Sustainable Product Design BA(Hons)
Immerse yourself in the future of sustainable fashion design on a course that’s driven by society’s big issues.
Key details
| Location | Falmouth Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | W250 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Introduction
You’ll explore social, moral and ethical aspects of product design, learn how to create products with a lifetime far beyond what’s typical and explore how to change human behaviour and improve sustainability.
You will:
- Be able to tailor projects to your own areas of interest.
- Develop your creativity to design innovative solutions that address global sustainability challenges.
- Be encouraged to take a proactive approach to building your network, with opportunities to meet industry practitioners through study visits.
- Take optional study week trips to places such as Stockholm Furniture Fair and Milan Design Fair.
- Design and create your own projects in your third year; you’ll have the opportunity to link with an industry partner or work on an independent project.
What our students do
Learning from the Best: Design Students Explore Milan
If you’re dreaming of becoming a designer, Milan is the place to be.
As first-year...
Product Storytelling with Paul Tudor
Getting fresh insights from industry professionals is an important part of the offering at...
Design Students Create Toys for Sensory Beings
In collaboration with the award-winning Joanna Grace, second-year...
Sustainable Product Design Student Lighting Eden
You never know where an idea that could change the world is going to come from. For...
Titanic Collaboration with the Maritime Museum
Falmouth University staff and students have assisted in the creation of two replica lifeboats...
Student Win at Packaging Designer of the Year Awards
Sustainable Product Design student Jayden Newman has won the Opening, Closing and Resealing...
What our graduates do
Our graduates have taken on careers ranging from in-house toy designer for Hamleys, to product designers for Tangerine and Lowe Alpine, to consultant for Environmental Resources Management.
Graduate Finalists in Nike Sustainable Design Challenge
Three forward-thinking Falmouth graduates have created a sleek set of modular furniture and won...
Creative Conscience Honours Design Graduate
Sustainable Product Design graduate and Creative...
Tom Raffield's Design Success
When your customers are people like Brad Pitt, Madonna and Tommy Hilfiger, it might be easy to...
News: Steaming Ahead
When your customers are people like Brad Pitt, Madonna and Tommy Hilfiger, it might be easy to...
Course details
What you'll learn
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You’ll develop creative and conceptual skills by exploring major modern issues, the visual language of sustainable design, and its critical and theoretical processes. We’ll help you professionally communicate your ideas by teaching you drawing, model-making and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) skills, and introducing you to digital Rapid Manufacturing technologies.
You’ll also have the chance to go on local, national and international trips to exhibitions and events like the Milan Furniture Fair.
Modules
Design in Context
Materials, Form and Aesthetics
Sustainable Design Concepts
Designing in the Real World
Digital Manufacturing
Sustainable Design Practice
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You’ll study inclusive design and user-focused research, before collaborating on projects with industry partners. This will build your teamwork skills and uncover possible career paths. You’ll also develop your CAD skills and debate the contexts, concepts and ethics of the industry.
Focusing on the business of design, you’ll explore what’s involved in producing a product - from intellectual property to cost and profitability. And you’ll have the chance to study abroad in countries like Finland, Iceland and the Netherlands.
Modules
Inclusive Design
Community
The Business of Design Networks
Personal Project
Design Portfolio
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You’ll explore current and original design opportunities, develop your ideas through tutorials and team discussions, and turn your concepts into prototypes using skills like digital manufacturing. By delivering one-to-one and group presentations, you’ll focus on professional practices and management.
There’ll be opportunities to gain real-world experience by working with external project partners, and make potential work connections through external networks, project partners and start-ups.
Modules
Design Vision
Designing Change
Dissertation Project
Change Maker
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
On top of regular project work, you’ll take on live projects with local and national organisations, supported by lectures, demonstrations, seminars and tutorials. You’ll also evaluate your own and other students’ work in a small learning team, and attend masterclasses and workshops on career planning and business skills.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
1 | 20% | 80% | 0% |
2 | 19% | 81% | 0% |
3 | 13% | 87% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Assessment methods
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
- Visual, verbal and written assignments, and your final-year projects.
Staff
You’ll learn from practising designers, researchers, journalists and academics, as well as our visiting professors like Sir Kenneth Grange.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Drummond Masterton
Drummond trained as a 3D designer, at Grays School of Art, Aberdeen and at postgraduate...
Clive Goodwin
Clive Goodwin has over 25 years of experience in the design business having worked with, and for...
Gary Allson
MA (RCA)
Gary Allson trained as an industrial designer at the RCA in London. He worked...
Martin Pemberton
Design & Engineering Director, Martin has more than 30 years experience as a general...
Simon Andrews
Simon studied Product and Furniture Design at Kingston University, graduating in 1999. Shortly...
Facilities
- High-spec workshops and exhibition space.
- Rapid prototyping equipment.
- CAD/CAM equipment including laser cutters, CNC milling and routing machines.
- A range of digital printing capabilities, plus industry-standard 2D and 3D software.
- Sustainable auditing and lifecycle design (LCD) software.
How to apply
Entry requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
Check how many points your qualifications are worth
We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:
- You’re predicted points below our requirements
- You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
- You have other qualifications or professional experience
Language requirements
GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Apply via UCAS
Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track
- University code F33
- Course code W250
Deadlines
UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Next steps
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Understands drawing/mark-making, including composition, colour, form, graphical presentation, creative exploration and development.
- Knows about 3D/product design practitioners or other artists and designers, and can relate this knowledge to their own work.
- Understands the design process, including concept development, investigation into materials and production methods, and technical skills.
- Has research and analytical skills.
- Shows commitment and enthusiasm for the subject, as well as motivation, communication skills and creative thinking.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2019-20
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £380-£700 - Recurring annual costs
- £250-£370 - One-off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £550 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page