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Mechanical Engineering (with placement year)

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Sandwich · 28/09/2026 · UndergraduateMain Site

Course summary

Mechanical engineering applies the principles of physics and engineering science to the analysis, design, development and maintenance of mechanical systems. It defines how and why mechanical systems work, how long they will work for, and predict when they will fail.

Mechanical Engineers are at the heart of a broad spectrum of UK and international industrial sectors. They design and specify products ranging from heart stents to bullet trains, and work extensively in a large range of differing industrial sectors.

Covering an extensive range of disciplines from dynamics and control, to stress analysis heat transfer and thermodynamics, a diverse array of engineering science-based subjects are experienced, providing technical expertise and integration of skill sets. Mechanical engineering takes advantage of parallel engineering disciplines, blending subjects such as materials science, electronics and software engineering with the core subjects.

What's the difference between MEng and BEng?
The structure of the first two years are common between the BEng and MEng and provide you with engineering science core skills, combined with engineering design and computational modules. The application of engineering science and the solution of industrial problems is a strong theme throughout the courses.

The MEng structure is distinct from the BEng course in the third and fourth academic years, providing enhanced opportunities to study your chosen specialist subjects in depth. In addition, MEng students follow extra modules in practical business management, design and microprocessor control systems, and are offered the chance to study a language.

Students studying on the BEng course may have the opportunity to change to the MEng course if their performance in the first and second year is sufficiently strong.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Lecture based modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and formal examinations taken at the end of each semester.

Project module assessments require written reports and technical presentations, preparing you for your subsequent career.

The proportion of coursework assessment is approximately 30% to 50% depending on degree course, semester/year and optional modules.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
  • Engineering and Technology, Institution of

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
H301
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

AAB including Maths and Physics

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: D*DD in a relevant subject plus A Level Maths at Grade A. Preferred BTEC subjects: Aeronautical, Engineering, or Mechanical

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted - Foundation entry only

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

Grade DD in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering plus Grades AB from two A levels including Maths and Physics. Preferred BTEC subjects: Aeronautical, Engineering, or Mechanical

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Grade D in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering plus Grades AB from two A levels including Maths and Physics. Preferred BTEC subjects: Aeronautical, Engineering, or Mechanical

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

AB in Maths and Physics, plus Highers at AAB in three other subjects

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 35 points

35 (6,6,5 HL) including Maths and Physics at HL

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels as long as individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects or a combination of the Pre-U and A levels, provided a minimum of three subjects overall are taken. We recognise the benefit of the Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) course in developing independent study and research skills. While we would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions. However, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language grade 4/C

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/. This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
Practical Science required

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. For full details of the acceptable English language requirements see our website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.

Learn more on the Loughborough University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

91% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

75 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

85 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£29750Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£29750Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.

Sponsorship information

All of our courses have an established reputation with employers in industry. Companies, therefore, target the School with placement year opportunities and a number of companies offer sponsorship, for which there is intense competition. Students seeking sponsorship are urged to consult publications such as Career Research and Development (CRAC) and Engineering Opportunities.

Students studying many of our Engineering degree courses, and are intending to take up a career in the Armed Forces or Civil Service, may be eligible for financial support under the Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme.

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