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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Design Engineering: UK universities

87 replies

Orquid · 15/10/2023 12:03

DD16 is thinking in studying design engineering at university and we are looking for recommendations on which universities she could apply. We live in London, she thinks she would like to stay in London so thinking Imperial College.

Other options are Bath and Bristol. What other universities do people recommend fir this course? She knows it is competitive, how many universities she needs to apply for? I believe open days have already passed this year.

I think UCL offer architectural design only? She doesn’t want to do that

Would be grateful for any advice, DH and I are both foreigners but kids born and growing up in London. DD wants a lively/busy city

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Daftasabroom · 15/10/2023 12:16

Hi @Orquid strictly speaking it would be engineering design, and the role would be engineering designer or design engineer- gotta love the English language.

My advice would be to look for the sector she would like to work in whether that's product, automotive, electronic, robot, marine, aerospace, civilis, energy etc. Then look for a syllabus that supports that. Most engineering degrees share something like 50% of a common syllabus. Lots of type stuff.

She'll need maths and physics A Level.

Daftasabroom · 15/10/2023 12:20

Id suggest she takes a look at the Institute of Engineering Designers site, and IMecE etc.

Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 12:52

Thank you for the advice; she likes product design. Will ask her to look at the institute of engineering designers

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Daftasabroom · 15/10/2023 13:10

Product design tends to be mostly consumer stuff, art A Level would be a big help.

Anything towards net zero is seriously in demand at the moment.

Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 14:03

She is doing maths, Chemestry and product design A level

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Sybill · 15/10/2023 19:14

There’s a really interesting new design degree at Cambridge starting next year - assume that it is early entry so might be cutting it fine but worth a look maybe? Only compulsory subject is maths I think

Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 19:51

She is only in year 12 at the moment.

I am concerned that not doing Physics is going to limit her options for Engineering. She got a 9 in physics but she said because she was allowed the formulas due to COVID.

She is doing an EPQ. Will it be better for her to do Further maths instead? She does not want to do physics.

We can see she can apply to Bristol and Imperial College with her current subsets; but that’s no much choice. University of Bath requires physics for Design Engineering.

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Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 19:54

Orquid · 15/10/2023 14:03

She is doing maths, Chemestry and product design A level

She is doing Maths, Chemestry and Design Technology

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razorsharpest · 15/10/2023 20:34

UWE do a Bsc in Product Design Technology , the technology bit includes some engineering. My DS also did Product Design A level, not sure it occurred to him he would enjoy engineering until he started his course.
He has just graduated with a first, and has been accepted onto their graduation scheme to further develop his 3rd year product.

CMOTDibbler · 15/10/2023 20:51

Nottingham do product design engineering

WashingAt30 · 15/10/2023 20:54

Just a warning most courses with "engineering" in the title are fairly maths heavy. Rather stupid of me in hindsight, but I was shocked at the amount of maths in my mechanical engineering degree. I really should have done something like product design, but stuck out my bad choice.

Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 20:54

thank you, will ask her to look at it.

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TheSquareMile · 15/10/2023 21:10

Has she had any thoughts about the direction she would like to take after University? I was wondering whether she was interested in particular companies or sectors. She could then take that into consideration when looking at courses.

What kind of work would suit her? Where would she be happy?

Original poster
Orquid · 15/10/2023 21:15

Her favourite subject has always been Design Technology so I see her doing something along those lines.

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Panicmode1 · 15/10/2023 21:21

Leeds have a good product design/design engineering course as a friend of DS is currently in his second year and enjoying it. Loughborough also have engineering tho not sure on product design etc....

DS is doing engineering at Cambridge, but applied for design engineering at Imperial and Bristol - he loved both of their courses, and had offers from both but couldn't turn down Cambridge!

TorontoLakeOntario · 15/10/2023 21:23

We only employ graduates who can use software such as AutoCad or ArchiCad.

Many universities only teach Revit or Sketchup. Which is great - but not real world enough. And certainly not technical enough.

(Solidworks is OK for some product design)

I can't help with individual universities. Although I'm sure York and Bath have produced our better graduates.

I work on large infrastructure projects that require engineering, architectural and product design 😊

GoldenRuby · 15/10/2023 21:30

Loughborough would be a good option for Product Design Engineering. A levels required are Maths plus either DT, Engineering or Physic, at AAA.

ExcitingRicotta · 15/10/2023 21:53

There’s a big difference between a Product Design (BA/BSc) and an integrated engineering degree (MEng). It sounds like needs to decide which path she wants to take? The latter would allow her to become a chartered engineer but a product design degree would not. No harm in taking a year to do internships etc if she is in London.
But as you say, she might be limited without physics.
For MEng degrees I would suggest looking at Bath, Bristol, Loughborough, Cambridge and Sheffield.

BlueRabbitWasNaughty · 15/10/2023 21:57

Yes, Loughborough are excellent for both design courses and engineering. They are very different though... engineering is very maths heavy.

My ds is currently studying Industrial Design there after loving his DT A'level (also did maths A level but I don't think it was required for his course).

Another ds is doing Design Engineering A'level and I believe it has more electronics etc rather than straight design... some of the Uni courses reflect this. He is looking at Nottingham University I think.

She probably needs to look into the individual courses at different unis and decide if it's the design or the engineering which appeals. The courses are all broken down online so you can see exactly what modules they can choose from.

clary · 15/10/2023 22:47

Posted on your other thread @Orquid but just to say, despite the love for Lboro (me too!) it’s a loooong way from being a lovely/busy city.

Mate of ds did product design there and enjoyed it. It’s not engineering tho. Agree with those who say, look at courses and modules and see what appeals.

clary · 15/10/2023 22:48

long way from being a lively/ busy city I meant haha

KnottyKnitting · 15/10/2023 22:50

Best place for Product design is Loughborough. My DD went there- year in industry is standard and all of her friends are in P design jobs. Don't be fooled by the fact it isn't a RG uni- their design school is world class.

We looked at a few RH unis for PD and they weren't a patch on L'bro.

stubiff · 16/10/2023 07:49

As others have said - I think DC needs to look more into Product Design v Design Engineering, to a) see how much Physics is involved, b) see what their career aspirations are and c) decide if they really dislike Physics. That will steer the subject, and the Unis.

Original poster
Orquid · 16/10/2023 08:07

Thank you everyone. It seems she needs to decide pretty quickly as if she decides she wants to do design engineering she may have a bit more options with physics; however for product design I think she is fine with current subjects.

What are her jobs prospects with product design and design engineering? She wants to do something she enjoys and is passionate about it but also pays well.

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