BA (Hons) Design (Placement Year)

Lancaster’s approach to design reflects a department that is actively seeking new and innovative ways to apply design. The degree is taught by leading design researchers, and it moves beyond the scope of traditional disciplines such as graphic or product design. Instead you will be given the opportunity to develop the skills to solve complex cultural, social and environmental problems by combining design thinking with innovation, technology, business and research. This will equip you for a range of exciting careers in new and emerging industries.- The course is structured around four aspects of design: materials, people, products and places. They allow you the opportunity to develop vital problem-finding and problem-solving abilities.- History, theory and intellectual content are combined with creative design practice and design management.- You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in prototyping, visualisation and presentation in our purpose-built design studios and workshop.- Through authentic projects and live briefs, including a group consultancy project, you’ll gain real world experience and prepare yourself for your future career.- We aim to include guest speakers and external organisations to provide insight into design and related industries, giving you the opportunity to build professional contacts and gain work experience during your degree.You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on a placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas. This experience should boost your employment prospects and help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job – with all the satisfaction that brings.Applying for a placement is a competitive process and our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement. The preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in both your placement applications and the placement itself.One of the aims of the placement year is to enhance your understanding of the connections between theory and practice which could benefit your final year of study. Placements provide an exciting opportunity to build up experience and transferable skills, as well as to make contacts with potential employers, which can place you a step ahead in the graduate recruitment market.The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.