MEng Design Engineering
/dev01/imperial-dev-cdn-pxl/media/migration/study/160603_dyson_school_workshop_003--tojpeg_1481801187512_x4-4.jpg)
Fuse design thinking with engineering knowledge and practice in this highly creative integrated Master’s degree.
Key information
Award
MEng
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
6 : 1
Based on 2019 entry data
- UCAS course code: 28G3
- ECTS: 270
- Start date: October 2021
- Department: Dyson School of Design Engineering
- Campus: South Kensington
Overview
Design engineers are problem solvers who bridge the gap between traditional engineering and design. It's a discipline which draws on knowledge of manufacturing techniques, product development, technical design and rapid prototyping to bring new innovations to market. It also focuses on improving existing products and the processes used for making them.
This course aims to develop a range of fundamental design and engineering skills, with a particular emphasis on creativity, computer-aided engineering, optimisation, human factors and design process. You will gain the enterprise skills and industrial experience necessary to launch brand new products to market and translate design engineering into impact.
Study programme
During the first two years, you will study a series of compulsory modules focusing on foundational engineering, computing, mathematics and human factors, giving you a solid scientific and design basis to build on. These cover subjects such as mechanics, electronics, system design, mechatronics and data science. You will develop team working skills and begin to develop a personal professional identity through elective modules and targetted applications for placement roles.
The third and fourth years include a greater emphasis on advanced modules in design, engineering, enterprise and entrepreneurship. With a greater emphasis on optional modules, you will develop a highly individual professional profile. Optional modules on offer cover areas such as the Internet of Things, robotics, product design and industrial design, allowing you to specialise in the areas you are most interested in.
A six-month paid placement in industry from April in your third year will enable you to gain valuable practical experience.
In your fourth year, you will undertake Master’s level modules, and complete an extensive individual project.
Project work
This course contains a substantial number of project and coursework modules of increasing scale throughout the programme.
You will incrementally combine your engineering and design skills with business knowledge in successive projects, working both in groups and independently. This will culminate in an Enterprise Roll Out module in your final year, in which you will expose one of the products you have made to market reaction.
You will benefit from access to extensive hackspaces and workshops throughout the degree to support the development of your ideas.
Industrial placement
All students will undertake a six-month industrial placement from April until September between their third and fourth year of study. The placement will be on-site with an industrial partner and supervised jointly by the partner and Imperial.
In the past, students have worked at a diverse range of companies including Dyson, Brompton Bicycles, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, ABB Robotics, Microsoft Lift, Fitch, Monokoto, Random International, Better Future Factory and Cambridge Consultants.
Structure
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about them.
Year 1
Core modules
- Computing 1: Introduction to Scientific Computing
- Computing 2: Applications
- Electronics 1: Introduction to Electronic Circuits, Sensors, and Mechatronics
- Engineering Mathematics
- Human-centred Design Engineering
- Introduction to Design Engineering
- Production and Materials
- Solid Mechanics 1
Year 2
Core modules
- Data Science
- Electronics 2: Signals, Systems, and Control
- Finite Element Analysis
- Gizmo: Physical Computing
- Industrial Design Engineering
- Solid Mechanics 2
- Sustainable Design Engineering
- Thermofluids
- Working in Organisations
Year 3
Core modules
- Design Engineering Futures
- Industry Placement (Part 1)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Optimisation
- Robotics
Optional modules
You will choose one of the modules below.
- Advanced Industrial Design
- Consultancy for Mars Settlement Design
- Designing Interventions for Behavioural Change
- Digital Product Design Engineering
- Selected menu of Electives from Faculty/College
You will also complete the compuslory i-Explore module.
Year 4
Core modules
- Enterprise Roll Out
- Industry Placement (Part 2)
- Master’s Project
Optional modules
You will choose four of the modules below.
- Advanced Industrial Design
- Consultancy for Mars Settlement Design
- Design for Additive Manufacture
- Designing Interventions for Behavioural Change
- Digital Product Design Engineering
- Robotics Research Project
- Selected menu of Electives from Faculty/College
- Sensing and Internet of Things
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Course changes
This section lists the changes that have been made to the information on this page since UCAS applications opened in September 2020.
All core modules are displayed on this page. The optional modules represent an indicative list of those that are likely to be available rather than all optional modules that will be offered every year. As a result, the changes recorded here only apply to the modules displayed on this page rather than all available on this course.
For more information about these changes, please contact the Department.
09/03/2021: changes made to year three and year four modules
Professional accreditation
The course has achieved accreditation by the following professional bodies:
- Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)*
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
*The accredditation from the IED runs from 2015 to 2020 so is due to renew in 2020.
Achieving a professionally accredited degree demonstrates to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. It also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course.
The City and Guilds of London Institute is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
You will be taught in lectures, tutorials, workshops and project-based learning, providing a balance between theory and practice.
Teaching, independent study and placement hours
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lectures, seminars and similar | 450 hours | 450 hours | 270 hours | 200 hours |
Independent study | 1,050 hours | 1,050 hours | 855 hours | 1,425 hours |
Placement | – | – | 375 hours | 625 hours |
Based on the typical pathway through the course |
Assessment
This course uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Critiques
- Group projects
- Individual projects
- Industrial placement
- Laboratory practicals
- Presentations to staff and students
- Report writing
- Written examinations
Assessment types
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coursework | 40% | 50% | 60% | 75% |
Practical | 10% | 25% | 30% | 25% |
Examination | 50% | 25% | 10% | 0% |
Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number |
Staff expertise
At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2021 entry is A*AA overall, to include:
- A*/A in Mathematics
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made to at least 80% of A-level applicants for 2019 entry:
- Three A-level offer: A*AA–A*A*A
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
Additional Mathematics support
Our new A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2021 entry is 39 points overall, to include:
- 6 in Mathematics at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made to at least 80% of IB applicants for 2019 entry was 39–40 points.
Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2021
For entry in 2021, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Mathematics Analysis & Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi are accepted at higher level
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
- 5 in Calculus BC
- 5 in two other relevant subjects
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Selection process
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Interview
If your application has demonstrated sufficient potential you will be invited for an online interview. These typically run from November to February.
During the interview, your interest and aptitude will be assessed through a range of questions and problems. You are encouraged to present some examples of your own work/projects towards the end of the interview, although this will be for two minutes maximum, so please choose your examples carefully.
Pilot admissions schemes (Home students)
From 2020 entry, we will be using information about our applicants in a number of new pilot admissions schemes, to consider the wider context of Home students from groups underrepresented at the College.
Foundation programmes
A foundation course is a one-year preparation course, designed for international students, which leads to undergraduate programmes in the UK. Foundation programmes are normally for school-leavers who have studied a non-British curriculum but wish to pursue a degree at a UK university.
Foundation programmes are offered by many UK universities, but only two would be considered for entry to Imperial:
- UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE), and
- Warwick’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Science & Engineering
UCL UPCSE
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities. Students must complete four modules across the year – two compulsory and two elective modules:
Module | Status |
---|---|
Research and Academic Skills: Science and Society | Compulsory |
Academic English | Compulsory |
Biology | Elective |
Chemistry | Elective |
Mathematics | Elective |
Physics | Elective |
Information correct at time of publishing, but subject to change |
To be considered for admission to the Dyson School of Design Engineering, international students studying UCL UPCSE must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics + Biology, Chemistry or Physics
WARWICK IFP SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
A year-long programme for international students whose school leaving qualifications do not allow them direct entry to UK universities.
To be considered for admission to the Dyson School of Design Engineering, international students studying Warwick IFP Science and Engineering must achieve:
- 80% overall
- 80% Mathematics + Biology, Chemistry or Physics
To meet these requirements, students should choose from the following IFP pathways:
- Life Sciences
- Computer Science
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Economics
- Physical Sciences
- Engineering
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students who apply for this course.
For more information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), please see the International Student Support website.
View our terms and conditions on visas.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Dyson School of Design Engineering's competence standards [pdf]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Dyson School of Design Engineering
T: +44 (0)20 7594 8888
E: design.engineering@imperial.ac.uk
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2021 entry
£9,250 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
For regular updates for EU students, please see our Imperial and the EU webpages.
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2021 entry
£9,250 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
For regular updates for EU students, please see our Imperial and the EU webpages.
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Additional course costs
2021 entry
£9,250 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
For regular updates for EU students, please see our Imperial and the EU webpages.
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Accommodation and living costs
2021 entry
£9,250 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
For regular updates for EU students, please see our Imperial and the EU webpages.
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
This course is designed to equip you with creativity, enterprise skills and industrial experience that will appeal in a wide range of industries. Our graduates are expected to move into similar careers as graduates of our postgraduate courses in Global Innovation Design and Innovation Design Engineering, who now work for companies including Samsung, Apple and Bentley, as well their own startups such as Bare Conductive and Omlet.
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: 28G3
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
You can view this course on the UCAS website.
Application deadlines
All applications, other than those which include choices for medicine at Imperial, must be submitted to UCAS by 18.00 (UK time) on 29 January 2021 for entry in October 2021.
The deadline for medicine courses at Imperial starting in 2021 is 18.00 (UK time) on 15 October 2020.
Track your application
Once you’ve submitted your application you can use UCAS Track to follow its progress and manage your choices.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, Visas and more.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
Connect with us

Got a question?
T: +44 (0) 20 7594 8888
E: design.engineering@imperial.ac.uk
Read more on the Dyson School of Design Engineering website.

Join the conversation

Order a prospectus
For more information about Imperial and the courses we offer, you can download a PDF of our prospectus or request a printed copy.
Explore Imperial
1022556
For more information about Imperial and the courses we offer, you can download our prospectus or request a printed copy.
1022557
Explore our South Kensington Campus and our halls of residence without leaving your home. See upcoming live events and explore on-demand content.
1022558
We're proud to be the UK's most international university. Support available includes specialist immigration advice for and free English language support. EU students – see the latest information about the impact of Brexit.
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to universities. We've put together this information in a dedicated section of our website.
Read our terms and conditions for these areas: