Design Engineering

Ignite your creativity and engineering capabilities by studying our design engineering degree, where innovation meets practicality for real-world change.

Course outline

This dynamic course, accredited* by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), empowers students to conceive, design, implement and operate using a practical learning approach. With a strong emphasis on technical skills, you will gain expertise in product design and mechanical engineering, bridging the gap between these disciplines. At Aston University, you will learn through hands-on experience, collaborating with engineers and designers to develop professional skills whilst mirroring the challenges of the real world.

Key benefits

• Professionally accredited* – Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

• Excellent prospects – Ranked 8th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Mechanical Engineering; Complete University Guide, 2025)

• Power up your future – Develop the skills employers around the globe look for. Gain an edge in a fast-changing world and thrive in your career with Aston Power Skills.

• Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

• Highly ranked - Ranked 12th overall in the UK for Mechanical Engineering (Guardian, 2025)

• Earn more – Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £38,700 five years after graduating (Engineering; Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2024)

• Experiential learning - Design, build and race at Silverstone a single-seat racing car in IMechE’s national competition, Formula Student.

Where can this degree take me?

The transferable skills that our design engineering programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

• Application engineer

• Research and development graduate engineer

• Head of curriculum

• Assistant digital engineer

• Tax associate

• Graduate project manager

• Graduate quality engineer

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Balfour Beatty, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Leonardo, Fabrio Design, Technical Services (UK), Faurecia Group, and Laing O'Rourke.

Professional accreditation
*This programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). As part of the standard process, it is currently undergoing re-accreditation, with confirmation expected before September 2026.