The Engineering & Design Institute London, also known as TEDI-London or the Institute, has won both Inspiring Course and Advancing International Education at the 2024 Independent Higher Education Awards!

Independent Higher Education (IHE) is a representative body for independent higher education providers in the UK. Its annual awards are designed to celebrate institutions that share IHE’s core values: diversity, flexibility, innovation, student focus, and collaboration. No wonder TEDI-London won not one, but two awards in 2024!

A future-focused degree

We’ve always been huge fans of TEDI-London’s innovative Global Design Engineering degree, so it’s great to see it recognised with the IHE Inspiring Course award! The project-based programme doesn’t involve any time sitting in a lecture hall listening to the theory of Engineering — instead students work in small groups on practical projects, getting hands-on experience from day one.

Unlike traditional Engineering degrees, TEDI-London doesn’t require applicants to have A-Levels in Physics or Maths. Instead, the Institute focuses on creating the Engineers that the industry needs: students from diverse backgrounds, who can bring unique perspectives and innovative thinking, and are ready to make, break and create just like professional Engineers.

The curriculum was developed in collaboration with employers and is constantly informed by the latest developments in industry. In fact, it’s designed to address shortages in the sector by teaching students the skills that employers actually want, both now and in the future. Those aren’t just practical skills either — TEDI-London said:

“The judges praised our focus on supporting the development of soft skills alongside subject knowledge, as well as employer input aligned to industry needs.”

It’s this spirit of innovation, collaboration and diversity that makes TEDI-London and Global Design Engineering so inspiring!

A global classroom

TEDI-London also won the IHE award for Advancing International Education, which should come as no surprise because international collaboration is a big part of studying there.

In fact, the Institute itself is the result of a collaboration between three highly respected international universities: Arizona State University (ASU) in the USA, King’s College London in the UK and UNSW Sydney in Australia. This means that not only is the curriculum shaped by diverse international perspectives, but students have access to the latest groundbreaking research from three corners of the world.

What really impressed the judges though, was TEDI-London’s Summer and Winter Residentials. During these six-week programmes, international students from the Institute’s founding partners join TEDI-London’s own undergraduates in the UK to work on a global sustainability challenge.

This allows students to gain experience working with people from multiple other countries, a vital skill for Engineers. Plus, it brings us a little closer to solving the world’s problems — global problems need global solutions after all.

TEDI-London works with educators from around the world too. For example, IHE judges particularly praised its work with the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education at King’s College London to support a two-week residential exchange for 30 teachers from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. This programme allowed the educators to work together on a new teacher training programme that will be piloted across Africa in 2025.

Guaranteed admission for further study at ASU

To further support this global exchange of ideas, TEDI-London graduates are even guaranteed admission (dependent on obtaining a visa) to study a master’s degree at ASU when they pass their three-year undergraduate degree with a 2:2 or higher! You can choose from:

• Engineering, MEng, studied online
• User Experience, MS, studied on campus

Depending on which subject you choose, you could be eligible to stay in the USA and work for up to three years with Optional Practical Training.

Get an award-winning education at TEDI-London

If you’re an aspiring Engineer who is ready to change the world, TEDI-London might just be the place for you. Kaplan can help international students gain entry to its Global Design Engineering degree, either through direct admission if you meet the Institute’s entry requirements, or through a degree preparation programme at Kaplan International College London if you don’t.

If you’re not sure which is the best route for you, just reach out and one of our friendly Education Advisors will be happy to help!