Design courses
If you’re interested in the process and application of design and innovation in the real-world, our design courses could be for you. The Open University’s design courses will develop your creative design thinking and practical work to address problems in all aspects of life. Find out more about OU design qualifications below.
Design
Degrees
- Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
- Internationally respected, universally understood.
- An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
- Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
- Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Design
Diplomas
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Design
Certificates
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a DipHE or honours degree.
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Why study Design with The Open University?
In studying our design modules, your learning would feature online design studios, social networking and inspiring study materials alongside a significant practical component. As well as studying design, you’ll normally study a complementary subject alongside.
The benefits of studying a design qualification with us are:
- You don’t need a portfolio or grades to start a design course with us
- Our degrees are professionally recognised.
- You can learn about several different design specialisms.
- You can combine your study of design with other subjects to fit your needs or interests.
Careers in Design
Design and innovation play a central role in society, producing solutions to problems in every aspect of our lives, not just in the creative industries. A design and innovation approach can bring value to almost any activity. As an OU student, you can put your learning into practice as you study.
Our courses in design can help you start or progress your career as a:
- Product designer
- Design consultant
- Research and development manager
- Technical journalist
Looking for something other than a qualification?
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
All Design courses
Browse all the Design courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of Design courses
Email us
From exploring the right course for you to helping you register, our advisers can help.
Call us
As part of the OU’s response to Coronavirus, we have temporarily removed this option.
Please use the ‘Email us’ option to contact us.
Write to us at:
Student Recruitment
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
