Furniture Design and Make

About this programme

This foundation degree in Furniture Design and Make has been developed by Oxford Brookes University and City of Oxford College, where the course is delivered. It is linked closely with the furniture industry and aims to inspire creativity in design and excellence in craftsmanship through work related study. Situated in the Rycotewood Furniture Centre, our students develop skills as creative thinkers and makers who innovate furniture craft through the exploration of materials and skills. This programme balances design, craft and theory to nurture furniture designers and makers of excellent ability. Students can progress to employment or further study with a broad understanding of the processes involved in the design and craft of furniture. To find out more about what it is like to study at an Oxford Brookes partner college, visit our partnership course pages . We are Top 10 in the UK: FdA Furniture Design and Make is ranked 3rd in the Guardian Graphic Design subject league ranking 2025. Year one introduces you to a wide range of practical skills, crafts, theories and issues within furniture design and make including graphic communications and visual language through the use of CAD programmes and case studies, craft skills including hand and machine processes progressing to the manufacturing processes used in batch production and theoretical issues relating to manufacturing and material culture. Year two focuses on the development of skills and issues introduced in year one. You will be encouraged to explore a wide range of materials and processes in the design and develo