BSc (Hons) Design Engineering (Top-up)

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 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.

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

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.  

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide industry standard specialist facilities. 
 
We continue to invest in our campuses so all our students can maximise their talents today and into the future. 
 
Visit our virtual tour to find out more and get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Talbot Campus. 

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.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You will be offered a chance to have your portfolio reviewed by one of the tutors on the course. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

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 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.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement.

The jobs you could take on include:

• Mechanical Design Engineer
• Production Supervisor
• Design Engineer
• Design Draft Person
• FEA Engineer.

Among the organisations our graduates are working for are: 

• Aish Technologies Limited
• Canyons
• General Electric Aviation
• Made Lovingly Made
• Modulift
• Pall Aerospace
• Stanley Investments Building Services
• Visteon.

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

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 workshop activity 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
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• 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

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:

For September 2023 entry:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds
• 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 can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding information can be found on our website
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable)
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study
• SportBU membership

For September 2024 entry:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• 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 shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website. 
• 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 or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by your placement setting, including any Post Office verification changes. 
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee. 

Dr Nigel Garland is an active member of the IED. He works with industrial and academic colleagues to develop and revise British and International standards such as BS8888 (Engineering Drawing Practice).