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Are you interested in developing your skills and knowledge across the various areas of Design?

The Foundation Year in Design provides an opportunity for you to study across a broad range of creative design elements including Communication Design, Product Design, Fashion Design and Interior Design. You will develop your knowledge and core skills in areas of practice such as drawing, making, materials, form and colour; as well as being closely guided through a rigorous academic and studio based learning experience that will build on core creative skills, enriching and enhancing your design, academic and creative abilities.

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress onto one of the following courses:

Why Choose Northumbria to study a Design Foundation Year?

  • Northumbria is ranked 6th in the UK for Product Design studies (Guardian University League Table, 2024).

  • Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014.

  • Product Design at Northumbria is ranked 6th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Guardian University Guide, 2024). This is because 87% of our graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

  • 93% of students studying Design at Northumbria believed they had chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth (NSS, 2023).

Are you interested in developing your skills and knowledge across the various areas of Design?

The Foundation Year in Design provides an opportunity for you to study across a broad range of creative design elements including Communication Design, Product Design, Fashion Design and Interior Design. You will develop your knowledge and core skills in areas of practice such as drawing, making, materials, form and colour; as well as being closely guided through a rigorous academic and studio based learning experience that will build on core creative skills, enriching and enhancing your design, academic and creative abilities.

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress onto one of the following courses:

Why Choose Northumbria to study a Design Foundation Year?

  • Northumbria is ranked 6th in the UK for Product Design studies (Guardian University League Table, 2024).

  • Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014.

  • Product Design at Northumbria is ranked 6th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Guardian University Guide, 2024). This is because 87% of our graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

  • 93% of students studying Design at Northumbria believed they had chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth (NSS, 2023).

Course Information

UCAS Code
W270

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department
Northumbria School of Design

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2024 or September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

Explore / Northumbria School of Design

Watch our video to give you a taste of Design at Northumbria.

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EXCITING NEW CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP

NEW INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE. FIND OUT MORE. →

Our Students / Northumbria School of Design

Find out what a day as a Design student looks like.

Graduate Showcase / REVEAL

The end of year showcase for our Creative Programmes.

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Watch as Northumbria students showcase there work in 2022 Reveal show

Department / Northumbria School of Design

Our School of Design covers Industrial, Fashion, Communication and Innovation Design. Our design community examines design in the context of use, beauty and social and cultural contexts.

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Northumbria School of Design

Discover more

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Research

Book an Open Day / Experience Design Foundation Year

Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Design. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.


EU Fee in Year 1: £18,250

International Fee in Year 1: £18,250


Please see the main Funding Pages for 24/25 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

This is a studio-based programme where you will be expected to acquire additional tools, materials and supplies to support your studies. You will be expected to engage in enrichment trips that will incur some costs, and throughout the year you will need to pay for printing. The purchase of additional equipment is largely optional. Tools During induction week you will receive a Welcome Kit that contains some basic tools to get you started and enable you to work independently (for details see: Blackboard» Design Foundation Year» Learning Resources » Tools and Materials). Budget something in the region of £50 for additional and discretionary tools and materials. Supplies You will be working in journals or sketchbooks throughout the year. It is likely that you will need to purchase one or two of these, plus other material supplies, such as specialist papers and art pads, etc. Allow approximately £20. Enrichment Trips Two trips are planned: in semester 1 a 2-day trip to Glasgow, in semester 2 a 1-day trip to be determined. The bulk of travel and accommodation costs are covered in your tuition fees. But you will be asked to contribute a nominal sum (typically £30–50) and during the trips incur the cost of sundries such as snacks and local transportation as well as some meals. You should allow approximately £25/day. Additional Equipment Many students progress through Foundation year without owning their own laptop. The programme content is designed to account for this. However, if you do not already own a laptop, by the time you reach the end of the year you may feel the need to purchase one. The cost for these can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds. If you’re unsure about what to purchase, talk to your tutors. If you start working on your own laptop, you will need to consider the cost of backing up your work, either with an external HD or Cloud Service

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1*: TBC

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.



EU Fee in Year 1: **TBC


International Fee in Year 1: TBC

ADDITIONAL COSTS

TBC

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

How to Apply

Please use the Apply Now button at the top of this page to submit your application.

Certain applications may need to be submitted via an external application system, such as UCAS, Lawcabs or DfE Apply.

The Apply Now button will redirect you to the relevant website if this is the case.

