Two students in the engineering department

Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics

Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics

The Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Middlesex University, London.

We offer a dynamic range of courses that explore modern industry practices across several fields. These include design, engineering, automation, and manufacturing.

Our undergraduate programmes develop responsible, innovative, confident, and passionate graduates. Students gain the skills to enter employment and drive change.

Sustainability is central to our courses. Our undergraduate programmes align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our facilities

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide industry-standard equipment. We also have partnerships with industry leaders, including:

  • National Instruments
  • LabVIEW Academy
  • Cisco Academy
  • Siemens, Connected Curriculum partner
  • Altium Academic Partner.

Students have access to:

  • state-of-the-art mechatronics and robotics laboratories
  • extensive workshop facilities
  • 3D printing facilities
  • our Smart Factory lab, jointly sponsored by Festo and Siemens.

Our teaching

Our expert teaching teams use current research to inform their work. They also draw on engagement and collaboration with industry.

Our practice-led approach provides an excellent environment for hands-on learning. It encourages teamwork and reflects professional practice.

Students take part in:

  • "live" projects with industry partners
  • external competitions
  • workshops
  • our industry speaker series.

Many of our programmes are accredited by recognised professional bodies. These include the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

This accreditation reflects the high quality of our teaching. It also shows that our curriculum aligns with current industry standards and practices.

Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics courses

Our research

The Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics conducts internationally recognised research. We offer opportunities to study for a Master’s by Research or an MPhil/PhD.

Our research combines innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical application.

The department has research strengths in several key areas:

For general enquiries about research topics and programmes, please contact the Postgraduate Research Lead for the Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics, Dr. Ramona Trestian.  

The department works with industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions. These collaborations help our research make a positive impact across several sectors.

Our interdisciplinary approach combines product design, engineering, and mathematics to support innovation. Our state-of-the-art facilities enable cutting-edge research in specialist areas. These range from architectural technology and wireless communication to digital twin modelling.

Our dedicated team brings extensive experience and expertise to the department. This keeps our research at the forefront of innovation and practical application in a fast-changing world.

By combining theory and practice, we develop creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions that benefit industries and communities.

London Digital Twin Research Centre

The London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC) is based at Middlesex University London. It develops state-of-the-art technology that creates digital representations of the physical world.

The Centre supports the digital transformation of physical environments through digital twin concepts and technologies. Its work covers industry, infrastructure, healthcare, and transport.

Current research focuses on:

  • Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 (I4.0)
  • Structure Health Monitoring (SHM)
  • Healthcare Resilience
  • Heritage Restoration
  • Agriculture Resilience
  • 5G/6G Networks
  • Sociotechnical Twins
  • Environment and Enterprise Management.

Watch a video about the London Digital Twin Research Centre.

The 5G/6G and IoT Research Group

The 5G/6G and IoT Research Group studies current research topics in 5G/6G networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The group develops innovative solutions for advanced wireless communication systems.

Our partners

WES Charter Mark Logo

Our engineering courses are partnered with WES (Women’s Engineering Company). WES has more than 100 years of experience in inspiring and supporting women in engineering.

It provides opportunities to share knowledge across its extensive partner network. Middlesex students can apply for free membership and access opportunities in engineering.

Our graduates

We have an extensive global network of graduates working in professional practice. Our graduates work for companies including Apple, Dyson, Airbus, and Lego.

Recent student and graduate successes include:

  • Mohamed Shaat: Siemens Connected Curriculum Prize, Overall Winner. BEng Mechatronics graduate, 2024
  • Mikhaela Roy: World Skills UK Industry 4 National Final Competition winner. She was also part of Team UK for Industry 4 at WorldSkills International 2024 in Lyon, France. BEng Hons Mechatronics graduate, 2023
  • Gabija Gailiunaite: CIAT Student of the Year Award 2024. BSc Architectural Technology
  • Harry Miller-Adams: Winner of the Product Design category in the Arts Thread 2023 Global Graduate Design Show, in collaboration with Gucci. BA Product Design graduate, 2023
  • Viorel Mihailuc: World Skills UK, Digital Construction 2021, Silver Medal. BSc Architectural Technology.

"I wanted a buffet of Engineering Projects to try out - AtkinsRéalis gave me that buffet, but it was Middlesex University who set my appetite for it."

Andrea Pereira, Graduate Engineer at AtkinsRéalis - BEng Computer Systems Engineering alumni

Andrea Pereira - Graduate Engineer profile photo
Design Engineering at Middlesex: Real-World Experience for Future Innovators video thumbnail

My name is Puja Varsani and I'm an Associate Lecturer.

Within engineering, we've got a fair few bits of facilities.

So we've got a Robotics lab, an Electronics lab, we've got a Mechatronics lab, we've got lots of different areas that are very specialist.

And it's really nice because even though we as engineers use it, there are other departments that use it.

And then those conversations between those two different students from different backgrounds and perspectives really does allow the creativeness, innovation and makes for some fantastic projects.

My name is Professor Mehmet Karamanoglu, I'm a head of department for Design, Engineering and Mathematics.

One of the ways that we offer is that actually linking students with industry.

As a department we work very closely with a professional service called MDX Works to offer placements and internships on campus as well as in industry.

So all of our programs are accredited by a professional body and recognized by industry and are highly in demand.

One of the good things about the university being located in North London is the fact that you can access via the underground lots of different locations and destinations that can then expose you to different types of engineering or different types of design. We have weekly guest lectures, which are a great opportunity to connect with people in the industry and get advice on building your portfolio and your presence as a designer.

In my first year, I was actually allowed the opportunity to participate in the IMechE competition.

So the IMechE is a mechanical engineering competition that is organized yearly.

Great experience because I had to participate against schools like Imperial College, UCL, I met a lot of people, yeah, it was very, it was very good experience.

I mean, the key thing is to keep up to date.

So the reason why we use industry equipment, even though it is a little bit more expensive than educational kit, is that the students are, they call them oven ready in industry.

And when we buy some piece of equipment, we're not just a customer, so it comes with the staff training, it comes with resources that they would have given their customers.

So when they graduate, they can actually add value on arrival.The assignments they give are not just random assignments, they are based on real world application.

So it makes you, help you prepare for your future career.

So we work very closely with industry,

and we try and replicate what our graduates will be doing in industry as part of their course.

Having that also the academic freedom to enable that to happen is what's the best that I find at Middlesex.

Design Engineering at Middlesex: Real-World Experience for Future Innovators
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