Engineering, Design & Sustainability Summer Program at Univeristy of Bath

Course Description: Engineering, Design & Sustainability Summer Program at Univeristy of Bath

Engineering, Design & Sustainability Summer Program

Program Description

Based at the University of Bath, this two-week residential summer program introduces students to Engineering, Design & Sustainability through practical, university-style learning.

Delivered in collaboration with University of Bath faculty staff, the program allows students to explore how engineers solve real-world problems and develop ideas from initial sketches into practical design solutions. Students investigate major challenges involving energy, transportation, water, waste, food systems, digital technology, sustainable cities, and the built environment.

Rather than focusing only on engineering theory, the program follows a hands-on, design-led approach. Students sketch, create technical drawings, develop prototypes, evaluate different solutions, and present their ideas professionally.

Throughout the experience, students strengthen their problem-solving, creativity, technical communication, teamwork, sustainability awareness, and presentation skills, while gaining valuable insight into studying engineering at university.

Location

The program takes place at the University of Bath in Bath, England, giving students the opportunity to study and live in a real UK university environment.

Outside the classroom, students explore the historic city of Bath and participate in full-day excursions to London and Oxford.

Students also visit another UK university campus during their stay, allowing them to experience different university environments and gain a broader understanding of higher education in the UK.

Lesson Plan

The academic program combines engineering principles, sustainable design, technical communication, and practical problem-solving.

Key areas include:

• Engineering Design Thinking

• Sustainability & Global Challenges

• Sustainable Development Goals

• Built Environment

• Energy & Transport Systems

• Water, Waste & Sanitation

• Food Systems & Sustainability

• Digital Technology in Engineering

• Sketching & Visual Thinking

• Technical Drawing

• Orthographic Projection

• 3D Design Development

• Prototyping & Testing

• Professional Engineering Communication

Students follow an engineering design process: understand a challenge, define the problem, generate ideas, compare possible solutions, develop a design, test their thinking, and present their final concept.

Students also participate in Academic Masterclasses, developing skills in academic writing, research, seminar discussion, lecture note-taking, academic integrity, and presentations.

Daily Routine

Each day combines academic learning, practical engineering activities, project development, social experiences, and time to relax.

Morning: Following breakfast, students attend their Engineering, Design & Sustainability pathway sessions. These may include design workshops, sustainability discussions, technical drawing, engineering challenges, or guided project work.

Afternoon: After lunch, students continue with practical workshops, Academic Masterclasses, group challenges, university-style learning, and prototype development.

Evening: Following dinner, students enjoy the residential social program. Activities may include quizzes, games, film nights, bowling, creative challenges, team activities, and relaxed social events.

Accommodation

Students stay in modern en-suite university accommodation on the University of Bath campus.

Living on campus gives students an authentic taste of independent university life while maintaining structured residential routines and 24/7 on-site support.

Students stay alongside other international participants, creating opportunities to make friends and experience an international residential community.

Meals

The program includes full-board catering throughout the stay.

Meals provide an opportunity for students to relax, socialise, and spend time with other participants outside academic sessions.

Dietary requirements can be accommodated when communicated in advance, including allergies, medical dietary requirements, and religious dietary needs.

On excursion days, meals or packed lunches are provided according to the program schedule.

Activities

Alongside their academic sessions, students participate in practical engineering challenges and a varied social and personal-development program.

Activities may include:

• Engineering design challenges

• Sustainable Development Goal mapping

• Sketching & observational drawing

• Technical drawing exercises

• 3D drawing

• Design brief development

• Solution comparison & decision-making

• Prototype planning

• Model building

• Prototype development

• Design testing & refinement

• Professional presentation preparation

• Feedback from practising engineers

• Academic Masterclasses

• Communicating with Confidence workshop

• Career guidance

• Guest speaker session

• Industry-focused experiences

• University campus visits

• Quizzes & games

• Film nights

• Bowling

• Creative challenges

• Team activities

• Local Bath activities

The program's practical focus helps students understand how an engineering idea can progress from an initial concept to a tested and professionally presented solution.

Included / Extras

The program fee includes:

• Engineering seminars & workshops

• Academic Masterclasses

• Engineering design activities

• Technical drawing & practical projects

• Prototype and model development

• Guided reflection & personal development

• Communicating with Confidence workshop

• Guest speaker session

• Career guidance

• University-style lectures, seminars & projects

• Industry-focused experience

• Subject-specific visit

• Visit to another UK university campus

• Final Innovation Showcase

• En-suite university accommodation

• Full-board meals

• London & Oxford excursions

• Local Bath activities

• Evening social program

• 24/7 on-site support & supervision

• Certificate of Completion

• University of Bath Certificate for the Engineering program

Optional extras: Airport transfers and unaccompanied minor assistance are additional services unless specifically included within the selected package.

Excursions

The program includes full-day excursions to London and Oxford, giving students the opportunity to explore two of the UK's most famous cultural and academic destinations.

Students also participate in local activities in Bath and visit another UK university campus.

An optional Harry Potter experience may also be available.

Engineering students additionally participate in an industry-focused experience, helping them connect classroom learning with professional engineering environments.

Transportation

Airport transfers are optional extras unless included within a specific package.

Meet-and-greet transfers may be available from selected airports on designated arrival and departure days. Detailed travel information is provided to families before arrival.

Additional assistance may also be available for students travelling as unaccompanied minors.

Certificates or Awards

A particularly valuable feature of this program is that Engineering students receive a University of Bath Certificate, recognising their participation in the Engineering program.

Students also receive a Certificate of Completion for successfully completing the wider summer program.

During the course, students complete a final Engineering Design Challenge. They identify a real-world problem, develop an engineering solution, and create a prototype, model, or design concept.

Students then prepare a professional presentation and have the opportunity to share their work with practising engineers, receiving professional feedback on their ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Engineering program delivered with the University of Bath?

Yes. The Engineering, Design & Sustainability program is delivered in collaboration with University of Bath faculty staff.

Do students receive a University of Bath certificate?

Yes. Students on the Engineering pathway receive a University of Bath Certificate recognising their participation in the Engineering program. They also receive a separate Certificate of Completion for the overall summer program.

Do students need previous engineering experience?

No. Previous engineering study is not required. The program is designed for students who are curious, creative, interested in engineering, and excited about solving real-world problems.

What level of English is recommended?

A B2+ level of English is recommended so students can participate confidently in seminars, workshops, discussions, group projects, and presentations.

What will students study?

Students explore engineering design, sustainability, global engineering challenges, energy, transportation, water, waste, sustainable cities, technical drawing, 3D design, prototyping, testing, and professional engineering communication.

Is the program practical or mainly classroom-based?

It is highly practical and design-led. Students participate in workshops, technical drawing exercises, engineering challenges, prototype development, group projects, and presentations alongside university-style academic sessions.

Will students build a prototype?

Yes. Students develop a prototype, model, or design concept as part of their final Engineering Design Challenge.

Will students work with practising engineers?

Students prepare a professional final presentation and share their work with practising engineers through an industry visit, which includes professional feedback.

Do students need to bring a laptop?

Yes. Students should bring a laptop suitable for academic work, research, project development, and presentation preparation.

Where will students stay?

Students stay in modern en-suite university accommodation at the University of Bath, providing a taste of residential university life.

Are meals included?

Yes. Full-board catering is included throughout the program. Dietary requirements can be accommodated when communicated in advance.

What excursions are included?

The program includes full-day excursions to London and Oxford, local Bath activities, and a visit to another UK university campus. An optional Harry Potter experience may also be available.

Are students supervised?

Yes. Students receive 24/7 on-site support, with clear residential routines and supervision during activities and excursions.

Are airport transfers included?

Airport transfers are optional extras unless specifically included in the selected package. Meet-and-greet airport transfers may be available from selected airports.

Is support available for unaccompanied minors?

Yes, additional support for students travelling as unaccompanied minors may be available upon request.

What happens at the end of the program?

Students complete their Engineering Design Challenge, creating a prototype, model, or design concept addressing a real-world problem. They then professionally present their final concept as part of an Innovation Showcase, demonstrating the engineering, design, sustainability, and presentation skills they have developed throughout the program.