
Opleiding: MSc Design Engineering
Learning purpose
A truly unique engineering course for design graduates. The Design Engineering masters launched in 2005, it is believed to be the first conversion course in the UK that offers graduates of industrial, product or three-dimensional design the opportunity to re-train or up-skill to fill vacancies in design and development engineering.
An industrial placement module and a strong commitment from over 100 employers including Ford, Jeld-Wen, Jaguar-Land-Rover, Acrobot, gives you the opportunity to gain confidence in an industrial setting.
Programme
The course begins with a compulsory one-week 'Introduction to Engineering' module. The first semester is a crucial period of intensive study. Three of the taught modules take place as consecutive intensive courses over a nine-week period; the other two have been designed to run over 12 weeks.
Semester One
Applied Mathematics for Engineers, Manufacturing Processes and Materials, Computer Aided Engineering, Validation of Design Concept and Design Development Project.
Semester Two
Industrial Placement (duration 12 weeks)
Semester Three (Summer)
The final phase consists of an industrial research project, leading to the submission of a 15,000-word dissertation and viva voce presentation, based on the project work gained through the industrial placement.
The course consists of three phases over 12 months (three semesters). In each phase you accumulate 60 credit points at level 4. The second phase comprises an industrial placement module.
Strong links with over 100 employers including Ford, Jeld-Wen, Jaguar-Land-Rover, Acrobot, give you the opportunity to gain confidence in an industrial setting.
Attendance
You attend University throughout the working week except when you're on industrial placement.
Assessment
Includes reports, presentations, projects and thesis writing.
- Applied Mathematics for Engineers (10 Credits) - Compulsory
- Aims to provide an overview and to enhance students analytical skills in dealing with a variety of engineering design issues. The module reviews the fundamentals of engineering principles and develops problem-solving skills using analytical and computational methods.
- Computer-Aided Engineering (10 Credits) - Compulsory
- Aims to expand students ability in the area of computer-aided tools and techniques used in engineering design and manufacturing, such as feature-based modelling, manufacturing and finite element stress analysis. Emphasis will be placed upon the use of the Finite Element Method and its use in analysing problems to inform design decisions.
- Design Development Project (20 Credits) - Compulsory
- Students undertake a design development project to contextualise, exemplify and consolidate the analytical and technical knowledge that they gain during the first semester conversion phase of the programme. It will provide the opportunity for students to develop their competence in undertaking detail-level design projects through the concept, embodiment and validation stages of the product development process. It will require them to select and develop appropriate tools and techniques for these project phases and to report on them in written reports and oral presentations.
- Manufacturing Processes and Materials (10 Credits) - Compulsory
- Aims to explore material selection and current and emerging manufacturing processes for product manufacture and their impact on business economics and viability.
- Professional Practice 1: Placement (60 Credits) - Compulsory
- Students undertake a professional placement during the second semester of their MSc programme. It has a dual aim: to enable students to develop their discipline-related knowledge and skills in a professional and context-specific environment; and to develop the transferable skillset of a professional design development engineer. As such, this placement experience facilitates the transition from student to professional practitioner.
- Professional Practice 2 : Thesis (60 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study into an aspect of corporate practice which relates to their developing roles and responsibilities in the workplace. Successfully undertaking a realistic and productive investigation into an identified problem or opportunity will enable them to establish their professional credibility as a design and development engineer.
- Validation of Design Concept (10 Credits) - Compulsory
Aims to introduce students to the area of validation of design concept and will give students the ability to validate designs using a variety of design methods. Deciding what testing is required, proposing test methods, designing simple test rigs and evaluating the results are crucial to proving the validity of a design and are the key components of this module. Students will be encouraged and equipped to develop these skills through solving a practical design validation problem, keeping the end user in mind at all times.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a design background. The ideal candidate should have a 2.1 or above honours degree in a three dimensional design discipline, be motivated and willing to learn a new discipline, possess a keen interest in technology, engineering and manufacturing, be numerate and enjoy tackling difficult challenges, working in a team and thinking as an individual
Applicants must have a first degree in design.
English language requirements
You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.
Professional perspective and employment market
Our MSc Design Engineering degree prepares graduates for a wide range of varied careers. As a graduate you will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

