BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design at Nottingham Trent University

Our BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design course is focused on creating innovative items for both the domestic and contract markets, from furniture to interior products and homeware. Work varies from the commercial to the more conceptual, with experimentation of material and process strongly encouraged.

We take a user-centred approach to the course, encouraging you to develop your own individual style, vision and philosophy. The focus of the course is on design through making, helping you to develop a hands-on empirical approach through drawing, model-making, computer-aided design (CAD), testing and prototyping. Throughout the course you will work on a diverse range of design projects, acquiring a broad range of new skills and continually developing your professional portfolio.

Why study this course?

• Professional accreditation | Our course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), recognising the quality and relevance of our course content. It also means you can become a student member of the CSD for free whilst studying.
• Inspiring spaces | Work with our industry-standard facilities and studios, including a dedicated model making studio, 3D printing space and wood, metal and concrete workshops.
• Live projects | Work on project briefs from industry clients. Previously our students have worked with John Lewis, Umbra, Isokon, Pearson Lloyd, Vitsoe, SCP and Morgan Contract furniture.
• Placement year | Acquire vital skills and experience in the workplace by undertaking a one-year placement on our sandwich route. Our students have spent their placements at companies such as Hasbro, Roundhouse Design and Philip Watts Design.
• Exhibitions and shows | Exhibit your work at our final year Degree Show and nationally at events including New Designers in London.
• Outstanding employability | 100% of our BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design sandwich students are in graduate level employment within six months of finishing their studies (latest DLHE survey 2016-2017).

Careers and employability

Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the design industry, through work placements, working on real projects from industry, input from industry professionals, and regularly updated course content.

Where do Product Design graduates from NTU work?

NTU has a strong product design alumni community, with many graduates working in senior positions in leading national and international companies.

Recent graduate destinations include G-Plan, John Lewis, Benchmark, Nestle, FBC London, Object Design, DFS, Games Workshop, Roundhouse Design and Kitchen Architecture.

Our Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course.

Competitions and awards

Our students are consistently recognised in national awards. Recent award wins include the Wood Awards, the Made.com TalentLab prize presented at New Designers and the Design Fresh: Product of the Year at the 100% Design Awards.