Key Info

Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Technology

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO points history
400*
Course code
LM076
Duration
4 Years
* Not all applicants who scored these points were offered places.
Subject area
Engineering
Science
Course Director
Eoin White
Email
eoin.white@ul.ie
Tel
+353 (0)61 213324
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

What is product design and technology?

Product design is the process of creating, developing, and refining products and systems to solve problems, enhance quality of life and address local and global challenges. Through human-centred design practice our students design, develop and prove their innovative solutions in a real-world context with real people, ensuring they seamlessly integrate into daily routines. Responsible, impactful design is foundational to the product design process, and our students ensure their solutions are useful whilst adhering to sustainable best practice. 

Why Study Product Design and Technology at UL?

Product Design & Technology focuses on exploration and experimentation to develop critical thinking, where our students will learn to identify opportunities and innovate impactful solutions that seamlessly blend form and function, enriching the quality of lives around us. 

Our design projects take advantage of our strong links with industry and community partners, giving our students a taste of professional design practice. Our industrial placement in Year 3 gives our students real-world design experience, equipping them with necessary skills and expertise to launch their careers upon graduation. Or students can, instead, have an opportunity to study abroad through our extensive network of academic partners across Europe, India and the US. 

Our Product Design & Technology students and graduates have won prestigious design awards in national and international competitions such as the Dyson Award, the IDI Awards, and the Enterprise Ireland Entrepreneur Awards. 

Product Design and Technology is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers, UK. 

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What you will study

Product Design & Technology is delivered in a design studio environment, cultivating a culture of creativity, peer learning and transdisciplinary exploration. The core design modules are based on project work, and problem solving that focus on collaboration, human centred design, and sustainable design processes. Complementary modules are taught in parallel, on topics such as human factors, psychology, manufacturing, engineering, project management, and entrepreneurship. 

In Year 1, our students are introduced to the methods and principles of design (sketching, prototyping, design communication) through multiple design projects, along with a discourse on the role of design in society. 

In Year 2, our students build on their core design skills to further hone their critical design-thinking approach, and develop their design skillset through digital design visualisation, CAD, user-centred design research, and in-context design projects. 

In Year 3, our students continue to develop their design fluency and refinement skills while they begin to realise the potential impact their work has on community, industry and the planet. In Semester 2, students can undertake an 8-month industry placement to equip them with real-world design experience, or study abroad at one of our global academic partner institutions.  

In Year 4, our students will return from their industry/academic placement and work with external partners through our six-week Real World Studio project, where they will develop impactful, industry-focused solutions for a real client such as a company, community, or NGO partner. Students will then embark on their Final-year Design Project, a self-selected design project focusing on a problem or opportunity that they identify, and deliver an effective, impactful solution through demonstration of their design skills. 

Students’ Final-year Design Project will be showcased at Design@UL, our School’s annual public Design exhibition where friends, family, and key people from industry gather to celebrate our students’ work and achievements. 

  Semester 1   Semester 2
PD4101 Design Studio 1 PD4012 Design Studio 2
ME4121 Engineering Science 1 MT4932 Materials for Design
ET4003 Electrotechnology WT4902 Model Making
PN4111 Introduction to Materials Processing PT4112 Manufacturing Technology 2
MT4101 Introduction to Materials Science ID4112 Design Mechanics
  Semester 3   Semester 4
PD4043 Design Studio 3 PD4044 Design Studio 4
PD4003 Ergonomics Foundations PD4004 Design Visualisation
PD4053 Design Research in Practice MF4756 Product Design and Modelling
MA4701 Technological Mathematics 1 PD4124 Contemporary Design Culture
  Semester 5 Semester 6
PD4105 Design Studio 5 (Industry) Cooperative Education
PD4115 Design Studio 6 (Community) or
PD4026 Design Ergonomics Study Abroad
PD4024 Design for Environmental Sustainability  
PD4005 Advanced Modelling of Form  
  Semester 7   Semester 8
PD4017 Design Project 1 PD4018 Design Project 2
EP4005 New Enterprise Creation IE4248 Project Planning and Control
PT4427 Design For Manufacture MF4728 Occupational Psychology

Entry requirements

CAO points history
400* - Portfolio Required
Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O3/H7 in Mathematics and grade O4/H7 in any one of the following: Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Design & Communication Graphics/Technical Drawing, Technology, Computer Science, Construction Studies, Agricultural Science, Biology.

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics Examination (Higher Level) will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants (PDF)

Portfolio Entry

As of 2019 all applicants (School Leavers and Mature) to the BSc. Product Design + Technology at UL must submit a digital portfolio or a mini project and written statement for assessment. These submissions must be used to demonstrate the applicants’ APTITUDE for, and INTEREST in Product Design. Portfolio submission details will be selected to suit the CAO application schedule.

Statement of Interest

The statement of interest should help the faculty understand your motivation for wanting to do the course and why you believe that you would be well suited.  It should highlight the skills and interests you have that could be transferrable to the course. Your statement of interest should be no more than 500 words. The declaration of originality should be included at the end of your statement to confirm that all work in your portfolio or your Mini project is your own.

 Declaration of Originality

I, the undersigned (name)have by declared that this portfolio submission is entirely my own work.

Signed

(Signature)

Applicants will be contacted by academic registry regarding how to submit their Portfolio/Mini project after the CAO closes on 1st February.

Mini Project: If you do not have enough work to include in your Portfolio, perhaps try the Mini Project. 

The Admissions office in the University of Limerick will contact you once you have applied through the CAO regarding how to submit your Portfolio or Mini Project. Details on the 2024 mini project can be found here. 

Portfolio Entry: Guidelines for submission of Portfolios (examples)

The Admissions office in the University of Limerick will contact you once you have applied through the CAO regarding how to submit your Portfolio or Mini Project. 

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Employability skills from this degree

  • Design development 
  • Sketching 
  • Prototyping 
  • Graphic design 
  • Design validation 
  • Rapid prototyping 
  • Human Factors 
  • Communicating (verbal and written) 
  • Problem-solving 
  • Understanding user experience 
  • Working independently using personal initiative 
  • Using commercial and entrepreneurial skills 
  • Presentation skills 
  • Ability to work to deadlines 
  • Teamwork 
  • Visual and spatial awareness 
  • Visual communication 
  • General and specialist IT skills (e.g. CAD) 
  • Product Designer 
  • Process Developer 
  • Product Development Engineer 
  • Design Researcher 
  • CAD Design Engineer 
  • Design Engineer 
  • Industrial Designer 
  • Manufacturing Engineer 
  • Mechanical Design Engineer 
  • Technology Transfer Engineer 
  • R&D Engineer 
  • Technician 
  • User Experience (UX) Designer 
  • Web Designer 
  • Project Manager 

Other roles include: 

  • User Interface (UI) Designer 
  • Graphic Designer 
  • Design Strategist 
  • Innovation Consultant 
  • Brand Identity Designer 
  • Design Consultant 
  • Entrepreneur 
  • Design Manager 
  • Packaging Designer 
  • Exhibition Designer 
  • Design Educator or Instructor 
  • Usability Analyst 
  • Interaction Designer 
  • Design Thinking Facilitator 
  • 3D Modeler or Animator 
  • Retail Experience Designer 

Student profiles

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Maya Brennan

I chose to study at UL both for its amazing campus facilities and its unique selection of courses. UL is one of only a small handful of colleges in Ireland that offer my course (Product Design) and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

When I was deciding on a future career, I was torn between studying Art or Engineering. Then I discovered Product Design and Technology, the perfect mix of both! I was first drawn to the course’s hands-on approach to teaching, as there seemed to be a great balance of lectures, labs and workshops.

Product Design and Technology has a really great variety of modules. I especially enjoyed our Design Studio modules, where we learned about sketching, model making, graphics, problem solving and computer aided design. The best part is that we have our own studio space, workshop and computer lab open to all product designers.

Once of the best things about Product Design is that I was constantly pushed to learn different skills and explore new ideas. Each project allowed me to express my creativity, broaden my skillset and work with super talented people. The course also presented me with huge opportunities like winning the AutoCAD Design Student Award in first year, and the Johnson & Johnson’s Women in STEM2D Scholarship in second year.

I was lucky to go on Erasmus last year, to the world-famous TU Delft in Holland. Although my travels were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was still an incredible experience. In the weeks I was there, I learned so much about design and dutch culture – I also made loads of new friends from all around Europe.

Outside of my studies, I have always enjoyed taken part in UL’s vibrant student life. The campus is fun and modern, with everything from restaurants, lecture halls and student villages all at walking distance from eachother. When I first started out at UL, I made loads of friends by joining the Drama Society and becoming First Year Rep. After that, I joined the Dance Society which was a great way to meet new people and stay in shape during my studies.


 

Chris Barrett

My initial draw to UL was the intriguing product design studio. At the open day, I was enthralled by the exciting studio environment, with busy students sketching, prototyping and photographing concepts.

The practical elements of sketching, model-making and prototype testing are complimented by a learned ability to create digitally through apps like Photoshop or Illustrator to CAD modelling on Solidworks.  I thoroughly enjoy our Design Studio modules, where we, the students, have a large amount of creative control and can a guide a project in whatever direction we’re interested in. In terms of technology, we have 3D printers, CNC machines and a laser cutter at our disposal, which are working non-stop developing prototypes.

A hugely rewarding element of product design is that by your third year, you’ll have a portfolio of work to an industry standard. This is brilliant for students, as it differentiates us from other courses, where we have a physical, tangible output at the end of every project.

In second semester of third year, I did a four-month internship with Circular Design Europe in Barcelona. I worked on a team of students from all around the globe, creating sustainable solutions for international clients. I can safely say it was the best few months of my life, with some unforgettable experiences. We’re blessed in UL to have this opportunity to travel and it’s genuinely the most enriching thing you could do.


 

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​​​​​​​Grainne Tyrrell

Grainne Tyrrell

 Gráinne grew up in East Cork and moved to Limerick in 2018 to undertake her Bachelor’s degree. She graduated with an honours degree in Product Design and Technology in 2022. During her cooperative programme with Medtronic, she found her interest in biomedical design, and continued to pursue this field. Her Final Design Project was devised to meet procedural needs associated with an alternative approach to minimally invasive heart procedures for particularly vulnerable patients. The design output was a multistage access and closure device which leveraged ultrasonic cautery techniques. 

Upon graduation she was successful in acquiring funding from the Irish Research Council’s EPS Scheme to undertake a PhD within the School of Design. With the support of Medtronic as an Enterprise Partner, Gráinne’s research is focusing on the Usability and Ergonomics of cardiovascular devices, with the goal of optimising the user experience and improving patient outcomes. She enjoys climbing and mountaineering, and throughout her time in UL she has been highly involved in Clubs and Societies acting as President of the Outdoor Pursuits club in 2022.