Design and Systems Engineering MSc
Subject and course type
- Engineering, electronics and robotics
- Postgraduate
The MSc in Design and Systems Engineering at Kingston University is designed for creative and technically-minded individuals who are passionate about designing innovative products. Join this accredited degree course, recognised by the Engineering Council and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Please note: this course was previously named Advanced Product Design Engineering & Manufacturing MSc.
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Turn creative ideas into manufacturable, real-world solutions
The MSc in Design and Systems Engineering is more than just a course; it’s an opportunity to transform your ideas into real-world solutions.
Design and Systems Engineering is a future-focused course, which blends innovative design with advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise. It equips you with the practical and analytical skills needed to develop high-quality, manufacturable products, which are both commercially viable and environmentally responsible.
Throughout the course, you will gain experience in engineering design, simulation, materials science and decision making. There is a strong focus on designing for performance, cost, sustainability and user needs. An emphasis on design for engineering also enables you to consider a wide range of real-world factors. These factors include functionality, manufacturability, environmental impact and product lifecycle.
Product Lifecycle Assessment (PLA) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) are embedded throughout the course. This will help you make informed, system-level decisions from concept to end-of-life.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is a core part of the learning experience too. You will work on projects alongside peers from other programmes, gaining valuable insight into the dynamics of professional teamwork across disciplines. This reflects the way modern design and manufacturing teams operate in industry.
With access to our state-of-the-art facilities, expert academic support and live industry briefs, you will develop the knowledge, creativity and confidence to succeed in product development, advanced manufacturing or entrepreneurial ventures.
This course has been instrumental in bridging my practical technician experience with academic and engineering perspectives. Particularly, the Advanced CAD/CAM module significantly expanded my proficiency in Siemens NX, bolstering my confidence in my professional capabilities. I'm also grateful for the unwavering support of the professors, who have been consistently available to provide guidance and assistance throughout my journey.
Why choose this course
Our Design and Systems Engineering MSc combines creative design thinking with practical engineering and manufacturing knowledge. It is designed to help you develop innovative, functional and sustainable products that meet real-world challenges.
You will work on industry-informed, interdisciplinary projects, developing your problem-solving and teamworking skills in a modern engineering practice setting. The course provides practical experience in digital product development. You will use Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools such as:
- 3D modelling and visualisation
- 3D scanning and model reconstruction
- 3D printing and prototyping
- CNC machining
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and simulation
You will also explore materials, manufacturing processes and sustainability. Your learning will focus on how to make informed decisions through Product Lifecycle Assessment (PLA) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
Project-based learning is at the heart of the course, supported by experienced academic staff and access to well-equipped laboratories and workshops. You will gain a clear understanding of the full product development process from concept and design through to validation and manufacture. This will prepare you for careers in design, engineering, manufacturing or consultancy.
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
The MSc will meet, in part, the academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng(Hons) accredited for CEng, will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme, who do not also have an appropriately accredited honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a chartered engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their first qualification individually assessed through the individual case procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
Further learning details are available on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers website.
All accredited degrees are displayed on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers website.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Check the Engineering Council website for more information.
Course content
This programme is structured to provide you with the latest developments in this still-evolving discipline of digital product development. It gives you with hands-on experience of the latest computing applications throughout the entire product development cycle, from simple 3D modelling techniques to an extended capability of 3D laser scanning to generate complex Class A surfaces.
You will gain practical and theoretical knowledge of analytical design tools to assist the product validation process by applying advanced mechanism design simulation and finite elements analysis techniques. Additionally, you will examine the importance of advanced manufacturing techniques and the methods used to integrate Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM with computer numerical control, 3D printing technologies into product data management PDM.
The programme enables you to gain the entrepreneurship, management and business skills necessary to take on leadership roles in major product design engineering projects.
The hands-on approach, using our state-of-the art multidisciplinary laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment from 3D Printing, CNC machining, Laser Scanning, Metrology, Materials Testing and many more, is a valuable part of the course. The course dovetails with research activities of the teaching staff, implementing the latest advances in our research. Using applied research, you will have the opportunity to do your own research within an individual industry-relevant 'capstone' project. This includes preparation of a scientific paper, providing an opportunity for that first breakthrough into publishing your work.
You will be required to pass every module to then go on placement. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. You will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Please note: optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Modules
Core modules
15 credits
To ensure that products and services have the quality they have been designed for, a quality strategy throughout the organisation is required. This approach to the management of quality throughout the entire organisation has evolved to what is generally known as Quality Management Systems (QMS). The focus of this module is to inform students about the fundamental principles of QMS and its implementation using various tools and techniques.
This module will start off with an overview of QMS with an emphasis on ISO 9000 series, which is a key building block in an organisation's approach to total quality management (TQM) and strategic process improvement (SPI). This will lead to the next topic which is the selection of tools and techniques, and the typical problems found in their use and applications. The final part of this module will cover key concepts of specific quality management techniques such as quality function deployment (QFD), design of experiments (DoE), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), statistical process control (SPC), benchmarking, business process re-engineering (BPR), value stream mapping (VSM) and Six Sigma. All these will be vital in enhancing your employability skills, especially if you're interested in working in quality management sectors.
15 credits
This module is structured to enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of some of the fundamental CAE computing technologies that support the engineering product development process.
15 credits
30 credits
This module is structured in a way to enable you to develop an understanding of the different stages in the lifecycle of a designed product, from inception, through to design and manufacturing, then into service and finally retirement. This module aims to help you develop an understanding of these stages in a product lifecycle and the processes that need to be undertaken in these stages and their interrelationships. This module will also aim to help you develop a fundamental understanding of product lifecycle from a business and organisational perspective. Case studies are used to illustrate the application and relevance of taught concepts. You will be asked to work in a team to perform a comprehensive product lifecycle analysis, using the knowledge learnt in this module as well as applying the knowledge acquired in pre-requisite modules.
30 credits
Research Techniques, Innovation and Sustainability equips you with the skills and knowledge required to select and justify a research topic and then to plan and execute that research project. Research is a broad topic covers a variety of activities that range from undertaking a project as part of an academic programme, through research and development in the commercial environment, to acquiring information to inform projects undertaken as part of routine business practice. This module introduces research in these contexts and allows you to develop your own research plan. As part of the module, you will consider setting research questions and determining hypotheses, acquire relevant information and data, apply suitable analytical techniques, and evaluate the significance and potential applications of their research findings. You will also develop your innovation skills through a combination of workshops and team working, resulting in submission of an innovation proposal aimed to address UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The module covers many practical aspects surrounding research in the commercial environment including intellectual property and professionalism, and sustainability is embedded throughout the module both in course content and via development of the innovation proposal.
60 credits
Drawing on previous knowledge and experience, the dissertation module allows you to study an area of interest within your chosen field in significant depth. In undertaking the dissertation, you will develop not only a deeper understanding of your subject area but will also be able to demonstrate a high level of autonomy in terms of project dissertation planning and management. You will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing existing published literature and data and, through your own efforts, apply one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions as a result of your research. The main output from the module is a final report but the option is available for you to prepare their work in the format of an article suitable for submission to a relevant conference or journal.
Optional modules (choose one)
15 credits
This module is structured in a way to develop an in-depth understanding of computer-aided design techniques such as solid and surface modelling that can support the development of engineering products. This module also aims to help you develop a fundamental understanding of the role of these technologies within a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
15 credits
This module provides high level view on the design of mechatronic and automation systems. Applications and types of such systems are discussed. Main components of mechatronic design are introduced, including mechanical design through specialised software, sensors and actuators, control design, and software development for real-time implementation. Theoretical material is illustrated by practical laboratory sessions on real-time design, using industrial standard, state-of-the-art equipment. A range of transferable skills gained in this module is aimed to help with your work on your final project and extra-curricular activities available within the school.
Professional placement
Professional placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module if you're following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in your chosen discipline. You may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for a major project or your future career.
It is your responsibility to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by your Course Leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. You will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by the Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
Read more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Career opportunities
This MSc prepares you for an exciting career in product design engineering. Graduates are equipped to work across a variety of sectors, including consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare and sustainable technologies. You will be prepared to take on roles such as:
- Product designer
- Design engineer
- Innovation consultant
- Sustainability specialist
- Prototyping and materials engineer
With our strong industry connections and expert mentorship, you will be ready to design products which are functional, user-friendly and sustainable. The emphasis on practical, hands-on learning ensures you graduate with the confidence and experience to make an immediate impact in the workplace.
Aligned with our Future Skills initiative, the course develops the transferable skills increasingly valued by employers. These include problem solving, critical thinking, digital competency, adaptability, collaboration and the ability to communicate ideas effectively across disciplines. Students take part in individual and group activities that promote collaboration, professional growth and reflective thinking.
Continuous feedback through formative assessment and tutor support will further prepare you for professional success in an evolving global marketplace.
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
The MSc will meet, in part, the academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng, will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme, who do not also have an appropriately accredited honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a chartered engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their first qualification individually assessed through the individual case procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
- Further learning details are available on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers website
- All accredited degrees are displayed on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers website
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords. Please check the Engineering Council website for more information.
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Teaching and assessment
The assessment strategy is designed to support and enhance your learning experience. Assessment criteria are clear and transparent, and the scope of each task is discussed within modules to ensure expectations are well understood. A combination of assessment methods are used throughout the course.
Module leaders ensure assessment methods are aligned with the aims and learning outcomes of the module, are intellectually stimulating and are appropriate for master’s level study. Formative assessments are embedded across all modules. These will help you reflect on and improve your performance ahead of summative assessments. Reflective practice and regular feedback from personal tutors further support your development. Group activities are also central to the teaching and assessment strategy, promoting collaborative learning and peer feedback.
Interdisciplinary group project
A core feature of the course is the interdisciplinary group project. The project brings together students from different MSc programmes to work collaboratively on a shared challenge. This mirrors real industry practice and gives students the opportunity to apply design, engineering and project management skills in a team environment. The project is assessed through a combination of group presentations, reports and peer evaluation. This encourages both technical excellence and professional competencies such as communication, leadership, and systems thinking.
Individual project
The individual project challenges you to address a real-world problem. Most projects are industrially oriented. You will be supported in selecting a project relevant to their field of interest. Throughout the project, you are expected to apply course knowledge to deliver agreed outcomes while meeting set constraints. Key skills in communication, presentation, literature review, problem analysis, planning, report writing, and solution justification are all developed.
Coursework
Coursework is primarily submitted electronically via the Canvas platform for each module. Students are reminded that any coursework submitted up to one week late will be capped at 50%. Work submitted more than one week late will receive a mark of zero, in line with Faculty policy.
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 17% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| Full Time | £11,900 |
| Part Time | £6,545 |
| International | |
| Full Time | £18,300 |
| Part Time | £10,065 |
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| Full Time | £11,400 |
| Part Time | £6,270 |
| International | |
| Full Time | £17,600 |
| Part Time | £9,680 |
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
It is not compulsory as part of your degree to print projects using the 3D printer. However if you wish to, you will need to pay for the material. Printing costs are estimated by weight (cheapest material is 3p per gram and most expensive material is 40p per gram).
Kingston University will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year. A £10 voucher will be supplied to help cover the cost of the safety boots when purchasing with our supplier Activity Work Wear. Safety boots can range in cost between £25 and £100.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying MSc in Product Design Engineering at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
The Inspire the Future Scholarship offers a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. 20 scholarships are available for progressing Kingston University graduates.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Inspire the Future Scholarship page.
International postgraduate students could receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in their first year of study.
For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, visit the International Scholarship page.
If you are a Kingston University undergraduate student progressing to a postgraduate degree (taught or research), you could get a 15% reduction in tuition fees.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Postgraduate Progression Scholarship page.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni.
For more information on how to apply for this discount, visit our alumni discount page.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
For courses that select on application alone, applicants should normally receive an initial decision or a request for more information within four to six weeks of receipt of their application. Our admissions team will notify you of the decision by email.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
The best part about my course has to be the amazing faculty members that teach each module. They each bring a different approach to the lectures, and it is always an interactive session which helps me understand the topics being discussed. It's easy to reach out to them, be it through email or an in-person meeting. It's always easy to clear your doubts or ask for support.
I was able to shine during interviews at esteemed organisations thanks to my masters degree from Kingston University. In my day-to-day work, I am able to use the techniques learned in this course, which makes the investment worthwhile. For engineers who are interested in deep-diving into advanced technologies and receiving hands-on experience to polish their expertise, I would recommend this MSc course.
The curriculum emphasised entrepreneurship and sustainability, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape. The course not only enhanced my design capabilities but equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry. The support from Kingston University's Career team was also invaluable. They helped me refine my CV which ultimately helped me to land a job before even getting my final results.
