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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Design thinking in the digital world short course
Design thinking is a discipline that anyone can learn. Originally developed to help designers create solutions based on people’s needs, it focuses on producing products and services that are both desirable and technologically feasible. It can also address organisational challenges and support viable business strategies that generate customer value and market opportunity. Design thinking balances business needs with creative methods, combining structure with flexibility and intuition with logic. Its growing adoption in organisations highlights the value of design in driving innovation. It also strengthens collaboration between designers and managers, helping teams solve problems more effectively and creatively.
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course comprises of four units:
Unit 1: Introduction and background to design thinking
You'll begin by exploring the concept of design thinking, explain its origins and how the approach differs from a traditional approach to design.
Unit 2: Approaches to design thinking
You'll learn about the different approaches to design thinking, explain how they can be used, and have the opportunity to try the distinct stages of design thinking in a practical context.
Unit 3: Approaches to design thinking: analysing and defining
You'll have the opportunity to apply analysis and defining stages of design thinking to a case study.
Unit 4: Design thinking and organisational change
You'll move from design thinking within products and services and discuss how the concept can be applied within organisational management and change.
All the information you need to complete the course is provided within each unit. There are links to materials and resources provided to explore topics further as you wish.
By studying this CPD course, you'll be able to:
This course was designed to be independently studied with no tutor support. StudentHome is a dedicated website that provides general study support and there is a computing helpdesk.
There an end-of-course quiz to test your knowledge and understanding. Once completed and successfully passed you will receive a digital badge and a course completion certificate which you can download as a record of your learning.
The course will require around 10 hours to complete.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials, exercises, study support and end of course quiz are delivered entirely online.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic requirements.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying BGXS011 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£150
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
Level info