You can find further application advice, such as what to include in your application and what happens after you apply, on our Admissions Hub Admissions | Northumbria University



Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AD3023 -

Design Portfolio Skills (Core,40 Credits)

On this module, you will build a body of work demonstrating and evidencing the broad range of academic, professional and transferable employability skills you have developed throughout the Design Foundation Year. The skills, knowledge and understanding you acquire will demonstrate an awareness of core design methods and principles, cogent academic prose, accurate academic citation, as well as how to conduct research, reflect critically, learn independently, present your work and work in teams. Through a progressive model of learning that follows the widely recognised design process of discovery, definition, development and delivery (Design Council’s double-diamond), you will learn to meet challenges, resolve problems, and think and work flexibly and productively toward realising your designs. Finally, you will learn to present your work to graduate standards in portfolio format.

More information

AD3024 -

Communication Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

This module acts as an introduction to Communication Design and related disciplines, positioning it within the broader field of professional design. There will be an introduction to topics within the discipline and approaches to meeting communication design challenges in a professional environment. There will be instruction on the professional practices of the disciplines and how you can become employed following your education programmes. There will be some context to the background and histories of the subjects and how these affect the processes of design and design production. Key topics such as layout and composition, image and type, the design of interactions and designing for experience will be explored to create emphasis and frame the conditions for your subsequent design work. You will learn about design methods and design practices, how to ‘brainstorm’ and what it means to create an intervention. Through experimentation, discussion and evaluation, you will learn to use the design process to meet challenges and complete briefs. Finally, you will learn to present all your development work and final outcomes in a professional manner for summative assessment.

More information

AD3025 -

Product Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

While completing this module, you will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of Product Design and its related disciplines of Industrial Design and 3D Design, and learn to appreciate their role within the broader field of professional design. You will be introduced to design processes relevant to producing products and services in a professional, practice-based environment. You will learn to conduct research necessary to successfully complete challenges and briefs, and gain enhanced skills in 2D and 3D conceptualisation, sketching and model-making. Working towards a portfolio-based assessment of your work you will become familiar with how to communicate and present product design work to graduate standards. In addition, you will further your skills, knowledge and creative design practice by working both independently and collaboratively with peers and by observing and reflecting upon each other’s design practices. Through discussion with peers and tutors you will quickly learn to conduct fruitful thought experiments, express and iterate ideas, evaluate your designs and develop novel solutions to challenging problems.

More information

AD3026 -

Fashion Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

Learning and teaching strategies on the Fashion Module centre around hands-on craft activities and the exploration of technical skills, materials and processes that enable you to display evidence of creative thinking. Practice-based activities are integral to this form of study, for, supported as they are by a staff and peer collaborative community, they encourage development of individual intellectual freedom. In this Level 3 programme you are introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design. Here, you will be encouraged to foster understanding of fashion’s formal elements (silhouette, colour, fabric, detail, proportion), as well as the use of research, drawing, materials and experimental form-making to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to undertake enquiry-based learning. This type of experiential activity is designed to engage you in self-initiated research which will enable you to develop independent judgement and critical self-awareness.
Gaining an appreciation for how Fashion can be viewed as a discipline within a broader field of related professional practices will, upon completion of your programme of studies, aid your understanding of employability within the industry sector. To support your learning in this area, context will be given to the background, histories and influences of the subject and how this affects the processes of design and production. Finally, you will learn to present all your development work and final outcomes in a professional manner for summative assessment.

More information

AD3027 -

Interior Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

This module outlines the discipline and its position in the design professions and the built environment. There will be an introduction to the main discipline topics and the processes of producing an interior design solution in a professional environment. The module will use a series of processes that will explain the activities of the discipline and help develop knowledge of the professional practices of the discipline and how you can become employed following the programme. The context and background of the subject will be revealed and its effect on the processes of design and how user behaviour affects the design process. Key topics like organisation of space, materials, lighting and furniture will be used to help frame a series of connected design projects that build towards and integrated solution and portfolio work.
You will use the design process to formulate a summative proposal for the design and completion of a portfolio showcasing your curated work for the module and demonstrate your ability to think spatially and link creatively between the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional activities within this discipline. This will help to create a bridge into level 4 and the degree of your choice. Working both individually and in a team, you will learn in a reflective and collaborative manner working with other’s design practices and creative interventions through experimentation, making, discussion and evaluation of the design disciplines.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AD3023 -

Design Portfolio Skills (Core,40 Credits)

On this module, you will build a body of work demonstrating and evidencing the broad range of academic, professional and transferable employability skills you have developed throughout the Design Foundation Year. The skills, knowledge and understanding you acquire will demonstrate an awareness of core design methods and principles, cogent academic prose, accurate academic citation, as well as how to conduct research, reflect critically, learn independently, present your work and work in teams. Through a progressive model of learning that follows the widely recognised design process of discovery, definition, development and delivery (Design Council’s double-diamond), you will learn to meet challenges, resolve problems, and think and work flexibly and productively toward realising your designs. Finally, you will learn to present your work to graduate standards in portfolio format.

More information

AD3024 -

Communication Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

This module acts as an introduction to Communication Design and related disciplines, positioning it within the broader field of professional design. There will be an introduction to topics within the discipline and approaches to meeting communication design challenges in a professional environment. There will be instruction on the professional practices of the disciplines and how you can become employed following your education programmes. There will be some context to the background and histories of the subjects and how these affect the processes of design and design production. Key topics such as layout and composition, image and type, the design of interactions and designing for experience will be explored to create emphasis and frame the conditions for your subsequent design work. You will learn about design methods and design practices, how to ‘brainstorm’ and what it means to create an intervention. Through experimentation, discussion and evaluation, you will learn to use the design process to meet challenges and complete briefs. Finally, you will learn to present all your development work and final outcomes in a professional manner for summative assessment.

More information

AD3025 -

Product Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

While completing this module, you will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of Product Design and its related disciplines of Industrial Design and 3D Design, and learn to appreciate their role within the broader field of professional design. You will be introduced to design processes relevant to producing products and services in a professional, practice-based environment. You will learn to conduct research necessary to successfully complete challenges and briefs, and gain enhanced skills in 2D and 3D conceptualisation, sketching and model-making. Working towards a portfolio-based assessment of your work you will become familiar with how to communicate and present product design work to graduate standards. In addition, you will further your skills, knowledge and creative design practice by working both independently and collaboratively with peers and by observing and reflecting upon each other’s design practices. Through discussion with peers and tutors you will quickly learn to conduct fruitful thought experiments, express and iterate ideas, evaluate your designs and develop novel solutions to challenging problems.

More information

AD3026 -

Fashion Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

Learning and teaching strategies on the Fashion Module centre around hands-on craft activities and the exploration of technical skills, materials and processes that enable you to display evidence of creative thinking. Practice-based activities are integral to this form of study, for, supported as they are by a staff and peer collaborative community, they encourage development of individual intellectual freedom. In this Level 3 programme you are introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design. Here, you will be encouraged to foster understanding of fashion’s formal elements (silhouette, colour, fabric, detail, proportion), as well as the use of research, drawing, materials and experimental form-making to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to undertake enquiry-based learning. This type of experiential activity is designed to engage you in self-initiated research which will enable you to develop independent judgement and critical self-awareness.
Gaining an appreciation for how Fashion can be viewed as a discipline within a broader field of related professional practices will, upon completion of your programme of studies, aid your understanding of employability within the industry sector. To support your learning in this area, context will be given to the background, histories and influences of the subject and how this affects the processes of design and production. Finally, you will learn to present all your development work and final outcomes in a professional manner for summative assessment.

More information

AD3027 -

Interior Design - Foundation (Core,20 Credits)

This module outlines the discipline and its position in the design professions and the built environment. There will be an introduction to the main discipline topics and the processes of producing an interior design solution in a professional environment. The module will use a series of processes that will explain the activities of the discipline and help develop knowledge of the professional practices of the discipline and how you can become employed following the programme. The context and background of the subject will be revealed and its effect on the processes of design and how user behaviour affects the design process. Key topics like organisation of space, materials, lighting and furniture will be used to help frame a series of connected design projects that build towards and integrated solution and portfolio work.
You will use the design process to formulate a summative proposal for the design and completion of a portfolio showcasing your curated work for the module and demonstrate your ability to think spatially and link creatively between the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional activities within this discipline. This will help to create a bridge into level 4 and the degree of your choice. Working both individually and in a team, you will learn in a reflective and collaborative manner working with other’s design practices and creative interventions through experimentation, making, discussion and evaluation of the design disciplines.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Design Foundation Year

Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS

International applicants please apply using the links below

START MONTH
YEAR

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Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.



Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support




All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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