BDes Modules
U101 (Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century) – This module will change your way of seeing and solving complex problems – it looks at common principles of design and thinking that lead to creative ideas and solutions in all design disciplines. Through academic and practical work, you’ll develop an understanding of design, acquire new design skills, and build a portfolio of design projects as a strong foundation for future study or work experience. You’ll complete your practical activities and interact with tutors and other students in a specially created online design studio. Click here for more details on the module.
T190 (Design Practices) – This module provides a foundation in design practice by introducing topics from different creative and design disciplines. Each topic introduces design principles and practical skills that you’ll apply in a series of short design projects. Your tutor will support you throughout your project work, organising regular check-ins, discussion opportunities and project reviews. Your project work will contribute to your final design portfolio, a professional body of work that reflects your interests and your emerging design practice and identity. Check here for more information.
T240 (Design for Impact)* – In this module, you’ll develop practical skills and understanding of how to apply design thinking methods and tools to achieve social and ecological outcomes. Starting from your own experiences and interests, you’ll tackle a variety of challenges with social, technological, or environmental dimensions, and learn how design skills can be applied across almost every part of society – far beyond the traditional idea of creating products. Along the way, you’ll explore different designer roles and projects that make a meaningful difference in the world, and you’ll begin to imagine how you can do the same. Click here for more details on the module.
T290 (Design Projects) – Equip yourself with the skills and confidence to use creative design approaches, methods and tools to tackle real-world challenges. This module’s project-based approach means your learning is active, practical, and student-driven. You’ll develop your abilities by working on meaningful design tasks connected to people, society and the environment, choosing how you approach your work, sharing your projects with others and receiving feedback to improve your ideas. By the end of the module, you’ll have built skills applicable within and beyond design disciplines and a portfolio to showcase your competencies to employers. Click here more information on the module.
T317 (Innovation: designing for change)** – Innovations emerge from complex, dynamic, iterative processes. But how do designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, managers and users create opportunities and generate ideas for innovation? How are ideas developed into successful products, services and systems? This module uses contemporary case studies to explore such questions. It goes beyond innovation for commercial advantage – considering how innovation can contribute to developing a more sustainable future through responsible design. The module includes a design and innovation project where you’ll identify and research a problem and develop a solution. Click here for more details on the module.
T390 (Major Design project) – A new module in development (launches 28J). This modules offers you the opportunity to create and develop a design project of your selection, focusing on your design identity and area of interest. Alongside a major project, T390 will require evidence of critical learning and reflection in the form of a final dissertation-type outcome.
* This module replaced T217: (Design Essentials) in 2026
**A new modules will update the existing modules in 2028
Q61 Design and Innovation Modules
You will do three core 60 credit design modules (U101, T217, T317), one at each stage of study and 60 credits of another subject that you select at each stage. Your module and subject choice will determine whether you are studying for a BA or BSc classification.
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