to develop novel interactions between people, products, virtual and physical environments.
Graduates from the scheme will have a number of potential career avenues with graduates going on to become: concept designers, user experience designers, design researchers, design ethnographers, interaction designers, graphic designers, product designers, service designers, design developers or design managers. You will also build-up numerous transferrable skills, which can be applied to a variety of creative practices and careers.
The Design degree at Lancaster will give you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and experience to work in the fast-paced, changing, creative and digital industries.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our
Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lecture-tutorial , interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions, group work assessment and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Fees
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2018-19 entry fees have not yet been set.
As a guide, our fees in 2017-18 were:
| UK/EU (2017-18) |
Overseas (2017-18) |
| £9,250 |
£18,700 |
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
Some science and medicine courses have higher fees for students from
the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. You can find more details here:
Island Students.
Funding
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
Students also need to consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation it may be necessary to take out subscriptions to professional bodies and to buy business attire for job interviews.
