Design Engineering
Fuse design thinking with engineering knowledge and practice in this highly creative integrated Master’s degree
Fuse design thinking with engineering knowledge and practice in this highly creative integrated Master’s degree
Gain hands-on experience in the field on a six-month placement with a leading industrial partner.
Combine your engineering and design skills with business knowledge across a range of projects and workshops
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MEng
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Duration
4 years
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Start date
October 2024
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UCAS course code
28G3
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
Not set Home
Not set Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Applications: places
6 : 1
Minimum entry standard
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A*AA (A-level)
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39 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Discover how design engineers bridge the gap between traditional engineering and design on this professionally accredited four-year course.
You'll explore how engineers draw on manufacturing techniques, product development, technical design and rapid prototyping to bring new innovations to market. You'll also analyse how existing products can be improved, and the processes used to achieve this.
This course will develop your design and engineering skills, with an emphasis on creativity, computer-aided engineering, optimisation, human factors and the design process.
Through a series of compulsory modules during your first two years, you'll develop team working skills as you explore topics including electronics, mechatronics and data science.
Access to extensive hackspaces and workshops will enable you to collaborate with creative thinkers as you develop your own ideas. You'll also build your enterprise skills and industrial experience as you translate design engineering into impact.
Optional modules provide opportunities to specialise in your final two years, with a six-month paid placement the key focus of your third year.
This is designed to help you gain practical experience in the field with leaders in industry. Previous partner organisations have included Dyson, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls Royce.
Your final year culminates with a series of projects, including the chance to expose one of your products to market reaction.
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.
You’ll study these core modules.
Core modules
Explore design engineering in a global and professional context and how design engineering issues are creatively tackled.
Better understand computer programming through a hands-on approach and build your appreciation of the Python programming language and supporting tools.
Analyse the mathematical tools and techniques used to tackle a variety of design engineering problems.
Identify common engineering materials and the means to manufacture them into geometries.
Develop competence in creative human-centred design engineering and improve your skills in design drawing, engineering drawing and 3D computer aided design.
Further your understanding of application programming and learn how to implement well-known, high-level algorithms.
Learn how to link force and displacement using laws of physics and how this can be used to model several real-world problems.
Develop your understanding of analogue and digital electronics as found in all electronics systems.
You’ll study these core modules.
Core modules
Examine key challenges for sustainability and specific principles and methods for sustainable design.
Combine the approaches of physical computing and mechatronics and distinguish between a wide range of standard machine elements and electronic components.
Progress your knowledge from Solid Mechanics 1 by advancing your understanding of kinematics and stress analysis.
Gain a system perspective on electronic systems and improve your understanding of signal interpretation, processing and manipulation.
Use finite element programs in a practical way to solve problems in linear elastic stress analysis.
Consider the topic of energy within a design context and the associated engineering sciences of fluid mechanics, heat transfer and thermodynamics.
Carry out a project brief that integrates a human-centred design approach with the creative design engineering of a complex electromechanical product.
You'll study all core modules and one I-Explore module.
You’ll also take one optional module.
Core modules
Work on an engineering design interdisciplinary group project and improve your project management and concept development skills.
Build your foundational knowledge of the field of robotics and explore robot control and motion planning algorithms.
Appreciate the practical aspects of robotics through tutorial and lab sessions that enable you to build hands-on experience in the field.
Assess common system design and engineering optimisation problems and use appropriate tools to solve them.
Explore entrepreneurial thinking styles that are important in developing radical forms of innovation.
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department.
You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
Gain practical industry experience on a substantial design engineering related project, or collection of related projects.
Optional modules
Obtain a high level understanding of contemporary industrial design principles, and better understand industrial design process tools.
Deepen your knowledge of the basic principles of acoustics and digital signal processing and the physiology of the hearing system.
Develop your competence in scoping, analysing and developing creative interventions for behaviour change.
Build your knowledge of psychology and how design solutions to global challenges need to take into account human behaviour.
Advance your understanding of machine learning in a design engineering context and the mathematical tools that underpin it.
