Design for Sustainable Innovation BASc (UCAS W201)
Find out more about our Design for Sustainable Innovation degree at Warwick
BASc Design for Sustainable Innovation is a creative, pluralist programme which welcomes all backgrounds and practices to work together towards innovations for a better future. At Warwick Design Studies, we invite you on a learning journey across disciplinary boundaries as we help you build your design mindset and design skillset towards implementing sustainable change in the world.
General entry requirements
A level typical offer
AAB
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
A level contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB. See if you're eligible.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
IB typical offer
34
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
IB contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 32. See if you're eligible.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
Scotland Advanced Highers
Either AA in two Advanced Highers and BBB in three additional Highers subjects, or AB in two Advanced Highers and AAB in three additional Highers subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB in three subjects at A level plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.
Additional information
While we do not require applicants to have formally studied subjects in art and design prior to application, we do look for a clear demonstration of applicants’ interest in Design Studies. Interest and experience should be described in the students supporting statement, but it can also be supported by visual materials submitted as additional evidence.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6/B in GCSE English Language.
International qualifications
English Language requirements
All applicants have to meet our English Language requirementsLink opens in a new window. If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at WarwickLink opens in a new window.
This course requires: Band C
Learn more about our English Language requirementsLink opens in a new window.
Frequently asked questions
Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the contextual data criteria.
Differential offers will usually be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).
Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.
We welcome applications for deferred entry.
We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.
Course overview
On this unique and exciting new course, you will learn and develop all the necessary skills required to sustainably innovate across all areas of design. From creating an artefact or product to developing a service, governance, strategy or improved system, this industry-led degree will enable you to explore a wide range of design disciplines and careers before specialising in an area of your choosing later in your studies with us.
This is a future-facing programme, which aims to develop a new generation of designers as holistic, strategic, and agile interdisciplinary practitioners. By studying this degree, you will acquire the knowledge and skills to become a responsible and ethical designer able to tackle society’s major challenges in order to build a sustainable and regenerative society.
You will work with design industry experts and regional communities to co-design products, processes and solutions.
Our department is underpinned by an ethos of Design for Sustainable Innovation (DSI), and an approach to design which differs from traditional design programmes across the United Kingdom.
Through rigorous academic and applied development of design skillset and mindset, our students will be shaped into future leaders and visionaries who will be able to develop the necessary skills to innovate across all spheres of design and examine how positive change can be achieved through the application of the theory and practice of design.
Find out more about Design for Sustainable InnovationLink opens in a new window.
Core modules
Year One
Our first year modules are designed to introduce you to a broad array of design disciplines. Taking these modules gives you an opportunity to experiment as you gain a broad understanding of design disciplines. This is why we refer to you at this stage of learning as the 'Pluralist Student' - these modules provide the foundation upon which innovation is built.
Year Two
Modules in the second year expose you to different areas of design. These modules provide the ideal testing ground for you to explore and reflect on the values that guide you, the topics that interest you, and the issues that you might want to tackle with your design practice. That is why you are referred to as 'Navigators' at this stage of learning.
Final Year
The final year is all about you focusing on specialising your practice as versatile designers who can navigate and communicate across various disciplines. At this stage, you have become the 'Specialist.'
Optional modules
You have the opportunity to choose from a range of modules from across the University allowing you to explore subjects that complement your design practice. Examples of these within the School for Cross-faculty Studies include:
Co-curricular Certificates
We offer a range of unique certificates outside of the curriculum as a way of continuing your professional development.
In the first year, you can complete certificates in Climate Literacy and Professional Communication.
Assessment
This course uses a variety of assessment methods which are intended to reflect the types of outputs required in the professional environment. In this way, this course prepares you for the working world.
Across this course, you will produce practical work that is both material and digital in nature, sketchbooks and visual research, research papers, reports, policy briefings, posters, portfolios, critical commentaries, presentations in public fora, EPortfolios; blog posts; design dialogues (viva voce); video presentations, pitches, manifestos and you will also write traditional academic essays.
