Engineering: Design and Manufacture

Year 1

The course begins with the fundamental principles and introduction of the engineering design methods and manufacturing processes; properties of engineering materials; metal alloys and heat treatment; principles and practice of the engineer in a product development; introduction to the fundamentals of hydrostatic and thermodynamics systems; basic concepts and principles of electrical and electronic engineering.

Year 2

Year two will give the student the ability to apply advanced level mathematics to engineering problems including thermal-fluid and vibration systems; understanding of the formal design process for components and machine elements; understanding of the main manufacturing processes for metals, ceramics, polymer and composite materials and how to select appropriate materials and their manufacturing processes for a given product; introduction to CAD and CAM softwares.

Year 3

Students will learn to  analyse and interpret the dynamic structural behaviour of engineering system components as well as a foundation in instrumentation and control systems technology; stress analysis of components subject to combined loading; fatigue and failure analysis and fracture mechanics; National and international codes of practice design approaches, including BS and Eurocodes; introduction to joining processes and equipment, surface technology and engineering metallurgy; understanding of Manufacturing support systems, process planning and production control, quality control and inspection and sustainable manufacturing. Introduction to design methodology including design for manufacturing and design optimisation; project management and group project.

Year 4

The final year will provide the student with the ability to use finite element method to analyse a range of engineering systems including static stress, dynamic modal analysis and heat transfer analysis; introduction to renewable energy systems; Introduction to business finance, accounting and law for engineers; Operation management, quality control and assurance, cost evaluation and supply change management; skills needed to use a variety of commercial software in design and manufacture of products and the rapid prototyping techniques including NC programming, mould modelling, rapid prototyping and sensitivity analysis; undertake a substantial professional design project incorporating planning, decision making, data collection and critical analysis.

Learning Methods

The course is designed to meet the national frameworks developed by Skills Development Scotland, the subject frameworks of the QAA and the skill and knowledge areas identified as crucial by industry.  The teaching and learning strategy for this course is characterised by a commitment to ensuring a genuine interaction between theoretical and work-based learning. It enables the student to acquire and develop the subject knowledge and understanding necessary for successful professional employment.  

Activity Summary

This is a work-based learning course delivered via a combination of practical learning activities in the workplace, complemented by learning delivered online through our virtual learning environment (VLE) and including one or two full-day(s) on campus workshop per module.

• Approximately 25 students per cohort 
• Online learning delivery for teaching material
• Workplace visits by academic staff
• Around 1 hour per week for online interactive workshop (tutorial or technical Q&A live session) with academic staff

There will be two terms, each approximately 20 weeks in length. Students will study two modules concurrently in each term (a total of 4 modules per year). This will typically require:

• Independent Study - 30 hours per module, approximately 3 hours per week
• Work Based Learning - 240 hours per module, approximately 24 hours per week
• Online class participation - 30 hours per module, approximately 3 hours per week

Independent Study

The majority of the learning will be taking place at work and as you progress from Year 1 – 4, the level of independent learning increases significantly within specialist areas of the course. You are expected to have the confidence to apply your knowledge to more complex contexts and work on your own initiative as you progress towards graduation.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Staff are lecturers from traditional courses taught currently at RGU along with the potential for recorded guest lectures delivered by industry experts. Teaching will be undertaken mostly by staff with established expertise in the subject area of design and manufacture who hold a chartership status CEng and/or who are already involved in joint projects with different industrial partners.

Workplace Mentor 

Employers assign a Workplace Mentor whose role will be to oversee the work based learning undertaken by the student. In addition to mentoring support for students, supplementary support may be provided by the employer, for example when subject matter experts are brought in to provide specific business or technical expertise or through access to other departments within the organisation.  This ensures that the curriculum is fully covered as the student progresses in their studies.

Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach

During the first year of study, access is provided to a dedicated Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach to help make the most of all learning opportunities.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used in this course, as deemed appropriate to the learning outcomes and subject material being assessed and the context in which the material is delivered.

Students will be assessed for each module using a variety of formative and summative assessment methods including:

• Reports
• Case studies
• Portfolios of evidence
• Logbooks
• Presentations
• Engineering drawings
• Product evaluation
• CAD and CAM assignments
• On-line tests
• NC programming
• Project reports

In addition in year 4, students are assessed on their dissertation and on project outputs.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of submission of coursework.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

Students will be in full-time employment throughout the duration of the course, therefore extensive use is made of work-based learning.

Job Prospects

Students joining this Graduate Apprenticeship will be already employed. Students may range from new entries to the industry to mature experienced individuals interested in formalising their experience. With each course tailored to the company, the Graduate Apprenticeship programme offers benefits to both the employee and the employer, meeting the long term development needs of both business and student.

Employment: All applicants must be employed full-time in a role related to the course of study, must have the right to live and work in Scotland and be working in Scotland. The employer must commit to providing a suitable workplace environment and to offering guidance and mentoring support to the apprentice. In addition, the company must be willing to partner with the university via a Collaboration Agreement to create a setting in which the student will be able to achieve the required experience and learning outcomes.

SQA Higher: BBBB to include Maths and either Engineering Science, Physics or Technological Studies. English at National 5 grade C or above is required if not held at Higher.

Alternative Qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications or work experience which equip them with an equivalent starting point for the course. For those applicants who do not meet our Standard Course Entry Requirements, applications may be considered from those who possess one years’ relevant work experience and where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV. Applications from students with non- standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/NVQs and access programmes) or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Advanced Entry

Applicants who are interested in applying for advanced (or flexible) entry will be considered on an individual basis. Attention is drawn to the university's process for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

For Academic Year 2023/2024

• £1,820 per academic year

For Academic Year 2022/2023

• £1,820 per academic year

Additional Costs

Graduate Apprenticeship courses include an on-campus induction, together with one on-campus day per module, therefore employers supporting Graduate Apprenticeship students need to plan for this time away from the workplace together with any associated travel and accommodation costs.

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:

Graduate Apprenticeship courses include an on-campus induction, together with one or two on-campus day(s) per module, therefore employers supporting Graduate Apprenticeship students need to plan for this time away from the workplace together with any associated travel and accommodation costs.

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing
• Re-sit fees, fees for re-assessment opportunities in a repeat year

Student Funding

Subject to meeting course entry and employer eligibility criteria, a number of fully-funded places are available for this course. 

Students should apply to SAAS to have their tuition fees paid:

As a paid employee, apprentices would not be eligible for other SAAS funding such as bursaries and student loans.  

Find out more information about funding and other frequently asked questions: