Programme Specification
Product Design Engineering - M.Eng
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that students are expected to achieve if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, and learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;Department; / LoughboroughUniversity
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Teaching institution (if different); / As above
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body; / IMechE /
IET / Being sought
Provisional
Established √
Award;
(e.g .BA, MSc etc) / MEng
Programme title / Product Design Engineering
Length of programme / 4 years / 5 years with DIS/DPS or DInts
UCAS code; / H772 / H773
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised. / May 2012
1.Programme Aims:
- To provide a fully accredited honours degree course for well motivated students that bridges the traditional disciplines of mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering and industrial design.
- To produce high quality graduates with a strong academic background combined with excellent communication skills and the ability to progress rapidly to a position of responsibility and subsequently provide technical and managerial leadership.
- To deliver a broad understanding of engineering knowledge, and a critical awareness of current insights in the fields of manufacturing engineering, manufacturing management and product design.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop vocationally relevant skills, values and attributes.
- To encourage students to manage their own learning and make use of primary source materials.
- To foster an appreciation of the essential practical and commercial aspects of engineering.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
Periodic Programme Review
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering
UK SPEC Engineering Accreditation
IET and IMechE accreditation reports
LoughboroughUniversity Learning and Teaching Strategy
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
This programme seeks to combine creative and technical design skills with the core engineering knowledge of manufacturing processes and technologies. On completion of the programme, M.Eng graduates will have acquired technical depth in both core and specialist product design and manufacturing engineering subjects combined with a broad base of engineering knowledge and experience. They will have the ability to integrate knowledge of engineering science, mathematical tools and computer based methods to solve a wide range of product design and manufacturing problems in industrial or research environments and can expect to rapidly achieve promotion to positions of responsibility. By using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods graduates will be aware of modern commercial and managerial practices appropriate to engineering industry. The learning from the programme is further enhanced by our exceptionally strong research links with industry. Graduates will also have developed strong interpersonal, communication and team-working skills and the ability to exercise leadership. More specifically they will have:
3.1Comprehensive Knowledge and Understanding of:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:-
K1.the underpinning science, mathematics and other disciplines associated with careers related to product design and manufacturing engineering.
K2.engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models.
K3.the design processes and methodologies and the ability to manage a design project.
K4.codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues as applicable to a manufacturing engineering career together with an awareness of the nature of intellectual property issues and of environmental, legal and ethical issues within the modern industrial world.
K5.developing technologies in two areas of specialisation and an understanding of the broad range of concepts necessary for effective product design and manufacture.
K6.management and business practices appropriate for a career in engineering and an understanding of the commercial and economic context of the engineering business.
K7.the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and processes and an awareness of basic mechanical workshop practices.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:
Acquisition of the above knowledge is through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars and understanding is developed through practical laboratory work and coursework assignments.
Assessment is through a combination of written examinations and coursework assignments. Coursework assignments vary from module to module and includes the evaluation of laboratory reports, technical reports, problem solving exercises, product designs, manufactured prototypes, computer assisted assessment and oral presentations.
3.2Skills and other Attributes:
(a) Subject-specific cognitive skills:
The MEng graduate will also be able to use such knowledge and understanding in a creative way and be able to:
C1.identify and define a design or manufacturing engineering problem in unfamiliar situations and generate innovative solutions.
C2.apply appropriate methods to model such solutions and assess the limitations of the method.
C3.analyse and present engineering solutions using contemporary computer based systems.
C4.investigate new and emerging technologies using fundamental knowledge.
C5.extract, from given data, that which is pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply in its solution, using computer based engineering tools when appropriate;
C6.select appropriate data from a range of possible data sets and present them in alternative forms to create deeper understanding and/or greater impact;
C7.generate an innovative design for systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs;
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:
Cognitive skills will be enhanced through problem classes, tutorials, seminars, projects and practical laboratory work. Coursework assignments and project based modules provide the major vehicles for students to develop and also provide the basis for their assessment. In particular the practical design modules, part C individual project and part D group project provide the major routes to evolve and assess these skills.
(b) Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
P1.integrate knowledge from all aspects of the programme, applying understanding to novel and challenging situations, while being aware of the limitations of solutions;
P2.apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints;
P3.research and use new methods required for novel situations
P4.recognise the capabilities and limitations of computer based methods for engineering problem solving
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:
Practical skills are developed through laboratory work and through project based investigations. These start as targeted laboratory sessions and small projects in part A and grow in scale through the programme culminating in an industry specified group project in part D. Assessment of specific skills forms a part of the assessment of the related laboratories and coursework assignments while the broad ability to integrate knowledge and undertake research effectively is assessed principally through the part C individual project and part D group project.
(c)Generic skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
T1.demonstrate a high level of numeracy
T2.apply creative and structured approaches to problem solving;
T3.communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal and presentation skills;
T4.design and implement basic computer based information systems;
T5.work independently;
T6.work in a team;
T7.organise and manage time and resources effectively;
T8.learn new theories, concepts, methods etc. in an unfamiliar situation outside the discipline area.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:
Appropriate skills are developed and assessed primarily through project work, in particular the extensive use of group activities and oral presentations. A peer assessment facility is used during group work to enable students to assess the relative contribution of individual students to a group exercise.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:
The M.Eng programme is offered as a full-time 4 year course leading to the award of M.Eng (Hons) or a 5 year sandwich course (the third year being spent in industry), and leading to a MEng (Hons) with a Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS). Students study modules with a combined weight of 120 credits in each part (academic year) of the programme and each part is taught in two 15-week semesters. A number of the larger modules are structured to run throughout the year (semesters 1 and 2).
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Full details can be found at:
6.Information about the programme assessment strategy:
The method of assessment for each module is described within the relevant module specification (see section 4 above).
Examinations are held in each subject for which an examination is required in the assessment period at the end of the semester in which it is taught. At the end of each year the results from examinations and coursework assessment are combined into a single module mark. Percentage scores are calculated to one decimal place and then rounded to the nearest integer.
At the end of the year, the results for each module are compiled and considered by an examination board, which awards credit for each satisfactorily completed module. Students who achieve sufficient credit to meet the assessment requirements of their programme regulations will be allowed to proceed to the next year/part of their course.
Briefly, all 120 credits are needed for progression in each year of this M.Eng degree however, in addition, this programme demands that students achieve a minimum standard of 50% in three-quarters of the modules. Students on the M.Eng programme are therefore expected to demonstrate both breadth of learning and a high overall standard. Readers are directed to the programme regulations (attached) for full details of this and the criteria for the award of a degree. The method of assessment for each module is described within the relevant module specification (see section 4 above).
Candidates in Parts A, B or C not meeting the criteria for progression have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. The student may choose to be re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period in early September or in the next academic year. Alternatively, candidates in parts A or B may elect to enter the BEng degree programme in Product Design and Manufacture provided that they have achieved the criteria for progression for that programme. IMechE accreditation will not be granted for MEng candidates who graduate 3rd Class Honours or, nor will it be granted for candidates who commenced the programme before 2007 if they are reassessed in the Individual Project module.
Further information is contained in the School’s Assessment Strategy at
7. What makes the programme distinctive?
The Product Design and Manufacture programme is a broadly based, IMechE and IET accredited engineering programme, providing a balance of skills across core engineering science and design methods, both complemented by manufacturing engineering and management skills. This leads to a programme which bridges across mainstream mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering and industrial design while maintaining a core professional engineering focus. This combination of skills promotes the fundamental industrial objective of maximising consumer satisfaction with products produced in an industrial environment focused on function, quality and cost.
The programme provides an extensive set of core skills in the first two years combined with broadening and deepening of skills in the third and fourth years of the programme. This pair of years includes both a substantial individual project leading to an exhibition of work at the end of the academic year, and also an industry based group project, focused on solving an industry specific problem. The module options available during these final two years enable students to focus their development more towards design specialisms or towards more in depth manufacturing skills. A new innovation in the programme commencing in 2007/08 is the inclusion of a web based portfolio requirement to be generated in each year of the programme. This will provide a focus for drawing together the breadth of experiences of each student into a visual record of the skill sets which they have developed.
Students are encouraged to undertake a period of industrial training between parts B and C of the programme. The purpose of the industrial training period is to contribute effectively to the individual student's preparation for a worthwhile career by broadening their experience of real world engineering. Students also have the opportunity, through the ERASMUS scheme, to study abroad, particularly in Europe, where we have active student exchange links with Higher Education Institutions in all E.U. Countries. Our network of partner institutions is currently being expanded into Eastern Europe and we also have an active exchange with PurdueUniversity in the USA and the National University of Singapore.
An important feature of the programme is the strong industry links maintained by the academics contributing to the programme. This has the effect of ensuring that the modules taught in the latter stages of the programme are continually being updated with the latest thinking emanating from our industry collaborative links. Transferable skills are developed on the programme with strong emphasis on industrial case studies, presentation, teamwork and project management.
The programme prepares graduates for careers in all aspects of consumer product design and manufacture, including the creative aspects of design, ergonomics and aesthetics, through engineering analysis to design for manufacture, manufacturing technology and management. Graduates have the unusual ability to combine the ability to think “out of the box” as designers while still bringing a clear logical approach to detailed problem analysis. This depth of technical ability combined with the strength of transferable skills developed through the programme provides graduates with the clear potential to be our industry leaders of the future.
8. Particular support for learning:
Information on all the university support services can be found at
Additional WolfsonSchool Services:
Industrial Placements and Careers:
The WolfsonSchool employs a full time officer to give advice regarding careers and industrial placements. Also the University’s Careers Office run timetabled tutorial sessions within the programme’s curriculum.
Computing Facilities:
The School has installed many computers to enhance the extensive central facilities provided by the Computing Services. There are four networked computer suites within the WolfsonSchool building that are used for both teaching and Private study with access 24hours 7-days per week.
Pastoral Care and Mentoring:
All students are allocated a personal tutor with whom they meet on a regular basis. The school operates an innovative peer mentoring scheme within a special induction programme to ease the transition from School or college to university.
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning: