Sustainable Design Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Undergraduate

Sustainable design engineering brings together engineering, design, sustainability and business insight. This course is designed to help you develop the skills to create solutions where product sustainability and business considerations are equally important.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

BEng:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MEng:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

Course code

H346 / H347

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Your UCAS Guide

Download a prospectus

The information on this page is for 2026-27 entry and should be used as guidance for 2027-28 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

This course is ideal for aspiring engineers and designers passionate about sustainability, blending technical skills with business insight to explore eco-friendly solutions.

You will have opportunities to gain practical experience, build industry links and develop multidisciplinary knowledge that can support careers in areas such as renewable energy, automotive and the circular economy.

Key course content and aims:

Multidisciplinary mastery: combine engineering, design, sustainability, and business to develop solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Industry-ready skills: use cutting-edge tools (CAD, 3D metal printing) and work on simulated live projects with industry collaborators.⁴
Develop multidisciplinary expertise: master engineering, design, sustainability, and business through integrated modules like Lifecycle-Thinking projects and circular economy principles.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Become an industry-ready engineer: gain hands-on experience with 3D printing, industry standard computer design and analysis software. Explore renewable energy systems through lab work and real-world projects.
Placement and study abroad opportunities: you may have the opportunity to apply for an industry placement to help provide you with valuable work experience.²
Work on real sustainability challenges: work with industry collaborators on live, simulated briefs, tackling problems like renewable energy integration and sustainable product design.
MEng advanced pathway while paying undergraduate fees: upon successful completion of the first three years, you may have the opportunity to advance to the master’s portion of this course while paying undergraduate fees (subject to meeting progression requirements).
Build a future-proof career: graduate with skills for high-demand roles like sustainable design engineer, energy analyst, or environmental consultant, backed by strong industry connections. Expand your network through guest lectures and exclusive industry events.

These aim to help you graduate as a technically skilled, sustainability-focused engineer, ready to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

What you'll study

This course blends engineering, design, sustainability, and business to tackle global challenges. Master core engineering principles, sustainable design tools (CAD/CAE), and circular economy strategies while applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hands-on projects, renewable energy systems, and lifecycle analysis should help you prepare for careers in green innovation.

As part of the MEng route, you will advanced your skills and knowledge in sustainability and CAD design. Industry collaborations and modern labs aim to help you make an impact in the real world.

Modules

Material Science for Manufacturing - 30 credits

Discover how the right materials and manufacturing processes turn great ideas into products. Explore the four main classes of engineering materials: polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites, and learn how they are used across industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics.

Explore common manufacturing techniques, including innovative processes like additive manufacturing (3D printing), and understand how material behaviour influences production. Develop skills in material and process selection using tools such as Ashby charts and Granta EduPack, while exploring key principles of electrical and mechanical science that link to materials and manufacturing.

Compulsory

Essential Science and Mathematics for Engineers - 30 credits

Build a strong foundation in the mechanical science and mathematical methods that drive modern engineering. Explore key topics in solid mechanics, thermal analysis, alongside mathematical concepts relevant to electrical engineering. Develop the ability to analyse real-world problems using mathematical formulations, and apply a range of tools and techniques to solve them with confidence.

Compulsory

Sustainable Engineering Design Principles - 30 credits

Sustainable engineering design is where creativity and design meet responsibility, exploring how ideas can be developed into products and processes that can meet real needs while considering environmental and social impact. Learn how to solve complex problems through a structured design approach, blending technical knowledge with practical skills.

Explore how to create sustainable, real-world solutions using industry standard tools, software and modelling techniques. Key themes include sustainability, ethics, legal considerations, health and safety, and professional communication. Through individual and team projects, you will build your collaborative skills and bring your ideas to life with CAD software. Gain confidence in presenting your ideas in a professional engineering context.

Compulsory

Sustainability - 30 credits

This module introduces you to sustainability as a formal subject. Define the term sustainability and begin to explore the complex and holistic nature of the subject through exploration of the current state of the world. System-level thinking will be introduced to help you appreciate the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. This module focuses on the role of engineers in both the creation of and the solution to the situation the world currently finds itself in.

Compulsory

Modules

The Designer’s Dilemma - 30 credits

Engineering design and sustainable engineering design require a trade-off between the various constraints and criteria that a design needs to satisfy. This module incorporates systems and lifecycle thinking approaches to help you to reconcile the often-conflicting design requirements. A systems engineering approach will be used to break down a more complex problem into manageable sub-systems, whilst also developing your CAD skills.

Compulsory

Science and Engineering Analysis - 30 credits

Build upon the basic principles covered in your first year of study and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of rigid body mechanics, stress analysis thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Learn how to apply solid mechanics and thermofluids theory to design problems by means of practical examples.

Get an introduction into the basic concepts and principles of Finite Element (FE) theory and applications including general advantages, limitations and pitfalls of Finite Elemental Analysis (FEA). Modern mathematical and FEA software is used to enhance your knowledge and skills in the application of mathematical and numerical techniques in engineering problems.

Compulsory

The Economics of Sustainable Business - 30 credits

Lifecycle Thinking - 30 credits

Develop your lifecycle thinking skills, essential to any sustainability professional. Lifecycle thinking is a cornerstone of sustainability forming the basis of lifecycle assessment. Develop and apply lifecycle thinking skills and be taught to use lifecycle tools in engineering design applications. This includes undertaking a project to investigate the lifecycle of a product and recommend relevant improvements.

Compulsory

A placement year² provides optional first-hand industry experience and helps you discover where your skills and interests truly lie. Taken between your second and final years, it allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your learning and gain valuable insight into your chosen sector.

By spending an extended period in industry, you should develop confidence, build professional networks and strengthen the transferable skills that employers value most. This experience offers a powerful way to explore career paths and return to your final year with real-world expertise and a clearer sense of direction.

Key opportunities

Complete an approved work placement: gain practical experience aligned with your course and career ambitions, typically lasting at least 26 weeks.
Reflect on professional development: recognise and document the specific skills, knowledge and experience you gain during your time in industry.
Broaden your global perspective: optionally undertake an international work or study placement to experience a different professional or cultural context.

While this optional year is non-credit-bearing, successful completion ensures your experience is formally recognised on your final degree certificate to showcase your expertise to future employers.

Students sponsored by the University who opt for an international work placement must ensure they comply with the UKVI immigration regulations and should contact us for further guidance.

Modules

Design for Circularity - 30 credits

Develop your sustainable design skills by creating engineered solutions that align with the circular economy. Guided by the butterfly diagram, learn how to apply the 10Rs to your design process identifying the most relevant loops and designing with every stage of a product’s complex life cycle in mind.

Module topics cover The Butterfly Diagram and its implications for design, Technical and Natural Cycles, as well as the 10Rs of the circular economy (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, Recover). Learn how differing criteria for each of these can be reconciled using systems and life cycle thinking. Practise scenario modelling to understand the contextual nature of sustainability.

Compulsory

Engineering Analysis for Design - 30 credits

Gain an introduction to the software techniques and the application of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in modern engineering design and analysis. Learn how to use industry standard FEA software to model, analyse, simulate and optimise structural components and systems. The module focuses on your ability to critically assess and evaluate the structural performance of mechanical components and systems subjected to external loading. You will also learn and apply the basics of optimisation in the context of FEA.

Compulsory

Sustainable Business Operations - 30 credits

Improve your knowledge and understanding of what sustainability means in an engineering business context. Explore business operations in detail, starting with traditional business operations, critiquing these and comparing them with more sustainability-oriented models of business operations.

Module topics will cover:

Traditional Business operations
B Corp
Global local thinking
Supply chain integration
Drivers of the transformation
Roadblocks
Soft Systems for development of operations strategy

Compulsory

Individual Sustainable Design Project - 30 credits

This is module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. The individual project is an important part of any engineering course. This module gives you the opportunity to showcase a realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at a professional level and become a vehicle for integrating the knowledge gained the subject areas of the degree course. Develop further your initiative, imagination, creativity, communication and organisation. Employ IT effectively and solve non-routine problems and consider the impact on the wider aspects such as commercial viability, sustainability and risk. Usually, a literature survey will be required to establish recent developments related to the project although alternative voice of the customer, state of the art and benchmarking tools may be used where appropriate. Carry out a design exercise based on the engineering design and sustainability principles they have been taught during the course carrying out work on theory, design, design analysis, experimentation, surveys, data analysis, etc., as appropriate to achieving the specific objectives of the project.

Compulsory

Modules

Advanced Design and CAD - 30 credits

Develop your competency in integrating sustainability needs and concerns into the design processes of products, services, processes, and systems, considering their entire lifecycle. This module focuses on synthesising key sustainability principles with design principles and techniques. Learn complex, adaptive socio-environmental-technical systems, exploring your sustainability concerns and innovative design opportunities across diverse dimensions, such as resource availability, climate adaptiveness, product and process sustainability, and supply-chain sustainability.

Engage with various design techniques, including visualisation, ideation, and scenario building. Gain familiarity with metrics, reflective assessment, and innovation management as they relate to sustainable designs. Apply systems thinking and long-term perspective to understand and problematise the present and future unsustainability issues/states and explore complex and dynamic problems across multiple scales and dimensions. Envision and design sustainable solutions by applying both individual and participatory techniques and approaches. Develop a reflective design capability that equips them to foster sustainable changes in diverse systems.

Compulsory

Business Innovation and Sustainability - 30 credits

Gain the ability to develop and implement business innovation and intrapreneurship within the appropriate frameworks to comply with future requirements for sustainability. Develop firm understanding of the theory, practices and importance of innovation and intrapreneurship focusing mainly on larger multinational organisations. Aspects of economic, social, environment sustainable operations and sustainability challenges will be studied.

Compulsory

Sustainability Consultancy Project - 60 credits

Develop the experience of solving real-world sustainability problems. Work on sustainability projects identified by local companies. Get involved in real-world challenges that companies face along with access to all available data to analyse these challenges and design and/or develop relevant solutions.

The projects undertaken will be varied and require you to draw on all the knowledge, skills and experience built up over the course. Learn to maintain an ongoing log of company’s work and form a report of your findings.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.

How you'll learn

Throughout this course, practical experience is central, and as such, you’ll use industry-standard tools like CAD and FEA software, carry out experiments, work on individual and group projects, and apply systems and lifecycle thinking to real engineering problems.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
case studies seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 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 12 and 15 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

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 will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
exams
individual assignments.

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

International experience opportunities

The university is committed to providing a global educational experience. We aim to invite international guest speakers and provide opportunities to participate in field trips and collaborative online learning experiences (COIL) where possible.²

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed.²

Entry requirements

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	BEng (Hons): 112 MEng: 120
A Level	BEng (Hons): BBC to include two from the following list: Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Biology, Maths, Further Maths, Electronics or Engineering. MEng: BBB to include two from the following list: Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Biology, Maths, Further Maths, Electronics or Engineering.
BTEC	BEng (Hons): DMM in a Science or Engineering based subject. MEng: DDM in a Science or Engineering based subject.
IB	BEng (Hons): 28 Points in the IB Diploma, to include two of the following subjects at Higher Level: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches), Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sports Exercise and Health Science or Design Technology. MEng: 30 Points in the IB Diploma, to include two of the following subjects at Higher Level: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches), Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sports Exercise and Health Science or Design Technology.
Access to HE	BEng (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 18 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Maths or Science units. MEng: The Access to HE Diploma to include 21 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Maths or Science units.
GCSE requirement	GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
T-Levels	BEng (Hons): A Merit overall. Must be in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing OR Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control OR Science. MEng: A Merit overall. Must be in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing OR Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control OR Science.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

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.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £20,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. As an indication, students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees. The University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

The engineering and computing buildings house an impressive range of industry standard laboratories, workshop and computing software.⁴ Home to renewable energy laboratory, VR Power Wall, Composite Materials Laboratory, Rapid prototyping facility including 3D metal and Composite Material Printers, Full motion 6 DOF Flight and vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, the High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC) also houses a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines including 5-Axis Milling Machine, and an Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM).

Renewable energy and thermofluids laboratory
Gain firsthand learning in sustainable energy and fluid dynamics. Utilise advanced systems for studying wind turbines, solar panels and geothermal energy. Focus on energy efficiency, system design, and the real-world behaviour of heat and fluids.

Composite material laboratory
Develop, test and analyse lightweight composite materials like CFRP and glass fibre. Gain firsthand experience in manufacturing, testing, and sustainability, bridging theory with real-world applications and building your industry-relevant skills.

Powerwall
Interrogate your mechanical designs and get right in the thick of your collaborative projects with this floor to ceiling high-definition screen, with 3D immersive technology. Visualise and assess your work from all angles to better understand what works and what doesn’t!

Rapid prototyping laboratory
Expect to become fully versed in rapid prototyping techniques and how best to apply them as you get to grips with laser cutting, additive manufacturing (PLA/nylon/composite) and desk-top milling facilities.

Take a virtual tour

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

Graduates of the Sustainable Design Engineering BEng/MEng should have highly sought-after skills for a broad range of roles. They should aim to graduate with strong core engineering skills opening doors in the fast-growing green economy.

They should possess:

specialised sustainability knowledge (renewables, lifecycle analysis, circular economy)
solid business/commercial awareness (sustainable business models, project management, leadership).

Some graduate destinations could include:

Engineering and design roles

Design engineer: working on sustainable product design across automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, or manufacturing.
Mechanical/systems engineer: applying engineering principles to sustainable systems or processes.
Product development engineer: innovating greener materials, components, or consumer products.

Sustainability and energy roles

Sustainability consultant: advising companies on reducing environmental impact and aligning with the UN SDGs.
Energy analyst/engineer: specialising in renewable systems like solar, wind, or bioenergy.
Lifecycle assessment specialist: evaluating environmental impact from design to disposal.
Environmental engineer: designing solutions for waste, water, and resource efficiency.

Business and strategy roles

Sustainable supply chain analyst: helping businesses reduce carbon and resource use.
Innovation/technology manager: driving adoption of clean tech in industries.
Sustainable product manager: bridging engineering, marketing, and business in green product development.

Further development

Researcher/PhD candidate in sustainability, renewable energy, or design innovation.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

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UK students

UCAS applications will open for this course from May 2026. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
BEng: EESU050
MEng: EESU049

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. For more information, read our visa advice page.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year.

For UK (home) students, if the Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The current 2025/26 contract is available for information purposes. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Sustainable Design Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Course features

Year of entry

Location

Study mode

Duration

Course code

Start date

Course overview

Rated Gold Overall

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

Why you should study this course

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours

Guided and independent study

Online learning

Assessment

International experience opportunities

Entry requirements

Other qualifications and experience

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

Fees and funding

*Irish student fees

Facilities

Take a virtual tour

Careers and opportunities

Engineering and design roles

Sustainability and energy roles

Business and strategy roles

Further development

Discover Phoenix+

How to apply

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