Product Design Engineering or Product Design Technology

What’s the difference, and which one should you study?

Embark on a journey of discovery with our undergraduate degrees in Product Design Engineering and Product Design Technology. While both paths may sound similar, they offer distinct opportunities for budding designers and engineers.

Our Product Design Engineering degree delves deep into the fusion of aesthetic design principles with essential engineering knowledge, equipping you with a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering science. Whilst, our Product Design Technology course embraces a forward-thinking approach, leveraging cutting-edge technology to craft stunning, innovative, and practical products.

Whether you're fascinated by the intricacies of manufacturing or thrilled by the possibilities of modern technology, we have the perfect course to ignite your passion and propel you towards a rewarding career in design.

Hear from students Elena and Max for insights into both courses to help you make your decision.

Course comparison

This comparison table shows the key differences between Product Design Engineering and Product Design Technology.
Criteria Product Design Engineering Product Design Technology
Course outline

This course will develop your understanding of aesthetic and ergonomic design principles, as well as the engineering science that underpins them, allowing you to create functional and innovate products and design solutions. You will also explore how production technologies can be used to ensure products are manufactured at the right volume and quality.

This course takes a technologically innovative approach to the design and creation of beautiful, ingenious, and functional products. It is well suited to students who are excited at the prospect of utilising modern technology for the creation of contemporary design solutions.
School School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering School of Design and Creative Arts
Study options
  • Product Design Engineering MEng
  • Product Design Engineering BEng
  • Product Design Engineering with a Foundation Year
  • Product Design and Technology BSc
  • Product Design and Technology with a Foundation Year
Additional awards
  • Placement Year (Diploma in Professional Studies)*
  • Placement Year in Enterprise (Diploma in Professional Studies)
  • International Exchange Programme (Diploma in International Studies)

* aligned with UK Engineering Council UK-SPEC
  • Placement Year (Diploma in Professional Studies)
  • Placement Year in Enterprise (Diploma in Professional Studies)
  • International Exchange Programme (Diploma in International Studies)
Accreditation
  • Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
  • Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
  • Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
Top graduate destinations

Adidas, Apple, Bentley Motors, Bosch, Caterpillar UK, Dyson, JCB, McLaren Applied, Triumph Motorcycles, Unilever, and more.

Graduates can also choose to expand their skillset to enhance their career prospects with a postgraduate degree at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. We offer a broad portfolio of postgraduate taught programmes in the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering.

DCA Design International, Cambridge Consultants, IBM, SharkNinja, TTP.

Graduates can also choose to expand their skillset to enhance their career prospects with a postgraduate degree at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. We offer a broad portfolio of postgraduate taught programmes in the School of Design and Creative Arts.
Top placement destinations

Apple, 3M Healthcare, BAE Systems, BP, Dyson, Rolls-Royce, Tata Steel, Toyota, TRW Lucas Aerospace, Unilever, and more.

Avon Protection, PDD, PriestmanGoode, SharkNinja, Unilever.
Involvement with industry

Students will undertake group projects solving real-world problems, supplied by our industrial partners, as well as opportunities to work on individual design projects.

Insights and case studies are provided by industry through guest lectures and various design, engineering and innovation competitions.

There are opportunities to work on live briefs set by our long-standing industry partners, enter design competitions, gain an insight into industry from our guest speakers, and to exhibit in our annual Degree Show.
Discover our courses
Product Design Engineering with Foundation Year
Product Design Engineering BEng
Product Design Engineering MEng
Product Design and Technology with Foundation Year
Product Design and Technology BSc

Our students and alumni

From jet powered suits to concussion testing devices, here are just some of the product design projects from our students and alumni.

A hand-held electronic device being pressed into the torso of a medical dummy

Joseph Bentley

Product Design Technology

Joseph won the James Dyson Award for designing a life-saving device that rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds.
Kate smiling towards the camera with laptop in hand

Kate Allan

Product Design Engineering

Kate is one of just 50 of the UK’s leading women entrepreneurs for designing children's prosthetics that grows with the user.
A hand-held concussion testing device being held up to a man's face

Joel Poulter

Product Design Technology

Joel designed a handheld device that aims to detect sports-related concussions in 10 seconds.
Olivia smiling at the camera with a computer in the background

Olivia Jeffries

Product Design Engineering

Olivia benefitted from undertaking a placement and felt more prepared for her degree and beyond.

The 'Sunny' device comprising two sun cream applicators shaped like astronauts and a rocket-shaped docking station.

Poppy Topping

Product Design Technology

Poppy designed a sun cream monitor that takes the guesswork out of protecting kids' skin.
Abigail Robison smiling

Abigail Robison

Product Design Engineering

Abigail uses her engineering knowledge and project management skills to support car builds ahead of races.
Sam Rogers wearing a jet suit

Sam Rogers

Product Design Technology

Sam demonstrated the world’s fastest jet-powered suit at the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Degree Show.
Dilly holding engineering equipment

Dilly Alias

Product Design Engineering

Dilly learnt significant technical skills whilst undertaking a placement and pursued a career in mechanical design after graduation.

Next steps

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