About the course
This course offers you the in-depth technical training you will need to begin your career as a practising mechanical engineer. You will practice in our on-campus labs as well as in labs belonging to our local industry partners, giving you the opportunity to develop or contribute to real-world solutions around transportation, energy, power generation and manufacturing.
You will begin by studying the underpinning skills and knowledge which will enable you to choose specialist mechanical engineering modules later on in the course, gaining a thorough background in mathematics, engineering science, structural mechanics and dynamics.
In years 2 and 3 you will study modules with an emphasis on the operating principles and system design of systems like thermal pumps, wind and solar energy technologies and power generation followed by specialist advanced units. Individual and group lab work, the opportunity to compete with other universities in the UAV payload competition, and projects focusing on renewable energy technologies will hone your skills in analysis, development and project management.
Why Choose this course?
This course develops your employability skills by combining practical and theoretical study to familiarise you with industry-standard facilities. Practical industry sessions and opportunities for an industry placement year will place your study in the real world and develop your industry connections, enhancing your career prospects in the exciting world of Mechanical Engineering.
Choose BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and:
- Learn technical skills and gain practical experience through sessions with local industries including aircraft maintenance, thermal pumps and vehicle R&D and manufacture.
- Study a course in close collaboration with local industry, giving you opportunities for both short-term projects and a valuable placement year.
- Develop your skills using our excellent industry-standard facilities including high-end equipment, machines and testing workspaces.
- Explore career opportunities and enrich your employability skills through a placement year with nearby companies.
- Challenge yourself to participate in exciting competitions with a focus on renewable energy and power generation, developing your individual and team working skills.
- Benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with local companies either on campus or in nearby company workshops.
We support you every step of the way
We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over 3 academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 112 UCAS tariff points or more for UK and EU applicants.
We also offer a range of financial support for those of you applying from outside of the UK and EU.
Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year - BEng (Hons)
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Unit Information - What will I learn?
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
How will I be assessed?
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 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- 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
UK
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 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- 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
EU
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
International
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?
General graduate trainees leading to long-term and more specialised positions as mechanical engineering engineers ranging from product design and/or development, systems optimisation, quality control to customers services in engineering sectors including aerospace, energy, power generation or automobile industry.
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
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
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 £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
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 University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Fees and Funding
UK
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
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
International
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 University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
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
UK
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
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
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
