Product Design Engineering BEng/MEng

Product Design Engineering is jointly delivered by the University and The Glasgow School of Art and integrates engineering with design.

You will work closely with industry throughout the programme, which may lead to internship and employment opportunities. You will have the opportunity to go on fieldtrips to industrial centres of excellence and events that are related to your studies.

September start
Session dates
Product Design Engineering BEng: H3W2 4 year degree
Product Design Engineering MEng: H3WG 5 year degree

Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
Study abroad available

Register your interest for more information

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Apply via UCAS

Programme structure

You will study the same courses in the first three years whether on the BEng or MEng degree programme. Both embed creativity to develop world changing engineers.

Year 1

You will take a wide-ranging curriculum which includes courses in product design engineering (delivered by The Glasgow School of Art), mathematics, dynamics, electronics, materials, statics, thermodynamics and engineering skills. These courses are supported by individual and group project work and laboratory work. This interdisciplinary approach, favoured by industry, also makes it easy to switch to most other engineering disciplines at the end of year 1 should you wish to do so.

Years 2 and 3

In year 2 you will continue to study mathematics and fundamental engineering courses together with product design engineering at the Glasgow School of Art.

Year 3 develops and integrates the application of theory through structured projects, with an increased amount of studio time at The Glasgow School of Art. You will study more advanced engineering subjects at the University: materials and manufacture, dynamics, control and fluid power, heat transfer, mathematical modelling and simulation, and mechanics of materials and structures.

Years 4 and 5

In the final year of the BEng, you will propose your own programme of individual product development and prototyping, leading to detailed design proposals. You will also study advanced subjects in engineering, management, manufacture and design. These include advanced materials, mechanics of solids, microelectronics and design studies.

In year 4 of the MEng degree you will follow a similar programme to the BEng, and undertake a group design project with students from across engineering. Studio activities will continue and you will study advanced subjects in design and technology engineering, management and design.

In year 5 you will work on your own programme of product development and prototyping, leading to concept and detailed design proposals. You will also study advanced manufacture, human factors, robotics and mechanics of solids.

Course details

You will study the same courses in the first three years whether you are on the BEng or MEng degree programme. Both embed creativity to develop world changing engineers.

Year 1

In your first year, you will take a wide-ranging curriculum which includes courses in product design engineering (delivered by the Glasgow School of Art), mathematics, dynamics, electronics, materials, statics, thermodynamics and engineering skills. These courses are supported by individual and group project work and laboratory work. This interdisciplinary approach, favoured by industry, also makes it possible to switch to most other engineering disciplines at the end of year 1 should you wish to do so.

Core courses:

Year 2

Core courses:

Year 3

The third year develops and integrates the application of theory through structured projects, with an increased amount of studio time at the Glasgow School of Art. You will study more advanced engineering subjects at the University: materials and manufacture, dynamics, control and fluid power, heat transfer, mathematical modelling and simulation, and mechanics of materials and structures.

Core courses:

Optional courses:

Year 4

In the final year of the BEng, you will propose your own programme of individual product development and prototyping, leading to concept and detailed design proposals. You will also study advanced subjects in engineering, management, manufacture and design. These include advanced materials, mechanics of solids, microelectronics and design studies.

In year 4 of the MEng degree you will follow a similar programme to the BEng, and undertake a group design project, with mechanical engineering and mechanical design engineering students. Studio activities will continue and you will study advanced subjects in design and technology engineering, management and design.

BEng core courses:

Mechanics of Solids 4
PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING 4B*
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE 4B*

MEng core courses:

Business Planning and Management for Engineers
Mechanics of Solids 4
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES*
PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING 4*

Year 5

In year 5 you will work on a programme of product development and prototyping proposed by you, leading to concept and detailed design proposals. You will also study advanced manufacture, human factors, robotics and mechanics of solids.

