Design Engineering
Create innovative products, systems, or solutions through an interdisciplinary approach in engineering, design, and entrepreneurship.
Applications are now closed for 2026 entry.
Request infoFind out more about the DepartmentExplore the Dyson School of Design EngineeringIntegrate cutting-edge technologies and a holistic approach to problem-solving using design tools and mindsets
Foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship where curiosity and creativity thrive
Embrace agile Design Engineering methodologies to enable flexibility and responsiveness to create impactful changes
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£19,400 Home
£45,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
First-Class Honours in a Science, Technology and Engineering discipline
Course overview
Gain an enhanced background in Design Engineering and related subjects. You will acquire advanced skills in design methods, systems thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This knowledge is applied in a range of project-based learning modules, including industry-relevant projects.
This course equips you with the capability to understand user needs in context, identify opportunities, and solve problems creatively. You'll use cutting-edge technologies like Additive Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Data Science, Sensing, and the Internet of Things. These technologies are the future of engineering, and you will be at the forefront of their application.
Develop the technical skills needed for design engineering. This course will also enhance your ability to communicate and translate engineering concepts in today’s world.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
Testimonials
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Taught modules
- Independent Study
- Specialist Events
Balance of teaching and learning
- 17% Title 1 goes here
- 31% Title 2 goes here
- 52% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Presentations
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Project Based Learning
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Technology Enhanced Learning
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Team Working
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Workshops and Lab Work
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Independent Study
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Industry Collaboration
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Practical
- Coursework
- Exams
- 22% Title 1 goes here
- 65% Title 2 goes here
- 13% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Progress Tests
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Project-based Coursework
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Research Dissertation
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Physical and Digital Prototyping
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Exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications are now closed for 2026 entry.
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
Round 5
- Applications open on Thursday 30 April 2026
- Applications close on Thursday 18 June 2026
- Decision by Thursday 16 July 2026
Round 6
- Applications open on Friday 19 June 2026
- Applications close on Thursday 20 August 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 2 September 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
Students who require a student visa to study at Imperial should apply no later than 18 June 2026 to allow for CAS processing.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
In addition to demonstrating you have met our entry requirements, we ask you to supply the following:
- Two academic references.
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A digital portfolio in PDF showcasing your past projects (up to five projects) highlighting your skills and technologies used, which could include clickable links to project outcomes, e.g. videos.
Find out more about the application process.
Candidates who are shortlisted after this initial application will be invited to attend an interview with an Academic member of staff. This will normally be conducted remotely online.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
£19,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee
2026 entry
£45,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarships
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Drive and manage innovation initiatives within organizations as Innovation Leads.
Offer expertise in design thinking, user experience, and creative problem-solving to clients as Design Consultants.
Develop new physical or digital products, features, or services, overseeing the entire product lifecycle as Product Developer/Manager.
Start and lead your own venture, applying design and innovation principles to Entrepreneurship and Start-ups.
Contribute to the creation of innovative digital solutions in the Technology and IT sector.
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Apply design thinking and innovation to optimize processes and improve customer experiences in E-Commerce, Healthcare, and Services Industry.
Further links
Contact the department
- T: +44(0) 20 7594 8888
- E: designeng-mscde@imperial.ac.uk
Course director: Dr Céline Mougenot
Visit the Dyson School of Design Engineering website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications