Mechanical Engineering with Year in Industry (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Start your journey towards a career in engineering with our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Foundation Year) with Year in Industry.

This 5-year programme is designed to give you the best possible start, combining a supportive foundation year with a full degree in mechanical engineering – plus the opportunity to gain invaluable industry experience through a dedicated year in the workplace.

You will start with a foundation year, where you will develop essential academic skills such as independent study, essay writing, communication and problem-solving. You will grow in confidence and have time to explore engineering more broadly.

In your second year, you’ll focus on becoming an independent learner while building a strong foundation in engineering principles, mathematics, and design. You’ll learn to create and test engineering artefacts, explore materials and manufacturing processes, and gain essential knowledge of electrical and mechanical mechatronic principles.

In your third year, you will tackle more broadly defined challenges that require integrating knowledge from across your studies. You will deepen your understanding of applied mechatronics, materials and manufacturing, and digital manufacturing, while developing advanced modelling and simulation skills. Team-based projects will give you the opportunity to solve real-world engineering problems in a simulated professional environment.

Your fourth year will be spent on an industrial placement, applying your academic knowledge in a professional setting and gaining invaluable experience that enhances your employability. You can either source the placement yourself or our academic team can help you find a suitable placement.

In your final year, you will master complex engineering problems and explore advanced topics such as manufacturing systems, instrumentation and control, and cutting-edge materials technologies. You will also undertake a substantial independent engineering project, applying your skills creatively to deliver solutions with real-world impact.

Overview
Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress directly onto the Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons).

The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering programme is a future-focused degree developed in collaboration with BAE Systems, one of the UK’s leading engineering companies. It is designed to provide you with a robust foundation in mechanical engineering principles while immersing you in the latest developments in manufacturing technologies and digital innovation.

Throughout the course, you'll explore key areas such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, control systems, materials science, and mechatronics. Your learning journey will be brought to life through engaging, problem-based projects and practical laboratory work. In your second and third years, you'll deepen your knowledge with modules in digital manufacturing, applied mechatronics, advanced materials, automation, and operations management. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake an Integrated Engineering Project, tackling real-world engineering challenges in a team setting.

On this Course you Will...

• Study in a brand-new purpose built facility that has been designed to include all of the modern equipment and resources you need to make a success of your course.

• Benefit from engaging with stakeholders from local and national employers.

• Study a degree that was designed in collaboration through our employer networks to ensure you will be equipped with relevant knowledge and skills that employers really need.

Year One (Foundation Year):

• Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
• Essential Study Skills for Engineering
• Foundation Engineering Principles
• Digital Skills and Technologies for Engineering
• Foundation Engineering Mathematics and Problem Solving
• Foundation Engineering Design

Year Two:
In your second year, the emphasis is on helping you become independent in your learning. You will design engineering artefacts through standardised engineering science and mathematics application. You will also be introduced to the fundamental principles of engineering science and solve well-defined problems.

• Engineering Design
• Integrated Engineering
• Mathematics and Computing
• Principles of Materials and Manufacturing
• Mechatronic Principles Electrical
• Mechatronic Principles Mechanical

Year Three:
In your third year, the emphasis is on building your confidence. Problems become more broadly defined and can involve various factors and constraints. In performing your analysis, and developing your designs, you will draw on your new knowledge from across your first and second years of study.

• Mechatronic Principles Mechanical
• Applied Mechatronics Electrical
• Applied Mechatronics Mechanical
• Digital Manufacture
• Integrated Engineering 2
• Mathematics and Modelling

Year Four:
This module relates to one of the most exciting parts of your degree, your sandwich year work placement. This is a year-long, optional period of paid industrial training which gives you the opportunity to apply all the knowledge you have developed during your studies and discover the working world.

• Year in Industry

Year Five:
In your fifth year, engineering problems become complex. You will be creative and resourceful in applying engineering science and new technologies to resolve wide-ranging problems and conflicting requirements and constraints. You will work on real-world projects, and your solutions will have immediate commercial value.

• Advanced Manufacturing Systems
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Advanced Instrumentation and Control
• Integrated Engineering Project
• Operations Management

In this program, assessments come in two forms: formative and summative.

• Formative assessments are ongoing, giving you feedback on your progress as you work through the course, helping you improve along the way.
• Summative assessments happen at the end of a project or module and count towards your grade.

To suit different learning styles, assessments use various formats like coursework, presentations, and exams, and deadlines are spread throughout the year to help manage your workload.

• Coursework could be writing reports, creating presentations, or completing computer-based assignments that reflect real-world tasks. Exams are usually unseen, done in a timed setting, and can include multiple-choice, problem-solving, or essay questions.
• Your tutor will explain how each assessment works and provide a marking guide so you know what to aim for. Generally, plan to spend about 20% of your time on assessment prep.