BEng (Hons) AI Systems Design Engineering

BEng (Hons) AI Systems Design Engineering

Locations
Birmingham
Leeds
London (Ealing, Holborn, Stratford)
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Online
Attendance
Weekdays (Blended)
Flexible (Online)
Duration
Full-time: 3 years (Blended)
Part-time: 3 years+ (Online)

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

The BEng (Hons) AI Systems Design Engineering develops the skills you need to design, model and improve intelligent engineering systems. You will build practical knowledge in programming, digital design, data, simulation and prototyping, helping you solve complex design challenges.

Arden University and Google Cloud

Developed with input from Google Cloud, this programme combines engineering principles with practical AI skills. You will learn how AI can be used in systems design, while also developing the digital skills needed to support your own studies and future career.

Through Arden's collaboration with Google Cloud, you will have access to Google Gemini Enterprise throughout your degree. Gemini Enterprise can help you work with complex course content by creating revision notes, audio overviews and visual summaries to support your learning.

You will also work on agentic AI simulations and engineering projects developed with Google Cloud. These practical activities will give you experience in automated process design, system testing and digital prototyping.

You will have the chance to:

  • Develop systems design skills: Build knowledge across AI programming, digital prototyping, system modelling and data analytics.
  • Learn with Google Cloud: Explore AI tools and approaches relevant to modern engineering systems.
  • Apply AI through simulations: Use intelligent design solutions to tackle practical engineering challenges.
  • Use Gemini Enterprise in your studies: Adapt course content to support your learning needs and pace.
  • Explore human-centred technology: Develop the critical thinking needed to consider how emerging systems affect people and society.

Course subject to validation

Foundation Year available

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Course details and modules

AI is changing how engineering systems are designed, tested and operated. This course helps you develop the technical and analytical skills needed to understand these systems and apply AI to practical design challenges.

Throughout the course, you will learn to analyse problems, automate processes and make informed design decisions. You will develop your skills through practical projects, simulations and engineering activities.

Projects developed with Google Cloud will give you opportunities to apply what you learn, building practical experience in systems design, AI and engineering that can support your future career.

Modules

  • CREATE (30 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Software Development (30 credits)
  • Applied Tech Concepts (30 credits)
  • Skills for University Study (30 credits)
  • Professional Digital Practice (Employability) (30 credits)
  • Programming for Digital Professionals (30 credits)
  • Simulating Material Behaviour (30 credits)
  • Computer Aided Design and Design Practice (30 credits)
  • Applied Professional Skills: Automated Workflows (30 credits)
  • Applied Data Intelligence (30 credits)
  • Thinking in Systems: AI Enhanced Design (30 credits)
  • Advanced Design Simulation & Material Performance (30 credits)
  • Arden Impact Module: Design Engineering (30 credits)
  • Future Design: AI Tools, Creativity & Critical Evaluation (30 credits)
  • Rise of the Machines: Human-Tech Interface (30 credits)
  • Applied Simulation & Digital Prototyping (30 credits)

How do we assess you?

Assessment is designed to help you apply your learning to real-world systems engineering challenges. You could complete practical, industry-focused assessments including design and modelling projects, simulations, technical reports, presentations and projects. This gives you the flexibility to play to your strengths while developing practical communication, problem-solving, digital and professional skills.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at our campuses in London Ealing, London Stratford, London Holborn,  Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body. 

Learn more about blended learning

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. 

Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.  iLearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

iLearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy. 

Studying online does not mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you will be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you will have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We have even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you are currently learning. 

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

  • A minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 completed within the last 3 years, or an equivalent qualification.
  • Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference.

English Proficiency

  • IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent

We’ll ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course. We may also want references and evidence of relevant experiences.

Course fees and funding

Find your country

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Professor John Parkinson, PhD, PGDip, FHEA

A future-facing faculty preparing graduates for an AI-enabled world

Hello, I’m Professor John Parkinson, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology (FoSST) at Arden University. I joined Arden after twenty-five years of research, teaching, and leadership in UK higher education. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for understanding human behaviour and creating learning environments that help people thrive. 

My academic career has centred on behavioural science, human motivation, applied research, and public policy. Beyond academia, I am a qualified counsellor and a strong advocate for student-centred, future-focused education. These experiences have shown me how quickly society shifts — and how vital it is that education keeps pace. At Arden, we are committed to ensuring that every student encounters an AI-infused curriculum, develops the literacies needed to thrive in data-rich workplaces, and learns to apply   
technology ethically and insightfully to real-world challenges.  

Throughout the Faculty, we have a deep commitment to applied, interdisciplinary learning, preparing students for the complexities of an evolving world. Across psychology, computing and data science, criminology, law, and the social sciences, our faculty brings together disciplines that are all being reshaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. With the university’s new investment and strategic focus on digital transformation, our mission is clear: to prepare graduates who can harness the power of AI responsibly, creatively, and confidently.  

We champion interdisciplinary thinking because the future will demand nothing less. Whatever programme you study, you will experience learning that is flexible, applied, technology-enabled, and grounded in strong academic foundations. Our goal is to not only help you succeed academically, but to ensure you graduate ready for the emerging AI-augmented professions of the future — resilient, skilled, and able to make a positive impact on society.

Welcome to the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology. I look forward to supporting you as we build this ambitious, future-ready community together.

Professor John Parkinson, PhD, PGDip, FHEA
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology

Career prospects

In a collaboration with Google Cloud, we’ve created brand-new, future-focused degree programmes. Designed with Google Cloud experts, these courses bridge the gap between higher education and cutting-edge tech industry demands, helping you build skills for a successful career across engineering, manufacturing, product development, design and digital technology.

Apply AI and systems skills across growing industries

The combination of AI, systems engineering, digital design, data and simulation can prepare you for opportunities across technology, engineering, manufacturing and digital industries.

What will BEng (Hons) AI Systems Engineering do for me?

Turn AI and digital technologies into practical solutions

During the course, you’ll learn how artificial intelligence can be applied to real-world systems and design challenges. You’ll build your programming knowledge and explore how code, AI and automated workflows can be used to solve complex problems and improve processes, as well as confidence in digital design, modelling and simulation skills, using virtual testing and digital prototyping to explore, evaluate and refine solutions before implementation - with Google Cloud’s world-leading technical expertise.

What can I do after Arden University?

Take your skills into AI, engineering and emerging technology

Your degree will give you a broad technical foundation to support progression into AI, systems engineering, digital engineering, design, simulation, data and automation roles in industries increasingly using AI, automation and intelligent technologies. Your skills could prepare you for roles such as:

  • AI Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • AI Application Engineer
  • Data Engineer
  • Big Data Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • AI Solutions Architect
  • AI Product Manager
  • AI Technology Consultant
  • AI Governance and Responsible AI Specialist
  • AI Safety and Assurance Engineer
  • Cloud Data Engineer
  • AI Transformation Lead
  • Agentic AI Engineer

The skills you develop can be applied across sectors including technology, engineering, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and energy, as well as other industries adopting AI and digital systems.

Industry skills

Arden University and Google Cloud logo

Future-defining degrees, co-developed with Google Cloud

Designed with Google Cloud experts, our created brand-new, future-focused degree programmes bridge the gap between higher education and cutting-edge tech industry demands covering cyber security, data science, AI systems engineering, applied AI in business management, and more.