Overview
This course equips you for a career in product design, industrial design or in the product development sector, and is aligned to the way the design process is conducted in industry today. You will develop your creativity, backed by a thorough understanding of engineering issues, to ensure that products can be manufactured within the constraints of time, cost and quality.
There is a strong studio element with a focus on industrial relevance and project work throughout. From the second year, you will always be working on a product design project. Due to the project focus, these courses provide graduates with practical skills which are highly sought-after by employers.
During year two, you will also have a unique opportunity to see your academic subject from a different perspective by studying abroad in China or Malaysia. As well as starting an international network of contacts, you will discover new strengths and abilities – helping to enhance your future employment prospects.
Year one
The first year shares many modules with the department's other engineering degrees and will therefore give you a broad foundation in engineering science and design, manufacturing processes, material selection and behaviour, mathematics and business studies.
Year two
You will develop further design skills and commercial awareness in year two. There are several design projects throughout the year, complemented by modules in the areas of design techniques, manufacturing, ergonomics and business.
At the end of year two, you can opt to switch to the four-year MEng degree provided that you have obtained at least 55 percent in the end of year assessment. Alternatively, you can choose to remain on the three-year BEng degree.
Year three
You continue to develop design skills through project work and the modules studied become more in-depth. This includes a major design project undertaken in the final semester along with a dissertation.
More information
See also the Engineering and Science Foundation Year Programme.
Year one
Compulsory
Drawing for Design
This module will teach and develop skills in constructed and freehand drawing in perspective. It will teach you the rules of perspective drawing and basic pen control. You will develop their skills from sketching simple boxes to sketching complex forms with detail and contour lines.
You will progressively learn to add detail to their drawings and learn to draw quickly and neatly. You will be taught how light and shade can explain complex forms. You will learn how to use markers to add tonal work to sketches and to combine all these skills to produce sketch pages for design projects. The exercises will also help develop special awareness abilities and an appreciation of form.
Engineering Design and Design Project
This year long module introduces students to basic concepts and practice of design and manufacture with a semester long group and individual project. It includes the following topics:
- the process of design supported by practical design activities
- engineering drawing
- solid modelling and drawing generation
- machine elements
- group Design Project with Integrated Individual Element
- machine shop practical training
Student groups will undertake a different group design project in semester two aligned to their subject stream: Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering or Product Design and Manufacture
Industrial Design Professional Practice
This module provides an introduction to Industrial Design; a brief history of its leading practitioners, its impact on popular culture, the role of the designer, design methodology and ethical responsibilities of the designer.
The module also contains sessions teaching design project practice, graphical skills used in design, photography and the production of a portfolio of skills for the first year of your course.
Materials and Manufacturing
This year long module introduces students to the properties of materials, the main failure mechanisms which a designer will be concerned with (e.g overload, fracture, creep, fatigue) and core manufacturing methods used in engineering applications.
It includes the following topics:
- the role of materials and material properties in the design process
- the selection and use of materials
- the basic science underlying material properties and approaches to avoid failure of materials to provide the knowledge with which to design materials with better properties. For each property (or group of properties), a case study of practical design application will be addressed
- an introduction to manufacturing in the UK
- an introduction to high value – low volume and low value – high volume manufacturing processes including: casting, machining, moulding, forming, powder processing, heat treatment, surface finishing and assembly
- an introduction into additive manufacturing an introduction to manufacturing metrology
Mathematics for Engineers
This module introduces a range of fundamental elementary mathematical techniques that can be applied to mechanical engineering, manufacturing and product design problems. It includes:
- the calculus of a single variable, extended to develop techniques used in analysing engineering problems
- techniques for solving selected first-order and second-order differential equations
- the algebra of complex numbers to provide a key mathematical tool for analysis of linear mathematical and engineering problems
- the complexity of solving general (large) systems of equations
- advanced differential and integral calculus of one variable
- first-order ordinary-differential equations
- algebra of complex numbers
- matrix algebra and its applications to systems of equations and eigenvalue problems
- functions and their properties
- vector spaces and their applications
- vector calculus
Statics and Dynamics
An introductory module covering analysis methods applicable to engineering design including:
- review of basic mechanics: vectors, units, forces and moments, Newton’s laws
- static equilibrium: force and moment analysis in design; frictional forces
- free body diagrams and Pin-jointed structures
- stress, strain and elasticity
- multi-axial stress-strain; thin walled vessels under pressure
- shear stress and torsion of shafts
- plane stress; Mohr's circle analysis
- beam bending: shear force and bending moment diagrams
- second moments of area of cross-sections
- bending stresses in beams
- linear and rotational motion: displacement, velocity and acceleration
- relationship between angular and linear motion
- newton's Laws for linear and rotational motion
- linear and Angular Momentum, including conservation of momentum
- work, energy and power, including kinetic and potential energy
- geared systems
- drive systems, including tangential drives and vehicles
- load characteristics and steady-state characteristics
- flywheel design
- static and dynamic balancing
The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.
Year two
Core
Design Communication
User Centred Research and Design
Industrial Design and Professional Practice 2
Projects 1
Projects 2
The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.
Year three
Core
Projects 3
Materials and Manufacturing 3
Major Project Preparation
Industrial Design and Professional Practice 3B
BEng Major Design Project
This is a project based module for Product Design and Manufacture students in their third year. It is the final project of the BEng degree programme. The module comprises of one project, which develops and showcases the design skills of the student. This work will form the basis of the end of course exhibition. You’ll spend 20 hours working practically each week when studying this module.
The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.
Careers
You will have developed skills in product design, materials and manufacture that will enable you to undertake creative professional practice in the fields of product design or product development.
Professional recognition
This degree has been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Engineering Designers under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Boost your earning potential
Which university courses boost graduate wages the most? Studying with us could help you to earn more.
- We are second highest in the UK for female engineering graduate earnings, five years after graduation
- We are second highest in the Midlands for male engineering graduate earnings, five years after graduation
(Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies data: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44413086)
Average starting salary and career progression
92.3% of first-degree graduates from the department secured work or further study within six months of graduation (for some of our courses this rate is as high as 100%). The average starting salary was £26,000.
*Known destinations of full-time home undergraduates who were available for work, 2016/17. Salaries are calculated based on the median of those in full-time paid employment within the UK.
Careers support and advice
Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.
Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.
Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.
The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2019, High Fliers Research).
Fees and funding
Additional costs
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
The following are based on the total three years of the course. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £200.
Although most graphical materials for use in design projects are supplied there will be some Items you will have to buy, budget around £180 for this. Additionally, design projects have printing costs and you should budget for around £150.
Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change. (Printing presentation material is currently under review and could be eliminated completely by the time your course starts).
Scholarships and bursaries
The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.
Faculty-specific funding
In addition to the above, students applying to the Faculty of Engineering may be eligible for faculty-specific or industry scholarships.
Home students*
Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £2,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.
* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.
International/EU students
Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Excellence Scholarship is available for select students paying overseas fees who achieve 38 points or above in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. We also offer a range of High Achiever Prizes for students from selected countries, schools and colleges to help with the cost of tuition fees. Find out more about scholarships, fees and finance for international students.
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Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.