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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design

Sculptural ceramic work by BA Product Furniture Design student.

BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
College
Chelsea College of Arts
UCAS code
W248
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years

BA Product and Furniture Design at Chelsea College of Arts offers you the chance to explore our social, physical and emotional connection to objects.

Apply to start in September 2023 

This course has places available. Read our Guide to applying for a course starting this September through UCAS Extra. For a full list of UAL courses open for 2023/24 entry, visit the Courses with places available page.

Course overview

BA Product and Furniture Design puts making at the centre of design production. This ensures you develop your practical skills. You will combine these with a critical and investigative approach to objects.

What to expect

  • To develop a flexible approach to materials and practice in a shifting landscape in order to develop an understanding of the agility and resilience required for the designer-maker approach to contemporary creative industries and audiences
  • To study people’s interaction with objects as well explore social science techniques to enable you to develop your work so that it might have practical, aesthetic or playful uses
  • To work with our heritage and museum sector partners to design objects and explore ethnographic studies of social conventions in the museum, heritage and experience design sector. Additionally, projects will consider curatorial, community, diversity and access issues
  • To develop an understanding of key ethical, critical, technical and theoretical debates in the area of product and furniture design
  • In year 1 you will have the opportunity to design and make furniture
  • In year 2 you will work in public places considering the use of local materials, contexts and social concerns to communicate a sense of place or to solve local issues
  • To develop a range of critical, creative, technical and professional skills relevant to employment in product design, furniture and related areas
  • To experiment with new and existing technologies and materials to develop successful products
  • To develop research and analysis skills that encourage both critical reflection, intellectual risk taking and the development of effective and appropriate communication methods
  • To develop experience and knowledge of collaborative co-creative methodologies to stimulate new partnerships with stakeholders, audiences and institutions both locally and globally
  • To have access to Chelsea's shared workshops. View the Chelsea facilities

Mode of study

BA Product and Furniture Design is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to  BA Product and Furniture Design

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.

Unit 2 - Product and furniture design methods and processes

This unit aims to establish a practice-based approach to the designing and making of objects.

  • Have an introduction to the tools and techniques of making processes in wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, digital
  • Develop your drawing and model making skills needed to process and communicate ideas
  • Begin to develop your own visual language through the practice and evaluation of research

Unit 3 - The anthropology of the object

This unit introduces you to the relationship between users, objects and environments.

  • To consider how objects are constructed and how they support different kinds of user interaction
  • To undertake detailed observations of people using objects in everyday contexts
  • To explore and evaluate the existence, meanings and purposes of those objects, both in relation to the individual and larger social groups
  • To develop and make a series of material prototypes that test use and user understanding   

Unit 4 - Form, function and ornament

The aim of the unit is to investigate the relationship between your personal identity as a design practitioner and objects.

  • To design and make a series of objects
  • Your design development work will include 2D/3D visualisations, technical notes, sample materials tests, models, prototypes and finished objects
  • To photograph the finished objects in context 
  • Produce a report on the successes and shortcomings of your design work

Year 2

Unit 5 - Design proposals 1

In this unit you will engage with external partners and apply your ideas in a real world context.

  • To be asked to develop concepts for a design object in a domestic, commercial or community context
  • Your project might be a competition brief, an initiative from industry, work for a charitable organisation or social services. They may include design problems concerning health and wellbeing, leisure and cultural capital, education or food consumption
  • To consider function, sustainability and activity
  • To produce an illustrated report communicating the results of your design practice and a record of professional presentations
  • Design development work will include including 2D/3D visualisations, materials tests, models and prototypes

Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices

This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes: 

  • To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project
  • To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work
  • To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts

Unit 7 - Design proposals 2

This unit looks at the way in which a site-specific design proposal can be conceived, developed and adapted.

  • To examine issues of scale, function, narrative and location
  • To consider audience engagement, interaction, social conduct as well as client needs
  • To gain an understanding of the users, client and audience by working on a range of concepts and prototypes
  • To produce a design proposal report, design development and material evidence 

Unit 8 - Ecologies of action

The unit will include an external group project. You will work collaboratively on an event or exhibition.

  • Lectures covering project briefs, concepts, project working methods, site analysis, site specific practice, visitor and user analysis methods 
  • Site visits that will include discussions with venue staff
  • Workshops, presentations and crits
  • Production of prototypes and a finished object

Year 3

Unit 9 - Critical practice 1 - The reflective practitioner

This unit aims to encourage a critical understanding of the historical, cultural and global contexts within which design practice operates.

  • An illustrated contextual research essay or written project that communicates your understanding of the design arena
  • A studio design practice project

Unit 10 - Critical practice 2 - Design futures

This final unit requires you to integrate your practical, professional and critical position into a resolved body of work.

Professional Practice Project:

  • To help you develop an awareness of the range of career and postgraduate opportunities available
  • To produce a professional practice report and research file including a professional action plan and personal promotional materials

Final Major Project:

  • To write a proposal for a final major project
  • To produce of a substantial body of work presented to a professional standard
  • The work you produce will form part of the college degree show

Work experience and opportunities

You will have the opportunity to undertake work placements during the course. Previous organisations and designers have included The Natural History Museum, McCollin Bryan, Richard Fox, Studio Swine and Tatty Devine.

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in the second year of your degree as part of the college's Erasmus scheme.

Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3

Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course. 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Access to digital design archives and databases
  • All year projects
  • Cross discipline projects
  • Digital studio tours
  • Drawing workshops
  • Group crits
  • Group and collaborative projects
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Live projects with course partners and competitions
  • Model making workshops
  • Technical inductions, demonstrations and workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Visiting lecturers

Student work

  • Chelsea-College-of-Arts-BA-Furniture-and-Product-Design-Josephine-Bourdariat-2000.jpg
    Josephine Bourdariat
    BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Chelsea-College-of-Arts-BA-Product-and-Furniture-Design-Eliot-Everton.jpg
    Eliot Everton
    BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Chelsea-College-of-Arts-BA-Product-and-Furniture-Design-Luana-Meneux.jpg
    Luana Meneux
    BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Chelsea-College-of-Arts-BA-Product-and-Furniture-Design-Wanpeng-Xu-2000.jpg
    Wanpeng Xu
    BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL

Film

Designing Interpretation project

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
  • An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
  • Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work

Apply now

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W248

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Following the review of the digital portfolio, a small number of applicants will progress to the interview stage. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes. For support with your interview, visit our Interview tips page.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing work that demonstrates an ability to question, solve problems and work sensitively with materials.
  • Images from sketch books. These help us see your working process and show developing research interests and influences.
  • Models and artefacts.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

Applying through UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W248

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once a year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Once we have received your digital portfolio it will be reviewed by the academic team. A decision will be made on your application which may include - offer, offer alternative, recommend to alternative course, reject or invite to interview.

We aim for all on time application reviews to take place by the end of March 2023.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing work that demonstrates an ability to question, solve problems and work sensitively with materials.
  • Images from sketch books. These help us see your working process and show developing research interests and influences.
  • Models and artefacts.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts
  • An official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed

Study Abroad

Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.

For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.

Careers

Graduating students will have an interdisciplinary approach to design. You will have gained critical and professional skills. These will enable you to work as studio based designer makers, project consultants, curators and commission-based designers. Our graduates have found jobs within a variety of fields. These include product design, craft production, interior design, architecture and fine art. Many others have also gone on to postgraduate study.

Alumni

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.