Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Masters of Science in Engineering Design aims to develop a thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques required to enable the student to work effectively in an engineering design role, regardless of whether that role is concerned with the design of products, processes, or systems at an overall or detail level.

The programme aims to develop:

• Effective working in an engineering design role, be that role in the design of products, processes or systems, at either management, overall, or detail levels.
• Employment of all of the available resources to ensure that the new design is available for market in the minimum possible time, commensurate with functional and commercial constraints.
• Deeper knowledge in specialist areas of engineering analysis.
• High-quality advanced engineering knowledge and experience in project management, sustainability, research and development skills.
• Advanced skills to meet the needs of design practitioners in today’s competitive markets to work in multidisciplinary and global industries with increasing commercial and environmental pressures.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
• Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, October 2019.
• Master's degree characteristics, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, September 2015.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1  The generic nature of design and the phases and activities within the overall design process;

K2  The relationships between design, manufacturing and commerce and the principles of new product development;

K3  Methods available to designers and their roles and limitations within the design process;

K4  Specific methods applicable to marketing, innovative design and critical evaluation of design;

K5  Scientific principles of structural analysis and the role and limitations of finite element (FE) modelling;

K6  Best practice and new techniques in CAE and related computer analysis;

K7  Management and people centred issues relating to CAE;

K8  Management and business practices (including finance, design management, accounting and quality);

K9  Sustainable development, environmental legislation, resource conservation and design for the environment in a company context;

K10 The importance, difficulties and methods of user centred design;

K11 The approach, methods and skills of industrial designers and ergonomists;

K12 The application of design techniques specific to particular products and processes. 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1  appreciate the broad range of influences and activities within the design process and explain their significance;

C2  evaluate technical and commercial risk and make decisions based on available information;

C3  address human factors considerations in new product design;

C4  identify appropriate methods and techniques for use at different stages and situations in the design process;

C5  analyse engineering problems to assist in the product design process;

C6  model and analyse engineering structure and complex systems;

C7  identify solutions to engineering problems from a sustainability/environmental standpoint;

C8  contribute to the innovative development of a new product. 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1  use the design process to plan and carry out projects;

P2  plan and implement re-organisation of a company for increased effectiveness;

P3  select appropriate use of graphical and modelling techniques and effectively apply these for design development and communication;

P4  adopt strategies for non-quantifiable design issues;

P5  apply effectively design methods within the new product design process;

P6  select suitable computer-based techniques for engineering design problems;

P7  use range of computer-based techniques for engineering design problems;

P8  design a new product with suitable analysis and critical evaluation;

P9  generate new ideas and develop and evaluate a range of solutions.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1   plan and monitor multi-disciplinary projects;

T2   appreciate the central role of design within engineering;

T3   communicate effectively and make presentations of a technical/business nature to achieve maximum impact;

T4   interact with industrial designers and ergonomists within multi-disciplinary teams;

T5   identify methods to assist in innovation, team-working and engineering communication;

T6   demonstrate competence in using computer-based engineering techniques;

T7   analyse and understand complex engineering problems;

T8   adopt systematic approach to integrating design requirements, materials and structures;

T9   use team-working skills to enhance design process;

T10 use time and resources effectively. 

4. Programme structure

The following tables list the modules that comprise the programme. All modules on the programme are compulsory.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Project (60 credits)

The taught modules are normally prerequisites for the Project module, which is an individual project under the direction of a supervisor.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

In addition:

• To meet PSRB requirements students must achieve a minimum of 150 credits with the remaining modules achieving a mark no lower than 40%.

• To be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, candidates must have accumulated at least 60 credits exlcuding the Major Project (WSP501/WSP504).

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XXI for candidates who have the right of re-examination to undergo reassessment in the University’s special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification