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An image to illustrate the BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation
Design and innovation isn’t just about creating things. It’s about finding creative solutions to problems that affect every aspect of our lives. With our design and innovation degree, you’ll learn how to use design thinking to make things better for people, places and our planet, developing the creative mindset and skills employers increasingly demand. By combining design with a complementary subject of your choice – from engineering to the arts – you'll build a BA or BSc qualification that’s unique to your passions and career goals.
Stages 1 and 2 of this degree are the same as our Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation (W73). Stage 1 is the same as our Certificate of Higher Education in Design and Innovation (T37).
This design and innovation degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You’ll study one 60-credit design module that explores creativity and design thinking. You'll also pick 60 credits of option modules in a complementary subject from either the BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) route - we've created themes to help you choose.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose one from:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114)60Oct
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)60Oct | Feb
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Young children's play and creativity (E110)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Oct | Apr
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Oct | Apr
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)30Oct
Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)30Oct | Apr

You’ll study one 60-credit design module that teaches the skills and practices to develop a design product, and choose 60 credits of complementary option modules from the route you chose at Stage 1.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Design for impact (T240)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225)60Oct
Creative writing (A215)60Oct
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)60Oct
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209)60Oct
Environment and society (DD213)60Oct
Environment: inhabiting a changing planet (DST216)60Oct
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)60Oct
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)60Oct
Music, sound and technology (A232)60Oct
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)60Oct
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Understanding leadership (B211)60Oct
Understanding music (A234)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Environmental science (S226)60Oct
Environment: inhabiting a changing planet (DST216)60Oct
Object-oriented Java programming (M250)30Oct
Web technologies (TM252)30Feb

You’ll study one 60-credit design module focused on creating opportunities and generating ideas for innovation, and choose 60 credits of complementary option modules from the route you chose at Stage 1.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Art and its critical histories (A336)60Oct
Art and its global histories (A344)60Oct
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)60Oct
Central questions in the study of music (A342)60Oct
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)30Oct
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)60Oct
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)60Oct
International relations: people, power and change (D322)60Oct
Leadership in a changing world (B329)30Oct
Marketing in action (B328)30Apr
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Strategic management (B302)60Oct
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)60Oct
Environmental management: pathways to sustainability (T330)30Oct
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)60Oct
Interaction design and the user experience (TM356)30Oct
IT systems: planning for success (TM353)30Oct
Nanoscale engineering (T366)30Oct
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)30Oct
The engineering project (T452)30Feb
Web, mobile and cloud technologies (TM352)30Oct
Module T452 has entry requirements – check them on the module description.

For each designation, BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BSc (Bachelor of Science), we’ve created themes to help you choose your 180 credits of options modules.
BA (Bachelor of Arts)
BSc (Bachelor of Science)

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Creative writing (A215)60Oct
Music, sound and technology (A232)60Oct
Understanding music (A234)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Art and its critical histories (A336)60Oct
Art and its global histories (A344)60Oct
Central questions in the study of music (A342)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114)60Oct
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
Young children's play and creativity (E110)60Oct
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225)60Oct
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)60Oct
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)60Oct
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)60Oct
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209)60Oct
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Understanding leadership (B211)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)30Oct
Leadership in a changing world (B329)30Oct
Marketing in action (B328)30Apr
Strategic management (B302)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Environment and society (DD213)60Oct
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)60Oct
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Environment and society (DD213)60Oct
Environment: inhabiting a changing planet (DST216)60Oct
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)60Oct
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)60Oct
International relations: people, power and change (D322)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Oct | Apr
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Oct | Apr
Stage 2
You'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
You'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Stage 3
You'll study both of the following:
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct
The engineering project (T452)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Oct | Apr
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Oct | Apr
Stage 2
You'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
You'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose two from:
Nanoscale engineering (T366)30Oct
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)30Oct
The engineering project (T452)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Environmental science (S226)60Oct
Environment: inhabiting a changing planet (DST216)60Oct
Stage 3
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Environmental management: pathways to sustainability (T330)30Oct
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)60Oct
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)60Oct
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)30Oct
Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)30Oct | Apr
Stage 2
You'll study both of the following:
Object-oriented Java programming (M250)30Oct
Web technologies (TM252)30Feb
Stage 3
You'll study the following:
Interaction design and the user experience (TM356)30Oct
You'll choose one from:
IT systems: planning for success (TM353)30Oct
Web, mobile and cloud technologies (TM352)30Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don’t worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.
We’ve provided two examples, one for the BA (Bachelor of Arts) with a theme of culture and aesthetics and one for the BSc (Bachelor of Science) with a theme of energy, to illustrate how you could complete this degree in three years.
ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design for impact (T240)60Oct
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Creative writing (A215)60Oct
Music, sound and technology (A232)60Oct
Understanding music (A234)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
Design module – you'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)60Oct
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Art and its critical histories (A336)60Oct
Art and its global histories (A344)60Oct
Central questions in the study of music (A342)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Energy modules – you'll study the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Oct | Apr
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Oct | Apr
Stage 2 | Year 2
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design for impact (T240)60Oct
Energy module – you'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
Energy modules – you'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
Design module – you'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)60Oct
Energy module – you'll study the following:
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct
The engineering project (T452)30Feb

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s 60 credits of study each year.
We’ve provided two examples, one for the BA (Bachelor of Arts) with a theme of culture and aesthetics and one for the BSc (Bachelor of Science) with a theme of energy, to illustrate how you could complete this degree in six years.
ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design for impact (T240)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)60Oct
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)60Oct
Creative writing (A215)60Oct
Music, sound and technology (A232)60Oct
Understanding music (A234)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
Design module – you'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
Culture and aesthetics modules – you'll choose one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)60Oct
Art and its critical histories (A336)60Oct
Art and its global histories (A344)60Oct
Central questions in the study of music (A342)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
Energy modules – you'll study the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)30Oct | Apr
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)30Oct | Apr
Stage 2 | Year 3
Design module – you'll study the following:
Design for impact (T240)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
Energy module – you'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)30Oct
Energy modules – you'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)30Oct
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)30Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
Design module – you'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
Energy module – you'll study the following:
Renewable energy (T313)30Oct
The engineering project (T452)30Feb

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by online design studios, multimedia materials, tutorials, and personalised tutor feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA or BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
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.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover more about design and innovation at The Open University on our Design Hub. Explore tasters of OU design teaching materials as well as a wide range of design-related articles.
Hear first-hand from OU students as they talk about how studying design developed their creative skills and changed how they see the world.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
A design and innovation approach can bring value to almost any activity, and is increasingly in demand with employers – for example, in education, business, local government, leisure services, engineering, environment, and health.
This degree course will develop your skills in design and innovation so that you can apply them to ‘embedded contexts’ – areas outside the creative industries that are not traditionally thought of as ‘creative’, but nevertheless benefit hugely from design thinking. As an Open University student you have a great advantage over other design students in that your learning can be put into practice as you study. The BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation encourages you to apply the thinking, methods, and techniques you learn to your own context, enabling you to produce a portfolio of highly relevant design work. Additionally, the ability to think critically and responsibly about design problems is greatly valued by a wide range of employers.
Design and innovation play a central role in society, producing solutions to problems of all sizes in every aspect of our lives, not just in the creative industries. A design and innovation approach can bring value to almost any activity, and is increasingly in demand by employers. Graduates with these skills can find jobs in a wide range of fields including education, business, local government, leisure services, engineering, environment, and health.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
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):
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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