Product Design and Technology with a Foundation Year

Product Design and Technology is a discipline that sits at the junction of creative design and engineering, concerned with the conception, development, and production of the products that people use in everyday life. It combines aesthetic and ergonomic thinking with materials science, manufacturing processes, and the technical skills needed to bring ideas from concept to physical reality. Product designers must understand both the needs of users and the possibilities and constraints of manufacture, working at the intersection of art, engineering, and commerce.

At Loughborough University, this four-year, full-time programme begins with a foundation year, which is designed for students who have not studied the prerequisite subjects for direct entry, or who have not met standard entrance requirements due to adverse circumstances, prior sporting commitments, or as mature students returning to education. The foundation year builds the academic and technical foundations needed before the main degree begins. You will develop skills in design thinking, materials knowledge, manufacturing processes, computer-aided design, and prototyping, alongside the commercial and human-centred design principles that make products successful in the market.

Loughborough's strong engineering and design culture and its connections to industry provide a professional environment that enriches the academic programme.

Graduates of Product Design and Technology work as product designers, design engineers, user experience researchers, prototyping specialists, manufacturing process designers, and brand and packaging designers across consumer goods, electronics, automotive, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Many develop careers in large product companies, design consultancies, or as independent designers. Others move into design management, sustainable product development, and innovation roles.

Postgraduate study in product design, design engineering, or user experience design is a well-established next step for those seeking specialist expertise or academic careers in the field.