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Course type: Degree

Degree

Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.

Internationally respected, universally understood.

An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.

Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.

Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits: 360

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation

: Course code: Q61

This degree develops your creative thinking, problem-solving and design skills. At the same time, you’ll study a complementary subject that suits your needs and interests, equipping you to generate ideas and address problems in various settings. The design modules feature online design studio spaces, social networking, inspiring study materials, and practical components. You’ll follow either the BA or BSc route, depending on your interests and aspirations.

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Key features

Course details

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How you'll study

Careers

Build a portfolio to demonstrate your ability to engage creatively with design and innovation
Develop skills and knowledge in a second subject to complement your design learning
Learn about the process and application of design and innovation in diverse real-world contexts
BSc recognised by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) – see Careers

Stages 1 and 2 of this degree are the same as our Diploma of Higher Education in Design and innovation (W73). Stage 1 is the same as our Certificate of Higher Education in Design and innovation (T37).

Course type

Degree

Credits

360

How long it takes

Part-time study – 6 years

Full-time study – 3 years

Time limit – 16 years

Study method

Distance learning

Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

In Stage 1, you’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules in a complementary subject from your chosen designation – BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science).
In Stage 2, you’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules from your chosen designation.
In Stage 3, you’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules from your chosen designation.
We’ve created themes to guide you and help you choose your 180 credits of option modules.

You’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules in a complementary subject from your chosen designation – BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science).

Design module

Design module
Modules	Credits
You'll study the following:
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)	60

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose one from:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114) – planned for October 2025	60
An introduction to business and management (B100)	60
Cultures (A112)	60
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)	60
Encountering psychology in context (D120)	60
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)	60
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Introducing health and social care (K102)	60
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60
Revolutions (A113)	60
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)	60
Young children's play and creativity (E110)	60

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)	30
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)	30
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)	60
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)	30
Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)	30

You’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules from your chosen designation.

Design module

Design module
Modules	Credits
You'll study the following:
Design essentials (T217)	60

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)	60
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)	60
Creative writing (A215)	60
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)	60
Developing leadership (B208)	60
Environment and society (DD213)	60
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)	60
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)	60
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209) – planned for October 2025	60
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)	60
Music, sound and technology (A232)	60
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225) – planned for October 2025	60
Shaping business opportunities (B207)	60
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)	60
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Understanding music (A234)	60

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Core engineering A (T271)	30
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)	60
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Environmental science (S226) – planned for October 2025	60
Object-oriented Java programming (M250)	30
Web technologies (TM252)	30

You’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules from your chosen designation.

Design module

Design module
Modules	Credits
You'll study the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)	60

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)	60
Art and its critical histories (A336)	60
Art and its global histories (A344)	60
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)	60
Central questions in the study of music (A342)	60
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)	60
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)	30
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)	60
International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313)	60
Leadership in a changing world (B329)	30
Marketing in action (B328)	30
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60
Strategic management (B302)	60
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)	60

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Communications technology (TM355)	30
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)	60
Environmental management: pathways to sustainability (T330) – planned for October 2025	30
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
Interaction design and the user experience (TM356)	30
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Renewable energy (T313)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
The engineering project (T452)	30
Web, mobile and cloud technologies (TM352)	30

For each designation, BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BSc (Bachelor of Science), we’ve created themes to help you choose your 180 credits of options modules.

BA (Bachelor of Arts)

Culture and aesthetics
Health and wellbeing
Management
Society
Sustainability

BSc (Bachelor of Science)

Energy
Engineering
Environment
Interfaces and interaction

Culture and aesthetics

Culture and aesthetics
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Cultures (A112)	60
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)	60
Revolutions (A113)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Art and life before 1800 (A237)	60
Art and visual cultures in the modern world (A236)	60
Creative writing (A215)	60
Music, sound and technology (A232)	60
Understanding music (A234)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Advanced creative writing (A363)	60
Art and its critical histories (A336)	60
Art and its global histories (A344)	60
Central questions in the study of music (A342)	60

Health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114) – planned for October 2025	60
Encountering psychology in context (D120)	60
Introducing health and social care (K102)	60
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)	60
Young children's play and creativity (E110)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)	60
Exploring childhood and youth (E232)	60
Child development: birth to adolescence (E225) – planned for October 2025	60
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)	60
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)	60
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)	60

Management

Management
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Developing leadership (B208)	60
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209) – planned for October 2025	60
Shaping business opportunities (B207)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)	30
Leadership in a changing world (B329)	30
Marketing in action (B328)	30
Strategic management (B302)	60

Society

Society
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Environment and society (DD213)	60
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60

Sustainability

Sustainability
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
Environment and society (DD213)	60
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)	60
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose one from:
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)	60
International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313)	60

Energy

Energy
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)	30
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)	30
Stage 2
You'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)	30
You'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Stage 3
You'll study both of the following:
Renewable energy (T313)	30
The engineering project (T452)	30

Engineering

Engineering
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)	30
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)	30
Stage 2
You'll study the following:
Core engineering A (T271)	30
You'll choose one from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Stage 3
You'll choose two from:
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Renewable energy (T313)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
The engineering project (T452)	30

Environment

Environment
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)	60
Stage 2
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Environmental science (S226) – planned for October 2025	60
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)	60
Stage 3
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Environmental management: pathways to sustainability (T330) – planned for October 2025	30
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
Environment: responding to change (SDT306)	60
Renewable energy (T313)	30

Interfaces and interaction

Interfaces and interaction
Modules	Credits
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)	30
Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)	30
Stage 2
You'll study both of the following:
Object-oriented Java programming (M250)	30
Web technologies (TM252)	30
Stage 3
You'll study the following:
Interaction design and the user experience (TM356)	30
You'll choose one from:
Communications technology (TM355)	30
Web, mobile and cloud technologies (TM352)	30

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 6 September 2024.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
Assessment in the form of short-answer questions, essays, and examinations
Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
Finding external/third-party material online
Accessing online catalogues and databases
Specialist material, such as works of art and musical manuscripts
Specialist software, such as OpenDesignStudio, Computer-aided modelling, CES EduPack database
Mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
Online tutorials
Group-work

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions.

Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding.
Cognitive skills.
Practical and professional skills.
Key skills.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our BA (Honours) Design and Innovation or our BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation.

If you choose the BA (Bachelor of Arts) designation (or follow the Culture and aesthetics, Health and wellbeing route, Management route, Society route, or Sustainability route), we’ll award you our BA (Honours) Design and Innovation.
If you choose the BSc (Bachelor of Science) designation (or follow the Energy route, Engineering route, Environment route, or Interfaces and interaction route), we’ll award you our BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation.

The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation

Compare this course

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

If you choose the BSc designation, you’ll have to develop your mathematical skills. We’ll teach you the skills required, but a willingness to learn them is necessary.

Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you’ll need to succeed. If you’re not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.

Answer a few quick questions to check whether you’re ready for study success

How much time do I need?

Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
support from a dedicated team throughout your study
detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Arts and languages Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the arts, humanities and languages. It's perfect preparation for your study with The Open University as you'll develop both your subject knowledge and your study skills. From the perspective of its central theme, ‘popular protest’, it explores a range of subjects, including art history, English, English language studies, history, and popular music, all through its central theme of ‘popular protest’. The module also offers an opportunity to explore other subjects, such as modern languages, classical studies, religious studies and creative writing.

View full details of Arts and languages Access module

Y031

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the sciences, technology and mathematics. It’ll help develop your study skills in advance of your OU qualification, and you get to explore a number of STEM subjects including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.

View full details of Science, technology and maths Access module

Y033

Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with The Open University; you'll get to cover a wide range of subject areas, including psychology, childhood and youth studies, health and social wellbeing, sport, education and social sciences.

View full details of Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

Y034

Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.

Qualification	Total cost at campus university*	Total cost at The Open University**	Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree	£27,750	£21,816	£5,934 (21%)
Diploma of Higher Education	£18,500	£14,544	£3,956 (21%)
Certificate of Higher Education	£9,250	£7,272	£1,978 (21%)

Honours Degree

Total cost at campus university* £27,750

Total cost at The Open University** £21,816

Saving with The Open University £5,934 (21%)

Diploma of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £18,500

Total cost at The Open University** £14,544

Saving with The Open University £3,956 (21%)

Certificate of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £9,250

Total cost at The Open University** £7,272

Saving with The Open University £1,978 (21%)

*Based on maximum chargeable fees for 24/25 academic year.

**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section C of the University's Fee Rules.

How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
details of each assignment and their due dates
a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Skills for career development

A design and innovation approach can bring value to almost any activity, and is increasingly in demand with employers – for example in education, business, local government, leisure services, engineering, environment, and health.

This degree course will develop your skills in design and innovation so that you can apply them to ‘embedded contexts’ – areas outside the creative industries that are not traditionally thought of as ‘creative’, but nevertheless benefit hugely from design thinking. As an Open University student you have a great advantage over other design students in that your learning can be put into practice as you study. The BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation encourages you to apply the thinking, methods, and techniques you learn to your own context, enabling you to produce a portfolio of highly relevant design work. Additionally, the ability to think critically and responsibly about design problems is greatly valued by a wide range of employers.

Career relevance

Design and innovation play a central role in society, producing solutions to problems of all sizes in every aspect of our lives, not just in the creative industries. A design and innovation approach can bring value to almost any activity, and is increasingly in demand by employers. Graduates with these skills can find jobs in a wide range of fields including education, business, local government, leisure services, engineering, environment, and health.

Accreditation

The BSc route of this degree has been accredited by the professional institution(s) below under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
https://www.engc.org.uk/

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience):

design engineer
product designer
web designer
design consultant
industrial designer

research and development (R&D) manager
graphic designer
information architect
technical journalist
visual designer

sustainability designer
product developer
management consultant
freelance entrepreneur/innovator
researcher.

Register for this course

Start dates

Feb 2025 - Registration closes 09/01/2025

Credit transfer: apply by 05/12/2024

Request your Engineering, Design and Technology prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

Request prospectus

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

Stage 1 (120 credits)

Design module

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

Stage 2 (120 credits)

Design module

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

Stage 3 (120 credits)

Design module

BA (Bachelor of Arts) option modules

BSc (Bachelor of Science) option modules

Themes

Culture and aesthetics

Health and wellbeing

Management

Society

Sustainability

Energy

Engineering

Environment

Interfaces and interaction

Accessibility

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

Classification of your degree

International recognition

Regulations

Compare this course

How much time do I need?

Preparing for study with an Access module

Arts and languages Access module

What you will study

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

What you will study

Fees and funding in England

Tuition fee