Bachelor of Arts in Product Design (with Placement Year)

at Middlesex University London United Kingdom

In our ever-shrinking world, the need for different nations and peoples to co-exist presents both challenges and opportunities. By understanding these, you give yourself a greater chance of thriving in the international arena. For future-thinking students with an eye on a career in diplomacy, international public service, international affairs or international commerce, an MA International Relations degree from Middlesex University is an important stepping-stone.    

This degree is ideal for those looking to broaden their skill set. Our London location attracts students from all across the world, which provides a natural environment for sharing national perspectives and cultural beliefs.

Course Highlights

• Enjoy academic-led field trips to some of London's most important global organisations, such as the UN's International Maritime Organization. Field trips will be offered in line with current Covid 19 social distancing guidelines.
• Work among a diverse student body that provides a natural environment for varied insight and discussion
• Eligible students can gain experience on an internship abroad with major international non-governmental organisations.
• Due to the evolving Covid 19 situation work placements in the UK or abroad may not be available or advisable. Please contact your Programme Leader for advice if considering any Work Placement before taking the matter further.

The Foundation Year in Economics is taught by the same lecturing staff who teach on our degree courses and you are taught in small group seminars, workshops and lectures. You will be able to develop transferable skills in business, communication and problem-solving.

BSc Business Economics

Businesses rely on effective accounting to succeed – which is why our BSc Business Economics gives you the skills, networks and experience you need to make an impact in the global business environment. Our business accounting course helps you develop the knowledge, expertise and skills that directly apply to companies across all sectors of the global business environment.

Computer Systems Engineering gives you the specialist skills, knowledge and hands-on experience you need to achieve your career ambitions. In today’s technically advancing world, improvements in electronics, computing and communications has a significant impact on every aspect of our modern lives. With our programme, you will gain the skills necessary to design the computer systems that shape the way we live.

This programme combines Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, by introducing you to the design, implementation and maintenance of software and hardware components of modern computing systems as well as networks of intelligent devices.

The course content reflects the importance of developments in the area of computer systems engineering, by providing a strong foundation in science, technology and application development, principles, and the development of practical skills in key areas needed by the industry.

The programme focuses on

• Theoretical knowledge skills, provided by a solid background into the theories and principles of computing, mathematics, science and engineering
• Building practical skills by applying these theories and principles in solving real-world technical engineering problems that reflect industry-practice
• Engaging students in the process of learning through various practical project-led learning activities that will stimulate their creativity and the development of leadership, project management, decision making, communication, team working, and critical thinking skills

To study criminology is to embark on a fascinating journey exploring the problem of crime. Learn about its causes and consequences, and investigating how society does and should respond to criminal behaviour in all its forms.
This degree provides an in-depth exploration of crime, criminals, victims and interaction with the Criminal Justice System. It's been designed for those who have an interest in how society responds to deviant behaviour and challenges the concept of social deviancy.

You'll focus on the theoretical concepts and approaches in criminology and their application to contemporary life through studying the impact of social divisions in minorities based on their experiences, interpretations, and representations of crime and criminal justice.

You'll be taught by staff currently involved in researching key issues related to crime and justice, and the findings of their research will influence your learning and research skills. As such, you'll learn to understand the factors that influence criminological research, policy and practice, and learn the fundamental skills of research and analysis.

Develop your understanding of criminology in action
This course is ideal if you're interested in how society responds to criminal behaviour and the challenges that this provides. Blending theory with practice, you’ll develop your knowledge by exploring key issues related to crime and justice before testing that knowledge through placements (when possible) within criminology-focused organisations and projects.

This blended programme gives you the opportunity to pick from a wide range of options, enabling you to choose the areas you are particularly interested in or align with your career goals.

Your degree will focus on key elements of criminology and sociology including crime and control, social sciences, justice and punishment, and forensic skills. The course offers visits (when possible) to criminal justice organisations, courts and prisons*, as well as industry leading guest speakers to give you a well-rounded and practice-based course that will propel you into your chosen career.

Our practice and research-based course will challenge you to explore, question and evolve as a photographer. The course provides you with a creative and energetic working environment in which to produce a major photographic project using some of the best traditional and state-of-the-art facilities in the UK, encouraged and supported by world-class academic and technical staff.

At Middlesex, our practice-led approach to photography ensures you spend your postgraduate studies fully immersed in both making work and thinking about its connections with wider photographic discourse. Through a series of photographic projects, or a single large project, you will experiment with both new and traditional photography and whether behind a camera, in post-production or reflecting critically on your practice, you will be thoroughly supported by a staff team of research-active, photography practitioners. Access to diverse range of professional photographers, guest lecturers and technical advisers, will further enhance both your knowledge and skills of photography, as well as your exposure to the wider industry.

Online delivery and technical support will allow you to continue to produce industry-standard digital work in addition to the hands-on experience that you will gain through access to high quality resources in our dedicated art and design building. With Apple Macintosh Pro workstations, A2 Epson printers, Hasselblad film scanners, studios, as well as a range of darkrooms including colour, black and white, and digital, you'll have everything you need to push yourself to your full potential and take the next step towards a stimulating and successful career.

Course Highlights

• Masterclasses and workshops from high-profile speakers such as Rhiannon Adam, Adrian Bradshaw, Rachael Burns, Julian Calder, Brian Harris, Cheryl Newman, Martin Parr, Kate Peters, Ingrid Pollard, Simon Roberts, Nicola Shipley and Jem Southam
• Access to some of London's best photography resources, including the V&A Print and Drawing Study Room.
• Explore subjects through photography (and possibly video), with development of skills across Adobe Creative Cloud
• Strong focus on professional presentation skills, in both digital and print form
• Access to networking opportunities and world-leading research and expertise.

Cellular pathology is the study of structural and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs that underlie disease. It is a dynamic, fast-evolving specialism which saves many lives by providing rational clinical care and therapy in the fight against many serious diseases, particularly cancer.

This course has a strong practical element, with an emphasis on developing the skills needed in a laboratory and gaining hands-on experience of diagnostic techniques. You will be able to study and learn within the University's specialist laboratories which include a modern, well-equipped cell culture facility and fully-equipped proteomics facilities. You'll also learn to use cutting-edge techniques and equipment for cellular and molecular analysis, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers and flow cytometers, DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, electrophoresis and HPLC.

The Biomedical Science courses at Middlesex have a burgeoning international reputation and the University's strong links with London hospitals and NHS Laboratories ensures that you will be studying the latest developments, practices and research. Our Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology has pioneered techniques for cancer diagnosis and treatment, including our breakthrough in the development of a vaccine for bladder cancer.

Course Highlights

• All our teaching staff are involved in research and many are pioneers in their own field
• The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
• Our location gives you easy access to the British Library, the Science Museum, the Royal Institution and more
• Our flexible timetable means you'll only spend two days a week at university if you're studying full-time, or one if you're part-time
• As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

You enrol on a four-year course, which includes the one-year foundation course. If you complete this year successfully you progress directly onto one of our three-year degree courses in these subject areas. The number of students who progress to degree study are very high - in fact some of these students have gone on to become some of our most successful graduates.

BA Sociology with Criminology

Our Sociology with Criminology degree is designed to give you a grounding in sociological and criminological thinking, research methods and key skills to articulate new and emerging social and criminological issues. You'll focus on how society responds to crime, its causes and consequences, and investigating how we do and should respond to criminal behaviour in all its forms.

Combining theory with active learning in a studio environment, our 3D animation course gives you the practical skills needed to start your career in the animation or games industry.

3D Animation is the future

With more than 2000 active games and animation studios in the UK, has there ever been a better time to enter the British gaming industry and take part in a game design course? As part of our 3D design course module you'll gain the knowledge and space to develop as an artist working with 3D software. You'll cover the key areas within the industry: character art, environment art, character animation, rendering and dynamics, virtual reality design, Z-Brush sculpting, 3D printing and a host of others. All this builds your confidence and equips you for a career in the industry.

A studio environment helps build your skills
You'll perfect your skills in a live studio environment working on the latest industry-standard software and techniques, mirroring exactly how animators and game designers work daily.

You'll learn through discussions, demonstrations, seminars, presentations and practical work, as well as intensive workshops combining individual and group work. All of these support you as you learn all about contemporary workflows in commercial animation and games studio pipelines.

Our studio facilities are second to none and you'll work on industry-standard software such as Maya and Z-Brush. The studio also hosts high-spec, overclocked workstations, 20 VR devices, a motion capture studio, green screen and a state-of-the-art 3D printing and scanning studio.

Take that first step towards an animation career

Our course also allows you to build your professional network - beyond your day-to-day learning, you’ll also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and masterclasses from animation professionals to interview them and learn more about their work. Previous lecturers have included Sydney Padua, senior animator on Clash of the Titans and Jungle Book, and Alex Robinson and Daniel Boyle of the award winning Treat studio. During your course, you’ll even have the chance to gain work experience in a studio, as you complete a four week live project responding to a brief set by industry practitioners that reflect the most emergent and contemporary practices in the industry.

