Sports Design Engineering

Sports design engineering brings together the creativity of product design with the precision of engineering science, applying both to the conception, design, and manufacture of sporting equipment. As the University of Strathclyde describes it, sports engineers work in nearly every sport, creating designs that meet specialised specifications to improve athlete performance, safety, and product durability. From the aerodynamics of a bicycle helmet and the energy return of a running shoe to the material science of a cricket bat or the hydrodynamics of a swimsuit, sports engineering sits at a genuinely exciting intersection of science, sport, and design.

Strathclyde's four-year full-time Sports Design Engineering degree has a typical entry tariff of 216 points, reflecting the high academic demands of a programme that integrates mechanical engineering, materials science, fluid dynamics, and design. A year abroad option is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner university and broaden both your technical knowledge and your global perspective. You will study the principles of engineering design, materials selection, manufacturing processes, biomechanics, sports science, and computer-aided design, developing the ability to move from conceptual idea to functional prototype with rigour and creativity.

The programme draws on Strathclyde's strong engineering heritage and its connections with the sports and outdoor product industries.

Graduates work in sports equipment design and manufacturing companies, sports technology firms, research institutions, national sports bodies, and the broader consumer products sector. Roles include design engineer, product development engineer, materials engineer, and sports technology researcher. The engineering foundations the degree provides also open doors to roles in aerospace, automotive, and medical device sectors, where similar combinations of design thinking and materials expertise are valued.

Postgraduate study or doctoral research in sports engineering, biomechanics, or materials science is a natural further direction for those drawn to research and innovation.