Mechanical Engineering - MSc - 2023/24 Entry - School of Engineering and the Built Environment

Overview

By studying MSc Mechanical Engineering course you will engineer a better future. A highly-respected course, our course will enhance your strategic management and leadership capabilities. The course builds on sustainable futures and the Government's STEM agenda, helping you to gain the knowledge and attributes needed to thrive in this ever-changing industry, and you'll work on industry-standard complex analytical tools such as Matlab/Simulink, CATIA, Ansys and ADAMS Mechanisms.

You will work collaboratively with tutors, practitioners, theorists and designers, equipping you with everything you need launch your career. In the UK, companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Honda all require a constant supply of highly-skilled engineers, and our course will ensure you have a fully-rounded experience in mechanical engineering.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

Advance your knowledge and understanding, develop your critical thinking and prepare to work across a range of organisations with our MSc Mechanical Engineering course. Overall the course aims to produce skilled engineers capable of undertaking mechanical engineering tasks within and across organisations utilising the latest tools and technologies.

The course will encourage creative thinking and the development of engineering leadership skills. Building on a foundation of the generic skills required by tomorrow’s engineers, the courses explore the wider context of engineering, as well as the application of advanced engineering principles to solve problems through research. You will engage in independent study and systematic enquiry at an advanced level and take responsibility for the conclusions drawn from it.

There will be opportunity to integrate and differentiate a variety of traditions and bodies of knowledge and to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills at an advanced level through research led modules. In addition to further academic research opportunities, career prospects are expected to keep pace with the rapid advances in computer aided methods and intelligent technologies, hence, there is expected to be continuing demand for competent, versatile postgraduates who can design and implement innovative solutions for industry. The course has achieved academic accreditation from the IMechE and IET. This accreditation has been maintained in recognition for demonstrating that key principles have been incorporated and integrated into the curriculum design and module development of the courses.

The teaching and learning on the courses focuses and emphasises the importance of the body of knowledge and ensures that we incorporate it within the guiding principles underpinning these courses. In addition to further academic research opportunities, career prospects are expected to keep pace with the rapid advances in computer aided methods and intelligent technologies, hence, there is expected to be continuing demand for competent, versatile postgraduates who can design and implement innovative solutions for industry.

Tailor your degree

The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s 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.

Accredited By

Since gaining my master’s qualification and becoming a Chartered Mechanical Engineer I have been promoted to a management level within the business. This has allowed be to lead the team of engineers and coach them in the day-to-day activities, management is something I never thought I would enjoy but I have found it a rewarding and positive experience so far. BCU is a great place to study with engaging staff, I am very pleased to have been part of that institution and very proud of what achieved. By making the part-time course accessible to people working in industry meant I could achieve my goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer.

Jake Fletcher – Alumnus

Why Choose Us?

Accredited course- This course is accredited by IMechE and IET. Students completing this degree will be in a strong position to pursue professional engineering status*.
State-of-the-art facilities - Our contemporary laboratories enhance your educational experience, providing a bridge between theoretical learning and hands-on teaching to prepare you for a career in industry.
Develop interpersonal skills - You will gain the interpersonal skills necessary to liaise and work in teams, structuring your work and meeting the varying demands of the workplace.
Problem-based learning - You will be able to apply real-life problem-based learning to industry and commerce, while also learning new technologies and techniques to solve global engineering problems.

Important Course Accreditation Information*

Students completing an IMechE or IET accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.

The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.

It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme that do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their qualifications individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.

OPEN DAY

Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to find out more about your course. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Event: 7 February 2024

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

Essential Requirements

We would normally expect you to hold at least a Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline.

However, we can also consider your application without standard entry qualifications if you can provide evidence of the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the course.

International Student entry requirements

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

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.

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2024

Full Time
12 months
TBC

Full Time
18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
£11,000 in 2023/24

Part Time
35 months
Show fees

£1028 per 20 credits
Year 1 - 80 credits
Year 2 - 100 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

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.

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2024

Full Time
12 months
TBC

Full Time
18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
£18,557 in 2023/24

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key Software

You will be able to download SPSS, NVivo, Matlab and Simulink to your home computer to support with your studies and research, so that you can access this software on and off campus. We also provide remote access to campus software which is essential to engage with the module contents.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Project materials (mandatory)

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. You'll be expected to provide the materials for use in your individual major projects; costs will vary depending on the materials selected.

Clothing and safety equipment (mandatory)

This course requires the purchase of safety equipment in order to use the workshop facilities

Media consumable items (mandatory)

This course requires the use of consumables.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Professional Placement option*

The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s 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.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Module

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Professional Placement

In order to qualify for the award of MSc Mechanical Engineering with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above as well as the following Level 6 module:

Download course specification

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You will acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject through formal lectures, tutor-led seminars and practical activities, as well as a range of independent learning activities. The course structure emphasises guided, self-directed and student-centred learning with a progressively increasing independence of approach, thought and process.

Lectures will introduce themes, theories and concepts, which are further explored in seminars. You will benefit from technology-enhanced learning, where appropriate, through online resources, discussion forums and other activities. You will consult advanced textbooks, together with professional material and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work at the forefront of your discipline.

