Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year

1st in the UK for continuing students in the subject area of general engineering
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2026

Get ready for degree-level study with our degree with a foundation year. In Year 0, you’ll be part of a supportive Engineering Foundation Year community, gaining essential skills in mathematics, programming, applied science, and engineering, as well as the confidence to complete a full honours degree as part of this four-year course.

You’ll be able to begin this course without needing to meet the standard Level 3 entry requirements, as Year 0 is designed to prepare you for the challenges of engineering study and help you grasp the fundamental concepts needed to progress with confidence. Successful completion of the Foundation Year means you can progress directly into Year 1 of your degree.

From there, you’ll kickstart your engineering career through a Mechanical Engineering degree that prepares you for real-world challenges from day one. You’ll study and work with industry using cutting-edge tools and technology, learning how to create smart, sustainable solutions for the modern world.

What you’ll learn across your four-year course

• Design, build, and test mechanical components and systems with confidence and technical skill.

• Work on live projects with input from industry professionals.

• Apply maths and physics to develop efficient, sustainable solutions.

• Build teamwork, communication, and professional engineering skills, ready for the workplace.

• Opt for a placement year between Years 2 and 3 to gain first-hand industry experience. You can choose this option once you’ve joined us, and we’ll support you throughout, helping you develop valuable real-world experience and enhancing your employability.

This hands-on course is built around the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) approach, a globally recognised model developed by MIT, making your learning experience practical, immersive, and industry-focused from day one.

You’ll interact with the simplest of things, such as nuts and bolts, as well as the most complex structures, such as gigantic machinery and the highly intricate human body.

From mastering the basics like nuts and bolts to solving major engineering problems, this course will help you to think, design, and work like a professional.

This course also offers the opportunity to study abroad between your second and third years, giving selected students the chance to study at one of our prestigious partner institutions in North America. You’ll immerse yourself in a new culture, experience a different academic environment, broaden your horizons, and help you to stand out to employers in an increasingly global world.

Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), licensed by the Engineering Council, as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). This ensures the highest standard of teaching, meeting industry standards and providing you with a clear path to professional registration.

Specialist facilities
Our multimillion-pound Verena Holmes building is home to our engineering workshop, mechatronics lab, makerspace and mechanical physics lab, all equipped with industry-standard technology such as wind turbines, plasma cutters, laser systems, industry-leading 3D printers, a water treatment plant, a bioreactor, a distillation column, and more.

For a list of core and likely optional modules, please visit our website.