Design Engineering BEng(Hons) with integrated foundation year

Course structure

You will explore fundamental mechanical engineering topics through a shared first year with our automotive, aeronautical and mechanical engineering courses. You’ll work in a group on a design project.

In your second year, you will deal with more specific engineering projects and situations. You will undertake a digital fabrication project.

After your second year, you may opt to put your studies into practice on a year-long industrial placement.

In your final year, you will apply your expertise to complex engineering problems based on real-world scenarios. And complete a significant individual project.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Foundation year 

On successful completion of the foundation year, you will transfer to the Design Engineering BEng(Hons) course.

Modules

• Core Mathematics
• Core Science
• Engineering Mathematics
• Engineering Science
• Mechanics and Geometry
• Foundation Year Project

Year 1

In your first year, you will be introduced to the principles of mechanical engineering and develop skills such as computer aided design (CAD). A major design project will combine knowledge gained in conceptual design, manufacturing and testing and put it into practice. 

Modules

• Engineering Mathematics

  In this module you will learn to apply mathematical concepts and software tools to solve engineering problems.

  On completion you will be able to use analytical techniques and software tools to solve simple algebraic problems, develop mathematical models of engineering systems, and apply an appropriate analytical method, or software tool to solve a mathematical model.

• Engineering Practice

  On this module you will develop your engineering skills using projects as the focus of your learning.

  You will work on group projects, applying engineering skills such as reflection, organisation, planning, design, communication and planning. Concepts across a range of engineering specialisms will be introduced as part of a problem-based approach.

• Mechanical Design

  This module introduces you to the principles of mechanical design and communicating engineering design intent. You will acquire skills in drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing software package such as SolidWorks, and basic concepts of mechanical design and machine components.

• Energy Systems

  This module will provide you with an introduction to energy production, conversion, storage, conservation and coupling. This will be achieved utilising basic applied concepts relating to fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer and engineering economics.

• Design Project

  In this module teams of engineers have the task of designing and manufacturing a functional product. Each team member has to apply a range of engineering skills and knowledge to realise the design. You will gain experience of working within a team, planning and managing the design project.

• Materials and Manufacture

  This module introduces you to materials and their properties, a range of manufacturing processes, and environmental considerations used to make components from various materials.

Year 2

You will explore various aspects of mechanical engineering such as engineering systems and dynamics and control. You will also work on group projects – a digital fabrication to produce a technically challenging electronic product, and designing and building a fighting robot.

Modules

• Design for Design Engineers
• Professional Practice in Design Engineering
• Science, Mathematics and Analysis in Design Engineering
• Wider Contexts for Design Engineering and Personal Development

Placement year

A placement year offers you a great opportunity to:  

• build knowledge of real-world businesses and organisations  
• develop existing skills and discover new ones  
• make contacts in industry and commerce  
• increase your confidence  
• improve your time management.  

Final year

You will undertake an individual project and have the flexibility to choose from option modules in areas of interest.

Modules

• Dynamics and Control
• Product Design
• Advanced Digital Fabrication Technologies
• Individual Project

Options*

• Manufacturing Systems
• Advanced Materials Engineering
• Renewable Technologies (PV and Biomass)

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,370 for UK students and £2,120 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics are listed here.

• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.
• Costs of up to £50 are included in the fees for students on engineering courses to pay for materials for their final year projects. On rare occasions where material costs exceed £50, they will need to be paid for by the student.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

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