Details
This four-year, accredited, course has a student satisfaction rating of 89%. It has been designed to be relevant to the needs of modern industry and to produce graduates who have the personal and intellectual qualities to be successful in their chosen careers. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to play leading roles in a professional capacity in both industry and academia, and thus able to deal with issues at the forefront of our discipline.
The programme is organised into integrated modules covering core mechanical engineering subjects that are designed to develop your learning progressively. You will consider the movement of mechanisms, the strength of the individual parts, the efficiency and environmental impact of your designs, and the methods that can be employed to make your product profitably.
The opportunity is also open to you to get involved in work on UBRacing – our own Formula Student racing team, which competes throughout the world.
First and second years
All Mechanical Engineering programmes share the first two years, which are designed to help students orientate themselves towards professional engineering. A wide range of lectures, laboratories and projects consolidate relevant areas of A level Mathematics and Physics in relation to mechanical design, mechanical power, manufacturing and analytical methods. It also aims to develop laboratory and practical skills and to encourage the formation of a professional outlook. The breadth of this background permits students to change Mechanical Engineering specialism at the end of the second year, should they wish to do so.
Subsequent years
In the years 3 and 4, these fundamentals of engineering are used to explore advanced engineering topic areas, with a more problem solving based focus, within the context of a broadly based programme of study. A group design study project is undertaken in year 3, exploring the associated commercial, legal and safety aspects of developing a new product. In year 4 students are also given options to pursue their personal engineering interests providing the opportunity to develop deep understanding and competence in their chosen specialism. Strong links are formed with our research programmes, through the range of options available, to ensure that students benefit from developments at the leading edge of their chosen field. You will be given the opportunity to choose from options including Advanced Mechanics, CAE Integration, R&D in Manufacturing Processes and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems; amongst others.
For all programmes
In your final year you work with engineers based in one of the Mechanical Engineering research centres on a major individual project linked to your chosen field of specialisation.
For the first two years of the degree, all of our undergraduates follow an integrated BEng or MEng route. Once you’ve finished your second year, you’ll then choose whether to complete a BEng or MEng degree. Progression onto an MEng degree is dependent upon excellent end of year examination results.
The option exists, at the end of your second year, to take a year off to work in industry before returning to complete your final year. If you decide to follow the MEng route, the work in industry option can be taken in your third year. For a list of modules and their credit values, see ‘Modules’ below.
Related links
Why study this course
At Birmingham, we provide diverse, yet balanced, courses, enabling our graduates to gain employment in a wide range of industries. Teaching is provided by lecturers who are global experts in their field, with multi-million pound investment providing leading-edge teaching facilities and laboratories. We produce graduates who can function in today's fast-changing marketplace, and your career prospects will be excellent.
Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends.
Modules
Programme organisation
All Mechanical Engineering programmes are organised into integrated modules of learning that are developed over the first two years. The overall structure of the Mechanical Engineering programme is illustrated in diagrams included in these notes. Our course design aims to avoid the fragmentation of knowledge, which is a drawback of the modular approach. Each major topic is taught as an integrated flow of learning that provides students with a framework into which they can place new concepts or techniques. The goal is to ensure a smooth, well-organised accumulation of knowledge as each module proceeds.
The Mechanical Power module provides a good example of this approach. Starting from concepts established at A level, lectures are used to present the fundamental laws governing the flow of fluids and energy. These are illustrated by engineering applications that often link-up with laboratory experiments. For example, in the early weeks of study, students acquire the theoretical tools to make a first, rough estimate of engine performance. They go on to test real engines in the laboratory, so that they can compare and contrast results. Building on such fundamental concepts, students progressively expand their knowledge to encompass more advanced topics, such as heat transfer, combustion, fluid flow and aerodynamics. Thus, by the end of the module, they will have acquired a firm understanding of the theory, design and operation of a wide range of equipment that involves the generation, use or transmission of power.
Links are formed between modules so as to emphasise the holistic nature of engineering. In this respect, the Design modules occupy a central role by providing projects that draw upon the full range of theoretical and practical knowledge. A range of group and individual projects is offered, many involving problems suggested by our industrial collaborators.
All programmes share the first two years, which are designed to help students orientate themselves towards professional engineering. A wide range of lectures, laboratories and projects consolidate relevant areas of A Level mathematics and physics in relation to mechanical design. It also aims to develop laboratory and practical skills and to encourage the formation of a professional outlook. The breadth of this background permits students to change engineering specialism at the end of the second year, should they wish to do so.
In later years students elect a programme that suits their interests. This provides students with the opportunity to follow their personal interests, within the context of a broadly based programme of study. Strong links are formed with our research programmes through the range of options available, to ensure that students benefit from developments at the leading edge of their chosen field. MEng students will be given the opportunity to choose four modules from a list of eight optional course modules in their final year.
The final year project is the highlight of the programme for most students; it provides an opportunity to focus onto one particular subject area of interest and allows them to show their ability & initiative. A broad range of project titles are offered related to the research areas of the members of staff.
Download our brochure, Mechanical Engineering undergraduate degrees (pdf 1 MB)
Programme structure
Stage 1
Year 1 Certificate Level
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Stage 2
Year 2 Intermediate Level
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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Mechanics 1
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Mechanics 2
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Thermodynamics, fluids and Heat Transfer
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Thermodynamics and Fluids
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Mechanical Design and Professional Skills 1
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Mechanical Design A
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Engineering Mathematics 1
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Engineering Mathematics 2
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Properties and Applications of Materials
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Electrical, Electronic and Computer Systems
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Industrial Skills
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Experiments and Statistics 2
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Experiments and Statistics 1
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Manufacturing
Systems
Engineering
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Mechatronics
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Computing
for
Engineers
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Stage 3
Year 3 Higher Level
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Stage 4
Year 4 Masters Level only
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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Mechanical Design B
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Computational Geometry**
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Advanced Mechanics**
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Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering
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Biofuels and Combustion**
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Advanced thermal systems**
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Design and Professional Skills 3
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Advanced Vehicle Engineering**
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R&D in Manufacturing Processes**
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Control Engineering
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CFD and FEA
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Process modelling**
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MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems**
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Sustainable Energy and the Environment
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*Turbo-machinery and compressible flows
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Synoptic Mechanical Engineering
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*MEng: Engineering Maths A+B (semester 1&2)
BEng: Individual Engineering Project (30 credits)
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Individual Engineering Project (60 credits)
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* BEng - two modules dropped to enable students to take a 30 credit project
**optional modules (choose 2 modules from semester 1 and 2 modules from Semester 2)
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAA
Required subjects and grades: A levels must include Mathematics (this must include Mechanics 1 and 2 – if not, Physics must be offered) plus one from the following: Physics preferred but Chemistry, Design and Technology or Further Mathematics are acceptable; other science A levels may be considered.
General Studies: not accepted
Additional information:
Students who just miss the grade requirements for MEng study will be automatically considered for a place on the BEng programme.
Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 36 points, must include Mathematics at HL grade 6 and Physics at HL grade 6 (students with Mathematics at SL grade 7 will be considered on an individual basis for BEng entry).
Standard English language requirements apply.
Learn more about international entry requirements.
International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us. More information can be found here: www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/.
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
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