The BA (Hons) Product, Furniture, Ceramics course at the University of Staffordshire is an award-winning programme that offers industry projects, creative collaboration and placement opportunities.

Design is at its most powerful when ideas are brought to life, when curiosity, creativity and craftsmanship come together to shape the objects that define how we live.

Our award winning BA (Hons) Product, Furniture, Ceramics course at the University of Staffordshire invites you to become part of that process: to explore, experiment and make, while developing the skills to design innovative, contemporary products that respond to real users, real challenges and a rapidly changing world.

The course enables students to design and make innovative, contemporary products to high levels of craftsmanship using a diverse range of materials, processes and practical skills.

The students focus on user experience and explore sustainable design, new technology and smart materials in our unique product, furniture and ceramics course.

Learning from our team of expert academics in our dedicated design studio, you will develop a broad set of design and making skills, and apply your skills through live projects with world-renowned brands, building a portfolio of innovative and exciting work.

In the third year, you can choose to specialise in one of the disciplines, tailoring your projects to your target career, whether you want to be a product designer, ceramicist, furniture maker or entrepreneurial designer-maker.

Our course is taught by leading academics with current industry experience in design and manufacturing, who will be at your side throughout your journey to provide you with the knowledge, skills and support you need to take the first step to a successful career in product, furniture and ceramics.

Our students have won prestigious national and international awards, including the Tom Faulkner award for Distinct Furniture and Craftsmanship, New Designers Best Stand, The M&S Homeware Award, Pentland Brands Award, Sainsbury's Homeware Award, Formica Award for Excellence and consecutive year on year first, second and third prize for excellence from both Valentine Clays and Potclays.

Students work on real-live projects with global leading brands that include Vitra, Wedgwood, Habitat, M&S Home, Tom Faulkner furniture ltd, SCP, Kevala ceramics, KEF and Robert Welch.

Students have also won multiple Keith Brymer Jones 'promising young designer' awards, Franz Rising Star Global Scholarships and the GNCCF 'Best Maker' awards.

Students have had their work realised by KEF, Royal Doulton and Wedgwood, as well as being BCB Show 'highlights' at the British Ceramics Biennials.

You will get the chance to visit leading design studios, manufacturers and exhibitions both in the UK and internationally on our vibrant educational visits, to places like New York, Copenhagen, Milan and London.

A number of modules are industry-sponsored, with free materials for students, prizes and placement opportunities.

School: University of Staffordshire
Course: BA (Hons) Product, Furniture, Ceramics
Type: Undergraduate
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Course dates: September 2026 to 2029 or September 2026 to 2030 with one year placement
Application deadline: continuous enrolment

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Creative, technical and professional skills that combine design thinking with hands-on making
– Generate innovative design concepts
– User experience
– Apply creative problem-solving to contemporary design challenges
– High-level craftsmanship and development, making, prototyping and material exploration skills across product, furniture and ceramics disciplines
– Build knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, new technologies, smart materials and sustainable design approaches
– Professional skills in collaboration, communication, project management and portfolio development

What are the requirements?

– 96 UCAS Tariff Points and a creative portfolio

What facilities and resources are available?

– Collaborative design studio spaces and specialist workshops
– Study visits, exhibitions and exchange opportunities

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Product, Furniture, Ceramics course are well prepared for careers across the design, craft and manufacturing industries. Students develop the creative, technical and professional skills needed to work as product designers, furniture designers, ceramicists, or designer-makers, as well as in related roles within product development, manufacturing, and creative industries.

Through live projects with leading brands and a strong focus on portfolio development, students graduate with industry-relevant experience and a body of innovative work to support employment opportunities.

Some graduates go on to work for established design studios and global brands, while others pursue entrepreneurial careers, establishing their own design practices or craft businesses.

The broad range of skills developed in the course also supports opportunities in areas such as sustainable design, materials innovation, exhibition design and creative consultancy.

Who teaches this course?

– Dan Lewis, course director
– Keeley Marshall, senior lecturer
– Nigel Turner, senior lecturer
– Richard Gilmartin, lecturer
– Aidan Donovan, associate lecturer

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