Design and Technology

Design and technology underpin all products whether good or bad.  Design must be right and fit for purpose or the technology however brilliant won't work or be wanted.  Fantastic form is no good if the function fails.  Product designers and design engineers collaborate in design teams to get both aspects right for use and for production. They gain CAD/CAM skills using professional software such as Pro/Engineer and Pro/Mechanica.  Design and technology underlay all operating procedures - it's no coincidence that many of our aeronautical tech graduates go on to pilot training - they already understand the constraints that a plane operates under.

Aeronautical Technology

This award starts with general design theory and practice which is then put into the context of Aeronautical Technology covering: Propulsion (Internal Combustion and Gas Turbine Engines) and Subsonic Aerodynamics, Instrumentation and Control (Aircraft Instruments, Navigation Systems and Primary & Secondary Controls) and Flight Deck and Cabin Design.  Student options include Practical Aviation Studies where experience is gained through undertaking flying and other club membership activities after joining a local gliding club (there will be a gliding club fee).  The final area of Aeronautical Technology is to analyse Air Accidents from a design perspective.   

Graduates of Aeronautical Technology will become professionals who are familiar with aeronautical technology and who understand the aeronautical and transport industries.  They will be familiar with design techniques and have studied modern applications of advanced technology in aeronautical applications.  Graduates from the Design Technology programme have gained employment in a wide range of industries in roles such as Junior Design Engineer and Graduate Engineer, others have become pilots flying for BA, Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic.  You may wish to progress to study the PGCE Design Technology award at Staffordshire University, and join the teaching profession as a Design Technology teacher.

Product Design Technology

The emphasis of the Product Design Technology courses is to develop designers who can identify problems, think creatively, design innovative and practical solutions.  These designers will have the practical design skills to see their designs through to manufacture, as well as a high level understanding of the language, theory and practice of technology. The course seeks to produce designers who recognise the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and are able to provide this catalytic and integrating role in modern, successful industry.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Teacher Training) Courses

• PGCE Design and Technology

Vocational / Distance Learning / Negotiated study

• PgC/PgD/MSc Advanced Technology