Core courses:

Robotics 4
Advanced Manufacture 5
HUMAN FACTORS*
PrODUCT DESIGN ENGINEERING 5*

*delivered by the Glasgow School of Art.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Partnership and industry links

PDE benefits from excellent collaborations with industry and students have worked on projects with Airbus, Autodesk, BHL, Callum, Chubb, Dyson, Formlabs, HP, Shark Ninja. PDE also looks to support live projects with industry in the final year of study. The PDE students also develop their own range of products for the www.pdecollection.com PDE is also a recipient of funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering, this industry-into-UK academia initiative aims to utilise the experience of Visiting Professors to enhance teaching & learning, employability and skills of UK engineering degree students whilst strengthening partnerships with industry.

Our international links

As part of the MEng programme there is the possibility that you may spend the fourth year in Trondheim, Norway. We are establishing links with universities to provide similar possibilities at other levels of study for MEng and BEng students.

Entry requirements

for entry in 2025

Summary of entry requirements for Product Design Engineering

SQA Higher entry requirements

BEng: AABB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
Typically offers will be made at AAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science at AA. (AB or BA may be considered).
MEng: AAAB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
Typically offers will be made at AAAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science at AA.

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

BEng: MD20: BBBB (also other target groups*)
BEng: MD40: AABB*
Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

A-level standard entry requirements

BEng: AAB – BBB
MEng: AAA
Additional requirements: A-level Mathematics and Physics (Design & Technology may be accepted in place of Physics, 3D or Product Design options only).

IB standard entry requirements

BEng: 34 (6,5,5)
MEng: 38 (6,6,6)
Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches) and Physics. (SL6 can be accepted for either Mathematics or Physics).

Advanced entry requirements for Product Design Engineering

SQA Higher advanced entry requirements

Advanced Highers – AAA including Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.

Applicants must also meet the standard offer threshold with S5 grades to be considered for advanced entry.

A-level advanced entry requirements

Three A-levels at grades A*A*A which include Mathematics and Physics or Design and Technology (3D or Product Design only) attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.

IB advanced entry requirements

38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches) and Physics attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.

Choose point of entry 2nd year on your UCAS application to indicate you wish to be considered for advanced entry.

Admissions guidance

Find out more about entry requirements and alternative qualifications

Glasgow International College

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

7 overall with no subtest less than 6
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

70 overall with no subtest less than 60
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

School Qualifications

IGCSE English First Language, grade C
IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
A Level English, grade C
International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C

International School Qualifications

Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Stud: Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
St Andrews University
UCL
Durham

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FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact External Relations

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

Career prospects

Recent graduates are employed by:

Apple
BBC
Bosch
Dell
Dyson
GlaxoSmithKline
Lego
Logitech
Ooni
Jaguar Land Rover
Specialized Bicycles.

Our graduates have established leading design engineering consultancies, including:

Speck Design
Shark Ninja
STAC4c Design
FilamentPD
Fearsome.

Degrees and UCAS codes

When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:

BEng

Product Design Engineering: H3W2 (4 years)

Apply to H3W2

MEng

Product Design Engineering: H3WG (5 years)

Apply to H3WG

BEng students who perform well may transfer to the MEng programme on completion of years 1, 2 and 3.

Fees and funding

The tuition fees for Product Design Engineering are payable to Glasgow School of Art. Find out more:

Glasgow School of Art: fees, funding & finance

How to apply

Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.

Widening Participation

International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.

Application deadlines

15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
30 June: international students.

We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.

It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.

Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)

ATAS: Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Please note that this programmes in this subject at Masters level require ATAS. If yours is not one of the exempt nationalities, then you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate before commencing your programme of study and applying for your visa or extension of stay.

Please apply as early as possible as the process can take a number of months to complete.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) was introduced on 1 November 2007. It is used to help stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. This is in common with other governments around the world.

The ATAS is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes.

more information about the scheme and ATAS certificate (UK Government website).

How to apply for Advanced Entry

Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.

Apply via UCAS