Mechanical Engineering - BEng (Hons) *
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Do you love to innovate, design and solve problems? Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree, with applied Automotive and applied Manufacturing pathways, will enable you to apply your passion and skills to become an engineer of the future. Our approach to Engineering is unique....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BEng (Hons)
- Start date September 2026
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
In today's fast paced world, technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. From cutting edge developments in artificial intelligence to sustainable energy solutions, engineering at BCU is the forefront of these innovations. Our campus is situated in the heart of the city, providing you with the perfect environment to immerse yourself in the dynamic field of engineering.
The course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real world challenges. As a BCU engineering student, you'll be positioned to make an impact in various sectors, from civil and automotive to renewable energy and beyond. The demand for skilled engineers has never been higher, and the opportunities are boundless.
Companies are actively seeking graduates with practical skills and critical thinking that is taught on this course. We also have strong ties with industry partners, providing you with invaluable networking opportunities. You'll get to access BCU's cutting edge facilities and also benefit from using the specialist equipment over at the GBS IoT.
This is where your engineering journey begins. Embrace the possibilities and engineer a future that makes a difference.
Do you love to innovate, design and solve problems? Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree, with applied Automotive and applied Manufacturing pathways, will enable you to apply your passion and skills to become an engineer of the future.
Our approach to Engineering is unique. You will not have traditional lectures or be assessed by exams, instead you will learn through practical-based tasks that respond to real-life engineering problems across industries including automotive and transport, manufacturing, technology, energy and construction. This course has been carefully designed in collaboration with industry to ensure that you graduate ready for employment, with core technical skills and knowledge as well as employability skills such as communication, leadership and collaboration.
The first year is a common year to provide you with a solid understanding of what engineering is. You will also learn about the different types of engineering to enable you to choose a suitable pathway to continue to after your first year. You will have the option to specialise in the following pathways after your first year of study:
Automotive Engineering
If you choose this pathway, you will explore vehicle dynamics, propulsion technologies, and sustainable mobility to address the evolving needs of the transport sector. This pathway is ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in the automotive or transportation industries in jobs such as Powertrain Engineer, Motorsport Engineer and Crash Safety Engineer.
Manufacturing Engineering
This pathway focuses on improving processes and ensuring products maintain high standards. You will learn about advanced manufacturing processes, automation, and Industry 4.0, equipping graduates to lead in modern production environments in sectors like Automation & Robotics Engineering, Quality & Plant Control Engineering, and Supply Chain & Logistics Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering
This pathway continues on the Mechanical Engineering degree through to your final year. This route focuses on core engineering principles, materials science, and thermofluid systems, to prepare you for diverse roles in mechanical system design and development in jobs such as Project Engineer, Energy Engineer, Design Engineer and Systems Engineer.
What's covered in this course?
On this course you will:
- Learn through block delivery. This means you will study one module at a time across a 6-week period, allowing you to fully immerse yourself and get a deeper understanding of each subject. This style reflects how engineers work and shifts away from traditional models of teaching where students are expected to study multiple modules at one time.
- Gain skills that the industry needs. You will tackle real-world challenges that are co-designed with industry partners, developing skills that the workforce needs. You will also receive feedback and mentorship from industry professionals on your work throughout the course. In addition, the course curriculum follows internationally recognized standards established by the Engineering Council (AHEP4).
- Get experience in the workplace. Work experience modules are factored into the course, as well as the opportunity to study abroad so that everyone leaves with practical work experience to take forward into a career. In addition to this, you will have the opportunity to do a professional placement year after year two, to spend a year in industry before returning to complete your final year.
- Immerse yourself in practical learning. Each module includes hands-on, project-based tasks that enable you to conceive, design, implement and operate solutions based on the CDIO (Conceive Design Implement Operate) framework. This framework will transform you to think and act like an engineer and integrates professional skills into every aspect of work to ensure you graduate for industry.
- Be assessed through competency and not traditional exams or lectures. You will be assessed through your practical outputs that reflect real-world engineering and industry expectations to ensure that your learning transitions seamlessly into a future career.
- Develop sustainability and digital knowledge. You will create solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and use cutting-edge technology in modules looking at Sustainable Design, Sustainable Energy, Smart Powertrain Systems, Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Twins, and Artificial Intelligence to stay ahead of engineering innovation.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
Why Choose Us?
- You’ll be based at our expanding £400 million City Centre Campus across Millennium Point, which has undergone a £6.5 million investment in facilities, and STEAMhouse, a £70 million development
- Tackle real-world challenges that are co-designed with industry partners, such as Aurrigo and LK Metrology, to develop skills that the workforce needs.
- We are a member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT), which provides students with access to facilities at the GBSIoT hub, just a short walk from campus – as well as placement and career opportunities
- Learn through block delivery, focusing on one module at a time across a 6-week period
- This course has a built-in semester to get placement experience, in addition to the option of a professional placement year – plus the opportunity to study abroad
- All the teaching on this course is hands-on and practical learning through collaboration with peers. You won’t have any traditional lectures or be assessed by exams and instead be assessed by evaluating your competency skills and abilities.
Open Days
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 28 June 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 from 2025/26 onwards and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
From 2026, personal statements have changed from one longer peice of text, to three separate questions. This is to help you understand what universities want to know, so you have more direction in your application.
