Welcome Week

The individual elements of your degree are known as modules (or courses). Each module has a different focus.

Warwick uses the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) to express credit weightings for each unit of learning. Credit is expressed in quantified form so that achievement in different contexts can be broadly compared in terms of intellectual depth (level) and relative volume (number of credits).

Your first-year required cord modules are as follows:

DI101-15 – Design in Context

DI102-15 – Introduction to Design Practice

DI104-15 – UX with Service Design

DI105-15 – Visual Practice & Curiosity

DI106-30 – Design Ecologies and Regenerative Practice

In addition to these Required Core modules, you must choose 30 CATS of modules from across the University. These modules must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

In your first year, you are permitted to choose 30 CATS of any modules available across the University. These modules must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Please visit Our Modules page and click on the 'Read full module outline' for each module to view the suggested reading list.

Tutorials are designed to:

• help you to get the most out of lectures, seminars, practicals and the library;
• organise and write essays and practical reports;
• explain the various assessment procedures;
• generally to discuss all aspects of the course in an informal setting.

Your Personal Tutor is also there to help you with any problems which may arise throughout your time at Warwick, so you are free to arrange additional meetings with them as required.

Please see 'Personal Tutors' tab for more details.

For information on how you will be taught and to learn more about our staff and their approach to teaching, please visit our Teaching pages.

Assessment & Coursework Policy

Please follow the link to our Student Handbook for our Assessment & Coursework Policy.

The Library is available 24 hours for all students to use as needed. You can find a huge variety of resources, both online and in-person. All your required course reading will be available from the library.

Click here to learn more about the services offered.

Email: both the University and the department will communicate with you on your new Warwick email address (available once you've completed your enrolment).Make sure you check this account regularly!

MYWARWICK: you will have your own personalised 'My Warwick' account. This is where you'll be able to access your university emails, timetable, campus information and much more.

Tabula: an online system you will use to see your timetable, coursework deadlines, electronically submit assignments and download marking feedback as well as records of meetings with your personal tutor. Full details and support will be provided once you arrive.

Moodle: Moodle is Warwick's virtual learning environment, where your tutor can share digital resources and activities to enhance your studies.

Each module has its own course page in Moodle where you can access relevant content.

You may also be enrolled in supplementary non-credit bearing courses, for example to help with skills development.

Please note Moodle uses the word 'course' to refer to each module page. This is not to be confused with your degree course e.g. Design for Sustainable Innovation (BSc). 

All our students have access to the specialist equipment, including Performance PCs, needed to complete their degree. However, if you wish to purchase you own laptop and/or computer with similar capabilities we recommend that you consider the following specifications:

Minimum RAM : 8GB

Recommended RAM : 16GB or more

Processor : Intel®, AMD, or ARM processor with 64-bit support | Multicore Intel® processor with 64-bit support or Apple silicon processor*

OS : Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1903 and later | macOS Ventura (version 13) and later

GPU : 2GB or more

Storage : 512GB

You will receive an overview of your course timetable during Welcome Week. You will have access to your timetable on Tabula (see 'Required IT Systems' section for more details). Access Tabula here.

We will talk through what the UG Student Handbook covers during Welcome Week, where you'll also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Who is my Personal Tutor?

• Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor at Warwick this will be a member of the academic team in your department.
• We will talk about this role during Welcome Week. Your personal Tutor details will be found on the 'Persona Tutor' tab on your Tabula Profile.

What is their role?

• Your Personal Tutor is your first point of contact within the department to discuss any issues that arise, whether pastoral or academic.
• You can draw on their experience and expertise as and when you need – they are your ongoing individual face-to-face relationship within the department and are here to support you throughout your time at Warwick.
• They are also the most obvious person to provide references for you after you graduate, so it is worthwhile investing time into developing a strong working relationship.

When will we meet?

• You are required to meet with your personal tutor at mandatory set points during term time throughout the year. However, you are encouraged to contact your Personal Tutor at any point should you require support.

How will we meet?

• Each Personal Tutor has their own booking system. Click on their profile name in our 'Our People' page to view their preferences.

Please visit our Our People pages to view the key people in the Design Studies department.

The Undergraduate Programmes Office deals with the administration of your undergraduate degree. If you have any questions not covered during Welcome Week, please drop by the office in R3.38, located in the Ramphal Building.

For all general enquiries, please contact : UGDS@warwick.ac.uk

Key contact:

Maria Hippach: Maria.Hippach@warwick.ac.uk

Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can also be challenging. Whether you’re experiencing a pastoral or welfare issue, Warwick’s central student wellbeing services can provide a range of different support options. Find out more on their central webpages.

Resources and information on the transition support webpages can also help, not only in your first few weeks, but throughout your Warwick journey. Find out more here.

Similarly, check out this new resource from Student Mindson helping the transition to university.

The Dean of Students Office has overall responsibility for all Personal Tutoring networks across the University. You can find out more about the role of the Dean of Students Office on their webpages.

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What is Welcome Week, top tips and some useful information - click here.

Bodrun Nahar is the Employability and Placement Manager for the School and is responsible for supporting students in developing their employability skills. This involves providing one to one advice and guidance, as well designing and teaching on employability skills sessions.

In addition to this, the Warwick Careers team are here to support you throughout your time at university, and after you graduate. They offer in-person and remote services, flexible to your needs and other commitments.

Find out more here.

Bodrun Nahar is the Employability and Placement Manager for the School and is responsible for supporting students in developing their employability skills. This involves providing one to one advice and guidance, as well designing and teaching on employability skills sessions.

In addition to this, the central Skills team helps ensure all Warwick students are ready for life after graduation - and equipped with the skills they need for a successful future.

They run programmes and interventions that give students opportunities and support for recognising, developing, reflecting on, and articulating their full range of skills.

To see the range of opportunities available, visit their central webpages here.

To check out Skillscast (their podcast about developing your skills while at University) ,click here.

SSLC stands for Student-Staff Liaison Committee. There are SSLCs in each department in the University that feed into both the Students' Union and the University administration.

SSLCs are committees made up of elected student representatives and members of staff. They are student-led and provide an area for students and staff to discuss ideas and solve problems connected with teaching, learning and student support.

If you're interested in becoming a member of the SSLC, please contact the Design Studies undergraduate office (ugds@warwick.ac.uk) to register your interest as we will be electing Design Studies SSLC Course Representatives in term 1.

If you have an issue you would like to be discussed, you should speak with one of your Course Representatives. If you have questions about the running of the SSLC, you should speak with the SSLC Chair.

Find out more on the Warwick SU SSLC webpageLink opens in a new window

Please visit our Careers page here for a wide range of career opportunities open to students studying design at Warwick.

Concerned about staying safe at university?

Visit the Warwick Stay Safe Hub, where you can find out more about tips on avoiding online, telephone & accommodation scams, as well as how to look after your personal safety, both online and around campus.

The Students' Union are an independent organisation here to provide representation, support, and social activities to help you make the most of your time at Warwick.

Warwick's Student Union has over 250 societies that cover a large range of student interests.

You can find out more about the different societies that Warwick's SU has to offer and how to get involved HERE!

Unibuddy Community

Unibuddy Community is an online platform that helps you connect with other new students at the University of Warwick. It’s your space to chat with classmates, future flatmates, students from your country, those who share your interests and hobbies, and more!

To find out more, how to join and why you should join, please click here.