Assess the economic performance of engineering systems and products through a range of core principles.
Choose from a range of optional modules as you develop your distinct professional identity.
You’ll take all core modules.
You’ll also take two modules from Group A, and two from Group B.
Core modules
Gain practical industry experience on a substantial design engineering related project and reflect on how your work has impacted on your professional development.
Complete your four-year design engineering journey by carrying out a major project in an area of your choice.
Develop your knowledge of management and business practices from outside engineering and how they can be applied effectively in an entrepreneurial venture.
Optional modules - Group A
Obtain a high level understanding of contemporary industrial design principles, and better understand industrial design process tools.
Deepen your knowledge of the basic principles of acoustics and digital signal processing and the physiology of the hearing system.
Develop your competence in scoping, analysing and developing creative interventions for behaviour change.
Improve your knowledge of current additive manufacturing (AM) technology, materials, trends and processes.
Build your knowledge of psychology and how design solutions to global challenges need to take into account human behaviour.
Advance your understanding of machine learning in a design engineering context and the mathematical tools that underpin it.
Assess the economic performance of engineering systems and products through a range of core principles.
Choose from a range of optional modules as you develop your distinct professional identity.
Optional modules - Group B
Assess the latest research in the field of applied robotics through hands-on project work.
Use techniques to develop software and hardware platforms for the Internet of Things and understand the basics of mobile sensing.
Explore how nanomaterials can be engineered to serve specific applications.
Better understand the sharing economy and how this new paradigm is causing a wave of disruption to empower citizens and communities.
Critically analyse how technology products impact on individuals, their health and society as a whole.
Professional accreditation
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This degree is professionally accredited by the following organisations on behalf of the Engineering Council:
- Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
With this integrated Master’s degree, you’ll fully meet the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.
Becoming a Chartered Engineer can further enhance your career prospects and earning potential. It demonstrates your competencies and commitment to lifelong learning – providing you with recognition in your field and greater influence and opportunities.
The accreditation from the IED runs from 2015 to 2021, so is due to renew in 2021. The accreditation from IMechE runs from 2015 to 2022, and the accreditation from IET runs from 2015 to 2025. The department expects to be accredited by all three professional bodies in the future.
Associateship
In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Timetabled sessions
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Timetabled sessions
- 70% Independent study
Years 3 and 4
- 15% Timetabled sessions
- 85% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Workshops
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Project-based learning
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
- Practical
Year 1
- 50% Examination
- 40% Coursework
- 10% Practical
Year 2
- 25% Examination
- 50% Coursework
- 25% Practical
Year 3
- 10% Examination
- 60% Coursework
- 30% Practical
Year 4
- 0% Examination
- 75% Coursework
- 25% Practical
Assessment methods
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Critiques
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Group projects
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Individual projects
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Laboratory practicals
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Presentations
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Report writing
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Written examinations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
When applications open, you will be able to start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
Applications open on 16 May 2023
Application deadlines – 31 January 2024 at 18.00 (UK time)
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
If your application has demonstrated sufficient potential you will be invited for an online interview. These typically run from November to February.
During the interview, your interest and aptitude will be assessed through a range of questions and problems. You are encouraged to present some examples of your own work/projects towards the end of the interview, although this will be for two minutes maximum, so please choose your examples carefully.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
All students will undertake a six-month industrial placement from April until September between their third and fourth year of study.
The placement will be on-site with an industrial partner and supervised jointly by the partner and Imperial.
In the past, students have worked at a diverse range of companies including Dyson, Brompton Bicycles, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, ABB Robotics, Microsoft Lift, Fitch, Monokoto, Random International, Better Future Factory and Cambridge Consultants.
Watch our video 'What does a Design Engineer do?' on YouTube
Tuition fees
Home fee
2024 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2023-24 was £9,250.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas fee
2024 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2023-24 was £37,900.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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.
Your future career
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Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in design engineering or similar fields.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Leading design and technology companies are just some of your options.
Others have developed startups based on their entrepreneurial expertise.
Testimonials
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7594 8888
- Email: design.engineering@imperial.ac.uk
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Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Course data
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