About the course
This course offers you the in-depth technical training you need to begin your career as a practising mechanical engineer. You practise in our on-campus labs as well as in those belonging to local industry partners, giving you the opportunity to develop or contribute to real-world solutions around transportation, energy, power generation and manufacturing.
You begin by studying the underpinning skills and knowledge you need to ensure you have a thorough background in mathematics, engineering science, structural mechanics and dynamics. From year 2, you move on to specialist advanced units, and explore the operating and design principles behind systems such as thermal pumps, wind power and solar energy technologies.
You hone your skills in analysis, development and project management through individual and group lab work; projects focusing on renewable energy technologies; and the opportunity to compete with other universities in the UAV payload competition.
Why choose this course?
- Learn about the latest technologies of various mechanical systems including sustainable energy, vehicle and aeronautical
- Develop comprehensive skills for mechanical system design, validation and optimisation using our industry-standard facilities and high-end equipment including thermal system test rigs; renewable energy and vehicle testing workspaces; and computer modelling workstations for CAD and CAE
- Study with an expert team in a supportive learning environment offering an up-to-the-minute, practice-based training
- Study in close collaboration with local industry, taking up opportunities for both short-term projects and a valuable placement year (see below)
- Learn technical skills and gain practical experience through sessions with local industries including aircraft maintenance; thermal pumps; and vehicle R&D and manufacture
- Challenge yourself to participate in exciting competitions with a focus on renewable energy and power generation, developing your individual and team-working skills
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), to place your study in the real world, develop your industry connections and enhance your career prospects
- If you need to step up into higher education, begin with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees your place on the degree course
Course Leader - Dr Rostand Tayong
Dr Rostand Tayong joined the University in November 2019 as a Senior Lecturer in Automotive Engineering. Prior to this position, he was working on composite materials at the University of Bristol as a Research Associate since 2014.
His research activities encompass Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, Materials testing and characterisation, Acoustics and Vibration using analytical and numerical methods.
About the course
The Bedfordshire International Foundation Year (IFY) offers guaranteed progression* to a wide range of our undergraduate degrees, for those applicants who do not have the required qualifications or English language proficiency to join the first year of their chosen subject.
The IFY will help you improve your English language level, enhance your study and IT skills and increase your subject knowledge. This will help you succeed when you progress on to your main degree programme.
*subject to successful completion of the course
Why choose Bedfordshire International Foundation Year?
Unlike many university International Foundation programmes, The Bedfordshire IFY is delivered by the University of Bedfordshire and at the University of Bedfordshire. You will be a University of Bedfordshire student from day one.
The IFY offers guaranteed progression to over 75 bachelor’s degree programmes, via eight different pathways.
Each pathway is designed to accommodate students with a range of English language abilities from IELTS 4.5 upwards, and aims to take students up to IELTS 6.0 overall, or above, which is the requirement for undergraduate courses at the University of Bedfordshire.
The course also covers academic skills necessary to thrive in UK Higher Education and enables students to progress to their undergraduate degree, fully prepared and confident to face the challenges of a level 4 programme of study. Each pathway also offers a broadly subject-specific unit in the second semester, delivered by specialist staff from the relevant faculty, to offer you a programme specific to your subject area, as well as meeting your linguistic needs. In some cases, you may join an existing class for this session, further embedding you into university life.

Units
- Engineering Design And Manufacture (CIS087-1) Compulsory
- Engineering Mathematics (CIS034-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Software Development (CIS020-1) Compulsory
- Mechanics And Heat Transfer (CIS088-1) Compulsory
- Dynamics, Measurements And Control (CIS108-2) Compulsory
- Engineering Structure, Materials And Analysis (CIS106-2) Compulsory
- Fluid Dynamics, Thermofluids And Modelling (CIS107-2) Compulsory
- Thermal Systems And Applications (CIS109-2) Compulsory
- Power Cycles And Power Systems (CIS037-3) Compulsory
- Research Methodologies And Project Management (CIS036-3) Compulsory
- Sustainable Energy Technologies (CIS038-3) Compulsory
- Undergraduate Project (CIS017-3) Compulsory
The students will be assessed in a variety of ways. The majority of units are assessed through coursework, group and individual projects, portfolios, essays, presentations and exams. Presentations are usually given and assessed in the context of a group seminar. The students will also be expected to produce software/hardware artifacts in specialist units. Constant feedback and advice from a supervisory or unit team will be provided to support you in your work.
At level 4, assessments will focus on the understanding of the fundamental concepts in design, material and thermal engineering techniques that are related to mechanical engineering. The students are expected to articulate the concepts in a coherent manner, in a variety of written assessments/written briefs.
At level 5, assessment focus will be on the ability to perform critical analysis, including the needs for different or new solutions to the existing problems where there are already a body of solutions and critical opinions. The students are also expected to be able to synthesize the different or new solutions either independently or working in teams.
At level 6, assessments will address initiatives and creative thinking. The students are encouraged to identify problems and to develop their own solutions to the problems. They are also required to critically evaluate their own solutions. At this level, the students will progress from well-defined briefs to more open-ended and challenging assessments, which culminate in their major project – the honours project.
Reasons to study in the School of Computer Science and Technology
- Specialist computing suites in our £40m STEM building
- Our computing courses are BCS and IET accredited
- Dedicated engineering environments & equipment in our new STEM building
- Our Engineering courses are IET accredited
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
How will this course improve my career prospects?
You gain the skills you need for a career in engineering, benefiting from our industry links with local and national companies.
Graduates with this degree go on to engineering careers in industries such as energy, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace.
They can also choose to specialise in associated fields, taking up careers in product design and/or development; systems optimisation; quality control; and customer services, to name a few.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student