In 2019 UAL declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to ‘make sustainability a required part of the student learning experience’. In response to the climate and ecological crisis the Design School set in place an ambitious Sustainability Action Plan to fully embed responsible practices within the curriculum and in everything we do.
As part of this initiative we have updated our course handbooks against a set of social and environmental sustainability principles to ensure that learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip students with the understanding, skills and values to foster a more sustainable planet. Our aim is to change the way students think and to empower them to work towards a sustainable future.
Year 1
Introduces foundational knowledge, essential skills and practices to explore the breadth of disciplines, connections and convergences of design, business and cultures. We position the discipline of design management in historical, socio-economic and cultural contexts.
Introduction to Design Management (20 units)
Creative Industries and Economy (20 units)
Design Principles (20 Units)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 units)
Locating Design Management Practices (40 units)
Year 2
The second year will consolidate and expand on your experience with a number of industry briefs that encourage collaborative working and development of professional competencies.
Gaining knowledge and learning through doing, you will explore design management roles and mindsets in a diverse range of social, cultural and industry contexts.
Professional Practices (20 credits)
Design Management and Change (20 credits)
Design Thinking and Doing (20 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits)
Marketing Communications and Cultures (20 credits)
Interdisciplinary Projects and Practices (20 credits)
Diploma in Professional Studies
The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional year-long learning opportunity, allowing you to undertake a variety of internships and professional experiences for a whole academic year in Year 3, as part of a four-year degree.
Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.
Year 3
The final year allows you to self-direct and pursue your interests through supported independent study. It will encourage confidence and self-inquiry to choose your future path within the industry, or progress onto postgraduate study.
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (40 credits)
This unit is a 8000-10,000 word thesis on a subject of your choice in negotiation with your tutor.
Leadership and Futures (20 credits)
In this unit, the class produces an industry facing event on a relevant contemporary theme. You consider your career path as you develop a professional profile, portfolio of work and action plan for the future.
Major Project (60 credits)
This unit is the culmination of your degree. It consists of two collaborative industry projects and a larger independent self-initiated project to enable you to develop greater rigour in the design process, project management skills, and delivery and presentation of your design project.
