23892292 University of Leeds Product Design

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A U E E R 0 0



02 LEEDS – THE RIGHT CHOICE

02 THE COURSE

05 LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

06 YOUR DEGREE AT LEEDS

08 MODULES

11 SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

12 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY

13 SCHOLARSHIPS, PRIZES & AWARDS

14 THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE AND LEARN

16 VISIT US

17 CONTACT US

CONTENTS



Product Design is an activity which definesand reflects society and culture, shaping ourenvironment, facilitating daily life and providinga powerful medium for communication andexpression. Our innovative multi-disciplinarydegree in Product Design has been developed tobring together design and engineering to produceskilled and creative designers who understandboth aesthetics and technology, key attributesidentified by many leading employers in the sector.It bridges the gap between visual arts-led andengineering-led product design courses and givesLeeds graduates an advantage by equipping themto take advantage of a wider variety of employment

opportunities.

PRODUCT DESIGNAT LEEDS - CREATEINNOVATE DESIGN

PRODUCT DESIGN 01



02 PRODUCT DESIGN

With an international reputation for design and innovation across many disciplines,and with excellence in both research and teaching, the University of Leeds is ideallyplaced to offer a multi-disciplinary degree course in Product Design. Our expertise inthe field means that you benefit from up-to-date excellent learning and teaching.

The course has strong links with industry. Academic staff maintain close contact

with industrialists to ensure that course materials are always in line with employers’

needs, and some staff are practising Product Designers. For example, through the

‘Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professors’ scheme on sustainable design,

a practising Product Designer works with students to raise awareness and support

for the incorporation of sustainable development principles into design work.

Additionally, we have a programme of design seminars in which we include visiting

speakers who expose students to current issues in industry.



PRODUCT DESIGN 03

Impressive credentialsThis course is taught within the Faculty of

Engineering. The Faculty is ranked 7th in

the UK for its quality of research according

the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

An impressive 75% of the Faculty’s

research activity is rated as internationally

excellent or world leading.

The University of Leeds is a member of

the prestigious Russell Group of research-

intensive UK universities and is globally

renowned for the quality of teaching and

research.

First-class facilities• Specialist facilities including a state-of-

the-art Product Design studio with PCs

running a number of design packages

and model making facilities which

include vacuum forming and foam

model sculpting.

• You will also have access to one of the

world’s most advanced Rapid

Prototyping (RP) systems in order to

convert your concepts and ideas into

physical plastic and metal prototypes

to test for form, fit and function. These

systems are crucial to the experienced

design practitioner and allow greater

freedom in design and product

customisation.

• The design studio also provides spacefor group work and allows you to

interact with students from other years

of the course.

• You’ll also enjoy excellent teaching

facilities and well-equipped lecture

theatres and laboratories.

• Our internationally-renowned library is

one of the largest in the country

offering you access to over 2.7 million

items and electronic resources to

assist with your studies.

• A multi-million pound investment

in our sport facilities means you will

benefit from a greater range of

facilities including the state-of-the-art

swimming pool and fitness suite

boasting over 200 machines and

health suite



04 PRODUCT DESIGN



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Our approach

You will benefit from our integrated

approach to learning and teaching.

Subject specific modules are delivered

primarily through lectures and practical

classes, these are underpinned by small

group tutorials and seminars which

enable you and your fellow students to

take part in more detailed discussion and

so facilitate understanding.

The design studio modules are delivered

in our dedicated Product Design Studio

through hands-on practical work,

seminars and workshops. The Design

Studio provides a tailored environment

enabling you to acquire skills relevant

to industry and to interact with students

across working groups and academic

years.

You will be assessed by a combination of

examinations and coursework, such as

design portfolio work and exhibitions.

Our guiding philosophy is to give you

a clear and constructive idea of your

individual progress and where necessary

work with you to identify areas that merit

particular attention, and so allowing you tomaximise your potential.

Our personal tutorial system will help

you to integrate quickly and settle down

easily into university life. You will also be

assigned to a tutorial group and you’ll

have one-to-one time with your personal

tutor. The School has excellent student

support - student support teams are

located close to where you work and

study, ensuring personalised and direct

contact.

Projects

Our current students regularly say that

project work is one of the most satisfying

and challenging aspects of their course.

They provide an excellent opportunity for

you to explore and develop essential skills

such as problem solving, communication

skills and teamwork which are all vital to

help you succeed in your chosen career.

In your first and second year, through the

design studio modules, you will complete

a number of design projects. You will also

undertake an individual design project in

your third year. In the fourth year (MDes)

you will work together in small teams on a

group design project.

The individual project provides you with

the opportunity to apply the skills and

the knowledge learnt throughout the

course. It will also allow you to develop

a project from market need, through

design generation and evaluation to a

working prototype. As well as a technical

understanding, you will gain the planning,

time management, presentation and

report writing skills which are in demand

from employers. At the end of the

project you will be given the opportunityto showcase your work at our annual

degree show where industry contacts are

present. The degree show has resulted in

new openings for students in the form of

employment opportunities and industry-

linked design activities.

Examples of recent projects include:

• Intelligent bathing system – allows

the user to set-up their bath by text

and makes use of existing technologies

to provide a more luxurious and relaxing

bathing experience.

• Easy to open Jam Jar for the elderly

market.

• AccessAffinity – an automated door

system, allowing safe, hands-free entry

to the home. Using Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID), the system

recognises only the homeowner/

residents and automatically opens the

door when they walk up to it.

• Intellihale – an asthma inhaler with a

data logging device, so that sufferers can

record usage and share this information

with their doctor, with the ultimate aim of

helping to control the illness.

• Confectionery packaging that meets the

needs of an increasingly older and more

health conscious consumer.

• Children’s Hearing Aid Cover – hearing

aids in general are not aesthetically

designed, this product is a removablecover for the hearing aid, allowing

children to take control of what image

the hearing aid portrays for them.

• Water Saving Bath Device - Bathbuoy is

a product which measures the level and

temperature of the bath whilst floating

on the water, conveying this to the user

via sound and colour, enabling them to

be aware of the progress of their bath,

and consequently they can alter the

conditions accordingly to create a bath

of perfect temperature. Bathbuoy is anew and innovative concept to the

current market. It has high usability,

allows the user to create a safe

temperature, encourages water saving

principles and also educates a safe

water level to be a used when bathing

children.

• Comfy Pod’ - An electronic medicine

dispenser designed to be easily opened

by people with arthritis or joint conditions,

which also reminds them when to take

their pills. The twist is that the pod can’t

be unlocked by children unless an adult

has pressed the button on a special

necklace, which sends an infra-red signal.



This degree is an integrated masters (MDes/BDes) degree providing youwith great breadth and depth of study. The first two years of your studiesare broadly common to both BDes and MDes degree courses coveringfundamental principles and skills. A choice of modules means that in yourthird and fourth years you can tailor the course to reflect your interests andcareer plans.

06 PRODUCT DESIGN

All students will initially enrol on the four

year MDes. The decision on whether youprogress onto either the BDes or MDes

course is made at the end of your first

and second years subject to academic

performance.

Product Design (MDes/BDes)

During the first and second years of the

course, the programme is divided into

three broad subject areas:

• technology modules

• design awareness modules

• design studio modules.

The technology modules provide you

with the technological understanding

needed to create and deliver designs

that will be both efficient and effective.

These modules cover the basics from

mechanical, electronic and materials

engineering. The design awareness

modules include design context, history,psychology, creativity and innovation,

design information, computer aided

design systems, and business and

marketing. Finally, the design studio

modules will help you develop important

design and communication skills through

design project work.

In your third and fourth year (MDes

students) approximately half of the course

is dedicated to major design projects. The

projects fall into thematic areas, such as

intelligent homes, medical devices and

packaging, and are supported by a range

of modules. The structure of the course is

shown on page 9.



