Mechanical Engineering MEng with Integrated Foundation Year (Dubai)

Start date
January and September
Duration
5 years (1,2 and 3 in Dubai. 3+4 in Birmingham)
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Undergraduate, Foundation, Single Honours
Fees

2024 entry: The Foundation Year of your programme is AED 114,602. Following successful completion of your Foundation Year the tuition fee is AED 132,778 per year of study.

Fees can be paid in instalments. Scholarships available for the foundation year and years 1 and 2.

Study our Integrated MEng Mechanical Engineering course and develop the expertise you need for a successful career. You will have the exciting opportunity to study on both our Dubai and UK campuses.

MEng Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education

Mechanical engineers research, design, manufacture, install and test everything from nanoscale robots to massive macroscale machines like spacecraft. They make things move and develop and use state-of-the-art technologies to solve complex global challenges. Mechanical engineers play a significant part in our daily lives. They are essential in manufacturing devices like jet engines, electric vehicles, cryogenic cooling systems for vaccines, carbon capture facilities, renewable energy systems and in understanding the mechanics of cancer cells and human skeletons.  The quality of our everyday lives is significantly enriched by the work of mechanical engineers.

This Integrated MEng programme offers a suite of modules covering core mechanical engineering subjects that are designed to develop your learning progressively. You will also get the opportunity to specialise and gain in-depth knowledge of your chosen area. You will begin your studies on the Integrated BEng Mechanical Engineering in Dubai where our leading world-class facilities will give you access to exciting practical and laboratory sessions.

After the foundation year and years one and two of the BEng, you will have the opportunity to transfer onto the MEng Mechanical Engineering programme at our UK campus to study years three and four. This pathway offers an MEng degree accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and all the educational benefits and experience of having studied in the UK as well as Dubai. Students choosing this route will be required to meet an academic threshold for progression to the MEng at the end of the BEng second year in Dubai.

Birmingham graduates are highly sought after and there is a huge range of job opportunities available to you. Our graduates work in small and global organisations such as General Electric, Airbus, Aston Martin, BAE systems, BP, Exxon Mobil, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes High Performance Engines and Laing O'Rourke Rolls-Royce.

Why study MEng Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham?

  • Dual accredited degrees: our MEng programmes in Birmingham are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers UK. This provides employers with assurances that you have the qualities they require. An accredited degree is an important step towards becoming a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. Our MEng programme is also accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education which indicates to private and public sector employers in the GCC region, that your degree is globally and regionally recognised.
  • Global reputation for educational excellence – The School of Engineering is a truly international place, and our world-leading academics specialise in areas relevant to modern-day issues. We offer the same first-class education in our UK as well as Dubai campus, by delivering the same high-quality curriculum. You will graduate with a degree from a global top 100 university. 
  • Exceptional learning environment - We have a real sense of community, with staff that are approachable and nurturing, which provides a collaborative and supportive learning environment for students. There is an excellent student to teacher ratio and multiple channels of support are available to students, via both physical and digital means.
  • Brand new campus - Our state-of-the-art Dubai campus is one of the smartest university campuses on earth. It includes a drop-in study space, students’ lounges, computer suites and quiet study spaces throughout the building providing flexible learning.
  • State-of-the-art facilities - You will use our brand-new, purpose-built labs in Dubai and enjoy the facilities in the new School of Engineering building in Birmingham.
  • Research-led teaching - Our research feeds directly into your teaching ensuring your programme includes the latest developments in mechanical engineering.
  • Transnational academic experience – By studying the first two years in Dubai and the third and fourth year of the MEng degree in Edgbaston, you will gain significant transnational experience, learning from the cultures of both uniquely different countries and be able to fit into multicultural teams when you begin your career.
  • Networks across the world - You will become part of a global community of mechanical engineering students across the world.
  • Scholarship opportunities - As a University of Birmingham Dubai student, a range of scholarship awards will be open to you for your first two years.
  • Design Projects - You will have the opportunity to take part in design projects in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.
  • Extracurricular Projects are at the centre of students’ teamwork skills acquisition and learning activities. From designing, manufacturing and deploying wind turbine foundations, to building and testing ‘shuttle landers’, paper planes, dispensers, our students are provided many opportunities to gain hands-on experience in engineering tasks, building great team working abilities while also competing globally.
  • UBRacing - this is the University's Formula Student team and provides a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and compete around the world.

Hear from our current students about why they chose to study Mechanical Engineering with us in Dubai:

Video thumbnail of students explaining why study Mechanical Engineering.

Student Profile - Seif Elmarzouky

"My experience so far has been great. Not only have I been able to grow academically, I have also been encouraged to take part in student activities..."

Read Seif's profile >> 

Meet our academics

Our Mechanical Engineering academics are highly qualified and based in Dubai.

View their profiles

I have always had a strong interest in car design and engineering. The combination of form and function is something i know i wanted to experience in my career - Mechanical Engineering has provided me with the knowledge, experience and underlying principles behind designing for the real world.

Tom Dawes, Mechanical Engineering student

Our Mechanical Engineering MEng with Integrated Foundation Year programme is a five-year Master of Engineering (MEng) degree, we also offer the course as a four-year Mechanical Engineering MEng, a three-year BEng and a four-year BEng with an Integrated Foundation Year.

Learn about the Mechanical Engineering Department in Dubai

Modules

Foundation year

Designed for international students who require a preparatory year prior to undergraduate study, our integrated foundation course is equivalent in learning to year 13 of the UK education system.

