Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation
Online, United Kingdom
Diploma
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,544 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
About: This Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation at The Open University develops creative design thinking to solve everyday problems. Modules use online design studios, social networking, printed and digital materials, practical work and complementary subjects. You’ll use specialist software, produce drawings, work in groups and build a portfolio. Study modes are part-time 4 years, full-time 2 years; time limit 12 years.
Career Outcomes: You’ll learn to apply and manage design processes, generate ideas and represent proposals visually. They suit roles such as product designer, design assistant, UX designer, design project coordinator and support further study and employability.
This general design diploma focuses on developing creative design thinking to address problems in every aspect of life. The design modules feature online design studios, social networking and inspiring study materials alongside a practical component. As well as design, you’ll study modules in complementary subjects to gain skills and knowledge in an area that fits your needs and interests.
Key features
- Teaches you about different design specialisms
- Focuses on the process and application design and innovation in real-world contexts
- Puts your learning into practice, building a portfolio of design work to show your ideas and skills
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- Studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- Using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques or working with specialist reading material such as works of art and musical manuscripts
- Working in a group with other students
- Using and producing drawings and screenshots
- Undertaking practical work
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Using specialist software and interfaces
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 4 years
- Full-time study - 2 years
- Time limit - 12 years
This diploma of higher education has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules in a complementary subject.
- In Stage 2, you’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules.
- We’ve created themes to guide you and help you choose your 120 credits of option modules.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
- Design Thinking: Creativity for the 21st Century (U101)
You'll choose 60 credits from:
- An Introduction to Business and Management (B100)
- Cultures (A112)
- Discovering the Arts and Humanities (A111)
- Encountering Psychology in Context (D120)
- Engineering: Origins, Methods, Context (T192)
- Engineering: Frameworks, Analysis, Production (T193)
- Environment: Journeys Through a Changing World (U116)
- Global Challenges: Social Science in Action (D113)
- Introducing Health and Social Care (K102)
- Introducing the Social Sciences (DD102)
- Introduction to Computing and Information Technology 1 (TM111)
- Introduction to Computing and Information Technology 2 (TM112)
- Introduction to Sport and Fitness (E117)
- Revolutions (A113)
- Science and Health: An Evidence-Based Approach (SDK100)
- Young Children's Play and Creativity (E110)
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
- Design Essentials (T217)
You'll choose 60 credits from:
- Art and Life Before 1800 (A237)
- Art and Visual Cultures in the Modern World (A236)
- Core Engineering A (T271)
- Creative Writing (A215)
- Critical Ideas in Wellbeing and Public Health (K212)
- Developing Leadership (B208)
- Energy and Sustainability (T213)
- Environment and Society (DD213)
- Environment: Sharing a Dynamic Planet (DST206)
- Environmental Management: Systems and Sustainability (T220)
- Environmental Science (S206)
- Exploring Childhood and Youth (E232)
- Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship (B205)
- Introducing Global Development: Poverty, Inequality, Sustainability (D229)
- Music, Sound and Technology (A232)
- Object-Oriented Java Programming (M250)
- Psychology of Childhood and Youth (E219)
- Shaping Business Opportunities (B207)
- Sport and Exercise Psychology in Action (E235)
- Understanding Digital Societies (DD218)
- Understanding Music (A234)
- Web Technologies (TM252)
Themes
We’ve created themes to help you choose your 120 credits of options modules.
- Culture and aesthetics
- Energy/Engineering
- Environment
- Health and wellbeing
- Interfaces and interaction
- Management
- Society
- Sustainability
Culture and Aesthetics
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
- Cultures (A112)
- Discovering the Arts and Humanities (A111)
- Revolutions (A113)
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
- Art and Life Before 1800 (A237)
- Art and Visual Cultures in the Modern World (A236)
- Creative Writing (A215)
- Music, Sound and Technology (A232)
Energy/Engineering
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
- Engineering: Origins, Methods, Context (T192)
- Engineering: Frameworks, Analysis, Production (T193)
Stage 2
You'll study the following:
- Core Engineering A (T271)
You'll choose one from:
- Energy and Sustainability (T213)
- Environmental Management: Systems and Sustainability (T220)
Environment
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
- Environment: Journeys Through a Changing World (U116)
Stage 2
You'll choose 60 credits from:
- Energy and Sustainability (T213)
- Environment: Sharing a Dynamic Planet (DST206)
- Environmental Management: Systems and Sustainability (T220)
- Environmental Science (S206)
Health and Wellbeing
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
- Encountering Psychology in Context (D120)
- Introducing Health and Social Care (K102)
- Introduction to Sport and Fitness (E117)
- Science and Health: An Evidence-Based Approach (SDK100)
- Young Children's Play and Creativity (E110)
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
- Critical Ideas in Wellbeing and Public Health (K212)
- Exploring Childhood and Youth (E232)
- Psychology of Childhood and Youth (E219)
- Sport and Exercise Psychology in Action (E235)
Interfaces and Interaction
Stage 1
You'll study both of the following:
- Introduction to Computing and Information Technology 1 (TM111)
- Introduction to Computing and Information Technology 2 (TM112)
Stage 2
You'll study both of the following:
- Object-Oriented Java Programming (M250)
- Web Technologies (TM252)
Management
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
- An Introduction to Business and Management (B100)
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
- Developing Leadership (B208)
- Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship (B205)
- Shaping Business Opportunities (B207)
Society
Stage 1
You'll choose one from:
- Global Challenges: Social Science in Action (D113)
- Introducing the Social Sciences (DD102)
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
- Environment and Society (DD213)
- Understanding Digital Societies (DD218)
Sustainability
Stage 1
You'll study the following:
- Environment: Journeys Through a Changing World (U116)
Stage 2
You'll choose one from:
- Environment and Society (DD213)
- Environment: Sharing a Dynamic Planet (DST206)
- Introducing Global Development: Poverty, Inequality, Sustainability (D229) – Planned for October 2024
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this Diploma, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
- Understand the factors that drive the development of designs and the progression of the design process from conceptual to detailed design
- Know about and appreciate, the global context of design and designing
- Understand the characteristics of design thinking and its application to a range of contexts
- Know about and draw upon the historical, cultural and technical foundations of design and innovation in a range of discipline areas
Cognitive skills
On completion of this Diploma, you will be able to:
- Recognise various aspects of the design process using relevant concepts
- Analyse design solutions in terms of their form and function and the materials and processes used to create them
- Able to research methods and strategies and use them appropriately to think in creative, analytic and reflective ways when discussing design problems and solutions
- Able to explore and critique the work of other practitioners
- Appreciate the aesthetic and ethical impacts of design
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this Diploma, you will be able to:
- Able to move from abstract concepts to detailed design
- Make models to develop and communicate design ideas and apply methods and tools used by professional designers
- Be able to engage in debate around design problems and solutions
- Able to produce a portfolio of work that shows self-directed project work
Key skills
On completion of this Diploma, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
- Conceptualise and develop design ideas through drawing and modelling and use 2D and 3D representations in the conception, development and communication of designs
- Respond to critical comments and feedback from others
- Be independent and self-motivated, and manage your workload to meet deadlines
- Make appropriate use of online environments and tools in the development of design
Skills for career development
This diploma aims to broaden your design thinking and develop design skills around your particular interests. You’ll develop your understanding of the processes, principles and issues involved in designing and producing new products, and the issues and challenges associated with designing. You’ll gain skills in applying and managing design processes and generate design ideas, concepts, proposals or solutions in response to set briefs to develop a small portfolio of work.
Career relevance
The skills gained through this diploma are relevant to a wide range of careers. The ability to use design thinking in a range of contexts is particularly valued by employers and you’ll also develop skills in representing your ideas to communicate them.
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.