England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
Designers working on a project
Ready to discover your inner designer? Dream of a career that combines creativity and problem-solving? Our online design degrees will unlock your potential.
Explore career-boosting design courses that you can study flexibly online, with dedicated support and a thriving community of creative thinkers waiting to welcome you.
Design is much more than just how something looks – it’s about innovating and reimaging the world around us. That’s why design graduates are in demand, with about 1 in every 20 UK workers employed in design roles (Design Council).

Design skills are needed across all areas of society, with graduates thriving in creative industries, healthcare, digital services, public services and more. And when you study with the OU, you’ll get award-winning careers support, resources and advice from working designers to help you find your path.
2 minutes
Hear first-hand from OU students as they talk about how studying design developed their creative skills and changed how they see the world.
Designer looking at tablet with plans on table
Gain a respected degree from the experts in online learning. With dedicated tutors to guide you and a supportive student community.
Designers working in office using virtual reality
We’ll help you develop a strong toolkit of design thinking and design practice skills to launch you into your chosen career within the creative industries and beyond.
Woman looking at laptop with models of windmills in foreground
Share your work, ideas and inspiration as part of our online design studios. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect and grow your creative network.
Step into the world of professional design with our hands-on Bachelor of Design degree. Get ready to experiment, collaborate and transform the way you approach and solve problems forever.
You’ll explore the power of design through practical projects, spanning graphic, product, digital and systems design. One brief will see you design your own album cover, the next you’ll be challenged to use design thinking to reimagine public services.
This degree is perfect for anyone who wants to channel their creativity into an exciting career where you can tackle the challenges facing our society and planet – from small everyday frustrations to our biggest global issues.
Explore our Bachelor of Design (Honours)
2 minutes
Our design experts share more on what it’s like to study the Bachelor of Design, the benefits of choosing the OU, and the skills you’ll learn to solve real-world problems.
The world of design goes beyond just making things. In our Design and Innovation degree, you’ll combine the creativity of design with another subject of your choice – from engineering, business, environment or the arts – for a degree that’s tailored to your career goals.
You’ll explore how design can be used to find solutions to diverse real-world problems. And why design approaches are increasingly in-demand across diverse fields beyond the creative industries.
Explore our BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation
From driving sustainability to tackling everyday challenges, Open University design students are using their skills to make a difference. Get inspired by the latest projects in the OU Annual Design Showcase.
Explore our 2025 winners
Step towards an exciting career with creativity at its heart. Apply for Design courses at The Open University before 8 January 2026 to begin studying in February 2026.