Product Design (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
University of NorthamptonWaterside Campus, Northampton
Course overview
Our Top Up Product Design BA course builds on your existing knowledge and skills, enhancing your creativity and expertise in product design. The programme advances your proficiency in 3D digital design, artificial intelligence (AI), user experience (UX), and app design, while also fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen to support your future career success. A key highlight of the Product & Design course is the major design project (MDP), a self-initiated endeavour focused on new product development (NPD).
This comprehensive project takes you through every stage of the design process, from problem identification, research and ideation, concept generation, prototyping, evaluation, and 3D modelling. Complementing the MDP is the Design Enterprise project, which explores the commercial aspects of design, including company formation, marketing, branding, financial forecasting, business funding, and pitch-deck presentation – think of it as your own “Dragon’s Den” experience! Studio culture is at the core of our top up Product Design programme, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical debate.
This dynamic environment inspires personal perspectives on design and equips you with the skills and mindset needed to thrive professionally in the creative industry.
Key highlights
- Develops skills in 3D digital design, AI, UX and app design
- Self-initiated major design project focused on new product development
- Covers full design process from research to prototyping and 3D modelling
- Design Enterprise project covers branding, funding and pitch-deck presentation
- Studio culture fosters creativity, collaboration and critical debate
Entry requirements
- IELTS: 6 — 6.0 IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.
Scholarships
ICAEW Foundation Bursary
Three annual payments of £4,000
Up to £12,000John Lowe Accounting and Finance Scholarship
Scholarship is paid as £1,000 in the second and third years of study.
Up to £2,000Northampton Energy Elite Athlete Scholarship
This scheme offers the student athlete a support network enabling them to balance the demands of performance sport with academic study.
Reid Science, Engineering, and Computing Bursary
£500 per year of study
Up to £1,500TD Lewis Scholarship
The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.
Up to £100The Chancellor's Fund
Up to £50The University of Northampton International Scholarship
The University of Northampton International Scholarship Scheme is a merit-based scholarship that provides up to a £4,000 reduction in tuition fees.
Wilson Endowment Scholarship
Successful students will receive three annual payments of £500, one for each year of study.
Up to £1,500
Careers this course leads to
- Product designer
- Industrial designer
- UX designer
- App designer
- 3D design visualiser
- Design entrepreneur
Cost of study
UK/Home: £9,790 per year | International: £18,500 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Northampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.