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Product Design Engineering

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Ready to apply? You can apply for this course online now using the UCAS website. The deadline for UK students to apply for this course is 29 January 2025.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.

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Use these details to apply for this course through UCAS:

  • University name: University of Liverpool
  • Course: Product Design Engineering HW25
  • Location: Main site
  • Start date: 22 September 2025

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Master of Engineering

Master of Engineering, MEng, is an integrated master’s degree which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course.

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Course overview

This programme brings together the traditional discipline of design engineering and new product development. The result is a truly modern engineering degree that provides you with a solid technical grounding in engineering that prepares you for a successful career in industry.

Introduction

You’ll study core engineering subjects such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials and electronics and computer programming. Alongside, you’ll learn product design techniques such as design communication, human factors, product development and project management. These foundations will give you an understanding of the science that underpins product design engineering.

In years three and four, you will move on to advanced engineering science, working on complex design engineering projects that reflect real-life in industry. Unique to this programme is a 300-hour individual product design engineering project on a topic of your choice, demonstrating design and engineering knowledge as well as practical design skills. you will also take part in a two-year Capstone project, which is designed to transform students from novice design engineers into professionals.

This programme also has a year abroad option, an incredible opportunity to spend an academic year at one of our partner universities. On the 4-year integrated masters programme, you can go abroad either between Year 2 and 3 (apply in Year 2) OR Year 3 and 4 (apply in Year 3).

What you'll learn

  • Design engineering and new product development
  • Work on complex design engineering projects that reflect real-life in industry
  • 300-hour individual product design engineering project on a topic of your choice
  • Two-year Capstone project in years three and four

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

In year one you will study the core engineering subjects that provide fundamental knowledge of engineering science alongside product design techniques that underpins the practice of product design engineering.

Compulsory modules

SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES 1 (ENGG110)

Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and theory of how engineering structures work to sustain loads. It will also show how stress analysis leads to the design of safer structures. It will also provide students with the means to analyse and design basic structural elements as used in modern engineering structures.

DESIGN COMMUNICATION (ENGG115)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 2

This module provides students with essential foundational skills in effective hand sketching, visualisation, and final presentation of design ideas. Students are instructed in principles, examples, and demonstrations regarding the use of a variety of design communication media and techniques, for the purposes of conceiving, developing and presenting product design ideas.

Energy Science (ENGG116)

Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session

To develop an understanding of the basic principles of fluid mechanics, the laws of thermodynamics, and an appreciation of how to solve simple engineering problems. To develop skills in performing and reporting simple experiments.

Professional Engineering: a skills toolkit (ENGG111)

Credits: 30 / Semester: whole session

This module aims to provide students with an early understanding of the preliminary design processes including engineering drawing/visualisation, data analysis, computer aided engineering. It includes a team project and develops report writing and oral presentation skills. It also introduces vital topics of engineering sustainability and engineering ethics. It develops student ability to reflect upon and record their learning and development.

Engineering Mathematics (ENGG198)

Credits: 22.5 / Semester: whole session

ENGG198 is a Year 1 mathematics module for students of programmes taught in the School of Engineering, e.g. Aerospace, Civil, Architectural, Mechanical, Product Design and Industrial Design Engineering. It is designed to reinforce and build upon A-level (or equivalent) mathematics, providing you with the strong background required in your engineering studies and preparing you for Year 2 mathematics modules.

Introduction to Engineering Materials (MATS105)

Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session

To provide students with a basic introduction to various classes of engineering materials, their mechanical properties, deformation and failure and how the properties structure and processing can be controlled to design materials with desired properties for various engineering applications.

Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global Opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

What's available on this course?

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Year in industry

Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.

  • Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
  • Experience and understand workplace culture and disciple
  • Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
  • Begin your professional network
  • Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.

If you'd like to undertake a year in industry, you can transfer to Product Design Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng during your studies, subject to meeting the academic requirements of your course.

View Product Design Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng

To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Study as a bachelor's degree

This course is also available as a three year BEng (Hons) programme.

View Product Design Engineering BEng (Hons)

Your experience

Benefit from learning in outstanding facilities. Our £32 million redevelopment includes the award-winning Active Learning Laboratory, two research-standard full-motion flight simulators (one of which is unique within the academic world), manufacturing robotics, wind tunnels and a water flume.

Virtual tour

Suppporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability

Our research-led teaching ensures that we incorporate the latest advances in cutting-edge engineering research and our graduates have found employment in a wide range of international industries and organisations.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for companies in the following industries:
  • Engineering and Infrastructure: ABB Ltd, Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bentley, Corus, Halcrow, Laing O’Rourke, Mott Macdonald, Mouchel, Ramboll, Royal Haskoning, Siemens, Tarmac.
  • Aerospace and Aviation: Airbus, British Airways, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce.
  • Construction and Project Management: Costain, Metronet Rail.
  • Defence and Military: BAE Systems, British Army, RAF (Royal Air Force), Royal Navy.
  • Energy and Utilities: BMI, National Grid Transco, National Nuclear Laboratory, United Utilities.
  • Government organizations: Government organisations (not specifically listed), Highways Agency, Network Rail.
  • Glass and Materials: Pilkington.
  • Technology and Research: QinetiQ.

4 in 5 of our engineering students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £29,100
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £14,550
All UK fees, as well as year in industry fees for international students, are 2024/25 figures. These are pending confirmation from the UK Government of tuition fee levels for 2025/26. International course fees and year abroad fees for international students are confirmed for 2025/26. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about fees and funding.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This may include a laptop, books, or stationery. All safety equipment, other than boots, is provided free of charge by the department.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This may include a laptop, books, or stationery. All safety equipment, other than boots, is provided free of charge by the department.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here


Rigby Enterprise Award

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

The Liverpool Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

  • Home students

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

  • Home students

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

  • Home students

Joining a School of Biosciences degree in a non-clinical subject and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Graduate Association Hong Kong & Tung Undergraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • Hong Kong

If you’re an undergraduate student from Hong Kong who can demonstrate academic excellence, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship worth £10,000 in partnership with the Tung Foundation.

Nolan Scholarships

  • Home students

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

  • Home and international students

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

  • Home students

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship

  • International students

If you’re a high-achieving international student starting an undergraduate degree with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a fee discount of up to £5,000. You’ll need to achieve grades equivalent to AAA in A levels and be joining a non-clinical degree.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from UoLIC.

University of Liverpool International College First Class Scholarship

  • International students

We’re offering a £1,000 fee discount for years 2 and 3 of undergraduate study to eligible students progressing from University of Liverpool International College. You’ll need to be studying a non-clinical subject and get an average of 70% or above in year 1 of your degree.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a £3,000 fee discount off the first year of your undergraduate degree.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

ABB including Mathematics and a second Science.

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with A in the EPQ.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

T levels

T levels are not currently accepted.

GCSE 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
Subject requirements

Mathematics and a second science.

Applicants following the modular Mathematics A Level must be studying A Level Physics or Further Mathematics as the second science (or must be studying at least one Mechanics module in their Mathematics A Level).

Accepted Science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Environmental Science, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Physics, Statistics and Design & Technology - Product Design.

For applicants from England: For science A levels that include the separately graded practical endorsement, a "Pass" is required.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

Acceptable at grade Distinction alongside BB in A Level Mathematics and a second science.

BTEC Level 3 Diploma

Distinction Distinction in relevant BTEC considered alongside A Level Mathematics grade B. Accepted BTECs include Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical, Mechatronics and Engineering.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Not accepted without grade B in A Level Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate

33 overall, including 5 at Higher Level Mathematics and Physics

Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, including H2 in Higher Mathematics and Higher Second Science. We also require a minimum of H6 in Higher English or O3 in Ordinary English.
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Pass Scottish Advanced Highers with grades ABB including Mathematics and a second science.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Acceptable at grade B alongside AB in A Level Mathematics and a second science.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma D3 in Cambridge Pre U Principal Subject is accepted as equivalent to A-Level grade A M2 in Cambridge Pre U Principal Subject is accepted as equivalent to A-Level grade B Global Perspectives and Short Courses are not accepted.
Access Considered if taking a relevant subject. 42 Level 3 credits at Distinction, including 15 Level 3 credits in Mathematics is required. GCSE English and Mathematics grade C/4 or above also required.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT 78 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test 105 overall, with no component below 95 
Pearson PTE Academic 59 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic 65 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade C overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 5 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 5 overall.  
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature Grade 4 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced 169 overall, with no paper below 162

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH

Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-Sessional English course length On campus or online
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 6 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 10 weeks On campus and online options available
5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 20 weeks On campus
4.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 30 weeks On campus
4.0 overall, with no component below 4.0 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-Sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-Sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.0, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Product Design Engineering MEng

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

7 December 2022: Module changes

Compulsory module list updated

 

Year 1 compulsory modules

REMOVED:

ENGG112: THERMODYNAMICS I
ENGG113: FLUID MECHANICSMECH113
MECH113: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN A
ENGG114: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 1

ADDED:

ENGG116: Energy Science
ENGG111: Professional Engineering: a skills toolkit

 

Year 4 compulsory modules

REMOVED:

MNFG615: INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN

ADDED:

MNFG409: INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY

14 May 2024: Product Design Engineering MEng – course overview change

In the ‘Course Overview’ section after ‘You will also take part in a two-year Capstone project, which is designed to transform students from novice design engineers into professionals..’ have added ‘This programme also has a year abroad option, an incredible opportunity to spend an academic year at one of our partner universities. On the 4-year integrated masters programme, you can go abroad either between Year 2 and 3 (apply in Year 2) OR Year 3 and 4 (apply in Year 3).’

6 November 2024: Product Design Engineering MEng – entry requirements

Entry requirements updated for Product Design Engineering MEng to align the criteria with the entry requirements for Product Design Engineering BEng.