Curious about studying Design - MDesat Brunel University of London? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Master of Design - MDes
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
Design at Brunel is all about realising fantastic ideas in the real world. Our Design BSc/MDes degree is focused on developing your commercial awareness, technical skills and ability to innovate, meaning you can develop physical and digital products that both look good and work well. There is a lot of project-based learning to test your skills and you’ll see the outcome of your design from concept to making the actual product. This means you’ll be able to build a great portfolio of your best-quality projects, academic and industry briefs, and case studies during your studies. You’ll have workshop training and will use industry-standard equipment and software to develop quality hands-on skills to become a competent designer. Independent access is available to modern facilities that include dedicated design studios, digital sketching, extensive prototyping workshops, and electronics and digital fabrication labs. The practical knowledge you gain is transferable to the industry and provides a head start for your future career as a designer and design thinker in the modern world. Our design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and can be studied 3 years full-time (or 4 years full-time for MDes) or 4 years full-time with placement (5 years full-time with placement for MDes), starting in September. The placement year helps you to prepare for the world of work and you’ll have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when you graduate. Our students have worked in both small innovation start-ups and multinational organisations such as Adidas, Chanel, Jaguar Land Rover, Philips, Disney and Lego. Our students have the opportunity to add another dimension to their university experience by spending a term or a year in one of our partner universities via our exchange programme: Politecnico di Milano in Italy; Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, San Francisco State University in USA and Institut Superieur de Design, ISD Bubika in France. New exchange opportunities are being developed with India, Canada and China. Made in Brunel is a unique, student-led initiative that showcases our design talent at its finest. Each year our students run a series of industry and community events leading up to the Made in Brunel exhibition. This annual showcase is a highlight of the London design calendar and promotes the incredible work our students produce to the creative community, and is a great way for our students to network with design professionals and potential employers. If you are interested in turning a product or technology idea into a business after you graduate, we are in partnership with the Central Research Laboratory (CRL), a design incubator for start-ups. You’ll have access to meeting rooms and workspace as well as prototyping facilities. A team of in-house professionals will guide and support you at each stage and a number of our previous entrepreneurial students have successfully commercialised their products. The British Industrial Design Association graduate employability survey ranks Brunel second for creating the ‘most employable graduates. Brunel Design School has been recognised as one of the best places in the world to research and study design by the 2021 QS World University Ranking by subject.
Basics of computer-based design methods: model representations, geometric sketches, constraints and 3D features; producing digital models, technical drawings, material simulation and rapid prototyping in CAD.
A solid foundation in electronic engineering and mathematics, including electronic components and their applications, and computer software to simulate and solve electronic circuits.
Familiarise with the design process and design research methods across visual, market, user-centred and inclusive design; design's ethical position and societal, economic and environmental dimensions.
Visual literacy in the context of design and visual expression; developing visual thinking techniques and foundation skills in visual and graphic communication, visualisation and computer-generated media.
Fundamental knowledge of materials science and engineering, properties of materials, the selection process and manufacturing methods; links between materials, production volumes and processes.
Basic concepts and methods of engineering mechanics including statics and dynamics relevant to the analysis of existing products; informed judgements about load, product geometry and materials.
Fundamental elements of digital design and digital product prototyping; creating digital experiences applying User Experience design and interaction design principles.
Methodologies to conceive, explore, develop, evaluate, synthesise, realise and communicate the design of products through virtual modelling and simulation.
Suitable manufacturing processes for key materials, manufacturing constraints and defects, and links between virtual prototyping in CAD, physical prototyping and production volumes.
Critical awareness, understanding and skills to think and communicate visually across all stages of the design process including branding, design, usability and function.
Sustainable development, key environmental issues and Life Cycle Analysis; product eco-design and design for circular products.
Personal innovation and creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and managing innovation; concepts and theories of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Research and define the requirements of a self-defined or industry-based project; defining a design opportunity and developing individual specialisations and creative differentiation.
Develop an innovative design proposal through iterative design thinking, human centred design, digital and physical design and sustainable principles.
Critical understanding of sustainability transitions requiring intertwined changes at multiple levels; using design to foster sustainability transitions and co-create future sustainable socio-technical systems.
Profound understanding of design research methodologies, methods and tools; critical thinking and investigative skills for formulating and executing well-focused design projects.
Investigate a global challenge systematically and creatively; defining a design opportunity and developing it into a viable proposal informed by professional industry standards.
Accommodation (on campus)- 690-1,094 per month
4.2Founded in 1966, but with origins from 1798, Brunel University of London has achieved much in its history. Always an inn...
