The first students to complete Bristol University’s Engineering Design degree will come together for a graduation photo tomorrow [Tuesday, 13 June]. It has taken the 21 students five years to finish the degree and around a quarter of the graduates are women.
The pioneering degree programme, the only accredited course of its kind in the UK, was devised in partnership with leading industrialists and the Royal Academy of Engineering in response to the changing needs of industry and the economy.
The programme took its first entrants in October 2001. Its aim was to produce graduates with a well-rounded understanding of their subject, plus exceptional problem-solving, project-management and team-working skills. During the degree programme students also lead large-scale and challenging projects that have significant impact on society and the environment.
Airbus UK, Arup, GlaxoSmithKline, Motorola, Renishaw and Rolls- Royce are among 12 major companies that are working with the University and the students take a year-long placement in the third year as part of the programme.
Dr Mike Barry of the University’s Department of Engineering Mathematics, congratulating the students, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. It’s really pleasing that nearly a quarter of those graduating are female.
“We are continuing a great Bristol tradition by promoting engineering excellence, but we’re also breaking the mould and gearing up for a changed world.”
Dave Beattie of Arup Bristol added: “The course was set up to meet a need in the industry for graduates who have a much broader skill base than is traditionally taught, and have a good design capability on graduation.
“It has been of great value to us to have had the opportunity to be involved in the course at all stages, from the initial selection process, to student placements, through to helping with final year projects.
“We have been impressed by the outstanding quality of the students, and are delighted that the first graduates are now able to put their skills to good use.”