Product Design BDes (Hons)



Design boldly. Produce what’s next at a top 5 UK modern university for Art and Design
The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

Course overview

The BDes (Hons) Product Design covers a very wide range of design activity and innovation from commercial 3D objects to conceptual design interventions in spaces and communication.

With an emphasis on innovation and user-focus, you'll learn a range of practical skills in visualisation, prototyping, CAD, materials, fabrication, business and marketing to prepare you for a career in design.

Based at a multi-disciplinary campus, you'll be in close contact with students and staff involved in other aspects of design, giving you access to a breadth of inspiration and expertise that will add further depth to your study.

This course includes the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry during your third year.

In your final year, you'll display your final project at our annual Degree Show.

Our graduates enjoy a high success rate in gaining employment after graduation, and our alumni form an important part of our industry network.

Students working in the Design Studio

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

W241

Course details

You'll gain practical skills in design, sketching, use of digital media, 3D modelling, materials and manufacture, plus business and marketing skills.

This course will address future technologies, changing consumer culture and the impact of carbon neutral lifestyles, both locally and globally.

You'll gain an understanding of the creative economy and professional design practice. You'll work with our industry partners on live projects and have the opportunity to undertake a work placement. We encourage links with industry through external lectures, placements and participation in competitions.

You'll develop your skills in research, problem solving, conceptual development and design thinking which you can also apply to other creative areas such as UX and service design, branding, advertising.

Additional mandatory costs

  • All Years: Printing and model-making material costs
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    How you’ll be taught

    This is a full-time course studied over four years. You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and independent study.

    Core knowledge and contextual understanding (A1 to A6) is acquired through lectures, studio practical activities, seminars, tutorials, group work, fieldwork, overseas placement and guided independent learning.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Your knowledge and understanding of product design will be assessed using a combination of short-term and long-term practical projects, individual and group presentations of projects to tutors, peers and, where appropriate, external bodies.

    Assessment methods are dependent on the module deliverables, whether studio-based or theoretical/contextual and can be through presentations, a portfolio of creative work, or a written submission.
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    Work placement

    In the second trimester of your third year you will have the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry.

    We also have strong links with local and internationally based design studios who offer mentoring and placements throughout the year.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    The programme has a wide international footprint. In Year 3 (Trimester 2), you will have the opportunity to study overseas with one of our partner universities, or take a work placement in industry.

    The programme currently has international partners in Europe (France, The Netherlands), Scandinavia, Canada, China, Australia and New Zealand, or North America.

    In addition to our longer-term three-month exchange programmes, we also offer short-term one-week international design workshops hosted between our six different European design partners.
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    Facilities

    This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

    The course is supported by designated studio spaces for you to learn and practice in, and a modelling workshop with rapid prototyping and excellent computing facilities.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Foundation product design 1 and 2
  • Debates in design 1
  • Foundation digital media 1 & 2
  • Visual research methods

Year 2

  • Materials for inspirational design 1 and 2
  • Product design studio 1 and 2
  • Debates in design 2
  • Design and business

Year 3

  • Materials for inspirational design 3
  • Product design studio 3 and 4
  • Design & urbanism or Branding
  • Design research methods
  • Prototyping interactive experiences
  • Optional work experience or overseas study

Year 4

  • Professional practice
  • Major project
  • Dissertation

Also in year 4:

  • Enter your work into competitions
  • Optional supervised work placement or overseas study module

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Richard Firth.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

As part of the selection process suitably qualified applicants will normally be required to submit a portfolio/attend an interview. This applies to all years of entry. You can find more information about what to include in your portfolio here.

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

 

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC preferably including one of: Art and Design, Design and Manufacture or Daydream Believers Level 6 Creative Thinking at grade B.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC preferably including one of: Art and Design, Design and Manufacture or Daydream Believers Level 6 Creative Thinking at grade B.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • CCC preferably including one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at HL including preferably Art.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject. Related subjects include - Art and Design/Art and Design Practice/Creative Media Practice/Creative Media Production/Creative Digital Media Production. Others may be considered please refer to admissions team.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject. Related subjects include - Art and Design/Art and Design Practice/Creative Media Practice/Creative Media Production/Creative Digital Media Production. Others may be considered please refer to admissions team.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6,5,4 including preferably one of: Visual Arts or Design Technology.

T Level

  • Grade Pass
  • T Level should preferably be completed in a Creative/Design subject. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

Minimum Year 2

Scottish Advanced Higher

  • BBC including preferably one of: Art and Design or Design and Manufacture

A Level

  • BBB including preferably one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)

HNC/D

  • Pass HNC 3D Design or HND Digital Design and Development with grade B in the graded unit. Other HN subjects will be considered individually.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in 3D Design, Art and Design, Computer Aided Draughting and Design or Furniture with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in all graded units. Other HN subjects will be considered individually.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £21,120 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers & employability

What can you do with a BDes (Hons) Product Design?

The BDes (Hons) Product Design will let aspiring product designers embark on a journey of creativity and innovation to shape the future of consumer goods and experiences. Through a blend of design theory, technical skills, and hands-on prototyping, you'll learn to develop products that are not only functional and user-friendly but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally resonant. This course can lead to a career in various areas of design including:

  • Product design
  • Industrial design
  • Furniture design
  • Concept design for the film and gaming industries
  • UX and service design
  • Medical equipment design
  • Sports equipment design
  • UX and service design
  • Advertising

You'll explore the entire product design process, from concept development and sketching to 3D modelling and material selection. Working out of our dedicated programme studio spaces and workshops, you'll gain practical experience translating ideas into tangible prototypes and refining designs based on user feedback and market research.

Upon completion, you'll emerge as a versatile and innovative product designer, ready to tackle the challenges of creating meaningful and impactful products that enhance people's lives. Whether you aspire to work in consumer electronics, furniture design, or sustainable product development, our BDes (Hons) in Product Design will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the exciting and ever-evolving field of product design.

What does a Product Designer do?

Working as a Product Designer, you will have the chance to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to shape the products and experiences of tomorrow. In this role, you'll blend art and engineering to create products that are not only functional and user-friendly but also beautiful and intuitive.

Your responsibilities will encompass every stage of the design process, from ideation and prototyping to testing and iteration. Picture yourself collaborating with cross-functional teams of engineers, marketers and stakeholders to understand user needs and market trends, then translating those insights into innovative product designs.

By utilising your expertise in design thinking and human-centred design, you will create solutions that address real-world problems and delight users. Your passion for innovation and your commitment to excellence will drive you to push the boundaries of design, exploring new materials, technologies and aesthetics to create products that stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Martina Zupan smiling and holding up her eggshell tableware to the camera