Course details
This qualification has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In each stage, you’ll study a 60-credit design module and 60 credits from a choice of modules in complementary subjects.
- We’ve created themes for the complementary subjects to guide you and help you choose your modules.
In Stage 1, you’ll study your first 60-credit design module and 60 credits in a complementary subject. You may study any of the complementary modules; however, we’ve created themes to help you with your module choice – you’ll find these further down the page, after Stage 2.
In Stage 2, you’ll study your second 60-credit design module and 60 credits from the complementary module. As in Stage 1, you may study any one of the modules (as long as you complete any pre-requisite study); however, we recommend you continue with a route – you can find these further down the page, after Stage 2.
We’ve created nine routes to guide you through the qualification and help you with your module choices.
- Culture and aesthetics
- Energy
- Engineering
- Environment
- Health and wellbeing
- Interfaces and interaction
- Management
- Society
- Sustainability
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 10 September 2021.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques or working with specialist reading material such as works of art and musical manuscripts
- working in a group with other students
- using and producing drawings and screenshots
- undertaking practical work
- finding external/third-party material online
- using specialist software and interfaces
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements, so we can put arrangements in place before you start.
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
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Credit transfer
If you’ve already completed some study at another university, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – reducing the number of modules you need to study.
You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. Just tell us what you studied, where and when, and we’ll compare this against the learning outcomes for your chosen course.
For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation.
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.
Entry requirements
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
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:
Arts and languages Access module
What you will study
This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the arts, humanities and languages. It's perfect preparation for your study with The Open University as you'll develop both your subject knowledge and your study skills. From the perspective of its central theme, ‘popular protest’, it explores a range of subjects, including art history, English, English language studies, history, and popular music. The module also offers an opportunity to explore other subjects, such as modern languages, classical studies, religious studies and creative writing.
View full details of Arts and languages Access module
Y031
People, work and society Access module
What you will study
This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with The Open University; you'll get to cover a wide range of subject areas, including childhood and youth studies, social science, psychology, health, business and law.
View full details of People, work and society Access module
Y032
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
Y033
Skills for career development
The aim of this diploma is to broaden your design thinking and develop design skills around your own particular interests. You’ll develop your understanding of the processes, principles and issues involved in designing and producing new products, and the issues and challenges associated with designing. You’ll gain skills in applying and managing design processes and generate design ideas, concepts, proposals or solutions in response to set briefs to develop a small portfolio of work.
Career relevance
The skills gained through this diploma are relevant to a wide range of careers. The ability to use design thinking in a range of context is particularly valued by employers and you’ll also develop skills in representing your ideas to communicate them.
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life 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 and/or work experience):
- design engineer
- product designer
- web designer
- design consultant
- industrial designer
- research and development (R&D) manager
- graphic designer
- information architect
- technical journalist
- visual designer
- sustainability designer
- product developer
- management consultant
- freelance entrepreneur/innovator
- researcher.