Year In Digital Design
Are you keen to learn the tech and design skills that will enable new career opportunities? The Year in Digital Design will give you a strong foundation in creative problem-solving, user-centred design, and in a range of tech skills.
How does a Year in Digital Design fit into my degree?
You can take the Year in Digital Design either between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of your degree or at the end of Stage 3.
The Year in Digital Design is a great opportunity to develop your understanding of content creation and user experience design and gain skills that will help you stand out to potential future employers.
Students who successfully complete the Digital Design year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year In Digital Design'. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Digital Design, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
How to apply
To apply, please email progadmin@kent.ac.uk giving your student number.
Application deadlines
- For current stage 3 students - applications close 26 March 2027 (students with a visa should check eligibility)
- For current stage 2 students - applications close 30 July 2027
Please note that if you are in your final year, there is an earlier deadline to enable graduation. It is important to apply as soon as possible.
With changes to student funding, anyone who starts their programme from 2027 will be able to take a Year In after Stage 3 only.
Do you have any questions?
For more information, please see our FAQs or contact:
- Rocio von Jungenfeld (Course Lead)
- Programme Administration
Am I eligible?
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of their degree
- averaging 50% or above in their current stage
Students are not eligible if they are:
- studying towards a BSc in Digital Design.
If your degree is accredited by a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Digital Design.
About the course
You’ll create 3D and digital content and discover how to create immersive and interactive user experiences, applying design thinking. The course blends hands-on projects with the theory behind them. You won’t just talk about ideas, you’ll actually design and build them! Our Industrial Panel endorses the processes, software, and technology we teach, aligning with industry trends to give you an edge in today’s digital-first job market.
Modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
Watch our video
Our students at work
Our video gives you some examples of the type of work our final year BSc Digital Design students produce. With a Year In Digital Design you’ll start to grow both your design and technical skills, so you can turn your ideas into impressive content.
FAQs
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of their degree
- averaging 50% or above in their current stage (at the time of application).
Students are not eligible if they are:
- studying towards a BSc in Digital Design.
If your degree is accredited by a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Digital Design.
Students who successfully complete the Digital Design year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year in Digital Design’. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Digital Design, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
Your degree classification will depend on your main degree subject and not the Year in Digital Design which is a pass/fail year. If you pass the year, you will get ‘with a Year in Digital Design’ added to your degree title. If you fail, you will drop back to your current degree. You do not risk your current degree classification by doing the year. Please talk to staff in your home School about whether adding a Year in Digital Design will affect your accreditation or not.
The Year in Digital Design should be viewed simply as an additional year of study, making a three-year degree into a four-year degree. If you pay your own tuition fees, then you will have to pay for an extra year. For those eligible, student loans should normally be available for all four years. However it is your responsibility to check with the Loan Authority that they will continue to give you financial support on the new programme.
International students wishing to add the Year in Digital Design course will be approved on a case by case basis in accordance with UK immigration regulations and the University’s Student (Tier 4) policy on Academic Progression and Change of Course. You also need to be aware that you may need to return home overseas to apply for a new visa to add the year to your degree.
Due to the practical nature of the subject, all modules in the Year in Digital Design are assessed via coursework. Deadlines are spaced throughout the module.
Digital design skills are valuable in tech, automotive, and medical fields, making this programme also relevant to STEM students and beyond. With tech and the creative industries constantly evolving, this course sets you up with the confidence and well-rounded skills employers want.
Unfortunately not. The programme is only open to current Kent undergraduates, not Master’s or PhD students.
If you are interested in our postgraduate offer, please see our MSc in Digital Arts (by Research) or our PhD in Digital Arts.