This dynamic course empowers students to Conceive, Design, Implement, and Operate using a practical learning approach. With a strong emphasis on technical skills, you will gain expertise in product design and mechanical engineering, bridging the gap between these disciplines. At Aston University, you will learn through hands-on experience, collaborating with engineers and designers to develop professional skills whilst mirroring the challenges of the real world.
Design Engineering
BEng (Hons)
Ignite your creativity and engineering capabilities by studying our design engineering degree, where innovation meets practicality for real-world change.
Location: Aston University, Birmingham
Course overview
Course description
Facilities
Whilst studying design engineering at Aston University, you'll have the opportunity to learn in our cutting-edge facilities. Our engineering laboratories offer hands-on experience with practical experiments. In our design studios, you'll work with advanced CAD software, and our prototyping and fabrication facilities house a variety of 3D printers. Additionally, you'll have access to workshop spaces, machine and model shops, an engine test lab, two professional garages, clay modelling facilities, a solar array simulator, dynamometers, and more to enhance your hands-on project work.
We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.
Course Objectives
- Provide you with the opportunities to realise your academic potential through a range of learning experiences;
- Encourage you, through a practical approach to have a passion for design and engineering and an enthusiasm for creating and learning;
- Provide a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of mechanical engineering and product design including relevant aspects of societal, environmental, and commercial matters;
- Provide an opportunity for advanced levels of study and a focus on skills and appreciation of the changing nature of engineering and contemporary design trends;
- Provide you with appropriately structured curricula, combining teaching and learning in theoretical mechanical engineering and product design issues with practical and digital skills training;
- Provide an up-to-date and professionally focussed curriculum
- Offer you the opportunity to obtain relevant industrial experience by providing the option of a sandwich placement year.
Modules
Modules and Learning Outcomes
Year 1 modules
In your first year, you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Introduction to Design-Build-Test | 15 |
| Materials and Manufacturing 1 | 15 |
| Introductory Mathematics for Engineering, Digital, and Physical Sciences | 15 |
| Introductory Programming for Engineering and Physical Sciences | 15 |
| Electronics 1 | 15 |
| Engineering Science 1 | 15 |
| Power Skills | 15 |
| Interdisciplinary Design Project | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 1 outcomes
On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:
- Use a basic theoretical knowledge of the mathematics, science and technology that underpins mechanical engineering
- Use a basic knowledge of fundamental concepts, principles, methodologies and design techniques appropriate to mechanical engineering
- Demonstrate and apply analytical skills using a range of IT, mathematical modelling, and CAD based software.
- Analyse and solve simple engineering problems
- Plan, conduct and report on a programme of work to technical and non-technical audiences using a variety of IT packages.
- Create a solution to a design problem subject to identified constraints, evaluate the design and make improvements, using appropriate design tools and techniques
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a team and use basic team and resource management and documentation techniques to achieve engineering objectives
- Integrate information from a variety of sources in the solution of an engineering problem
- Plan, execute safely, record and use appropriate tools to report a series of measurements.
- Demonstrate basic practical workshop skills and hazard awareness in the production of simple prototype systems or components.
- Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of common engineering materials, equipment, processes or products
- Reflect on their learning and personal development and plan steps to improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD
Year 2 modules
In your second year, you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Engineering Science 2 | 15 |
| Materials and Manufacturing 2 | 15 |
| Advanced Mathematical Modelling | 15 |
| Design Communications | 15 |
| Advanced Design Innovation | 15 |
| Integrated Design Project | 30 |
| CDIO Team Project | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 2 outcomes
On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:
- Have a robust theoretical knowledge of mathematics, science and technologies as appropriate to areas of mechanical engineering
- Have a detailed knowledge of well-established concepts, principles, methodologies and design techniques appropriate to mechanical engineering and product design
- Apply analytical skills using a range of IT, mathematical modelling in the solution of advanced or ill-formed problems
- Have the ability to apply an integrated approach to solving complex engineering problems
- Have an awareness of the role the engineer in society including professional skills, legal responsibilities, ethical risks, health, safety, security, and environmental responsibilities.
- Explore a complex design problem, identify drivers and constraints, evaluate and iterate and document the design, using professional design tools and techniques
- Interact effectively within a team, recognising and addressing situations likely to lead to conflict.
- Work with incomplete information and manage the risk arising from technical uncertainty.
- Have knowledge of risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk, and of risk assessment and risk management techniques
- Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem including circular economy considerations
- Evaluate business, customer and user needs, including considerations such as the wider engineering context, public perception and aesthetics
- Be aware of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering and the relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities
- Demonstrate high standard of CAD modelling proficiency and visual communication using professional software packages
Placement year modules
If you opt for an integrated placement year, you will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.
| Module Title | Credits |
| Integrated Placement Year | 120 |
Placement year outcomes
On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of business and the relevant commercial environment and/or intercultural study and their role within it.
- Gain knowledge of key aspects of good practice relevant to industry and/or intercultural study context.
- Develop new knowledge and understanding appropriate to the industrial, business, study or research sector related to degree programme.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a professional and industrial environment and/or in an intercultural study context
Final year modules
In your final year, you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Advanced Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis | 15 |
| Design Futures | 15 |
| Design Sprint | 15 |
| Advanced Materials and Manufacturing | 15 |
| Engineering Design and the Environment | 15 |
| Professional Engineering Practice | 15 |
| Engineering Major Project | 30 |
| Total | 120 |
Final Year Outcomes
On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:
- Apply a systemic knowledge of mathematics, science, and technology to advanced topics in mechanical engineering and related areas.
- Apply an in-depth knowledge of concepts, principles, and analytical and computational skills to solve problems in specific areas of engineering.
- Integrate abstract concepts and ideas to solve complex multidisciplinary real-world problems and critically evaluate the solutions with a focus on sustainability and climate change.
- Demonstrate professional skills and responsibility towards legal and ethical issues particularly those arising from a design activity.
- Evaluate potential impact on engineering activity when working with incomplete information and manage the risk arising from technical uncertainty.
- Audit a planned design engineering activity, identify risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk
- Reflect on their knowledge, skills and competencies to formulate a personal development plan in-line with their chosen engineering career
- Plan, conduct, evaluate and report on a major individual programme of design basedwork, with emphasis on design process and design tools employed, initiated from a technical brief
- Employ professional design techniques and produce complex product forms using CAD and additive manufacture techniques to a professional presentation standard
Entry requirements
A Levels
BBC including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject
BCC including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject (with an EPQ or Core Maths* at grade B)
CCC including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject (contextual offer)
List of STEM (a) subjects: Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Computer Science, Biology and Electronics.
*List of core maths qualifications we accept: AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies, City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning, Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context, WJEC Eduqas Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life and Level 3 Core Math
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.
If BTEC is in Engineering:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (Engineering): DDM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- 1 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (Engineering): M, plus 2 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates or Subsidiary Diplomas (Engineering): DM, plus 1 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and Diploma (Engineering): DM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics, plus 1 A-level at a minimum Grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (Engineering): DM, plus 2 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction if one A level is not in Mathematics: (QCF) Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction, with the following units at Distinction: Mathematics for Engineering, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, or Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Distinction, plus an A-Level in any subject at grade C. This must include the following units at Distinction: Mathematics for Engineering, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, or Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
If BTEC is in any other subject:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM, and A Level Maths at grade B.
- 1 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M, plus 2 A-levels at grade B in Mathematics and another STEM (a) subject listed above.
- 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates or Subsidiary Diplomas (any subject): DM, plus A-level Mathematics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM, plus A-level Mathematics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 2 A-levels at grade B including Mathematics.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
- 29 points overall with 5, 5, 4 in Higher Level, including Mathematics and another STEM (a) listed subject.
We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of at least 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits at level 3; including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics units and at least 15 credits at Level 3 in STEM (a) subject units.
Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.
The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
- Building Services Engineering for Construction
- Onsite Construction
- Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing
- Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing
Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:
- GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
- GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4
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 Level 3) 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 from your current institution.
Year 2 entry: Please note that 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 in 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 successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content.
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 from your current institution.
Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
Fees and scholarships
Course fees
UK students
(2025/26)
| Annual tuition fees: | £9,250 |
| During placement year: | £1,250 |
International students
(2025/26)
| Annual tuition fees: | £21,500 |
| During placement year: | £2,500 |
For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.
