ASU London is an innovative and award-winning institution based in London, the UK‘s exciting capital city. Founded by Arizona State University in the USA, it offers a range of practical, specialised degrees.
One degree you can study at the Institute is Global Design Engineering. This degree name is unique to ASU London, so you might not know exactly what it involves. Don’t worry though, as we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about this exciting degree!
International perspective
To understand Global Design Engineering, you first need to understand ASU London and its mission. ASU London was founded by Arizona State University in the USA, the # most innovative university in the USA (U.S. News & World Report 2016–2026).
Its aim was simple — to establish a place of learning where diverse students can become the professionals of the future. The University brought its own unique perspective, influenced by research and developments in the USA, to the partnership.
The team at ASU London collaborated with Arizona State University to create an Engineering degree that equips students with not just the practical skills needed to work as an Engineer, but with the qualities needed to thrive in an ever-changing industry: qualities like creativity, problem-solving and a global outlook.
The result was Global Design Engineering.
Award-winning accredited curriculum
The first thing to know about Global Design Engineering is that ASU London has won two prestigious higher education awards for it!
Independent Higher Education (IHE) is an industry body representing independent higher education providers in the UK. Every year, they award the institutions that share their values of diversity, flexibility, innovation, student focus, and collaboration. In 2024, ASU London won not just one, but two awards! They are:
- Inspiring Course
- Advancing International Education
These awards really demonstrate the value of the rigorous and academically challenging Global Design Engineering curriculum, which places emphasis on a skills-led education and frequent collaboration with ASU London’s international founding partners.
Another thing that underpins the quality of the curriculum is the fact that it is double-accredited! BEng Global Design Engineering is accredited by both the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This means that these two respected engineering bodies examined different aspects of the curriculum and both agreed that it provides all the preparation you need for a successful career in the engineering field!
Learn skills across all major branches of Engineering
If you’re not sure which area of Engineering you’d like to specialise in, or are simply interested in a few different aspects of the field, Global Design Engineering is the degree for you!
It’s a General Engineering degree and so much more. The degree brings together elements of Civil, Electrical and Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering among other Engineering disciplines, so you’ll gain a broad base of knowledge. You’ll learn to work in an interdisciplinary manner, preparing you for a career collaborating with specialists in different fields.
You won’t only learn skills in Engineering though — you’ll also learn skills in product design, project management, market research and user testing, meaning wherever and however you want to make an impact, you’ll be well prepared to do so!
The curriculum is also informed by the world-leading research of Arizona State University. Combined with teaching by industry experts still working at the forefront of Engineering, this means you’ll benefit from an up-to-the-minute education that ensures you’ll graduate with the knowledge that tomorrow’s employers want.
Hands-on learning at ASU London
Project-based learning
What makes Global Design Engineering unique isn’t just the skills you’ll learn — it’s how you’ll learn them. You won’t spend your time in a lecture hall, learning the theory behind Engineering, but instead you’ll enjoy rigorous and challenging academic experience centred on practical learning. This means you’ll spend your time doing what Engineers do best: working to solve real-life problems.
From your very first day, you’ll work with your classmates on practical projects, led by a faculty member. Many of these projects are designed by ASU London’s industry partners, and there are specially designed interactive digital activities that support your learning too.
While you’ll benefit from the input of three big universities, you’ll get to study on ASU London’s close-knit campus, working in small groups with plenty of one-on-time with your tutors if you need it.
You’ll also work on those projects hands-on, using equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters, so you’ll graduate knowing how to use the tools that Engineers use on a daily basis.
ASU London’s campus
Worldwide collaboration
Another fantastic aspect of a Global Design Engineering degree is the many opportunities to collaborate with others — something you’ll need to do as a working Engineer, too.
You’ll spend a lot of time collaborating on projects with industry professionals, working to find solutions to real world problems, meaning you’ll get to see the positive impact of your work on the community.
This includes regular international collaboration too. For example, in summer 2023, students from Arizona State University in the USA and UNSW Sydney in Australia, alongside students from King’s College London, came to together to work alongside ASU London’s students for the summer residential programme.
Guided by industry professionals from National Rail, Transport for London and British Land, the students were tasked with finding sustainable transport solutions for British Land’s Canada Water Masterplan. This is an ambitious plan to develop the Canada Water area of London, where ASU London’s campus was then based. At the end of the six-week programme, the students were able to present their ideas to their peers and industry partners.
Not only did ASU London’s students benefit from the opportunity to learn from the differing perspectives of their new friends, but they were also able to build a global network of Engineers and industry professionals.
Excellent preparation for your career
Of course, one of most important aspects of an international education is getting ready for life after you graduate. Thankfully a Global Design Engineering degree is excellent preparation for your future career!
You’ll have experience in many different areas of Engineering, meaning you’ll have a wide range of career paths you can follow. For example, you could become a Design Engineer, working on creative briefs to build and assess new products or procedures. You’ll also be well prepared to work as an Environmental Engineer, finding ways to better conserve the Earth’s natural resources.
You could even work in a role outside of Engineering, as a project manager or product tester.
Whichever you choose, you’ll have the practical skills you need to start your job, the international experience you need to collaborate cross-culturally with colleagues all over the world, and a network of your peers and fellow professionals who can help you!
Guaranteed offer of further study at Arizona State University
If you’re not ready to pick a career right after graduating that’s fine too — your knowledge of a variety of different Engineering disciplines means you’ll be able to go on to further study too.
In fact, students at ASU London who graduate from their BEng degree with at a classification of 2:2 or higher are guaranteed admission (dependent on obtaining a visa) to a master’s programme at ASU!
This is a great opportunity to benefit from ASU London’s practical curriculum and small, friendly community, then gain an additional qualification from a large, international university. Depending on which degree you choose, you may also be eligible to gain up to 3 years of work experience in the USA with Optional Practical Training!
Become an Engineer with Kaplan and ASU London
If you’re excited about becoming an Engineer, ASU London can help you achieve your goal!
You can apply to start ASU London’s Global Design Engineering degree through Kaplan, benefiting from our expert advice and support with your application.
Intakes are available in September every year.
Alternatively, if you still don’t quite meet the degree entry requirements, you can study a Kaplan digital Foundation Certificate to help you raise your English language level and improve your academic skills.
You’re guaranteed entry to your Global Design Engineering degree when you successfully pass the Foundation Certificate at the required level with good attendance, and meet ASU London’s entry requirements.
If you’re ready to start your path to a career as an Engineer, you can contact us to find out more about your options.
