Design Enterprise and Innovation MSci

This exciting course equips you with everything you need to take on design leadership roles, following in the footsteps of Steve Jobs or James Dyson.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Course type
Full-time (Hons)

Course format

Optional placement year

Duration

4 or 5 years

UCAS code(s)

H7N1

Start date

Overview
Explore Design, Enterprise and Innovation at Aston University

Final year student Mica Mehta talks about the benefits of learning both design skills and business understanding.

Marco Sousa Lau

“I think studying the business side gives you the knowledge that you need to bring your design idea into reality, into industry, and to actually make it profitable. The design aspect is important so that you know the behind-the-scences element of how a product needs to be made and you also know all the manufacturing considerations that you need to take into account when developing the business side. The two just blend in and work together, and that’s the knowledge you need to make something successful.”

Marco Sousa Lau, Design Alumni

Marco Sousa Lau

“I think studying the business side gives you the knowledge that you need to bring your design idea into reality, into industry, and to actually make it profitable. The design aspect is important so that you know the behind-the-scences element of how a product needs to be made and you also know all the manufacturing considerations that you need to take into account when developing the business side. The two just blend in and work together, and that’s the knowledge you need to make something successful.”

Marco Sousa Lau, Design Alumni

Course outline and modules

Are you ready to shape the future through design entrepreneurship? Our MSci in Design, Enterprise and Innovation is at the forefront of a competitive global market and the only one of its kind in the UK.

Develop both the design and business skills necessary to thrive in the modern enterprise environment and prepare yourself for a career in product design leadership, entrepreneurship and the skills to set up your own enterprise. Entrepreneurship and design innovation are seen as fundamental aspects of the UK economy. Creating value through design is a challenge that requires being business savvy as much as it requires talent, methods and skills.

The course, delivered jointly by the School of Engineering and Physical Science and Aston Business School, will equip you with solid design skills as well as enterprise development competence to take on design leadership and entrepreneurship roles in future.

You will be supported by a wide network of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors from local and national communities such as Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network (BSEEN), Birmingham Enterprise Community (BEC), Enterprise Nation and Aston’s Centre for Growth throughout your study.

What you'll learn

On this four year programme, you will achieve a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree. If you choose to take a year in industry the course length will be five years.

You will gain a grounding in the principles of design management in technology, manufacturing and concept development, combining both theoretical and practical skills training alongside relevant industrial experience. Plus, you’ll develop the skills necessary to stimulate design entrepreneurial activity, brought to life by our up-to-date and professionally focused curriculum.

Develop your specialist knowledge, build on your experience and become better equipped to contribute to entrepreneurial activity and develop your own fledgling enterprises.

If you choose to take a year in industry, you’ll be able to develop your learning and showcase your skills, improving your employability through real work experience, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of the roles and career path that best suit your interests and skills.

Modules

Year 1

Modules 

•    Introduction to Engineering and Design
•    Prototyping & Development 
•    Design Fundamentals 
•    Engineering Principles
•    Engineering Practice

Year 2

Modules 

•    Design and Engineering for the User 
•    Design Studio
•    Digital Design Skills
•    Product Experience 
•    Product, Market and Intellectual Property
•    Design Management and Innovation*

*achieve satisfactory level in this module to progress to MSci level study 
 

Year P

Optional placement year | Find out more about the Aston placement year.

Year 3

Modules

•    Product Design Final Year Project 
•    Advanced Design Management and Innovation
•    Enterprise Creation
•    Creating and Leading Effective Teams
•    Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Final Year 

Modules 

•    Enterprise Management and Growth
•    High Performance Teams
•    Corporate Social Responsibility Challenge

 

International students


Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey.

We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes. 

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Entry requirements

Typical offers:

A Levels
  • BBC including a science or technical subject
     
  • BCC including a science or technical subject (with an EPQ or Core Maths at grade B)
     
  • CCC including a science or technical subject (contextual offer applicants*)

Science and technical subjects accepted include: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Design Technology. Engineering Science and Electronics.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

BTEC
  • Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering types): DDM
     
  • Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
     
  • National Diploma and Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering types): DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
     
  • Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction plus an A-Level in any subject grade C OR achieve overall grade Distinction plus a BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert in any subject at grade Merit
     
  • Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering types): DM plus 2 A-levels at minimum grade B
     
  • Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-levels at minimum grade B including a science or technical subject
     
  • National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering types): M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B
     
  • National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B including a science or technical subject
     
  • Certificate/National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted
IB
  • 29 overall points with 5, 5, 4 in Higher Level subjects including a science or technical subject at level 5.
Access & other

Access to HE

Subject related Access (science or technical) with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at level 3.

Non-standard qualifications

Degree: 

  • Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
     
  • Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme.
    Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
     
  • Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
T Levels

The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D

Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D

Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D

Onsite Construction Grade D

Digital Business Services Grade D

Digital Support Services Grade D

Health Grade D

Healthcare Science Grade D

Science Grade D

Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D

Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control Grade D

Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE English Language/Literature and Mathematics at grade C/4 and above.

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

Learning, teaching and assessment

We make extensive use of case studies and projects, many of which are team-based and simulate product development in the working world. You will undertake individual and group projects throughout your studies and there are opportunities to undertake projects that have industrial partners, all of which helps to prepare you for working life.

As a Design, Enterprise and Innovation student at Aston, you will experience our innovative approach to teaching, which combines lectures, tutorials, coaching, labs and directed study. Additional lectures and seminars will be provided by specialists from industry to support your learning.

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework, case studies, design projects and in-class tests. At Enterprise Development stage (Years 3 and 4), all of the assessments are authentic, practical and developmental, allowing you to demonstrate what you have achieved without having to endure the stress of revision.

Fees and scholarships

UK/EU students (2024/25)

Annual tuition fees: £9,250

During placement year: £1,250

International students (2024/25)

Annual tuition fees: £20,650*

During placement year: £2,500

More information

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

Career prospects

This course will provide you with the theoretical knowledge of product design and development, business and entrepreneurship as well as develop your skills to apply this to real-world situations, beneficial to a broad range of career paths in product development and business.

You will develop specialist skills in product design and development, transferable entrepreneurial understanding and experiences in establishing your own enterprise that support not only your own but other organisations which all recognise innovation, creativity and problem-solving.

Typical career paths may include product design leadership, CEO of your own enterprise, product development/design consultant among others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study Design, Enterprise and Innovation at Aston?

This is a new, exciting course that will help you to develop your product design skills alongside a firm grounding in the application of product development in a fast-paced business environment. Give your ideas, innovation and design skills the relevant commercial edge that could help you realise a career path in product design leadership or entrepreneurial roles for major companies or even your own start-up.  

Why would I take a year in industry?

You could graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree, Masters’ and one year of work experience through a placement year in just five years.  
Applying product design theory and specialist skills to a working environment requires a breadth of skills to influence decision-making and other aspects of enterprise that impact on design and innovation. What better way to develop these skills and ready yourself for your career once you graduate? 

Why Aston University Business School?

Aston University’s Business School is amongst the top 1% of business schools in the world to have triple accreditation, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rates us ‘Gold’ and we are first in the UK for ‘Value Added’, comparing our students’ entry grades with their final degree result, showing the quality of our teaching (Aston University, Guardian University Guide, 2020). All this means we really value your learning experience and the skills you develop and demonstrate as part of your course.  

Why should international students choose Aston University? 

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.
 
Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. 

Chat with Current Students

 
Register your interest
Register your interest form