Successful completion of the foundation year will also guarantee you progression onto the Mechanical Engineering BEng programme.  *You will need at least 100 credits, at least 55% in Academic English and Study Skills and at least 60% Mathematics modules.

We will ensure you're fully prepared for your undergraduate programme, immersing you in the university environment and giving you dedicated support in your first year in Dubai.

Year one

The first two years of this four year Mechanical Engineering course have been designed to provide a contemporary and flexible educational model that builds upon essential engineering fundamentals to develop students’ broader understanding of behaviour, policy, entrepreneurship, and global perspectives and kindles the passion necessary to address the societal challenge agenda.

If you are interested in studying in the UK, you can apply to spend the second year of your four year foundation course in Birmingham. Find out more about spending your second year in the UK.

Like all UAE Ministry of Education Higher Education Institutions we also run the below listed compulsory module. This module is designed to support talented graduates in the region, with the skills to aid and further employability. Please note this module must be completed and passed in addition to your core programme modules.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Sustainability (EIS)

Year two

For years 3 and 4, you will be based in the UK at our Edgbaston campus.

Year 3

In Years 3 and 4, you will develop your specialisation further, with an increased problem-solving-based focus. You continue with Mechanical Design where you undertake project work and have the opportunity to attend lectures from companies such as Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover to gain an insight into industrial design projects.

Year 4

In year 4 you are given options to pursue your 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 you benefit from developments at the leading edge of your chosen field. You will be given the opportunity to choose from options listed below.

Many projects are defined by industry and Formula Student team members can also undertake projects based on the racing car. The project gives you the chance to use your own initiative and apply the skills and knowledge learnt during your degree programme. 

Core modules

Optional modules

Examples of optional modules are listed below, choose 60 credits options from:

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to core modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

2024 entry

The Foundation Year of your programme is AED 114,602.

Following successful completion of your Foundation Year the tuition fee is AED 132,778 per year of study and can be paid in instalments.

Scholarships

We have a number of scholarships available for the foundation year and years 1 and 2 of the course.

How To Apply

To find out more information about our application process please visit our 'How to apply page' before starting your application.

BEng Transfer to MEng: After completing the Foundation Year and the first year of the BEng Mechanical Engineering, students can transfer to MEng Mechanical Engineering Programme during the second year. The transfer is subject to meeting the required academic performance in their second year of study. Students who transfer to MEng will go to our UK campus to study years 3 and 4 of the programme.

Mathematics

If you do not meet the entry requirements for maths, you may be eligible to take our maths entry test. For a one to one consultation with our team about this opportunity please contact dubai@contacts.bham.ac.uk or +971 424 92300.

Foundation Pathway entry requirements

Nigeria

Students studying the WAEC or NECO would be required to study a four year integrated foundation and degree programme.   

  • WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with at least 5 subjects at grade B3, to include grade B3 in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.
  • NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) can also be accepted with at least 5 subjects at grade B3 or the joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with 300+ points and at least 5 subjects at grade C4 to include grade B in Maths for our EPS pathway.

Middle East (Thaneweya)

Applicants to the Foundation pathway will require an average of 85% in the Thanawiyan (Secondary School Leaving Certificate), to include 85% in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.

Pakistan

The University will consider students with a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) (also called Intermediate Certificate), with at least grade B or 70%, to include grade B or 70% in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.

American System

High School Graduation Diploma with 'good'/grade B/GPA 3.0 average, to include grade B in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.

English Language Requirements 

Please refer to the Undergraduate English language requirements page for information on English proficiency. 

This world famous programme has many strengths. One of them is the Integrated Design Subject which runs through all of academic years during the course of the study.

Dr Farrukh Hafeez

 

Learning and teaching methods will take the form of lectures, classes, case study work, online assignments and quizzes, presentations and self-directed study.

Work will be assessed via exams, coursework, presentations and a dissertation.

To enrich the learning experience, our teaching is jointly delivered by staff in Dubai and the UK. Typically, each module’s preparation team consists of staff members across both campuses with at least the module leader based in the Dubai campus. You will receive the same high-quality teaching and learning resources (lecture notes, tutorial sheets, video resources, example lectures, logbooks, etc.) and rigorous assessments (projects, coursework, assignments, exams, etc) as your fellow students on the UK campus.

You will have the opportunity to conduct projects under the supervision of staff members from either campus. You can also work on projects that are collaboratively supervised by staff members in other Schools within the University and with industry-based engineers, which significantly increases the type of project topics available. You will also have the option to propose projects based on your interests during your final year project and in the coursework of some modules.

 

As the University of the Year for Graduate Employment in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015-16, Birmingham is the UK’s number one university for securing a graduate-level job. 100% of our international students went on to graduate-level employment within 6 months of finishing their course (DLHE 2015/16).

A degree in Mechanical Engineering provides the skills required for a wide range of careers.  Our programme is designed to produce graduates who are organised, numerate, good at problem solving and have a wide range of professional skills to complement their technical abilities. These qualities, plus the prestige of a degree from a leading World Class University, make our graduates attractive  to companies in the engineering sector worldwide as well as those in finance, consultancy and commerce.

Examples of companies where our graduates have gone on to work include Aston Martin, Atkins, BP, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Exxon Mobil, Mercedes High Performance Engines and Laing O'Rourke.

I had secured a summer placement with GKN through the University Mentoring Scheme, which allows me to learn about new skills and areas as well as incorporating the teaching I am learning at University. I also gained the opportunity to have an insight day with CDS (Control and Data Services) which is part of Rolls Royce Group.

Lik Soo, Mechanical Engineering student

Read Lik's full profile

Your Birmingham Degree

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.