MEng Design Engineering
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 2020 entry data
- UCAS course code: 28G3
- ECTS: 270
- Start date: October 2022
- 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
- Materials and Manufacturing
- 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: Energy and Design
- Working in Organisations
Year 3
Core modules
- Design Engineering Futures
- Industry Placement (Part 1)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Optimisation
- Robotics 1: Introduction to Robotics
- Robotics 2: Applied Robotics
Optional modules
You will choose one of the modules below.
- Audio Experience Design
- Advanced Industrial Design
- Design Psychology
- Designing Interventions for Behavioural Change
- Economics and Finance for Systems Design
- Machine Learning for Design Engineers
- 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.
- Audio Experience Design
- Advanced Industrial Design
- Design Analytics for the Sharing Economy
- Design for Additive Manufacturing
- Design Psychology
- Designing Interventions for Behavioural Change
- Economics and Finance for Systems Design
- Machine Learning for Design Engineers
- Nano Design Engineering
- Responsible Engineering and Design Innovation
- 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.
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)
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.
The accreditation from the IED runs from 2015 to 2021, so is due to renew in 2021. The accreditation from IMechE runs from 2015 to 2022, and the accreditation from IET runs from 2015 to 2025. The department expects to be accredited by all three professional bodies in the future.
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 2022 entry is A*AA overall, to include:
- 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 2020 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 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 2022 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 2020 entry was 38–40 points.
Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2022
For entry in 2022, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course 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.
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 subjects
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course 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.
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, Physics and Computer Science or 80% Mathematics, Statistics and Further Mathematics, and Computer Science or 80% Mathematics, Statistics and Further Mathematics, and Mathematical Modelling and Interdisciplinary Mathematics
To meet these requirements, students should choose from the following IFP pathways:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Engineering
Contextual admissions
We want to make sure that the Imperial learning community is as diverse as the society we serve. So to make our admissions process as fair as possible, we have introduced admissions schemes for Home students that allow us to consider your application in the full context of any additional barriers you may face.
Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for our contextual admissions schemes.
If your predicted grades meet the minimum College entry standard of AAA at A-level or an equivalent level qualification in the relevant subjects, this department will guarantee you an interview.
Read more about the contextual admissions scheme in this department and others.
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
2022 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.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
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
2022 entry
£35,100 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 Overseas 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.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Additional course costs
This section outlines additional costs relevant to this course. These are not included in your tuition fees. It's possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.
Figures are approximated, usually based on costs in the most recent academic year. They are likely to change each year but it's useful for you to be aware of the things you may have to pay for. This can help you budget for life at Imperial.
Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you can opt-out of these.
| Description | Mandatory/optional | Guide to cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary | Mandatory | From £30 |
| Laptop computer | Mandatory (loan machines available) | £500-£1,500 |
| Please review the information below for more information on the costs listed in the table. | ||
Laptop computer
The School has a number of high-spec laptops available for short-term loan from laptop lockers within the Dyson Building. These computers are generally used for applications that may exceed the capability of students’ personal devices.
Stationary
You will need particular stationary and equipment for some classes and coursework. This will include things like drawing equipment. You will receive a detailed list of what you are expected to bring before your course starts.
Placement
You will spend time on an industrial placement between April and September in your third year. You will receive a stipend from your industry host to reimburse you for any additional costs incurred through completing the placement, such as travel costs.
Project materials
The School will provide you with the materials you need to complete practical projects as part of the course. These materials will be provided free of charge, within reason.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
Most Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across different accommodation options.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
Our course, launched in 2015, nurtures the creativity, enterprise skills and industrial experience that will appeal to a wide range of industries.
Our first students graduated in 2019. They work in 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.
Application deadlines
Applications are now closed.
Any questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions.
If you have a disability or impairment, the Disability Advisory Service are here to support you and answer your questions.
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.
Sign up for our newsletter
Receive regular updates with useful information about studying with us.
Explore Imperial
Take a virtual tour
Explore our South Kensington Campus and our halls of residence from your home.
Chat with our students
Have your questions answered by real Imperial students.
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: