BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham
BEng (Hons) Product Design and Manufacture at University of Nottingham. Rather than treating design as a purely creative pursuit, the course grounds it in the realities of how things are engineered, tested, and made at scale, so you leave with an understanding of the full journey from concept to production.
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 is a Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) at the University of Nottingham. It runs 3 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
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. Includes 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 with topics influencing design practice. Students undertake a short design project. Topics covered include: History of Design, Impact on Popular Culture, Role of the Designer, Design Methodology, Ethical Responsibility, Graphical Skills, Photography, Portfolio Skills, Sustainability and Ecology.
- Materials and ManufacturingCore
Module details
Introduces properties of materials, selected failure mechanisms and core manufacturing methods used in engineering applications. Covers 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 solving first- and second-order differential equations, complex numbers algebra, matrix techniques and vectors. Introduction to writing and understanding computer programs, 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. Covers force equilibrium, stress and strain analysis, kinematics, conservation laws and mechanical drive systems. Develops skills to apply concepts to simplified engineering scenarios.
Year two 6 modules
- Design CommunicationCore
Module details
Develops communication of design work to clients, customers, specialist engineers and other designers. Develops CAD skills and includes surface modelling to model almost any object with appropriate detailing. Introduces Keyshot for production of high-end realistic computer-generated images and animations. Covers Solidworks Parametric Modelling, Surface Modelling, Digital Sketching & Rendering, Keyshot Photo realistic Rendering.
- Design for ManufactureCore
Module details
Develops knowledge, understanding and practical skills in design for manufacturing and manufacturing and product development. Covers design for manufacturability, design for assembly, rapid prototyping and manufacturing, jigs and fixtures, process planning and 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 depth. Covers branding and marketing, company structures, product design industry and supply chains. Builds on ecology and sustainability knowledge and takes advanced look into Engineering Drawings. Topics include: Branding and Marketing, Company Structures, Product Design Industry, Supply Chains, Sustainability: the facts, Sustainability Design Tools, Engineering Drawings.
- Introduction to Design ProjectsCore
Module details
Introduces design projects challenging with complex problems and guiding through application of structured design process. Addresses user and commercial needs while considering manufacturing processes. Builds awareness of core design skills and practical application in solving 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) encompassing different aspects of product design. Demonstrates importance of ergonomics input to design and teaches practical application of user centred research methods. Covers Task Analysis, Anthropometric data and Understanding Humans, Human Factors in Design, Designing for Users, User Based research methods, Evaluation Methods, Ethics in Design, Emotional Design.
Year three 5 modules
- BEng Major Design ProjectCore
Module details
The final and largest piece of work undertaken during studies. Students conduct design and engineering phase over 16 weeks. Requires utilisation and demonstration of variety of skills learnt throughout course. Students present final design with engineering drawings communicating manufacturing detail. Covers: Ideation phase, Production of high-quality concepts, Development Design Detailing, Engineering detail, Engineering Drawings, High quality Renders, 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. Weekly exercises with support from experienced CAE users allowing work at own pace with targeted individual support.
- Major Project PreparationCore
Module details
Preparation for the Major Project undertaken in final 16 weeks of study. Problem area/project title is selected and students undertake substantive body of research and investigation. Broad range of investigatory methods utilised to identify profile of user requirements and desires. Covers: User based Research, Questionnaires, Empathy Studies, Identify Project opportunities, Develop requirements for the Product, Production of Brief.
- Polymer Design and ManufacturingCore
Module details
Builds on materials and manufacturing knowledge from first two years, focusing on injection moulding process alongside other high-volume plastic manufacturing techniques. Learn to design 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. Those not passing required to complete re-assessment exam.
- 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. Through analytical analysis of data, assesses impact of design decisions. Key component is design project applying 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 course structure moves you progressively from grounding to independence. You'll begin with core theory, building the engineering and design fundamentals that underpin everything else, materials, mechanics, manufacturing processes, and the principles of good product design. Alongside this, research & methods teaches you how to investigate problems rigorously, whether that's understanding user needs, testing materials, or evaluating manufacturing options. Applied practice then puts this into action, giving you hands-on experience of designing, prototyping, and refining products in ways that mirror industry practice. As you progress, you'll choose specialist options such as areas that let you tailor your studies towards the aspects of product design and manufacture that interest you most. This is complemented by professional skills development, covering the communication, teamwork, and project management abilities that employers in engineering and design consistently look for. The course culminates in an independent project, where you take ownership of a substantial piece of work from initial concept through to a finished outcome, a chance to demonstrate everything you've learned and to produce something genuinely your own.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is curious about how everyday products actually work, not just how they look, but why they're shaped the way they are, what they're made from, and how they're manufactured at volume. If you enjoy taking things apart to understand them, sketching ideas, and then figuring out whether those ideas are actually feasible to build, this is likely to feel like a natural fit. You don't need to have already decided whether you're more "designer" or more "engineer", the course is built for people who want to develop both instincts side by side. A comfort with technical and analytical thinking will help, as will a willingness to get stuck into practical, hands-on work rather than staying purely in the abstract. Most students accepted onto the course arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, and the most common UCAS tariff among recent entrants has been in the 144–159 point range, though this reflects what entrants typically held rather than a fixed requirement. Over the three years, expect a mix of independent study, collaborative project work, and increasingly self-directed research, building towards the independent project where you'll be expected to manage your own time, ideas, and problem-solving process. If you like the idea of leaving university with a portfolio that demonstrates not just creative thinking but also technical rigour, this course is designed with that outcome in mind.
Careers & job market
Graduates of Engineering courses nationally have strong continuation rates: 88% of students continue past their first year, and 90% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 80% of those working graduates in highly skilled roles or further study, according to national Graduate Outcomes data. National earnings data (not specific to this university) for Engineering graduates shows starting salaries of £29,000–£35,000 fifteen months after graduation. After three years, this range shifts to £26,775–£37,800, and after five years to £33,150–£46,800. These figures reflect national outcomes for the sector and should be read as indicative context rather than a guarantee of what any individual graduate will earn. A product design and manufacture background can open routes into design engineering, manufacturing and production roles, and further study, drawing on the combination of technical, analytical, and creative skills built throughout the course.
University & format
The course is delivered full-time over three years at the University of Nottingham, a public, research-intensive university founded in 1881 and a member of the Russell Group. Teaching is recognised nationally, with the university holding a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and. The course is taught in English and leads to the UCAS course code H700, a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree (BEng Hons) from a fully accredited UK degree-awarding body.
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.
Integrated 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 | 40% |
| another higher-education qualification | 30% |
| a Baccalaureate | 15% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 10% |
| Other | 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 H700). 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 9.1 out of 10: NSS 93.9% · 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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