Training in process and plant design is an essential feature of biochemical engineering education. Training is also an accreditation requirement. The requisite training is provided through a selection of design-relevant courses and a design project of substantial scope. This article outlines the rationale for meaningful training in engineering design and considers the structuring, the expectations and the resources needs of biochemical engineering design education. Biochemical engineering differs in important ways from its chemical engineering parent discipline and this needs to be taken into account in developing a relevant design training programme for biochemical or bioprocess engineers.