PRODUCT DESIGN 07



LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2

Design Studio 1

Quantification

Techniques*

Mechanics

Materials PsychologyArchitectural

Studies

Contextual

Studies

Ergonomics

Design Studio 2

Electronics

Materials

Psychology Creativity, Innovation,

Shape Systems

Marketing

Business &

ManagementElectronics

08 PRODUCT DESIGN



LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4

ResearchSkills

Individual

Project

Team Project

Up to 10

credits from

option list 2

Up to 10

credits from

option list 1

Design &

Manufacturing

Systems

At least 20 credits

from option list 1

Industry

Awareness

Career

Development

OR

Design

Communication

10 credits

of approved

options

Research Skills Design Policy

Integration

Sustainable

Design

Year 3 options

Option list 1

Materials for Product Design

(10 credits)

Mechanics for Product Design (10 credits)

Electronics for Product Design III (10 credits)

Option list 2

Language Option (10 credits)

Surface Modelling for Product Design (10 credits)

International Corporate Leadership Programme (10 credits)

(ICLP1– for ICLP students only)

*Students with A level Mathematics may select an approved foreign language or a module on Drawing as an alternative to

Quantification Techniques.

The module table indicates the range of topics students may study. It is important to note that the availability of some options in later years will be determined by earlier

choices. We also regularly review the structure, content and assessment of our courses and may vary them from time to time in light of experience and new developments.

Technology Modules

Design Awareness Modules

Design Project Modules

PRODUCT DESIGN 09



10 PRODUCT DESIGN



Choose to live and study abroadIn the third year of your course you may

also choose to spend a year studying

abroad at a number of universities

including the National University of

Singapore and Queensland University of

Technology.

This option provides you with a fantastic

opportunity to experience life in another

country and a different culture. Other

students who have participated say that

they found it a life changing experience

Work experienceThe University has a strong reputation

and links with industry allowing you to

gain work experience.

You can apply to undertake a work

placement through the University’sprestigious International Corporate

Leadership Programme (ICLP), which is

a collaboration between the University

and a range of internationally based

companies.

You will benefit from• challenging project work experience and

work based learning which means you

can deliver real benefits to the company.

• the advantage of real work experience

when applying for employment.

An optional Industrial Placement Year is

also available to you. Working with the

University’s Careers Centre, we assist you

in identifying and applying for placements.

You will normally take a placement year

between your second and third year,

when you graduate you will have the

phrase ‘with Industrial Placement’ added

to your final degree certificate.

You do not apply directly for the Industrial

Placement scheme, instead you will be

given the opportunity to transfer during

your second year at Leeds.

Strong industrial linksThe course has strong links with industry.

Our academic staff maintain close

contact with the relevant industries,

through research and consultancy and

via industrial advisory boards for our

courses, and so ensuring that our course

material is up to date and in line with

industry needs. This, and the fact that

our graduates are recognised by industry

as having a well-rounded set of skills,

technical knowledge and the ability to lead

projects, are just two of the many reasons

why Leeds Product Design graduates are

highly sought after by employers.

We also organise a range of industrial

visits and offer additional seminars,

delivered by practising engineers and

other professionals. This means that you

have direct contact with industry, andpotential employers from an early stage in

your course.

Your careerCareer prospects are excellent and range

from employment opportunities with

manufacturers with in-house design

departments to design consultancies.

Other employers will be interested in

many of the skills and abilities you will

develop throughout the course such as

your communication skills and your abilityto critically analyse and produce

creative solutions to problems. This

means that you are also well placed

to pursue and develop a career in

marketing, advertising or management

consultancy.

To gain employment in the design industry

it is important that you are able to present

your work in the form of a portfolio. As

a consequence, you will undertake a

purpose built career development module

where you will put together and critically

appraise what is likely to be your first

professional portfolio and CV.

In order to put you in touch with

employers the Faculty holds an annual

Careers Fair which provides you with

the opportunity to discuss and explore

careers opportunities with a range of

organisations. There are also many other

careers fairs and presentations organised

throughout the year by the University’s

Careers Centre.

There is an excellent Careers Centre on

campus to help you find that all-important

first job and is an excellent resource for

students. As well as offering you careers

advice, information on companies across

the globe, compiling vacancy bulletins

and hosting numerous careers fairs, they

also hold training events and workshops

to assist students with their career

progression. More information on the

Careers Centre can be found atwww.careerweb.leeds.ac.uk.

Further studyYour careers prospects after graduating

are excellent, but you may decide that

you want to continue your studies to

postgraduate level. We offer several

Masters courses and opportunities for

research at MSc (Eng), MPhil and PhD

level.

PRODUCT DESIGN 11



12 PRODUCT DESIGN

English Language requirementsThere are certain minimum qualifications

for entrance to the University. The most

important of these is a qualification in

English Language. A pass at GCSE in

English Language (grade C or above) or a

pass in the Communication Skills course

of the BTEC scheme would satisfy this.

International students must have an

English Language qualification at a

suitable level, for example IELTS 6.0.

The University’s Language Centre offers

several courses to help international

students improve their English language

skills. If you have not yet reached the

University’s English requirement you

can take the Pathway English Language

Programme, intended specifically for

those who are applying for, or planning to

apply for, an undergraduate degree, but

who need to improve their level of English

to meet University requirements.

There is also a Pre-sessional Programme

if you have fulfilled the English

requirement but would like to improve

your academic language skills before

starting your degree. You can find more

information on the Language Centre

website: www.leeds.ac.uk/languages/

lc_home.html

All undergraduate applications should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full

instructions and a comprehensive guide is available at www.ucas.com

COURSE UCAS CODE A LEVELS ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

Product Design (MDes/BDes) H790 ABB preferably

including an Artor Design related

A level and GCSE

Mathematics and

Science at grade

C or higher

Engineering Diploma grade A plus

preferably A level (A2) in a designrelated subject at grade B or higher



3As ScholarshipWe offer an automatic £1500 scholarship

to any new Home/EU fee paying

student who achieves 3 As at A-level

(A2) or equivalent and enrols on any

undergraduate course within the Faculty

of Engineering. Certain conditions apply

and students must achieve the A grades

in the A-level subjects required for the

course.

Excellence ScholarshipsFor International students we have a

number of ‘Excellence Scholarships’ worth

30% of full tuition fees awarded for each

year of the course (subject to satisfactory

progression). There is an application

deadline of 30th June for this scholarship.

For more information on both these

scholarships please visit: www.

engineeringleeds.ac.uk/scholarships

For details on other scholarships offered

by the University, including scholarships

for International students, please contact

the School’s Admissions Team.

GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders ProgrammeThe purpose of the GE Foundation

Scholar-Leaders Programme is to identify

talented young people from less-affluent

backgrounds and hone their leadership

skills in management and business,

finance, engineering, technology, or the

sciences. The scholarship is therefore

targeted at students studying these

subjects and is worth £3,000 per year for

the second and third year of study.

For more information about these

scholarships and how to apply visit

http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/

scholarships.shtml

Dean’s ListA prestigious award given in recognition

of student achievement and academic

excellence in their 1st and 2nd years.

School prizesA number of prizes, many sponsored

by industry, are awarded each year

to students who achieve an excellent

performance (eg. best student in year) or

undertake an exceptional project.

We are committed to challenging and supporting our students and torecognising hard work and achievement. That is why we have introduced arange of scholarships and prizes aimed at new and current students.

SCHOLARSHIPS PRIZES & AWARDS

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Join a community of over 30,000 students ona vibrant, friendly, single-site campus just tenminutes walk from one of the liveliest and mostcosmopolitan cities in the UK.

