Design and Systems Engineering MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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Equip yourself with the interdisciplinary skills needed to innovate and lead in the design and integration of complex systems.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST010

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026


Course overview

This course integrates core principles of design, systems engineering, business, and leadership to equip you with the skills needed to address today's complex engineering challenges.

  • Learn to propose sustainable solutions to complex industrial challenges using generative design and systems engineering knowledge.
  • Enhance your skills in design, systems thinking and business leadership.
  • Upskill or transition into leadership roles in aerospace, automotive, healthcare or energy sectors.
  • Learn to innovate and problem-solve so you can apply engineering principles to real-world issues.
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

  • Combine product design and systems engineering to develop a multidisciplinary approach for increasingly complex and interconnected products.
  • Blend creative design principles with systems thinking to solve engineering problems.
  • Use our floor-to-ceiling high-definition screen with 3D immersive technology to interrogate your mechanical designs and advance your collaborative projects.4
  • A focus on practical, industry-relevant content, combined with advanced academic theory, ensures that you are technically proficient and ready to work in diverse engineering sectors.
  • Be at the forefront of the latest industry trends and innovations with our research-informed teaching. Whether it’s sustainable engineering practices, advanced manufacturing systems or cutting-edge generative design techniques, you will be constantly engaging with new knowledge.

What you'll study

Systems engineering: complex challenges require systems thinking, so we’ll teach you to analyse, design and manage, large-scale engineering systems.

Generative design: delve into the theory and application of generative design, enabling you to reimagine the design process.

Innovation: you’ll be encouraged to think creatively, experiment and take calculated risks.

Sustainability: engineering today must be synonymous with sustainability and this course prepares you to be a champion of sustainability in your career.

Manufacturing systems: expect to develop the skills and knowledge to optimise manufacturing processes and stay at the forefront of industry trends.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group projects
  • workshops
  • practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • reports
  • tests
  • essays
  • exams
  • practical coursework
  • assignments
  • viva
  • presentations.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in mechanical, automotive, design or related engineering discipline, or international equivalent.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above in mechanical, automotive, design or related engineering discipline, or international equivalent.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 per year
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year
Not available
EU £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,600 per year
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Powerwall: a high-resolution visualisation tool that offers an immersive experience. With the ability to display complex 3D models and simulations on a large scale, the Powerwall enhances the analysis of systems and design interactions, making it easier to spot potential design flaws, assess ergonomics or study intricate systems in full detail.

3D printing of metal and polymers: access 3D printing facilities capable of producing both metal and polymer components. This technology allows for the rapid prototyping of high-quality, complex parts, enabling a hands-on approach to testing and refining designs.

Faro Arm 3D scanning: precision is key in modern engineering, and with the Faro Arm 3D scanning system, you can digitise real-world objects with high accuracy. This portable coordinate measuring machine enables detailed reverse engineering and quality inspection of physical parts.

Foam CNC machining: for projects requiring lightweight prototypes, the Foam CNC machine is ideal for creating large-scale models with exceptional precision. This equipment gives you the capability to quickly prototype designs.

Multipliers forming: allows you to explore high-precision component shaping, particularly in the context of manufacturing complex geometries that are difficult to achieve through traditional methods.

Laser measurement systems: these systems allow for incredibly precise distance and dimensional measurements, essential for projects that demand high accuracy and rigorous quality control. Whether applied to structural design or precision manufacturing, laser measurements ensure that you’ll be working with data of the highest fidelity.

Material testing lab: this lab is equipped with advanced testing equipment such as tensile testers, hardness testers and fatigue analysis systems.

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Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

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Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you should be well-equipped to pursue career opportunities in varied engineering industries from blue chip companies to SMEs. Industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, healthcare and electronics are known to seek out graduates with advanced technical knowledge in design and systems engineering.

Successful graduates could seek positions as:

  • Design Engineer
  • System Engineer
  • Quality Systems Engineer
  • R&D Engineer
  • Product Design Engineer
  • Integration Engineer
  • Safety System Engineer
  • Product Design Engineer.

How to apply