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.
On this unique and exciting 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.
Our department is underpinned by an ethos of design for sustainable innovation, 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.
Entry requirements
A level typical offer
AAB
We do not require applicants to have formally studied subjects in art and design prior to application, but we do look for a clear demonstration of applicants’ interest in Design. Interest and experience should be described in your personal statement and there is no requirement to provide a portfolio as part of your UCAS application.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C 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.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
International Baccalaureate (IB) typical offer
34
We do not require applicants to have formally studied subjects in art and design prior to application, but we do look for a clear demonstration of applicants’ interest in Design. Interest and experience should be described in your personal statement and there is no requirement to provide a portfolio as part of your UCAS application.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C in GCSE English Language or International Baccalaureate grade 4 in English A (Higher or Standard Level), grade 4 in Higher Level English B or grade 5 in Standard Level English B.
International Baccalaureate (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.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs.
You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C in GCSE English Language.
Scotland Advanced Highers
her 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 Diplomas
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.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
Warwick may make differential offers to students in certain circumstances, such as those who have participated in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the University’s contextual data criteria. These offers are usually one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
Do you offer foundation programmes?
All students who successfully complete the Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP) and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme, for selected courses only. Further details are available in the standard offer and conditions for the IFP.
Can I take a gap year before starting my course?
Yes, Warwick welcomes applications for deferred (gap year) entry.
Will I need to interview for this course?
Warwick does not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the UCAS application, including predicted and achieved grades, the personal statement, and the school reference.
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 and explore as you gain a broad understanding of design disciplines. This is why we refer to you at this stage of the learning journey as the 'Pluralist Student' - these modules provide the foundation upon which innovation is built.
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 the learning journey.
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'.
Note that the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Additional 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 our students the unique opportunity to complete certificates in skills which have been identified by employers as being vital for success in the workplace. These skills are formally recognised through the award of a certificates of achievement upon successful completion and are noted on your HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report).
Fees and funding
Tuition fee
£9,790
On 26 November 2025, the UK government announced that the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year would increase to £9,790 from the 2025-26 rate of at £9,535.
Students who qualify for government-regulated fees are classed as ‘Home’ students for fees purposes. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government (if permitted by law or government policy).
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.
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.
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 (on Student Finance England’s Plan 5), you will repay when your income is over £25,000 a year.
Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold or you stop working, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
There are many different funding routes available, including a number of bursaries and scholarships for full-time undergraduates. If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team will be on hand to offer advice and support.
Provides additional financial support for qualifying Home students from lower income families of up to £2,500 for eligible students
This bursary is paid directly into your bank account in three equal termly instalments to help with the costs of studying
There is no application for this bursary as your details will be provided directly from the student support awarding bodies (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency Scotland)
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award
There are no Departmental scholarships available for our Undergraduate courses, however there are other scholarships which you may be eligible for. Please see our scholarships web pages for more information.
Tuition fee
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2026-27, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
Band 1 – £27,870 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
Band 2 – £35,530 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Mathematics, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Overseas Tuition fees for 2027-28 academic year have not been set. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with an inflationary uplift. Please check our website for updates about 2027-28 fee rates before you apply.
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, please visit our Student Funding webpage for guidance for students ordinarily resident outside of England.
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.
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.
Eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study. The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Eligible European Union (EU) Undergraduates can apply for a loan to help with the cost of Tuition Fees. Eligible EU students who meet additional residency criteria may also be eligible for a loan to assist with living costs.For more information please see Student Finance for Undergraduates - EU StudentsLink opens in a new window.
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
If you are an international student, 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.
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award.
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.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue.
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). 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
Are there any course specific costs?
Please check with the department.
Teaching and learning
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 both in a Design Studio context, which will provide facilities to enable you to develop and hone your design skills, as well as in traditional seminar rooms. 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.
Class sizes for Design for Sustainable Innovation will vary. Seminar and studio practice groups consist of up to 20-25 students.
First-year core modules have between 20 and 25 hours of contact time. Each module consists of lectures, workshops, practical classes and fieldwork. The core modules in Design Studies include a significant proportion of practice-based teaching and have up to 60 hours of contact time.
Second-year core and optional core modules typically have between 30 and 40 contact hours.
The final-year core modules involve lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions.
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.
Students on Design Studies, and those who have taken our modules, are eligible to enhance their education through our international learning options. We have several opportunities, varying in length, which allow students to immerse themselves in different cultural, professional, and academic environments.
These opportunities enrich students' design perspectives and broaden their creative horizons. Whether studying at a partner institution, or completing a summer school, students can experience diverse design philosophies and methodologies, which can significantly influence their own work. Ultimately, international learning with Design Studies at the University of Warwick equips design students with a competitive edge, preparing them for successful careers.
Studying design at Warwick can open up a wide range of career opportunities for students, in an array of industries and sectors. This range of career reflects 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:
You will also have access to the University’s Student Opportunity resources (including careers counselling, employment advice, and job fairs).
Co-curricular Certificates
We offer our students the unique opportunity to complete certificates in skills which have been identified by employers as being vital for success in the workplace. These skills are formally recognised through the award of a certificates of achievement upon successful completion and are noted on your HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report).
Our Student Opportunity (Careers) department offer a wide range of workshops, from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer in order to impress potential employers. Online resources are also available, including training in drafting CVs and covering letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities. The myAdvantage databaseLink opens in a new window also advertises job, placement and internship vacancies that are from employers who are targeting Warwick students for their recruitment.
Within Design Studies we encourage you to undertake a work placement during your degree. This will enable you to engage in the world of work and learn about the professional environment. It’s an opportunity for you to apply theory to practice, develop skills, learn from industry professionals as well as explore a future career path. This ultimately supports you in developing your employability skills and prepares you for future employment.
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible 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
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
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.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
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.
Whether you live in a campus residence or in partnership accommodation off campus, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
74th
Warwick is ranked 74th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
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.
Our course offers access to design facilities that provide students with the tools and technologies to bring their creative visions to life. Equipped with the latest industry-standard software, hardware, and specialised workspaces, our facilities are designed to foster innovation and hands-on learning. From advanced computer labs and 3D printers to dedicated studios for graphic design, product development, and multimedia production, students will have everything they need to explore, experiment, and excel in their design projects.
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Experience campus at an Open Day. Can't visit? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