14 PRODUCT DESIGN



The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s

top universities. Established in 1904, we

are part of the prestigious Russell Group

– the 20 leading research universities in

the UK, and are well known throughout

the world for our quality of teaching and

research. In fact, last year students came

to us from over 130 countries.

Our degrees are also well respected by

employers and universities worldwide,

and in the latest World University League

Tables, published in November 2008, our

employer review score was 98 out of 100.

Some key facts about our university

• One of the original six civic ‘red-brick’

universities

• One of the largest single campusuniversities in the UK (98 acres) just 1

mile from the city centre

• Home to 30,500 students from over 130

countries

• A thriving students’ union – one of the

most active in the UK

• Over 260 clubs and societies – from

national groups such as the Chinese

Society to more unusual pursuits

including scuba and sky-diving

• A £360m investment in new buildings

and facilities, including a £9.7mswimming pool with an adjustable

depth.

A multi-cultural, student friendly

city, Leeds has often been called the

Knightsbridge of the North. And once

you visit our famous Harvey Nichols and

Victoria Quarter shops, you’ll see why.

But our city offers so much more than

shopping…

• One of the most cost effective places to

study in Britain according to NatWest’s

Student Living Index 2008

• Leeds regularly tops the polls as the

UK’s favourite student destination.

• Leeds is served by Leeds/Bradford

International Airport and has excellent

rail links from Manchester and London

International Airports

• Student focused and friendly – with

over 200,000 students in the city• Thriving music scene with the

University’s refectory and the newly

opened Carling Academy attracting top

bands

• Home to one of UK’s largest regional

repertory theatres, the West Yorkshire

Playhouse

• City art galleries, theatres and

museums, including the famous Royal

Armouries and the West Yorkshire

Playhouse provide culture and

entertainment• Huge range of sports clubs and facilities

from Leeds United’s Elland Road to

Headingley’s famous cricket ground

• An array of bars, cafes and restaurants

– to suit all tastes and budgets.

With all this music, arts, entertainment

and nightlife, Leeds is a flourishing

cultural hub – illustrated by the thriving

student community. There are over

200,000 students in our city, all enjoying

the safe, friendly environment.

This, combined with our location right

in the centre of the UK making us easy

to get to and from, plus the relative

affordability of Yorkshire means Leeds

is the perfect city in which to live and

learn. Come and see for yourself - we look

forward to meeting you.

Guaranteed accommodationWe know how important finding the right

accommodation is, so the University

guarantees accommodation for all first

year single undergraduates who apply

before the summer deadline.

If you want accommodation for you and

a partner or your family, we do have

some suitable accommodation, but

places are limited. However, assistance is

provided via the Accommodation Office

and UNIPOL. More information about

University accommodation and how to

apply is available on our Accommodation

Office website:

www.leeds.ac.uk/accommodation.

Student supportDuring your time at Leeds you will have

excellent student support from your tutor

and our student support teams which

are located close to where students work

and study, ensuring personalised and

direct contact. We pride ourselves on our

friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The University also provides a number

of welfare and support services to assist

you during your time at university.

There are a range of services availableto you including chaplaincy, childcare,

counselling, disability support, Joblink (for

work experience or to gain extra cash)

and the Student Union Welfare Service.

Your personal tutor will also be able to

advise you. There are also excellent

medical facilities available near the

University.

YOUR UNIVERSITY YOUR CITY

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Many students take the opportunity of

visiting the University during the year

before they apply. There are general

University Open days (typically in June

and September) where you can look

round the campus, talk to undergraduates

and visit the School. Details of futureGeneral Open Days can be obtained from

the Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Once we make you an offer, you will

be invited to a more specific applicant

day, where you will be able to speak to

staff, meet existing students and tour

the facilities. It is important that you

feel happy about your choice of course

and university. Do not hesitate to ask forfurther information which will help you

make the right choice.

VISIT US

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Product Design

University of Leeds

Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

t 0113 343 2149 f 0113 343 2150Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information contained in this

brochure is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any

inaccuracies The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or

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23892292 University of Leeds Product Design