Skip to :main content | Skip to :main menu | Skip to :section menu
Our Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) degree with a foundation year, will develop you as a skilled engineer capable of undertaking mechanical engineering tasks within and across organisations. It will also equip you with a range of advanced analytical and design skills. You'll work on industry-standard analytical tools as well as explore other facilities such as our test cell and exhaust analysis equipment.
The Foundation Year course option enables you to study for our BEng (Hons) degree over an extended full-time duration of four years by including a Foundation Certificate (year one of four) in your studies. The Foundation Certificate provides a broad study programme that underpins the follow-on degree. In order to progress to the next year of the degree, it is necessary to achieve a pass in all modules of the Foundation Certificate.
Our Mechanical Engineering course focuses on the importance of sustainable futures and the Government's STEM agenda, in order to give you the knowledge and attributes you will need to thrive in this ever-changing industry.
You’ll focus on project-based activities, giving you lots of opportunity to work in teams on projects from design to implementation. This will give you practical experience of applying engineering science to real world problems, working in multidisciplinary teams to develop your interpersonal skills, and prepare you for a key aspect of modern engineering practice. Problem solving and project management are key skills for an engineer, and our focus on application of skills will help to improve your skills in these highly sought after areas.
During your studies, you will use the latest tools and technologies, developing new skills at an advanced level. The course will encourage your creative thinking and develop your engineering leadership skills. Building on a foundation of the generic skills required by tomorrow’s engineers, you will also explore the wider context of engineering, as well as the application of advanced engineering principles to solve problems through research and development. You’ll engage in independent study and systematic enquiry at an advanced level and take responsibility for the conclusions drawn from it.
You will have lots of opportunity to apply industry-standard modelling and simulation techniques to the analysis, specification and design of mechanical engineering systems so that you are able to apply your knowledge and theory to a practical situation. In this way, we make sure you are ready to step straight into employment.
I decided to study at Birmingham City University because while I was in full time employment this course offered everything that I needed part time and covered all the modules that I needed to progress in my career role.
The course offered all the different practical elements as well as the theoretical elements for power generation and design – the subjects that I enjoyed and wanted to progress on to in my career. Katja Wotton Srbljanin
WISE members inspire girls to choose maths, physics and computing.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
80 UCAS tariff points from A Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels |
||
At the point of application, you must have GCSE at Grade 4 (C) or above in English Language and Mathematics. Equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Plus, you must have achieved or be completing one of the following: |
||
Typical Offers (UK students) | ||
---|---|---|
UK Qualification | Requirements | |
GCE A Level/ AS Level | 80 UCAS tariff points from A Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels
with at least one from a Science, Technology, Mathematics or Computing subject at A Level or equivalent. |
|
Access to Higher Education Diploma | In Engineering - Pass overall with 60 credits, 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2, including with a minimum of 12 credits at Merit or Distinction. | |
BTEC National Diploma (12-units not including early years)/ Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | D*D or combined with other level 3 qualifications. | |
BTEC Extended Diploma (18-units not including early years)/ Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma |
Computing/Engineering preferred. Pass, Merit, Merit. |
|
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate | Combined with other level 3 qualifications. Must include A Levels, BTEC QCF and/or OCR Cambridge Technical to a total of 80 points minimum. | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma |
24 points: a total of 10 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects. Students must have grade 5 in Maths (Higher Level) |
|
Irish Leaving Certificate | Passes in six subjects at the higher grade including mathematics. | |
Scottish Higher/ Advanced Higher | Passes in five subjects at the higher grade including mathematics. | |
Welsh Baccalaureate (core plus options) | Must include A Levels, BTEC QCF and/or OCR Cambridge Technical to a total of 80 points minimum. | |
Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
---|---|---|
Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
||
EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements | |
IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). |
24 points: a total of 10 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects. Students must have grade 5 in Maths (Higher Level) |
Award: BEng (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
Sandwich Fees
Our Sandwich courses incur a fee during the placement year, the costs for years when you attend the university for study, and the cost for the placement year are shown here.
Award: BEng (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK and EU 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.
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements). If your course includes a residential study session, the accommodation costs for this are already included in your course fee.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
You will be taught through lectures, tutorials and seminars, as well as lab-based work. You will gain a range of transferrable skills, such as communication, teamwork and more.
