Product design or engineering

[busygirl8888]

HI, DS is studying Maths, Physics and Design Technology A'levels and is interested in studying Product Design at university. DH is an engineer and says that fewer products are being designed in the UK in general so thinks that a broader engineering degree such as Mechanical Engineering would give more options and job opportunities than Product Design both in the UK and abroad. Also that if he does Engineering he might be able to go into Product Design anyway, but probably couldn't do that the other way around.

I feel that an engineering degree at a respected university could also open doors in finance and IT if DS changed his mind, but that Product Design is a bit more niche and less likely to do that. Having done a quick search of vacancies there certainly appear to be many more on the engineering side.

Are we doing the wrong thing by persuading him to consider engineering? WIth the costs involved in going to uni, we're trying to make the best decision possible. And yes, he is considering apprenticeships in product design too including the Dyson one but this appears to be ultra-competitive and not sure there are many others.

Any advice much appreciated!

Yes, my db did a-level further maths back in the 80s. You didn’t really get vocational a-levels then.

Have a look at smallpeice trust. They offer holiday courses in different aspects of engineering.

www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk

@sixsept No. A level engineering taken by DH in 1969-71. Maths was Pure of Applied. FM simply wasn’t needed. All engineering courses were BSc or BEng. Masters were a separate course and not needed to be a chartered engineer. Back then DH really enjoyed A level engineering which he did in addition to maths and physics. Grammar school for boys and it had a creative curriculum which suited lots of the boys!

I have a ds just about to graduate from Industrial Design at Loughborough. He loved it but is now struggling to get a graduate job despite a great industrial placement year. I really think he would have been better off with engineering but think he might have struggled with the course as maths is his weakest subject (3 x A* and a B which was maths).

If he’s capable of engineering on a decent course, I would definitely encourage that.

DD only considered Engineering.

Design Engineering at Bristol
Product Design Engineering at Loughborough
Design Engineering at IC

She is going to study Design Engineering at Bristol. She didn’t want to focus on product only; She did Maths, Chemistry, Design Technology A levels.

Product design engineering (MEng course) at both Strathclyde and Loughborough meets the educational requirements to go down the chartered engineer route which opens lots of roles. You get the advantage of an Engineering degree with opportunity to engage in design and innovation too.

My DC did the Strathclyde course and is now on fantastic graduate Engineering programme at a major U.K. company.

@Bigskiesandsunsets Most RG universities or similar with have their MEng courses accredited for CEng. New courses not immediately sometimes. I do feel engineering is more flexible than product design.