BSc (Hons) Design Engineering (Top-up)

This course brings together sophisticated computer tools, engineering and creativity to produce design engineers for the twenty-first century.

UCAS Code:
H150
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

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Why study BSc (Hons) Design Engineering (Top-up) at BU?

Learn to use the latest solid modelling, rendering and product simulation tools to create and evaluate your own designs
Gain an in-depth understanding of the engineering principles underlying the product development process
Based on an individual project, you’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities in our Innovation Centre including 3D scanners and printers, modern manufacturing & technical workshops and prototyping facilities
Display your design project in your final year and exhibit it at our annual Festival of Design & Engineering.

Find out more about the content of this course.

Course accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers and Institution of Mechanical Engineers as meeting the academic requirement, in full, for Incorporated Engineer registration for intakes between 2019-2023.

See what it's like to study on this course

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

1 year full-time

Accreditations:

Institution of Engineering Designers and Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: A Foundation degree accredited to Partial Ieng/EngTech level or academic qualifications that have been approved at Partial Ieng/Eng Tech level through the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) Education and Training Committee or equivalent. Find out more about entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS 6.0 (Academic) with a minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found in the programme specification for your course.

Download the programme specification 2019 and 2020 entry (pdf 2.9mb) Download the programme specification 2021 entry (pdf 339kb)

Course content

Core units

Mechanical and Electronic System Design: This unit will improve on prior knowledge gained as you will look to develop competence and critical awareness in the use of modern analytical techniques and tools used in the product development process.
Business Development: Approaches to strategic management and thinking will be examined to capitalise on your entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
Design Engineering Project 3: Knowledge underpinned in your first two years of study will progress, establishing and consolidating design criteria application while concurrently integrating engineering disciplines with the end goal of producing an individual, final design project.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

BSc (Hons) Design Engineering

Accreditation

For students who have joined the BSc (Hons) in Design Engineering (Top-Up) from a Foundation Degree, only those who have studied the FdEng in Engineering (Mechanical Design) and FdEng in Engineering (Marine Technologies), pending review of final output, will be accredited. Students entering this programme from the FdEng in Engineering (Manufacturing Management) and FdEng in Engineering (Electronic Design) will not be accredited.

Your application

Design Engineering (Top-Up) will suit applicants who can demonstrate:

The ability to think both laterally and logically
An interest in design history & futures, especially of Industrial Design
An ability to communicate visually - 3-D form, composition, texture, pattern, graphics, etc.
An interest in learning and promoting the use of digital media and computer design visualisation systems as design modelling tools
Making technology serve people by leading the use of industrial methods, processes and materials.

How to apply

What we’re looking for

We hear much about saving the planet and systems of consumption that end in unnecessary waste. The type of applicants we are looking for are people who see themselves becoming designers of a sustainable future, designing expressive, humane, but commercially viable products.

Design engineers typically are capable of handling a broad portfolio of consultancy work. For example the designer Santiago Calatrava is described as an artist whose medium is engineering. Consequently, we are looking for applicants whose studies have incorporated a combination of the following topics: design, technology, art or graphics, psychology, business studies and/or a philosophy, literature, or media studies subject.

Selection methods

Interviews

You will need to attend an interview for this course - find out more about what to expect at an interview, including where the interviews are held, and what you need to bring. You may also be required to bring along a portfolio of your work to support your application.

The dates of interview sessions will be available through myHub. You will receive details of how to access myHub once you have applied to BU.

Your health and safety

These courses have compulsory manufacturing elements, using machinery in workshops. Students must complete a health and safety risk assessment before using the workshops, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake manufacturing fully or safely.

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

How we assess your application

Entry requirements

For September 2021 entry: Foundation degree accredited to Partial IEng/EngTech level or academic qualifications that have been approved at Partial IEng/Eng Tech level through the IED Education and Training Committee or equivalent.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2021 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

Engineers are constantly in demand and this course will give you all the skills and knowledge you require to do well in this varied and fascinating sector. When you graduate, you'll be equipped to take on a range of design and engineering roles across sectors as diverse as the aerospace and automotive industry to consumer electronics and domestic products design.

We have an excellent employment record with 95% of graduates from our Design Engineering course working in a professional or managerial role within 15 months of finishing their course.

Typical starting job roles

Example employers

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student; see our Belong+ pages for more information.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team
A2-A0 Plots for CAD coursework
Loan of lab coats and safety glasses

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Travel costs to and from the university campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation.
Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips.
SportBU membership.

Repeat units

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Dr Nigel Garland – Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Technology

Course changes

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
29/08/2018	Where the change was made: Course details Change: Following a course review the unit content has been revised and updated for September 2019 onwards.The previous content can be found in the programme specification.

What our students say

David Maw

My placement involved work as a commercial structural engineer using Autodesk and Solidworks Finite Element Analysis software to model, analyse and optimise structures

What our students say

Sophia Anoa

The knowledgeable staff and holistic approach to the industry really appealed to me. I love the variety on my course – I’ve covered everything from model making to business studies.

What employers think

Anglepoise

Every year we’ve taken on a placement student and it works very well for us, gives us a different perspective and supports our technical and design capabilities.

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

BSc (Hons) Design Engineering (Top-up)

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Why study BSc (Hons) Design Engineering (Top-up) at BU?

Course accreditation

See what it's like to study on this course

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Accreditations:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Related courses

The Festival of Design and Engineering student projects

See creations by BU students showcased at Design & Engineering Show

Course details

How you will be assessed

Course content

Programme specification

Accreditation

Your application

What we’re looking for

Selection methods

Interviews

Your health and safety

Our offer-making process

How we assess your application

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

International entry requirements

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Example employers

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Our staff

Dr Nigel Garland – Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Technology

Course changes

Changes in 2018

What our students say

David Maw

What our students say

Sophia Anoa

What employers think

Anglepoise

The Festival of Design and Engineering student projects 