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Loughborough Design School

16 Aug 2017

Loughborough tops survey of the UK’s most employable design graduates

The BIDA graduate employability survey ranked Loughborough above Brunel, which came second, then De Montfort, Northumbria and University of the Arts Central St Martins, which were third, fourth and fifth respectively.

The survey looks at the value of the industry links between UK colleges and their placement schemes, as well as evaluating longstanding industry networks.

In total, more than 50 institutions were entered in the poll, including Nottingham Trent, Coventry, Ravensbourne, Sheffield Hallam, Bournemouth and Glasgow School of Art.

However, Loughborough and Brunel were clear winners sharing more than 40% of the votes.

Dean of the Design School Professor George Havenith said: “At Loughborough Design School we have been working hard over the years to ensure our courses deliver graduates with skills that are up to date in a constantly evolving market.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this survey, as it demonstrates our prowess as the UK’s leading design school.”

The Design School is based within a purpose built £21 million building at Loughborough University, which was opened in 2011.

Facilities include industry specification machinery, purpose built teaching areas and specialist laboratories provide a state-of-the-art learning and teaching environment, as well as:

  • Computer Aided Design/ Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
  • Engineering machine workshop
  • Rapid prototyping area - 3D printers
  • Metal fabrication workshop
  • Multi materials workshop
  • Electronics laboratory

BIDA (British Industrial Design Association) membership is a benchmark of expertise, creativity and best-practice for professional product, interaction and service designers.

It is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, run by an elected board of designers, which says it is "committed to improving creative skills and knowledge and advocating good design education and practice to business, government and its agencies". 

It is currently conducting a nationwide series of visits to design courses, pairing BIDA members with universities keen to provide their ID students with extra industry expertise and insights through talks and advice sessions. 

BIDA chairman Steve May-Russell said: “Our motivation is to raise awareness of the factors which distinguish the very best of UK design education to support the development of future generations of Industrial designers with the right skills.”

ENDS