A range of assessment methods are employed with associated assessment criteria. Knowledge and skills are assessed, formatively and summatively, by a number of methods such as coursework, examinations (seen and unseen, open and closed-book), presentations, practical assignments, vivas, online forums, podcasts, and project work.

Professional Placement option

The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s 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.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

The course is accredited by IMechE, ensuring our content remains fresh, relevant and replete with key industry information.

The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.
The accredited MSc will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
The accredited MSc full meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

CEng accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer when presented with an accredited MSc. In addition, the programme meets the educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.

Employability

Employment Opportunities

There are many challenging and rewarding career opportunities for practitioners able to operate at a senior level in the mechanical, automotive, aeronautical and offshore engineering industries. Never has the need been greater for highly skilled, innovative engineers.

International

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:

Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
Learn where to find financial support for your studies.

Facilities & Staff

[00:00:01] Speaker 1: Hello, my name is Olga.

[00:00:02] Speaker 2: And I'm Carlos.

[00:00:03] Speaker 1: And we are both Engineering students here at BCU. And today we're going to take you on a tour in Millennium Point to all the engineering facilities.

[00:00:11] Speaker 2: Follow us.

[00:00:20] Speaker 1: Now we're on ground floor in the electronics lab, and this is where you can build circuits such as this one using these machines, you can control them and power them. So in your first year, you might end up doing a circuit like this, which is just the power on LED. And then you can go on using an oscilloscope to test sequences.

[00:00:39] Speaker 2: So now we're going to take you to the soldering lab. Anytime we need to do some soldiering on any type of projects, here is where we do them. Like Olga is doing right now, she is working on the micro mouse and with all the soldering for all the components. [00:00:57]

[00:01:00] Speaker 1: So this is where all the programming happens, such as coding and schematics and diagrams. All of this you'll be doing in this room.

[00:01:12] Speaker 2: Welcome to our mechanical lab. This is where we test different materials on different bays for different applications, for things like their strength, versatility, and depending on which application, we have different machinery for it.

[00:01:26] Speaker 1: So we use microscopes to see the internal structures of materials, as you can see here. We do this to find how different structures behave under different conditions. So this is the workshop where we actually have real industrial machines here that are used from some of the parts for the projects we build.

[00:01:45] Speaker 2: We do have industrial type machines capable of building engine parts like this one here. We are building a cylinder.

[00:01:52] Speaker 1: Like this one here as well. This is a crank used in engines as well. It's really cool that we can use all of this machines just right here in our workshop.

[00:02:01] So this is another project that we built, and it's to test your knowledge on everything you've learned. And this is for the ball to stay on track at all times, even in this loop, as you can see here.

[00:02:09] This is the common area where you can come to either relax or catch up on your work as there's loads of seats and comfortable sofas.

[00:02:26] Speaker 1: So this is a hydraulics lab where you can do very interesting things like 3D printing, earthquake simulator and wind turbines. So these smaller 3D printers I used for reverse engineering and rapid prototyping. We can also use them to repair small things where we would ask students to design whatever parts broke and then we can 3D print it here so they can replace it on their project. In this room we actually have industrial level machines such as a metal 3D printer which can do something like this.

[00:02:56] Speaker 2: We also do various simulations here from a hydro station and also as you can see right next to me here, we do have a earthquake simulation running at the minute.

[00:03:09] So coming from our hydraulics lab, we are now in our civil lab. We test different types of soil, play around with it and try them out and develop new concrete as for example, here.

[00:03:23] Speaker 1: So this is a biomedical lab where we test soils from different areas for pollution and soil health so we know if it's good for farming.

[00:03:31] Speaker 2: So we are actually working with big names, big companies like Rivers Trust, and we are trying to develop new solutions for soil health.

[00:03:40] Speaker 1: So this is the Formula student lab where we actually built a car that's going to go to Silverstone.

[00:03:58] This is our engine test lab where we have an Audi, R8, E-TRON engine.

[00:04:03] Speaker 2: We also have a battery simulator in this room. We can actually do real life simulations of our engine, for example, in Silverstone, and see if we can actually complete the track and the times.

[00:04:15] Thank you for watching our engineering facilities - I hope you enjoyed.

[00:04:18] Speaker 1: To find out more, you can come to one of our Open Days or you can visit the link below.

Our Facilities

The Department of Engineering provides 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 are currently undertaking a £340 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.

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

Engineering facilities

Our staff

Man-Fai Yau

Senior Lecturer

Man-Fai has 10 years' experience in private sector industry, two years' with a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and 12 years' university lecturing.

More about Man-Fai

Florimond Gueniat

Senior Lecturer in Automotive Engineering and Course Leader for MSc Automotive Engineering

Florimond Guéniat has a PhD in fluid mechanics and computer science from Univ. Paris Sud. He then spent two years in the Department of Mathematics, at Florida State University researching on the control of fluid flows.

More about Florimond

Tony Hayward

Course Leader for Mechanical Engineering.

Tony Hayward is the Course Leader for MSc Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham City University.

More about Tony