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Course in Depth
First Year
In order to complete this programme you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
Second Year
Core modules for all pathways (Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing):
TBC
TBC
Core modules for Mechanical pathways:
TBC
TBC
Core modules for Automotive pathways:
TBC
TBC
Core modules for Manufacturing pathways:
TBC
TBC
Professional Placement (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Final Year
Core modules for all pathways (Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing):
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
Core modules for Mechanical pathways:
TBC
TBC
Core modules for Automotive pathways:
TBC
TBC
Core modules for Manufacturing pathways:
TBC
TBC
Optional modules for all pathways:
TBC
TBC
How you learn
The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering program is designed to develop innovative, industry-ready engineers with strong technical, problem-solving, professional, and entrepreneurship skills. Through a project-based block delivery model, you will engage in immersive, hands-on learning experiences that integrate fundamental engineering principles with real-world applications.
Rooted in the CDIO (Conceive – Design – Implement – Operate) framework, the program equips you with the ability to design and develop cutting-edge mechanical, automotive, and manufacturing solutions. Emphasising collaboration with industry partners, the curriculum ensures that you gain practical experience, exposure to modern engineering challenges, and an understanding of emerging technologies.
The mechanical pathway focuses on core engineering principles, materials science, and thermofluid systems, preparing you for diverse roles in mechanical system design and development. The automotive pathway delves into vehicle dynamics, propulsion technologies, and sustainable mobility, addressing the evolving needs of the transport sector. The manufacturing pathway emphasises advanced manufacturing processes, automation, and Industry 4.0, equipping you to lead in modern production environments.
By fostering a problem-solving mindset, leadership capabilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration, this program prepares you to become highly skilled engineers capable of tackling complex challenges in a rapidly evolving global industry.
Further study
This course aims to prepare everyone for a career in Engineering after successful completion. However, students will also have the option to continue to postgraduate study if preferred.
Accreditations
Our current BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering courses are accredited with the IMechE and IET, where BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering course is accredited with the IMechE. These reimagined courses are developed upon continuous consultation and engagements with our accreditation bodies (IMechE and IET) to retain the accreditation. However, the accreditation status of the reimagined courses is subjected to professional bodies verification and subsequent ratification.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
This course has been designed to provide you with the competency skills, industry knowledge and problem-solving skills to have a successful career in Mechanical, Automotive or Manufacturing Engineering.
As the engineering workforce ages, the demand for industry-ready graduates is greater than ever. That’s why this course is completely hands-on, practical and co-designed with industry partners to ensure that you graduate ready for an exciting career.
Students take part in employability events throughout the year, including Minivation Fest at the start of semester two and Innovation Fest at the end of each academic year. During these events, students showcase their projects and work to industry professionals who are invited to campus to network with students. These events also provide an opportunity for students to secure work experience, placements – and even graduate jobs.
Placements
This course has the option of a professional placement year, where you can choose to spend one year working in industry to build real-world experience during your degree.
In addition to this, we have a built-in semester for students to get industry experience and study abroad. You’ll be supported by our dedicated careers team, who have links with lots of employers and can provide expert support on writing CVs, cover letters and applying for both placement and career opportunities to provide you with support to secure a career.
Links to industry
You will benefit from our excellent links with industry while studying this course. Companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Siemens, Aurrigo, Brandauer, LK Metrology, Rolls Royce and Watt work in partnership with us to provide live briefs for you to work on, as well as provide continuous feedback and expert insights to ensure your learning remains current with what the industry needs.
Graduate jobs
As a mechanical engineer you could go into a wide range of jobs available for Mechanical Engineering Graduates i.e. Mechanical Design & Development Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Test and Validation Engineer, Energy Engineer, Building Services/HVAC Engineer, Simulation/CAE Engineer, System Engineer, Project Engineer and more.
If you choose to specialise in Automotive Engineering, you could go into jobs such as powertrain engineer, vehicle design engineer, homologation/certification engineer, emissions engineer, project team management or motorsport engineer and more.
If you choose to specialise in Manufacturing Engineering, you could graduate to be a production engineer, quality engineer, automation/control engineer, process engineer, operations engineer or research and development roles spanning across a range of industries.
Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of companies – including construction, transportation, energy, and technology for companies such as Apple, Jaguar Land Rover, NASA and Emirates.
You will receive adequate support from the BCU CareersPlus team and your academic mentors which could help you developing key skills required for the graduate roles while graduating from BCU.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our state-of-the-art Engineering labs and workshops provide the perfect setting for practical work with modern-day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.
We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians.
We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.
The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture.
In Millennium Point, you’ll have access to a range of labs, workshops and facilities including CAD and Programming labs, Mechanical and Hydraulics Labs, 3D printing lab, Electronic Vehicle (EV) Test Lab and Formula Student Lab – as well as workshop spaces containing CNC machinery.
As part of the GBSIoT, you will have access to the Cyber Physical Manufacturing Rig which enables the production of 7 different assemblies, the size of a mobile phone, each with a different colour of base and top covers as well as different inserts of PCB with different fuses or different granules in different compartments. The enriched mix of processes and different mix of assemblies makes the system ideal for a variety of industries such as: Automotive Food and Beverages Pharmaceutical Logistics Electronics Assembly Manufacturing, etc.
Our staff
Dr. Md Mostafizur Rahman
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Rahman is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University. He got his Ph.D. from Queensland University Technology(QUT), Australia in 2015. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at QUT and the University of Cambridge respectively in collaborative research projects with leading industry partners Bosch GmbH, Horiba Scientific, TSi Inc, and...
More about MostafizurLaura Leyland
Head of the College of Engineering (interim)
Laura Leyland is Interim Head of the College of Engineering and has been innovating in engineering education for over 10 years, teaching materials based modules and practical project focussed delivery with a specific interest in developing humanitarian engineering. This module delivery incorporates the Engineering for People Challenge from...
More about Laura