BS Product Design at University of Kentucky

Programme overview

Product design is a strategic problem-solving process that drives innovation, builds business success, and leads to a better quality of life through innovative products, systems, services, and experiences. It combines aesthetics with the utility of objects. Values, ideals, and aspirations of a culture are expressed through material objects, systems and now digital footprints; these become imperative to understanding our current circumstance and to inventing our future.

Faculty: College of Design | Duration: 120 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

The Bachelor of Science in Product Design program focuses on the creative and technical processes involved in developing innovative, functional, and user-centered products. Students explore areas such as design thinking, materials and manufacturing, digital modeling, user experience, and sustainable design practices. The curriculum blends artistic vision with engineering principles and hands-on prototyping, preparing students to design products that are both aesthetically engaging and practically effective.

Career pathways

Vehicle / Automotive Design Medical Product Design

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University/college-level requirements (not programme-specific): official high school transcript with pre-college curriculum; ACT or SAT optional (test-optional admission). Applies to admission to College of Design. Programme-specific requirements: Once you select Product Design as your undergraduate major (either in Common App or UK application), a secondary application will appear. The secondary application consists of: A written essay. In 500 words or less, tell us about your goals for studying Product Design at UK and articulate why you believe this is the right program for you. We want to know how you describe design and your aspirations for your education. A photo essay. How do you notice and describe existing “good designs” in the world around you? In five self-authored photographs, show us what you see that qualifies — for you — as good design and explain why. A portfolio. This portion of the application gives us a glimpse into the creative activities in which you’re already involved and is a chance to show us not only your existing skills but also what excites you about your various interests. The link to upload with portfolio and photo essay will be emailed to students within 24 hours after they submit their application.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry term: Fall 2027 (applications open August 1). Transfer entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

UK is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year; most freshman applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

First-year applicants for Fall 2027: Early Action deadline December 1 (recommended for Lewis Honors College and competitive and academic scholarships); Regular Decision deadline February 15. Application fee is $50 for domestic and $60 for international applicants. Apply with the UK application or the Common App.

Transfer applicants: application deadlines are August 1 for Fall (scholarship deadline June 15), November 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer. The application fee is $50, waived for applications fully submitted on listed Transfer Tuesday dates.

Graduate applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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