BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture including an Industrial Year Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham
BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture including an Industrial Year at University of Nottingham is distinctive in the way it blends engineering, analytical and manufacturing content, giving students both a technical grounding and a real-world view of product design.
About this course
The course is unique due to our engineering, analytical and manufacturing content, giving you a technical and real-world view of product design. From the provider’s course page.
BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture including an Industrial Year is a Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) at the University of Nottingham. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Engineering graduates from this provider, 88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 86% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £33,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 205. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 88% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 5 modules
- Engineering Practice and ProjectCore
Module details
Provides a comprehensive introduction to engineering design and project delivery through both theoretical understanding and practical application. Covers fundamental design principles, machine elements selection and basic manufacturing skills. Introduces methods to develop and communicate designs through CAE and project planning techniques including scheduling, risk assessment, resource allocation and engineering documentation.
- Industrial Design 1Core
Module details
Focuses on the broader discipline of Industrial Design and topics influencing design practice. Covers History of Design, Impact on Popular Culture, Role of the Designer, Design Methodology, Ethical Responsibility, Graphical Skills, Photography, Portfolio Skills, Sustainability and Ecology. Includes a short design project.
- Materials and ManufacturingCore
Module details
Introduces properties of materials, selected failure mechanisms and core manufacturing methods used in engineering applications. Provides understanding of materials and manufacturing techniques to produce effective and commercially viable products.
- Mathematics and ProgrammingCore
Module details
Delivers mathematics teaching alongside core programming principles. Covers mathematics required for engineering problems including solving first- and second-order differential equations, complex number algebra, systems of equations with matrix techniques and vectors. Introduces computer programming including variables, data types, loops, functions, arrays, data plotting and simple computer graphics.
- Statics and DynamicsCore
Module details
Introduces analysis of mechanical systems in statics and dynamics contexts. Develops analytical skills through topics including force equilibrium, stress and strain analysis, kinematics, conservation laws and mechanical drive systems. Emphasises applying concepts to simplified engineering scenarios.
Year two 6 modules
- Design CommunicationCore
Module details
Develops ability to communicate design work to a broad range of individuals. Develops CAD skills and surface modelling so students can model objects with appropriate detailing. Introduces Keyshot for high-end realistic computer-generated images and animations. Covers Solidworks Parametric Modelling, Solidworks Surface Modelling, Digital Sketching & Rendering and Keyshot Photo realistic Rendering.
- Design for ManufactureCore
Module details
Develops knowledge, understanding and practical skills in design for manufacturing and product development. Covers design for manufacturability, design for assembly, rapid prototyping and manufacturing, jigs and fixtures, process planning, group technology and design for cost. Two hours lectures and three hours practicals each week.
- Industrial Design 2Core
Module details
Continues exploration of Industrial Design in more depth. Focuses on branding and marketing, ecology and sustainability, and advanced Engineering Drawings. Covers Company Structures, Product Design Industry Supply Chains, Sustainability facts and tools.
- Introduction to Design ProjectsCore
Module details
Introduces design projects with complex problems and structured design process to develop solutions. Addresses user and commercial needs while considering manufacturing processes. Builds awareness of core design skills and practical application in real-world design challenges with focus on material selection and manufacturing techniques.
- Materials, Manufacturing and SustainabilityCore
Module details
Addresses engineering materials and their application in sustainable design practice. Develops integrated understanding of material properties, processing and through-life considerations. Covers design requirements and constraints, material performance evaluation, sustainable manufacturing considerations and selection methods for sustainable design.
- User Centred Research and DesignCore
Module details
Introduces ergonomics (human factors) in product design. Demonstrates importance of ergonomics input to design and teaches practical application of user centred research methods. Covers Task Analysis, Anthropometric data, Human Factors in Design, Designing for Users, User Based research methods, Evaluation Methods, Ethics in Design and Emotional Design.
Year three 1 modules
- Year in industryCore
Module details
Year-long placement with appropriate company. Significantly enhances engineering knowledge and skills. Students receive support in applying for placement, have regular meetings with tutor throughout the year and remain fully registered with the university. Provides opportunity to apply learning to real projects in professional working environment.
Year four 5 modules
- BEng Major Design ProjectCore
Module details
Final and largest piece of work undertaken during studies. Students conduct design and engineering phase over 16 weeks. Requires students to utilise and demonstrate skills learned throughout the course and apply them to develop a fully detailed and complete design. Includes ideation phase, production of high-quality concepts, development, detailing, engineering detail, engineering drawings, high quality renders and design presentation boards.
- Computer Aided EngineeringCore
Module details
Advanced module building on CAD modelling and analysis techniques experience. Covers solid and surface modelling, rendering, finite element analysis, design studies and optimisation. Provides advanced practical CAE skills for use in project work and industry with weekly exercises under support of experienced CAE team.
- Major Project PreparationCore
Module details
Undertaken during final 16 weeks of study. Problem area/project title is selected and students undertake substantive body of research and investigation to understand background and relevant requirements prior to design phase. Utilises broad range of investigatory methods to identify user requirements and desires. Covers User based Research, Questionnaires, Empathy Studies, Identify Project opportunities and Develop requirements for the Product.
- Polymer Design and ManufacturingCore
Module details
Builds on materials and manufacturing knowledge from first two years focusing on injection moulding process and other high-volume plastic manufacturing techniques. Teaches design of components suitable for these methods and associated tooling using computational tools like mould flow analysis. Includes design project applying learning in creating polymer injection-moulded components.
Assessment: Those who do not pass the module will be required to complete a re-assessment exam, with the exam mark determining progression.
- Sustainable DesignCore
Module details
Focuses on sustainability in engineering with emphasis on industrial design. Explores wide range of topics influencing sustainability and methodologies for promoting sustainability within design process. Includes analytical analysis of data to assess impact of design decisions. Key component is a design project where students apply knowledge to create sustainable product solutions.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The degree is built around a progression that takes students from foundational understanding through to independent, applied work. Core theory establishes the engineering and design principles that underpin product development, while research & methods introduces the analytical tools used to investigate materials, processes, and user needs. Applied practice gives students the chance to put these principles into use on real design and manufacturing problems, and specialist options allow some tailoring of study towards particular interests within product design, such as materials selection, manufacturing processes, or design analysis. The independent project forms a substantial piece of self-directed work towards the end of the course, where students take a product concept through to a more developed design and manufacturing solution. Running alongside the technical content, professional skills are woven throughout, preparing students for the realities of working life in design and manufacturing roles. The Industrial Year sits within this structure as an extended period of workplace experience, adding a further year to the standard three-year format and giving students the chance to apply their learning in a genuine industrial setting before returning to finish their studies.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is curious about how physical products come into being, not just how they look, but how they are engineered, tested, and manufactured at volume. If you enjoy taking things apart to understand how they work, sketching ideas and then wanting to know whether they'd actually survive contact with a production line, this kind of technical, hands-on design thinking will likely appeal to you. It's a good fit for people who don't want to choose between creativity and engineering rigour, but who are drawn to both, someone equally comfortable with a CAD package and a spreadsheet of material properties. Because the course includes an Industrial Year, it particularly suits students who want an extended, immersive taste of working life before graduating, rather than a short placement or none at all. You should be prepared for a four-year commitment and comfortable stepping outside a purely academic setting for a substantial stretch of that time. Most students accepted onto the course arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 160–175 UCAS tariff band, though this reflects the profile of recent entrants rather than a fixed requirement. Studying here will mean working alongside people with similarly practical, problem-solving mindsets, in a research-intensive university setting.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Engineering courses, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 80% of those working are in highly skilled roles or further study. These are national Graduate Outcomes figures for the subject area rather than statistics specific to this course or university, but they give a sense of the destinations open to engineering graduates generally. 88% of students on courses like this continue into their second year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies. National earnings data (LEO) for graduates in comparable fields shows starting salaries, 15 months after graduating, typically ranging between £29,000 and £35,000. After three years this widens to between £26,775 and £37,800, and after five years to between £33,150 and £46,800. These figures reflect national outcomes across graduates in the field and should not be read as a guaranteed salary for any individual or course, actual earnings vary considerably depending on role, sector, and location. The inclusion of an Industrial Year is intended to give students direct exposure to employer expectations and workplace practice ahead of graduating, which may be relevant when considering career routes into product design, manufacturing engineering, or related technical roles.
University & format
The University of Nottingham is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1881. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 framework. Degrees are awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body and are nationally recognised. This BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture including an Industrial Year (UCAS code H71A) runs full-time over four years, taught in English, and leads to a Bachelor's degree with Honours.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 80% |
| Other | 10% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H71A). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Nottingham →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £33,000 | £30,000 – £36,000 | 205 |
| 3 years after | £33,500 | £29,000 – £38,000 | 445 |
| 5 years after | £41,500 | £34,500 – £52,000 | 465 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 205. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 205. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 56% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 585; response rate: 66%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £33,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 92.4% · in work or study 88% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Nottingham
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around The University of Nottingham
844 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Nottingham from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £32,726 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Nottingham’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Nottingham and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Nottingham
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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