Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) User Centred Design (2017, 2018 and 2019 Entry)

Academic Year: 2020/21

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Loughborough Design School - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BSc (Hons)/ BSc (Hons) + DPS/DIntS
Programme title User Centred Design
Programme code DSUB11
Length of programme The duration of the programme is either six semesters, or eight semesters if students pursue a year’s exchange and/or placement in industry between Parts B and C with the objective of achieving a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or Diploma in International Studies (DIntS).
UCAS code W200, W201
Admissions criteria

BSc DPS/DIntS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/w201

BSc - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/w200

Date at which the programme specification was published Thu, 03 Sep 2020 18:28:56 BST

1. Programme Aims

This programme specialises in understanding and accommodating the motivations, desires and capabilities of users, in all their forms, in the development of innovative products, services and systems. The emphasis of the programme targets design research evidenced based reasoning, and a range of human-centred methods to inform the design process. Students on this course will develop appropriate prototypes specifically designed to test and understand human performance and to inform the design of systems, services and interactive products.

In particular the curriculum aims to;

  • Advance the understanding of designing with particular attention to human factors;
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop skills, values and attributes, and to acquire knowledge and understanding, relevant to user centred product development;
  • Develop a range of conceptual, practical and professional skills that reflects a synthesis of product design and ergonomics;
  • Develop and foster imaginative, creative and scientific abilities, both individually and in teams;
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop and apply appropriate methods to identify user needs, motivations and abilities and critically evaluate products that require human interaction;
  • Develop effective communication skills, including those required for verbal, visual and technical presentation;
  • Promote an understanding of, and examine the opportunities for, professional practice.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

 The Quality Assurance Agency’s framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (August, 2008);

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to understand: 

K1 - design methodology, the context of design activity, and the role of the designer within professional practice 

K2 - the synergy of design and people 

K3 - a user centred approach to design 

K4 - human needs, variability, capability and limitations 

K5 - anatomical, physiological and psychological aspects of humans to inform design practice 

K6 - the principles and practice of user research and its current limits 

K7 - 2d and 3d modelling and communication in both analogue and digital media and their role within design 

K8 - experimental design, data processing and presentation

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1 - demonstrate evidence based reasoning and make critical judgements about arguments in ergonomics and design 

C2 - develop design ideas, as an individual and also as part of a group 

C3 - identify suitable user centred techniques and the appropriate stages where they may be used to support the design process 

C4 – evaluate and interpret quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design 

C5 - analyse human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology 

C6 - understand the ethical, cultural and legal contexts of working with and for people 

C7 - understand the selection and application of appropriate visualisation and communication techniques to support design activity

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1 - design appropriate evaluations, process quantitative and qualitative data and apply findings in an iterative design process 

P2 - employ user research techniques to support design activity; 

P3 - communicate quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design 

P4 – apply a user centred design process in response to a brief, to produce appropriate design solutions 

P5 - measure human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology 

P6 - apply a range of 2d and 3d modelling and presentation techniques in both analogue and digital forms to support design activity

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

G1 - use creativity and innovation in problem solving 

G2 - apply their skills and understanding in professional practice 

G3 – evaluate and reflect upon and present ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms 

G4 - interact effectively with others, working as a member of a small group or team 

G5 – responsibly manage self-learning including efficient time management and the ability to meet deadlines 

G6 - identify, retrieve and analyse information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue 

G7 - demonstrate competence with information technology, using a range of different software tools 

G8 - demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge gained in one area to a cognate problem in another area

4. Programme structure

4. Programme structure 

4.1          Part A - Introductory Modules 

In the following tables, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module 

 

Code

 

Module title

 

Modular weight

 

Semester

 

Compulsory or Optional

DSA200

Year 1 Design Practice

40

1+2

C

DSA201

Design Research & Professional Practice 1

20

1+2

C

DSA202

Prototyping for Evaluation

20

1+2

C

DSA203

User Centred Design

10

1+2

C

DSA204

Understanding Users - Physical

10

1

C

DSA205

Understanding Users - Cognitive

10

2

C

DSA206

The Environment of Use

10

1+2

C

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules in Semester 2 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 100)

  

4.2          Part B - Degree Modules 

 

Code

 

Module title

 

Modular weight

 

Semester

 

Compulsory or Optional

DSB200

User Centred Design Practice 2

30

1+2

C

DSB101

Design Research for Practice

10

1

C

DSB201

Experimental Design Research

10

2

C

DSB014

Design Communication

20

1+2

C

DSB022

User Experience Design

20

2

C

DSB203

Virtual Product Evaluation

10

1+2

C

DSB204

Designing for Emotion

10

1

C

DSB205

Systems & Service Design

10

1

C

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 30)

Compulsory modules in Semester 2 (total modular weight 30)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 60) 

 

4.3          Part I – Placement (8 semester programme only) 

Candidates on degree programme User Centred Design with the Diploma in Professional Studies will undertake industrial/professional training.

 

Part I – Overseas Study / Placement (8 semester programme only) 

Candidates on degree programme User Centred Design with the Diploma in International Studies will undertake industrial/professional training for half the year and will study at one of the Design School’s approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year. 

 

4.4          Part C - Degree Modules 

 

Code

 

Module title

 

Modular weight

 

Semester

 

Compulsory or Optional

DSC028

Final Year User Centred Design Practice: Development

30

1

C

DSC201

Inclusive Design

30

1

C

DSC005

Live Projects

10

1+2

C

DSC029

Final Year User Centred Design Practice:Prototyping & Evaluation

 30  2  C*
  Final Year User Centred Design Practice:Research & Evaluation   30  2  C*

DSC013

Sustainable Design

20

2

O

DSC021

Design Research

20

2

O

DSC122

Product Failure & Legal Aspects to Design

20

2

O

DSC123

Vehicle Safety by Design

20

2

O

DSC124

Design for 3D Printing

20

2

0

DSC203

Advanced Environmental Interaction

20

2

O

DSC204

Human Factors for Intelligent Systems

20

2

O

*Students must select from either DSC029 or DSC030 depending upon the nature of their DSC028 Final Year User Centred Design Practice: Product 1 module.

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 (total modular weight 60)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules across Semester 2 (total modular weight 30)

Optional modules across Semester 2 (total modular weight 20)

 

 

 

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

 

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits including Prototyping for Evaluation (DSA202).

 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark

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