Knowledge and understanding is assessed formatively by work-based learning and problem solving, in-class tasks, seminar work, peer assessment and learning sets. Summative assessment is by way of assignments, projects, presentations, time-controlled assignments and end examinations, where appropriate to the individual module.
Intellectual skills, particularly analytical and problem solving skills, are developed using a range of case-studies and problem / task-based learning scenarios, promoting self-directed learning facilitated by problem-based learning centred upon industry practice and its inherent problems.
Assessment of such activities includes practical simulation and design exercises and individual and group projects, in addition to the methods mentioned above.
There are 30 attendance weeks in each academic year.
A typical week on this course will include 20 hours per week of contact time over four days, plus self study time.
If you are interested in undertaking part of your studies abroad, the Erasmus scheme may be of interest to you. It allows higher education students to study for part of their degree in another European country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and experience new cultures. If you study with us you will have access to an Erasmus co-ordinator, who can provide information about which institutions we have links with.
You could enrol on our highly regarded MSc Mechanical Engineering programme once you have completed your BEng (Hons) degree. We also offer a range of research (PhD) postgraduate engineering programmes that are suitable for graduates of this course. Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website.
Through group work and project-based challenges, you will develop transferable and marketable skills and knowledge applicable to a variety of employment opportunities within the mechanical engineering and associated industries.
We will develop the skills, understandings and personal attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd when it comes to securing employment.
We will ensure you are professional, work-ready and enterprising, with a global outlook and the ability to solve problems creatively.
We aim to have you employer-ready by the time you graduate and as part of this commitment we encourage you to further enhance your career prospects by including an industrial placement in your course.
You will do your placement after the second year of study, which will extend the duration of your course to four years if you are studying on a full-time basis, and you’ll be supported throughout your time away.
Thanks to our excellent partnerships and strong relationships with industry, you could join the ranks of our students who have gained exceptionally high quality work experience at companies including Triumph, BMW and Bosch.
Placements provide the workplace experience that many employers look for and give you an invaluable opportunity to develop your practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Thanks to our methods of teaching and learning, as well as our industry links and academic staff that can draw on years of relevant industry practice, our graduates have gone on to work for some of the UK’s most prestigious employers including:
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
Building work on our new Conservatoire began in the summer of 2015 – and is scheduled for completion in summer 2017. This, along with the construction of a new city centre accommodation block, means our students have access to their very own building sites.
We couple this with the more traditional, office-based facilities:
Part of your learning activity will be hands-on, including carrying out survey work using a range of equipment, such as levels, theodolites, measuring tapes.
You will be provided with the latest CAD software – free of charge – to enable you to acquire the skills you need in a modern design office.
Discover more about the industry experts you can meet on our Engineering degree courses.
Laura Leyland is one of our lecturers, watch this video to find out more.
Dr Adnan Fazal is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Automotive Engineering. His current research interests include pre-stressed fibre reinforced polymers for improved strength, stiffness, impact protection, resistance to crack propagation and protection against abnormal loads. Potential applications of these smart fibre reinforced polymers include crashworthy structures (automotive), aerofoil morphing structures (aerospace), light-weight blast-resistant (impact protection), medical (dental restoration and prosthetic devices), wind turbine blades and safety and sports apparel.
Laura Leyland is a senior lecturer in the centre of engineering who 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 Engineers Without Borders (BCU winners in 2015) and the Global Biomimicry Challenge.
During a university wide curriculum development project, Laura lead the rewrite of all engineering courses for initial delivery in 2018 to the Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) framework which develops professional skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
Dominic Flynn is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and teaches across a range of modules from foundation to MSc level. His teaching interests are in the mechanical sciences as well as fluid and thermodynamics.
Reaz Hasan’s expertise is primarily in the area of Energy Studies. He has extensive research experience in using CFD for fluid flow and heat transfer in Built Environment and various industrial systems including applications of nano-fluids. He is also involved in LCA studies and keen on pedagogical research. He teaches subjects related to construction management and Architectural Technology as well as thermal and fluid sciences within various Engineering programmes.
Before coming to Birmingham City University, he worked as a Senior Lecturer in the department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering at Northumbria University. Prior to that, he was a Scientist in the Computational Modelling Section of the Health & Safety Laboratory, a researcher in the Aeronautical Engineering department of Loughborough University and an academic in Bangladesh University of Technology. He has a BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Computational Fluid Dynamics from Imperial College, London. He has published over seventy refereed papers, supervised five PhD’s and more than thirty MSc dissertations.