You also get the support you need to succeed. From your Personal Tutor to your Graduate Academic Assistant, each one has studied your subject and will provide the support you need based on their own experience. If you need a little help with writing, numeracy or library skills, we can help with that too. We also offer support from specialised technicians with professional experience in your field. They support you in the studio and in workshops, as well as during your projects.

We have strong links with art and design employers to help you find the career of your dreams. Graduates have gone on to work with game studios like Rockstar and Cloud Imperium Games, as well as animation boutiques like Treat Studios and Blue Zoo. A degree in 3D animation and games is the first step for a career as an artist in the games and animation industries.

On our course you will develop as an artist working with 3D software. The course framework includes project based collaborations and integrated workshops that are designed to develop observational drawing and technological skills essential to 3D computer animation production and computer games. This interdisciplinary approach combines a critical arts education with specialist knowledge in 3D technology and workflows.

In the first year you will attend lectures and workshops in the fundamental principles of animation and storytelling, alongside intensive workshops in Environment and Character design, Virtual Reality design, Z-Brush sculpting and even 3-D printing.

The second year uses this interdisciplinary foundation to explore specialist workflows while retaining an experimental, playful and collaborative atmosphere. This includes a series of short intensive projects where you will be introduced to the latest industry standard techniques (e.g. modern asset workflows, Physically Based Shading, GPU Rendering, Dynamics). Briefs are studio orientated and supported by both your lecturers and specialist technical tutors. This practical curriculum is interwoven with lectures and seminars that address the historical and cultural background to animation, games and digital culture.

In the final year of study, students are given the opportunity to specialise in a wide variety of disciplines such as Character Art, Environment Art, Game Development, 3D Character Animation, Rigging, Lighting / Rendering and Concept Art . There is a strong focus on producing an outstanding portfolio of work, tailored to your individual strengths and artistic temperament.

With Journalism and creative writing course you don't have to pick between the two areas of interest. Our course offers the unique experience of combining both subjects, so you can develop your skills as a writer across different styles.

During the course, you'll cover everything you'll need to know about journalism – from shorthand to digital media. You'll also learn about the life of a journalist whether you want to write for a newspaper, magazine, or online platforms.

On the creative writing side, you'll learn how to critically examine different types of writing – our course gives you plenty of opportunities to experiment with language, styles and formats.

This course prepares you to enter the industry as a professional journalist or go on to work in all sorts of creative industries, from creative writing to comedy.

Develop your skills with our course
This course is ideal if you want to improve your skills as a writer and gain a theoretical foundation of best writing practices. You'll study all forms of writing, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as drama and screenwriting. You'll also take an in-depth look at the way journalism and writing industries are developing today.

Learning to communicate effectively, you'll learn essential journalism and creative writing skills such as narrative, character, and developing dialogue and conflict.

BA Creative Writing & Journalism will deliver virtual learning experience in 2020/21 to facilitate optimum learning in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The benefit of this approach is that you will develop additional skills that are much-needed in our fast-changing world, including:

• Ability to communicate digitally in professional contexts;
• Ability to present and pitch effectively using video-conferencing software;
• Ability to conduct efficient meetings and collaborate online;
• Skills in digital story and inspiration finding, research and interviewing
• Skills in digital and multi-platform content production and dissemination
• Skills in mobile journalism and sourcing third party content with legal and ethical considerations

The global fashion system is in flux as brands compete to reach new markets of sophisticated, interconnected consumers. This programme trains innovative thinkers and communicators to guide brands through the new fashion landscape and influence consumers. Focusing on communication research, you'll be equipped to critically engage with fashion brands from a global perspective.

Fashion Communication is a fast-moving and expanding field. This master's course will equip you for success in the industry by honing your critical and creative skills. We have a broad range of established fashion programmes so you can be confident that you'll be learning and studying within a vibrant and stimulating fashion student community.

You'll have access to state-of-the art industry-standard film, photography, print and media workshops; everything you need to support your development.

With our campus based in London, you'll benefit from our knowledge, expertise and connections with the fashion industry right on your doorstep.

This is a unique programme structure as your major individual master’s project is followed by a collaborative project to evaluate and share your work in chosen public settings, enhancing your employability skills.

Course Highlights

• Ongoing support through extensive contact time and personalised one-to-one sessions with your tutors
• Intensive workshop schedule including Masterclass sessions with industry professionals
• Group working to launch your career. Complete your Master’s project and then work collaboratively with your cohort to communicate your project to the widest possible audience
• Amazing studio and workshop facilities and tutors, and a big community of creative students across a broad range of disciplines