BEng (Hons) Engineering Design

Why study this subject?

With the government has a high priority in supporting the STEM subjects at all levels, coupled with the drive for apprenticeships, it’s a perfect time to study BEng (Hons) Engineering Design. Additionally, the recent development of the Degree Apprenticeship Levy has meant that companies are keen to explore the opportunities that this type of degree will bring to their businesses. 

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

With a history of delivery expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career. The University has also produced engineering degrees in Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas for over 25 years.

Led by a dedicated teaching team with a wealth of experience within the industry, you’ll benefit from their insider-knowledge and the professional-network they bring with them. Our array of industry practitioners and working alumni will be involved in delivering guest lectures, masterclasses and workshops, site visits and where possible, contribute to the assessment of your work.

You’ll learn hands-on practical skills to help you stand out to potential employers. You’ll get to grips with industry-standard equipment including in our CAD/CAM labs, ensuring upon graduation you are prepared for your first role.

Delivered through lectures, tutorials, and studio-based work, each of the modules you study will help to build your identity and specialist knowledge as an Engineering Designer. You will also work closely with other students across a range of disciplines allowing you to experience the professional structures you will be a part of in the workplace.

With London only a short train ride away, you’ll have the opportunity to visit galleries, museums, construction project sites as well as sites of historical and contemporary interest introducing you to the clients, contacts, and project sites.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

What facilities can I use? 

We have a range of state-of-the-art-facilities for you to get hands-on with. You’ll develop essential skills within our Engineering IT Studio, using programmes such as AutoCAD, 3d Studio Max, Rhino and Photoshop through structured lessons in IT/CAD/CAM suites and studios. You’ll also get hands-on with 3D printing and augmented reality (AR) technology.

This mix of traditional and highly creative learning environments will enable you to learn essential knowledge and real-world skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.

You are expected to take ownership of your learning and are required to spend time outside the contact time with tutors undertaking independent study. That’s why we offer a library filled with all the articles, books, research papers, computers, and printers that you may need during your studies.

How will I be taught and assessed?

The course will use learning and teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, and project supervision.  Virtual learning environment (VLE) will be used throughout the teaching of modules. Project briefs, lecture notes, and supporting information such as study skills guides are made available through the VLE and you will be encouraged to research information using directed activities.

We also aim to provide industry brief opportunities for you to apply your knowledge, skills and understanding into real-world contexts. The theoretical underpinning of practice encourages the development of critical perspectives in relation to the language of design.  At all levels of the course, employability skills have been built into the programme to prepare learners to gain work experience and acquire skills to secure employment on graduating. These activities will include practitioner visits, CV preparation, mock interviews, and production of a personal portfolio. 

You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, but you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working-world.

A variety of assessment vehicles are used as appropriate to each module.  The forms of assessment have been chosen to motivate learners to achieve and to create positive learning opportunities. The assessments are mainly coursework, which include:

• lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• written assignments
• workshops and practical sessions
• online resources
• independent learning
• laboratories for testing and proving of theory
• research and industrial visits
• final project and dissertation.

Our Engineering Design programme gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make your big career decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose the pathway which leads to your chosen career.