Design Engineer

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course. 

Subjects include:

• engineering product design
• industrial design
• computer-aided design engineering
• engineering design and manufacture
• materials science
• maths and physics

Mechanical, electrical and civil engineering qualifications might also be accepted by employers.

Courses accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) may help your career development later on.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You might be able to apply for a Product Design and Development Engineer, or Robotics Engineer, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 4 and a half years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could apply directly for design and development engineer roles.

You'll need experience and qualifications in a particular branch of engineering, for example:

• mechanical
• aerospace
• energy
• automotive
• manufacturing

Further information

You can find out more about engineering careers and training from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and Neon.