Some of the most employable design graduates in the UK come from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), according to a survey of industry experts.
DMU design students are based in the landmark Vijay Patel building
The British Industrial Design Association (BIDA), a non-profit organisation committed to improving creative skills and knowledge, invited its industry to select up to five universities which their experience suggests produce the most employable graduates for industrial design roles.
Specialising in Product Design BA, Product Design BSc, and Product and Furniture Design BA, DMU was ranked in the top three out of 56 universities by 206 survey respondents, confirming the value placed on a strong curriculum, good work placement schemes and longstanding industry networks.
DMU has excellent links with the design and manufacturing industries with a significant proportion of its product design students undertaking valuable work placements as part of their studies, at companies such as Cambridge Consultants, Marshalls, Bluefrog and Xeros.
Its alumni are employed across the world and include senior designers and specialists at Aston Martin, Bethan Gray, Frog Design and Jaguar Land Rover.
Specialist facilities enable students to craft and mould their ideas
Stuart Lawson, subject leader for DMU’s product and furniture design courses, said: “The result is a great endorsement of our approach in design products and a testament to the staff, particularly their ongoing partnership with our students and industry.
“We will continue to build on this success through live projects, placements, consultancy and a growing relationship with BIDA and the Institution of Engineering Designers.”
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BIDA - which promotes the benefits of good design education and practice to business, government and its agencies - is currently conducting a nationwide series of visits to design courses.
'Transparent' workshop areas inspire students to share their creativity
It is pairing BIDA members with universities keen to provide their students with extra industry expertise and insights through talks and advice sessions.
Steve May-Russell, BIDA’s Chairman, 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. Well done to our top 10!”
Results from the annual Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey reported that 96.7% of DMU graduates from summer 2016 were in work or further study six months after graduating – above the national average of 94.3%.
Posted on Tuesday 15 August 2017