Design Engineering BEng(Hons)

Course structure

You will explore fundamental mechanical engineering topics, including a range of design projects, through the shared first year with automotive, aeronautical and mechanical engineering students.

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

After your second year, you can choose 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.

Year 1

In your first year, you will be introduced to the principles of mechanical engineering. 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

In year 2 of your Design Engineering degree course you will explore aspects of mechanical engineering such as engineering systems and dynamics and control. You will also work on group projects including 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

The 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 the subjects that interest you most.

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.

Staff profile

Dr Derek Covill, course leader

I really enjoy empowering students with these tools, to show the impact they can have and how we can do amazing things with them. Also I enjoy working seeing students grow and develop. I try to work with students in ways that help them learn how to be resourceful, how to take on a professional mindset so that they can learn how to learn and develop, but also that this is an exciting, simulating and fun subject to be involved in.

Read more about Dr Covill.

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 £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

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

Accommodation

Local area

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Support and wellbeing

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