Here's something you don't hear every day: an engineering school that doesn't do lectures. No sitting in a hall for hours, taking notes while someone talks at you. That's the first thing that stands out about TEDI-London, and honestly, it's the reason a lot of students end up choosing it.

The Engineering and Design Institute London, that's what TEDI stands for is a relatively new institution. It was founded in 2019 and welcomed its first cohort in 2021 . But don't let the "new" part put you off. The consortium behind it is anything but inexperienced: Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Sydney came together to establish this place . That's serious academic firepower.

If you're trying to decide where to study engineering, here's what you actually need to know about TEDI-London.

No Lectures. Yes, Really.

This is the biggest differentiator, and it's worth spending a moment on. TEDI-London doesn't do traditional lectures . Instead, everything is project-based learning. From day one, you're working on real industry challenges, not hypothetical textbook problems .

What does that actually look like? Let me give you an example from their curriculum. In Year 2, students worked on a project with Brompton Bicycles, designing accessories to boost rider confidence in areas like safety, visibility, and ease of transport . Another project involved designing for the Printworks building, applying ecological design principles .

You're not learning engineering concepts in isolation. You're learning them because you need them to solve a specific problem. The theory comes through the application. The programme bridges mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental engineering, and product design—so you're not locked into one discipline from the start .

And the spaces reflect this approach. Instead of lecture halls, you work in "makerspaces" where you can prototype, test, and build . It's hands-on, messy, and collaborative.

The Programmes on Offer

For 2026 entry, TEDI-London has expanded its offerings. The flagship programme remains the Global Design Engineering BEng/MEng, which is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology . It's a general engineering degree that doesn't force you to specialise too early, and if you choose the MEng route, you graduate with an integrated master's qualification, making you eligible for Chartered Engineer status without further study .

New for 2025/26 is the BEng in Engineering with Artificial Intelligence . Given how rapidly AI is reshaping every industry, this is a timely addition. The programme covers machine learning, big data analytics, and applied AI alongside core engineering principles . It's delivered at the ASU London campus, which moved to Islington, Central London, from 2026 .

Both programmes emphasise sustainability and social responsibility, aligned with the Engineers 2030 principles . That's not just buzzwords—projects are designed around themes like smart cities, sustainability, and user-centred design .

How Selective Is It?

The TEDI London acceptance rate sits around 44% . That puts it in the "competitive but achievable" category. It's not Oxbridge-level selectivity, but it's not an open door either.

For UK applicants, the typical offer is around 112 UCAS tariff points, which is roughly equivalent to BBB at A-Level . For international students, the key requirements are academic qualifications and English proficiency—usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 .

The institution actively recruits globally, and if your background doesn't quite meet the entry requirements, there are foundation year pathways available . One interesting detail: international students at TEDI-London are guaranteed progression to a Master's degree at Arizona State University, which bridges UK and US higher education systems .

What Graduates Actually Do

Numbers matter here. In 2023, 99% of TEDI-London graduates found employment or secured university placements within six months of graduating . That's an exceptional figure by any standard.

The programme's emphasis on "soft" skills alongside technical knowledge is a deliberate response to what employers say they need. The IET Skills and Demand in Industry 2019 Survey found that 73% of UK employers felt graduates had good technical knowledge but lacked workplace skills like project management, commercial awareness, and collaboration .

TEDI-London tackles this head-on. They have an annual Employability and Skills Week where students attend workshops delivered by industry partners on topics like interviewing, cover letter writing, finance, time management, and using LinkedIn . Professional bodies like IMechE and ICE participate too, which is important because you can't become a Chartered engineer without membership in an industry body .

Graduates from the AI programme could pursue roles like AI Engineer, Data Scientist, Robotics Engineer, or Systems Engineer . The Global Design Engineering route opens doors into product design, manufacturing, infrastructure, and environmental engineering.

What It Costs and What Support Exists

Tuition fees are around £24,500 per year for international students . On top of that, you'll need to budget for living costs—London doesn't come cheap, with estimated living expenses around £26,592 annually .

The good news is there are scholarships available specifically aimed at widening participation in engineering. These include:

• International Excellence Scholarship – for international students 

• Women in Engineering Scholarship – for women or those who identify as female 

• Black Engineers Scholarship – to promote diversity in the field 

• Local Community Scholarship – for students from the local area 

• Upskilling and Retraining Scholarship – for those changing careers or upskilling 

The scholarships are part of TEDI-London's commitment to diversity and inclusion in engineering . If you fall into any of these categories, it's worth applying.

Who Is This For?

I'll be direct: TEDI-London is not for everyone. If you thrive in traditional academic environments, prefer structured lectures, and like knowing exactly what's coming next, the project-based approach might feel uncomfortable.

But if you're the kind of person who learns by doing, who wants to graduate with a portfolio of actual projects rather than just a transcript, and who wants to be in London—not on the outskirts, but right in the city—this is a serious option.

The Engineering and Design Institute London is building something different. Whether that's the right fit for you depends on how you learn best and what you want from your engineering education.