England.  Change location
Shortlist CourseShortlist Register nowRegister Request ProspectusProspectus
Course type
Certificate  

Certificate

  • Widely recognised qualification.
  • Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
  • Study for interest or career development.
  • Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
  • Count it towards further qualifications such as a foundation degree, DipHE or honours degree.
Credits
120  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 2 years
Full-time study – 1 year
Time limit – 7 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements
Ask a question

Certificate of Higher Education in Design

Course code: T54

Our Certificate of Higher Education in Design introduces you to design thinking and skills you can apply in different contexts. It explores the creative thinking and practices used in design, outlining design competencies and transferable skills for professional applications. You’ll explore design as a catalyst for change and understand how it can be used effectively to tackle various societal challenges. You’ll undertake projects that help you build design skills and develop your own design identity as you begin to compile your professional portfolio.

  • Build an understanding of design thinking and skills and their applications in diverse contexts
  • Begin to recognise the potential of design to respond to societal opportunities and challenges
  • Develop your confidence and ability to work on projects and to respond to feedback constructively
  • Recognise the value of design capabilities as transferable skills and as part of your professional development
  • Begin to frame your own design identity and values.

This Certificate of Higher Education is the same as Stage 1 of our Diploma of Higher Education in Design (W23) and Bachelor of Design (Honours) (R63)

Course type
Certificate  

Certificate

  • Widely recognised qualification.
  • Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
  • Study for interest or career development.
  • Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
  • Count it towards further qualifications such as a foundation degree, DipHE or honours degree.
Credits
120  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 2 years
Full-time study – 1 year
Time limit – 7 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

  • In Stage 1, you’ll study two 60-credit modules.

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module. See Entry requirements for more details.

You’ll study two 60-credit modules.

Stage 1 modules
ModulesCredits
You’ll study both of the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60
Design practices (T190)60

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Certificate of Higher Education in Design uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

  • Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
  • Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
  • Assessment in the form of, design activities, written work, examinations and project work
  • Feedback – continuous assessment and project-based learning includes feedback from your tutor and using this to help improve your performance
  • Using and producing images, diagrams and screenshots
  • Finding external/third-party material online
  • Accessing online catalogues and databases
  • Specialist design software
  • Online tutorials and project-based studio learning
  • Group-work
  • Practical work
  • Portfolio development

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions.

Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read the detailed learning outcomes here

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Certificate of Higher Education in Design.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you’ll need to succeed. If you’re not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.

Answer a few quick questions to check whether you’re ready for study success

How much time do I need?

  • Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
  • This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

  • feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
  • support from a dedicated team throughout your study
  • detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the sciences, technology and mathematics. It’ll help develop your study skills in advance of your OU qualification, and you get to explore a number of STEM subjects including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.

View full details of Science, technology and maths Access module

How much will it cost in England?

We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread the cost.

  • A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. Added together, they give you the total cost.
  • Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won't have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front.
  • Most of our students study part time at a rate of 60 credits a year.
  • Our current fee for 60 credits is £3,636*.
  • At current prices, the total cost of your qualification would be £7,272*.

*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section C of the University's Fee Rules.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after you start studying.


How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

  • a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
  • course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
  • module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
  • details of each assignment and their due dates
  • a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
  • online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

See how our module websites work.

Tutor support

Student, Ffion, describes why she chose the OU and how she is using her degree to progress herself further in a career she loves.

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

  • mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
  • guide you to learning resources
  • support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

  • Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

  • You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
  • They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
  • Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

  • The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
  • Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

  • Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
  • You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
  • Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
  • If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.

Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

  • our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
  • other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
  • the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
  • free Microsoft Office 365 software
  • IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Having a course that was really varied and studying in a style that worked for Nick, was key to him launching his own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

Skills for career development

Our Certificate of Higher Education in Design introduces design as a way of thinking and creative practice that can apply in several design contexts and different organisations, communities and individual practice. Building your design understanding and skills will enable you to:

  • demonstrate an awareness of design in diverse contexts
  • effectively communicate ideas to different audiences using a range of skills and approaches
  • understand the value of collaborating with others to achieve innovative outcomes
  • understand how design thinking and skills can respond to societal challenges
  • use design competencies and transferable skills to create and support new initiatives.

Career relevance

Our CertHE in Design offers an introduction to valuable skills and knowledge that can enhance your career in private, public, and third-sector organisations, as well as help to orientate your own design practice. This qualification presents design knowledge, skills and working practices, and encourages you to begin to build a portfolio of work that reflects your design-led activities, design learning and transferable skills.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training or work experience beyond your certificate):

  • creative designer
  • design ecopreneur
  • design enabler
  • design researcher
  • design thinking specialist
  • innovation designer
  • meta-designer
  • multidisciplinary designer
  • regenerative designer
  • social designer
  • strategic designer
  • sustainable designer
  • systems designer
  • transitions designer
  • transformations designer
  • user-centred designer.

Register for this course

Start dates
Credit transfer: apply by 08/08/2024
Credit transfer: apply by 05/12/2024

Request your Engineering, Design and Technology prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

Request prospectus