BSc (Hons) Product Design Engineering

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Product Design Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University combines skills development in traditional hand-generated design work such as sketching, drawing and physical model making, with the latest computer-aided design techniques.

The Product Design Engineering degree gives you the opportunity to test your creativity and develop technical skills in using the latest CAD technology so that you will be able to take ideas from product conception, design and analysis, right through to production.

This is a hands-on course in which you will have access to CAD suites loaded with the latest 3D visualisation software, a purpose-built creative design studio, an advanced manufacturing laboratory and modern engineering laboratories.

The course has been developed in partnership with industry experts so that it is relevant to the needs of employers and you will be encouraged to take the year-long work placement option to get a taste of what its really like to work in the design industry.

Additional course costs

Throughout the course students can expect to incur expenses over and above their ordinary living costs. The faculty will provide certain basic design materials; above this students are expected to provide their own design materials.

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:

• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

• Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
• Subject specific requirements: One A2-level from DT, Maths, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or Electronics or Design Engineering
• Is general studies acceptable? Yes
• Average A Level offer: BBC
• Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

• National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D* from a relevant subject area if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: DMM from a relevant subject area if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications

• Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Further information: 112 UCAS tariff points from Access to HE Diploma. Access programme must have been taken be in a relevant subject area.

• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Additional information: 112 points from the Diploma including 64 UCAS points at Higher Level from subjects relevant to the degree (e.g. maths, physics, chemistry etc), please contact the Faculty if you are unsure about your Higher Level subjects.

• Technical Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Technical Diploma: Acceptable on its own in a relevant subject area
• Technical Extended Diploma: Acceptable on its own in a relevant subject area
• Technical Foundation Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Technical Introductory Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Technical Subsidiary Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

• Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Grades / subjects required: 112 UCAS points from a minimum of 5 subjects

• Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

• T Level requirements:112 UCAS tariff points from relevant subjects. Please contact the Faculty for further information.

Please contact the University if you have any questions regarding the relevance of your qualifications.

Employability

You will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas with a BSc (Hons) degree in Product Design Engineering.

Design is a growing sector, despite the recession the profession continues to expand, offering opportunities in many different industries. Increasingly complex product design and manufacturing processes should mean designers will continue to enjoy good employment prospects.

Starting salaries for graduates vary according to the size and type of employer; salaries in London are likely to be higher. Self-employment or freelance work is quite common but normally occurs after developing a track record of relevant industrial experience and a network of contacts and potential clients.

Many design professionals either go freelance or decide to start their own business. Such as graduates Troy Baker (Managing Director) and Graham Wilson (Technical Director), founders of Design Reality, a design consultancy based in St Asaph, who also deliver guest lectures on the course.

Others secure employment with their placement organisations, such as Philip Gilbank, who graduated with a first class honours degree and now works for the computer aided design company DriveWorks after completing a sandwich year with the company.

"The New Designer Show was definitely a worthwhile experience for me. It allowed us all to showcase our work against the best design graduates in the industry. I was approached by Gillette during the show and discussed the opportunity of joining them as a product designer."

George Sewell, recent graduate

"The student came fully equipped with design and project planning skills which enabled him to hit the ground running. The work ethic and attention to detail which is critical to our fast paced business environment has been very impressive. We hope to continue to use this programme in the coming years.

Gwyn Jones, PSS Engineering Ltd

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.