Design Engineering Research MRes

  • Postgraduate taught
  • MRes

Design Engineering Research

Develop transdisciplinary research skills in Design Engineering and apply these to societal problems.

Apply core research skills needed to solve societal challenges

Take a transdisciplinary research approach to evaluating design engineering research problems

Create new insights, build your research profile and communicate your work with relevant stakeholders

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MRes

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Start date

    September 2025

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £18,500 Home

    • £42,900 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

Minimum entry standard

  • First-Class Honours in a Science, Technology and Engineering discipline

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Gain state-of-the-art knowledge on transdisciplinary research methods, design engineering practice and modelling/simulation tools. 

Deepen your subject-area expertise with 2 electives selected from a list of exciting modules.

You will apply these skills towards addressing a design engineering research problem through the execution of your research project. 

Communicate your research outputs to academic and industry stakeholders towards building your future research career. 

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You will take five core modules to form the foundations of your MRes, equipping you with an understanding of Design engineering practices, skills needed to model and simulate complex systems, and transdisciplinary research skills.

The course culminates in a Master’s research project which will focus on solving a design engineering problem. 

Core Modules

In addition to our core modules, you will deepen your subject-area knowledge with two exciting optional modules in the Autumn and Spring term respectively. At least one of these optional modules must be FHEQ level 7.

Optional Modules - Autumn Term (FHEQ Level 7)

Optional Modules - Spring Term (FHEQ Level 7)

Optional Modules - Spring Term (FHEQ Level 6)

Undertake a significant independent investigation of a research topic and critically evaluate the state-of-the-art literature, create research plans to test a hypothesis, apply suitable research techniques (qualitative/quantitative), and robustly evaluate the results in an ethical manner. Research topics span: global, contextual, systemic and performance challenges, with thematic areas including AI and data, sustainable growth, future mobility and health and aging.

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Taught modules
  • Independent Study
  • Research project

Balance of assessment

  • 11% Lectures, tutorials and practicals
  • 24% Independent Study
  • 65% Individual research

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Project-based learning
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • A group of people interacting
    Team-based activities
  • Lab work
  • Person completing coursework
    Independent Study
  • Flipped learning
  • Skill workshops

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Practical
  • Coursework
  • Exams

  • 14% Practicals
  • 77% Course Work
  • 9% Exams

Assessment methods

  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Design project blueprints
    Project work
  • Research dissertation
  • Papers from a written report
    Individual and group reports
  • A person completing a written exam
    Exams
  • Viva voce

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Apply online

You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.

Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025

Tuition fees

Home fee

2025 entry

£18,500

Overseas fee

2025 entry

£42,900

Scholarships

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Industrial Design Studentships

Value per award

  • Full tuition fees plus stipend.

Who it's for

  • UK resident, recently graduated first degree, and intending to make a career in British Industry.
Find out more

Presidential scholarships for students of Black heritage

Value per award

  • Home tuition fees up to £18,500, an annual maintenance grant of £21,000, and an allowance of £1,500 for equipment.

Who it's for

  • Applicants of Black heritage
Find out more

Master's Scholarship supporting disabled students

Value per award

  • Tuition fees up to £18,500, maintenance grant of £21,000, and allowance of £1,500 for equipment.

Who it's for

  • Disabled applicants
Find out more

Sanctuary Scholarship – Postgraduate

Value per award

  • Full tuition fees, £21,000 living costs, and £1,500 equipment grant

Who it's for

  • Refugee applicants
Find out more

Your future career

Develop core skills needed to pursue a career in design engineering research.

Synthesize your subject specific experiences with transdisciplinary mixed research methods to solve societal problems.

Build a track record on design engineering research and showcase your work to relevant stakeholders.

Graduating students from the MRes will be well placed for onwards study for a PhD or industrial research roles.

Explore design engineering challenges covering performance, systemic, contextual and global challenges.

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications