BEng Product Design Engineering

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a BEng (Hons) Product Design Engineering program that uniquely combines creative flair with robust technical skill, preparing students to transform innovative ideas into tangible, commercially viable products. Designed in collaboration with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), a prominent professional industry body, this degree emphasizes a critical and collaborative approach to problem-solving. A distinguishing feature of the program is its use of the pioneering CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) international engineering education model, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). CCCU is one of only a handful of universities in the UK to adopt this hands-on, practical methodology, ensuring that students learn to approach real-world engineering challenges with creativity and evaluated solutions.

Curriculum: The BEng Product Design Engineering curriculum at CCCU is structured to provide a comprehensive education that integrates both design and engineering principles. Key modules in the first year include "Introduction to Electro-Mechanical Systems and Practice," "Introduction to Engineering Design," "Introduction to Material Engineering Characteristics & Manufacture," "Mathematics & Computing for Engineers," 1 and "Professional Practical Engineering (with Mechatronics project)." As students progress, they delve deeper into topics like engineering product life cycle, CAD tools, Industry 4.0 technology, manufacturing control, instrumentation, and communication 2 systems. The curriculum emphasizes practical, industry-related design projects, enabling students to develop skills in conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and operating engineered solutions. The Verena Holmes building houses specialist facilities, including an engineering workshop, mechatronics lab, makerspace, and mechanical physics lab, all equipped with industry-standard machinery to support hands-on learning.  

Research Focus: The BEng Product Design Engineering program at Canterbury Christ Church University is delivered by a faculty engaged in active research, ensuring that teaching is informed by the latest advancements and industry practices. The School of Engineering, Technology, and Design actively promotes research and development events, fostering collaboration with businesses and exploring future technologies. A notable example of research-informed teaching and student engagement is the "Quiet Category Pickleball Racquet Project," where students, under expert guidance, designed and prototyped silent pickleball racquets in response to an industry call for innovative designs. This project exemplifies the CDIO approach, emphasizing practical, real-world problem-solving and directly involves students in impactful research that contributes to solving industry challenges.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BEng Product Design Engineering program at CCCU, significantly enhancing student employability. The degree's curriculum is co-designed with local industry partners, ensuring it meets the needs of employers and produces work-ready engineering graduates. CCCU's Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth, and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub serves as a key initiative, empowering innovation and growth through collaboration with industry partners. This hub offers opportunities for students to work on real projects provided by companies across the region, providing invaluable experience and helping them to "think and act like industry professionals." The university also offers Engineering Higher Degree Apprenticeships, developed with industry to address regional engineering skills shortages and support businesses in growing their own graduate engineering workforce, showcasing a deep commitment to practical industry integration.

Global Perspective: The BEng Product Design Engineering program at Canterbury Christ Church University incorporates a global perspective through its adoption of the CDIO framework, an international engineering education model originating from MIT. This approach prepares students to address engineering challenges with a globally recognized methodology. Furthermore, product design and engineering are inherently global fields, with international supply chains, diverse consumer markets, and multinational companies. The program's preparation for a variety of sectors, including consumer products, aerospace, and health, implicitly considers global trends and demands within these industries. The university's commitment to a diverse learning environment and its location within a globally connected city further enrich students' understanding of international design trends and manufacturing processes, preparing them for careers on a global stage.