Design Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year

A Brighton Design Engineering degree prepares you for careers in areas such as product design and development, user experience design, sustainable innovation and manufacturing and gives you the skills to start your own venture in tech and design-led industries.

This course offers an extra year to prepare you for study at degree level. Choosing the foundation year option means you’ll be prepped and ready for the first year of your degree with the skills, knowledge and confidence you need. 

At Brighton you’ll be part of a supportive community that helps you grow, no matter your background. You’ll have loads of opportunities to build real-world experience through team projects, placements and internships. Our inclusive approach to learning means we’ll help you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton graduates go on to work for organisations such as Apple, Dyson, Jaguar, Mars, Lego and Ricardo UK Ltd.

Top reasons to choose this course
• Foundation year that opens up opportunities in engineering if you don’t hold the required qualifications, are changing career or returning to study.



• Learn in a creative, collaborative studio environment, working on industry-linked projects with other engineering and design students.



• Gain hands-on experience through project work designing and building water rockets, finding solutions to Fixperts challenges and working on the design and development of bike force pedals for Team GB.



• Showcase your work to potential employers at our end of year show.



• Specialist facilities including flight and car simulators, wind tunnel, prototyping labs and workshops, CNC machines, robotics and VR labs.



• Get involved with our research, developing mechanical and aerodynamic tools for bicycle training and simulators in the Bike Sim Lab.



• Make a difference and solve energy challenges in our student-led Sustainable Technology and Engineering Projects (STEP) lab.



• Boost your CV with an optional paid placement year after year two or paid internship opportunities.



- 100% of our engineering research impact is rated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ for reach and significance – Research Excellence Framework 2021.


Why Brighton is a great place to study design engineering
Brighton & Hove is the UK’s leading city for new economy businesses (Centre for Cities, 2025). This includes sectors such as advanced engineering, product design, green technology and sustainable manufacturing – industries where demand for design engineers is rapidly growing. Studying at Brighton means you’ll be part of a hub for innovation, with opportunities to directly connect your learning to the future of design and engineering.

Brighton & Hove is also named one of the best cities on the planet and third best city in the UK by Time Out.

At Brighton, you'll study in a way that prepares you for your future. Through practical, hands-on learning, you'll graduate with confidence to kick-start your career. 100% of courses offer work experience, and opportunities like placements and study abroad will make your CV stand out. Almost 9 out of 10 of Brighton’s UK graduates are working or studying just 15 months after finishing their course (Graduate Outcomes, 2025).

Located on the south coast, students benefit from living and studying in the 3rd best city in the UK (Time Out). It’s independent and inclusive; a place where everyone belongs. The music and arts scene is up-and-coming, and the city hosts a full schedule of entertainment and events year-round.

The University of Brighton doesn't just want you to succeed, but to feel good too! From their flexible admissions process to academic and wellbeing support networks, Brighton will help you smoothly transition to university. You’ll be invited to Belong at Brighton events to ensure you have the best start to university.

If you’d like to visit the university to see whether it’s right for you, attend a Clearing campus tour or visit day. Click Visit Website below to book your place.