Teaching
We make use of the blended learning environment (lectures, seminars, practical assignments) to provide our students with a dynamic learning experience. Additional online materials are available and there will be various events and activities to further enhance your learning. Your personal tutor will provide additional learning and pastoral support throughout your degree. You will spend independent study time preparing for classes, reading primary texts, and completing practical exercises. Practical exercises emphasise student-led research projects.
Your Design Studies modules will be taught by our expert academics in a Design Studio context which will provide facilities to enable you to develop and hone your design skills. You will learn to work through practical, project-based design assignments that will range in their nature from working with hand constructed materials, plans and curation to digitally developed designs that simulate physical and virtual environments. Throughout your course you will work with live briefs from communities and employers in preparation for a successful career in the design industry.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees cover the majority of the costs of your study, including teaching and assessment. Fees are charged at the start of each academic year. If you pay your fees directly to the University, you can choose to pay in instalments.
Undergraduate fees
On 4 November the UK government announced an increase in the tuition fee cap for Home students for academic year 2025/26. The University of Warwick’s Executive Board has consequently confirmed a change in fees from the previously advertised rate to £9,535.
Alongside the tuition fee increase, maintenance loans will also rise by 3.1%.
The University expects to increase fees for future years in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK government.
How are fees set?
The UK Government sets tuition fee rates.
To learn more about how the UK student fees and maintenance loans are set, please visit the UK Government websiteLink opens in a new window and UCASLink opens in a new window.
Undergraduate fees
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2025-26, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
- Band 1 – £26,290 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
- Band 2 – £33,520 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2026 fee rates before you apply.
Fee status guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status.Link opens in a new window
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
Departmental specific associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module CatalogueLink opens in a new window. Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Our Venice programme is taught onsite in VeniceLink opens in a new window. If students choose these modules as part of their optional modules, they are responsible for funding their travel to Venice along with their room and board in Venice for the duration of the module. The department will cover the costs of activities while in Venice.
Further information
Find out more about tuition fees from our Student Finance team and available funding from our Student Funding Support.
Scholarships and bursaries
Learn about scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.
We offer a number of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
Find out more about funding opportunities for full-time students.Link opens in a new window
If you are an international student, a limited number of scholarships may be available.
Find out more information on our international scholarship pages.Link opens in a new window
You may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship
We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities.
We provide extra financial support for qualifying students from lower income families. The Warwick Undergraduate Bursary is an annual award of up to £2,500 per annum. It is intended to help with course-related costs and you do not have to pay it back.
As part of the 'City of Sanctuary' movement, we are committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. We provide a range of scholarships to enable people seeking sanctuary or asylum to progress to access university education.
Further information
Find out more about Warwick undergraduate bursaries and scholarships.
Eligibility for student loans
Your eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality and residency status, your course, and previous study at higher education level.
Check if you're eligible for student finance.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you can receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won’t have to set up any payments.
Maintenance Loan for living costs
You can apply for a Maintenance Loan towards your living costs such as accommodation, food and bills. This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and whether you choose to live at home or in student accommodation.
If you’re starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you usually must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement SchemeLink opens in a new window to get student finance.
Tuition Fee Loan
If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you may receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won't have to set up any payments.
Help with living costs
If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team Link opens in a new windowwill be on hand to offer advice and support.
There are a number of options that may be available to you including government, bursary and/or hardship support. Warwick also has a number of bursaries and scholarships Link opens in a new windowthat you may be eligible to apply for.
Repaying your loans
You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023, the repayment threshold is £25,000. Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Find out more about repaying your student loanLink opens in a new window.
Your career
Studying design at the University of Warwick can open up a wide range of career opportunities for students, in an array of industries and sectors. This range of career options is a reflection of the fact that we teach design as a whole, not just in specialisms.
By developing your design mindset and skillset, you will be ideally placed to enter into the competitive job market and have immediate impact as innovators and changemakers.
Whilst there are many options available to you, including further study, we often group potential destinations of our students into two areas:
Design and Sustainability Industries
- Service Designer
- UX Designer
- Social Designer
- Concept Designer
- Design Consultant
- Design Leadership Advisor
- Strategical Designer
- Co-Design Specialist
- Sustainability Specialist
- Systemic Designer
- Educator
- Business Strategist
- Entrepreneur (Social + Commercial)
- Design Thinking Facilitator
- Systems Thinking Consultant
- Design Administrator
- Organisation Design Consultant
- Strategic Designer
- Inclusion Director
- Policy Analyst
Areas of Practice
- Social Housing
- Commercial Research
- Humanitarian Agency
- Government and Governance
- Production and Manufacture
- Legal and Public Policy
- Creative Industries - general
- Finance
- Innovation Sector
- Tech & Business
Helping you find the right career
We have a dedicated Employability and Placement Manager who will provide you with one-to-one careers guidance.
You will also have access to the University’s Student Opportunity resources (including careers counselling, employment advice, and job fairs).
Design Studies
In the current global context, the only certain constant is change.
Through rigorous academic and applied development of design skillset and mindset, our students are being shaped into future leaders and visionaries who will be able to develop the necessary skills to innovate across all spheres of design.
Find out more about Design StudiesLink opens in a new window.
Our courses
Related degrees:
- Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies (BASc)
- Economic Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Education Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Hispanic Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- History and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Psychology and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Sociology and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- Theatre and Performance Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
Life at Warwick
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities. A place where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. Our supportive, energising, welcoming space creates the ideal environment for forging new connections, having fun and finding inspiration.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
Warwick Accommodation
Finding the right accommodation is key to helping you settle in quickly.
We have a range of residences for undergraduate students on campus.
Our campus
You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible new sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Food and drink
We have lots of cafés, restaurants and shops on campus. You can enjoy great quality food and drink, with plenty of choice for all tastes and budgets. There is a convenience store on central campus, as well as two supermarkets and a small shopping centre in the nearby Cannon Park Retail Park. Several of them offer delivery services to help you stay stocked up.
And don't miss our regular food market day on the Piazza with tempting, fresh and delicious street food. Soak up the atmosphere and try something new, with mouth-watering food for all tastes.
Clubs and societies
We currently have more than 300 student-run societies.
So whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Or you could try something new, or even form your own society.
Sports and fitness
Staying active at Warwick is no sweat, thanks to our amazing new Sports and Wellness Hub, indoor and outdoor tennis centre, 60 acres of sports pitches, and more than 60 sports clubs.
Whether you want to compete, relax or just have fun, you can achieve your fitness goals.
Studying on campus
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs.
You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
- The Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas.
- The University Library provides access to over one million printed works and tens of thousands of electronic journals
- Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces.
Travel and local area
Our campus is in Coventry, a modern city with high street shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars sitting alongside medieval monuments. The Warwickshire towns of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth are also nearby.
The University is close to major road, rail and air links. London is just an hour by direct train from Coventry, with Birmingham a 20-minute trip. Birmingham International Airport is nearby (a 20-minute drive).
Wellbeing support and faith provision
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Our Chaplaincy is home to Chaplains from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. We provide regular services for all Christian denominations and a Shabbat meal every Friday for our Jewish students. There is also an Islamic prayer hall, halal kitchen and ablution facilities.

How to apply
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Key dates
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After you've applied
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Our Admission Statement
Read Warwick's Admission Statement
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Explore our campus virtually through our 360 campus tour now
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Don’t just take it from us, come and see for yourself what Warwick is all about. Whether it's a virtual visit or in-person, our University Open Days give you the chance to meet staff and students, visit academic departments, tour the campus and get a real feel for life at Warwick.
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