Why this course?

Product design engineering is an exciting industry that continually evolves alongside technology, product advancements, the demand for quicker turnaround times, unique and personalised products, and environmentally friendly supply chains and production.

It's about understanding product requirements and functionality, questioning existing ways of doing things and seeing opportunities to change things for the better.

Product design engineering blends a more technical engineering focus (such as mechanics, electronics, maths, engineering calculations of a products' design) with design principles, user experience, and technology to create new functional products or develop existing ones that can then be sold in competitive markets.

This is integrated with manufacturing processes, CAD, rapid prototyping and digital prototyping technologies, software and practical skills to turn the design into reality which is fundamental to global market success and requires not only customer appeal, aesthetics and brand awareness but also consistent and correct functionality, superior quality and fitness for purposes all at a competitive price.

Study with us

develop the skills to create fully-functioning new products which are visually appealing and efficiently manufactured

learn to combine virtual and physical design and prototyping in our digital design suite

undertake work placements in industry

option to study abroad in Europe, Australia and Singapore

opportunity to undertake an industrial group project with a design engineering organisation

accreditation has been awarded for this programme from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) as meeting, in full, the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer

Careers

As a design engineer, you can be involved in almost every aspect of the product journey, from the initial concept, design, development, testing and management of projects to the manufacturing. Product design engineers use technical knowledge, mathematical problem-solving skills and a passion for designing and refining the usability of luxury to everyday items, across a diverse range of industries.

Roles may have responsibilities such as:

• Concept, specification, tender and development of new projects or components
• CAD, CAM systems to design and visualise projects to clients or internally within teams
• Model making, prototyping and product testing
• Analysis of how to improve existing products, including complex calculations
• Leadership including effective communication with clients, colleagues, contractors and managing other team members
• Project management including ensuring projects are delivered to a timescale, to standard and within a budget

Work experience is highly desirable for graduates applying within the product design industry, to best demonstrate their team working abilities, skills and portfolio breadth. Our students truly benefit from the industrial group project which is integrated into their degree, to provide them with this necessary experience to stand out when competing for graduate jobs. Furthermore, many of our students gain placements and internships throughout their studies to advance their professional development ahead of graduation.

Companies return year-on-year to recruit from our department, and specifically, companies such as Chivas Regal, Adidas, Rolls Royce, Dyson and Jaguar Land Rover have our graduates covering a plethora of roles across their teams. Some of our graduates go on to graduate trainee programmes with companies such as Diageo, Accenture, Unilever and Procter & Gamble.