Design Engineering BEng

Design engineers are innovators, taking concepts from initial ideas to commercial reality across a range of sectors including consumer products, automotive and industrial systems. Our BEng Design Engineering offers highly relevant modules in sought-after engineering and scientific subjects. The programme aims to develop creative problem solving and idea skills as well as skills vital to modern engineering environments. This includes the skills to develop innovative new product and system concepts, to visualize them using industry standard software, and design them for modern manufacturing techniques and predict their performance in service.

What you’ll learn

Our course introduces a full range of core engineering science modules coupled to practical projects, ensuring a highly integrated and industry-relevant degree programme.

From your first year you'll be working on major projects, often in partnership with commercial engineering companies. You’ll work with colleagues, staff and engineers from industry to develop real solutions to live problems.

You’ll look at key areas such as design, prototyping and developing ideas, as well as the engineering science and mathematics behind these subjects. Specialist modules in areas such as control systems and solid mechanics will make sure your technical skillset is excellent and ready for application in any engineering sector.

Our teaching is innovative, with the curriculum based on a hands-on teaching framework called CDIO - Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate. This enables you to apply real-world skills as you learn, enabling you to maximise your learning. Our facilities are absolutely state-of-the-art with advanced 3D printing facilitates and engine test laboratories with specialist equipment designed for engineering students. You may choose to spend your third year in industry and we can support you to find a paid, professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and further enhance your career prospects.

We have lots of exciting engineering activities you can get involved with at Aston, including the IMechE sponsored Formula Student, where you can work with the Aston Racing Team to design, build and race a single-seat racing car. Discover more about Aston Racing here. 

You can also network with employers and showcase your work as part of the Mechanical Engineering and Design Industry Club. Here you’ll be given opportunities to meet employers, which can help you to secure a placement or employment and you’ll learn by working on live industrial projects and interacting with industry professionals.

Modules

Year 1

•    Introduction to Engineering and Design
•    Prototyping and Development 
•    Electronic Engineering Fundamentals
•    Engineering Science 1
•    Mathematical Modelling for Engineers
•    Materials and Manufacturing 1

Year 2

• Advanced Mathematical Modelling
• Materials and Manufacturing 2
• Engineering Science 2
• Design and Engineering for the User
• Design Studio
• Thermal Fluid Science 1

Year 3 - Optional placement year

Find out more about the Aston placement year.

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EPS Study/Work Placement Year 

Final Year

• Advanced Industrial Product Design
• Advanced Dynamics and Control
• Advanced Solid Mechanics and FEA
• Engineering Design & the Environment
• Individual Major Project
• Professional Engineering Practice

Choose one of the following options:

• Advanced Systems Design
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Design Competitions

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live. Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey.

We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes.

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Typical offers:

A Levels

• BBC to include a B in Maths and a Physical Science or Technology subject
• BCC to include Maths, a Physical Science or Technology subject, and grade B at EPQ or Core Maths
• CCC to include Maths and a Physical Science or Technology subject for contextual offer students.

Physical Science or Technology subject accepted: Physics, Further Maths, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering science, Biology or Electronics

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

IB

• 29 overall points with 5, 5, 4 in Higher Level subjects, including Higher Level 5 in Maths and Physics.

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering types): DDM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• National Diploma and Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering types): DM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project. This BTEC requires 1 A-level at a minimum Grade B.

• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering type): DM plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B. Diploma should include the following units at Distinction if A level is not in Mathematics: (QCF) Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B in Mathematics and Physics or similar physical science A level subject. 

• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering type): M plus 2 A-levels at a minimum Grade B. Diploma should include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B in Mathematics and Physics or similar physical science A level subject. 

• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

T Levels

T Levels are not currently accepted as an entry requirement for this course.

Students completing T levels in 2022
T levels in the following subjects are not accepted for entry to this course: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare.  Please note that where a T level is listed as 'Not acceptable' this is because the T level does not cover subject specific knowledge that we normally require at A level.  If you have taken both a T level and an additional A level or A levels please consult the admissions team for advice in relation to any degrees where T levels are listed as 'not accepted.'

Students completing T levels in 2023 and beyond
There are now an additional seven T Level qualifications in: building services; engineering for construction; digital business services; digital support and services; health; healthcare science; onsite construction and science. The first student cohorts from these subjects will complete their courses in the summer of 2023. We will publish details of the progression opportunities to our degree programmes from these T Levels by September 2022.

Access & other

Access to Higher Education

Subject related Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at Level 3 including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics and at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Physical Science

Non-standard qualifications

Degree: 

• Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 2 entry: International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with these approved teaching partners: Kaplan International College London or NCUK. Please note that other second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits  on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 View our Admissions Policy.

 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE English Grade C/4 or above and Maths Grade C/4 or above

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

Our programmes put you in control, giving you the skills and confidence to lead and undertake complex engineering projects and providing you with the experiences you need to succeed in the industry. Teaching isn’t just lectures, it’s workshops and practical sessions too. You will be involved in individual and group project work throughout the course, designed to develop individual skills as an engineer as well as communication and the organisational and leadership skills needed to work effectively in a business or organisation. The course emphasises the commercial as well as industrial aspects of mechanical engineering and you will take a number of management-related modules.

Assessment is by a combination of exams, project, lab and coursework. Your final degree classification is determined by your performance in all years after the first year.

Learn in our state-of-the-art facilities. You will gain hands-on experience in our high-spec workspaces, meaning you will be industry-ready once you graduate. Here are just a few of the exciting hands-on projects you will get involved in throughout our Design Engineering course:

• Design and build towers, wind turbines and cars...
• ...and then race your cars in our Formula Student and Shell Eco Marathon competitions
• Learn about thermodynamics, solid mechanics, power systems and energy efficiency
• Explore our facilities –machine and model shops, an engine test lab and two professional garages
• Take advantage of clay modelling facilities, a solar array simulator, dynamometers, and a load of 3D printers.

We spoke to Design Engineering student Wan about his experience so far, including his placement and what he thinks about the academics! 

More information

* The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/student-support-in-england

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

There are a wide range of roles you’ll be qualified for including product and process research and development, manufacturing systems engineering and roles in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Our close links with industry and the broad basis of our degree programme ensures our students have excellent career opportunities upon graduating. You might want to go into a career in research, development and design, automotive engineering, power generation or advanced technology and computer-aided design.

Our graduates work for automotive, aerospace and electronics companies, pharmaceutical and chemical organisations and computer software houses. They’ve found graduate engineer positions with companies including Corus, IMI Plc, the armed forces, BAE Systems, Nissan, Lloyds TSB and EDF Energy.

Why study Design Engineering at Aston?

If you’re interested in a career in industry or commerce, using your engineering skills, this course will give you the necessary academic knowledge and understanding. 

What will I be doing on the Design Engineering course at Aston? 

You will be learning through a variety of means from conventional lectures and tutorials, to project team and individual work, plant visits, lab work and specialist supervision from consultants working in industry. 

Why should I take a year out in industry?

The optional placement year is available with all engineering courses, giving you invaluable practical experience and enhancing your career prospects through a paid professional placement in the UK or abroad.  
We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you. 

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.