Engineering BEng

Start date
September
Duration
3/4 years
UCAS code
H236
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£9,250 (UK)
£28,560 (International)
Further fee information

Our stimulating Engineering BEng degree programme provides you with the flexibility to explore engineering topics before specialising in your area of interest.

 The Engineering BEng degree programme is designed with industry in mind, where modern engineering requires collaborative working across traditional boundaries.

You will learn the essential skills needed to operate as an engineer in any discipline, working with your peers from other branches of engineering to discover how your unique interests and skills can work together to produce better solutions.

With the flexibility to explore engineering topics before specialising in your area of interest, you will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to shape your future. Following a shared first year learning fundamental skills, you will then study in one of our Engineering departments; Civil Engineering, Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. You can find out more about the individual branches of engineering that you can choose on their department-level pages:

Why study Engineering BEng at Birmingham

  • Study in our new state-of-the-art School of Engineering building which includes a 179-capacity Design Centre and 160 drop-in study spaces throughout the building providing flexible learning.
  • A broad understanding of engineering fundamentals, providing solid understanding of each discipline
  • Defer choice of your specialist pathway until the second year of the degree programme
  • Build specialist knowledge and understanding in your chosen discipline, developing analytical and technical skills
  • Benefit from world-leading research activity in the School of Engineering, learning from global experts in their fields

A degree that’s flexible to you

The programmes within the School of Engineering have been designed to give you choice. This allows you to find out more about the field of engineering that you want to further your studies in. These choices are shown below:

Choice 1: Complete year 1 and then decide which branch of engineering to follow. This also includes Mechanical (Automotive), Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering routes.

Choice 2: Complete year 2 and decide whether to continue onto the BEng or MEng* pathway. *Must achieve minimum grade for MEng pathway.

Choice 3: Complete year 2 and decide whether to take an industrial option, international study (MEng only) or continue with studying at Birmingham.  *Please contact Admissions for specific information about options.

Meet our Student Bloggers

The best way to find out what life is really like as a student in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham is to hear from our students. Our students study a range of programmes from across our college – from Mathematics to Mechanical Engineering. Get some great tips and a real insight into what life is really like if you choose to study with us.

Read our blogs >> 


Interested in Computer Science?

Our ' Year in Computer Science'  offers students from non-computing disciplines the chance to gain in-depth knowledge of computing and enhance their work-based skills through the study of Computer Science. 

Modules

Year 1

Our first year has been designed to provide a contemporary and flexible educational model that builds upon essential engineering fundamentals to develop your broader understanding of behaviour, policy, entrepreneurship, and global perspectives and kindles the passion necessary to address the societal challenge agenda. The first year is shared across the disciplines of Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering.

  • Electrical Engineering 1 - 20 credits
    In this module, the fundamentals of electronic and electrical engineering are covered. It will begin with analogue circuits describing the fundamentals of circuit analysis and the design of analogue devices. The fundamentals of digital systems will then be covered using Boolean algebra and related techniques to analyse digital circuits up to an introduction to flip flops. Finally electrical power and machinery systems will be introduced.
  • Engineering Materials - 10 credits
    The aim of the module is to introduce the range of materials and their key properties used in engineering in order to allow them to select the appropriate materials for a given application. The module also introduces fundamental science that determines the electrical or mechanical properties of materials, such as atomic / molecular structures. In addition students will also be introduced to software which will allow them to model the properties and behaviour of engineering materials and analyse the results of experiments.
  • Engineering Mathematics 1 - 20 credits
    The module aims to enhance student knowledge and understanding of the mathematics used in engineering and to develop the skills of its use.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Energy Transfer - 20 credits
    In this module, the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and energy conservation, and introduce associated engineering applications.
  • Integrated Design Project 1A - 10 credits
    The aim of the module is to introduce students to the design process and the skills employed therein, within an engineering context.
  • Integrated Design Project 1B - 10 credits
    The aim of the module is for students to continue the design process and the skills employed therein, within an engineering context.
  • Introduction to Computing for Engineers - 10 credits
    The aim of this module is to introduce engineers to computers and computer programming using an important modern programming language which has applications from small embedded systems to supercomputers.
  • Mechanics 1 - 20 credits
    In this module, the mathematics and scientific principles related to mechanics in the context and application in engineering. The module covers: general principles, the mechanical properties of material and the basic principles of analysis, all underpinned with essential mathematics. Where relevant, historical examples are embedded into the module in order to provide context for the taught material.

Years 2 and 3

Depending on your choice of specialism, your second and third year module information can be found on one of the following pages:

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 2024. 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

Annual tuition fees 2024/25

  • £9,250 - UK
  • £28,560 - International

Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

 

Tuition fees for placement years (where applicable)

There is a reduced tuition fee for the academic year spent in industry or whilst studying abroad (where available). Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code H236.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

View advice on how to apply for undergraduate courses.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB
Required subjects and grades:
A level Mathematics.

If you have an alternative qualification to A-level mathematics the Admissions Tutor may wish to assess your mathematical ability during the application process. This will be via a Mathematics Aptitude test.

General Studies or Critical Thinking not accepted. However, a good performance in one of these may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

6,6,5 at Higher Level to include Mathematics with a minimum of 32 points overall. 

BTEC

  • BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered for BEng programmes providing there is sufficient Mathematics content and applicant satisfactorily completes our Mathematics aptitude test.
    Grades: BEng; D*D*D* plus Distinction in mathematics and further mathematics, and the applicant must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at required level.
  • BTEC Diploma considered in combination with A Level.
    Grades: BEng; D*D* plus B. If the A level taken is not in Mathematics, then the BTEC Diploma must include Maths and Further Maths units, and the applicant must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at required level.
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma considered in combination with 2 A Levels.
    Grades: BEng; D*plus A B. If A level Mathematics is not taken, then the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma must include Maths and Further Maths units, and the applicant must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at required level.

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements. 

Foundation Year

Are you a UK student and would like to study for one of our degrees but lack the entry qualifications we require? If you are not studying A Level Mathematics you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We accept a range of international qualifications, please contact the admissions tutor for more information.

 

Standard English language requirements apply, learn more about international entry requirements.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

Following the first year, you will then work to develop your specialist knowledge, informed by the cutting-edge research carried out in the School.

Find out more about each individual engineering discipline

Contact Hours

Contact hours over the course of your degree will depend on which engineering discipline you choose to study.  Please see the contact hours on the following programmes for details.

As one of our Engineering students, a huge and exciting array of career opportunities will be open to you when you graduate – both at home and abroad.

Which career path you eventually take will be influenced by which discipline you elect to study. Please view the employability tab on the following courses to see the possibilities open to you after graduation.

Industrial Experience

A year working in industry provides you with the opportunity to build skills and confidence in the workplace. Civil Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering all offer students the chance to gain experience within industry, experience that will support graduate employability. Our Industrial Liaison Officer provides advice and support for students looking to complete an Industrial Year. Students within the school secure placements for a wide range of employers with students regularly taking industrial placements at IBM, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins and BMW.

Careers Network

We provide a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. From your first day at Birmingham to after you graduate, the Careers Network  is here to help you identify and achieve your individual career aspirations through its wide range of services.

Our dedicated careers team brings you information, advice and guidance tailored to your specific needs. Careers advisers offer one-to-one advice appointments where you can discuss your career plans and explore your options. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning  Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Visit the Careers Network website for more details

Internships

Our multi-award-winning work experience team has dedicated internship officers to help find the right work experience for you. Make the most of these opportunities and apply for our Work Experience Bursary Scheme, the Birmingham Undergraduate Internship Programme or one of our successful mentoring schemes. 

The video below talks to students, staff and employers about their internship experience:

Professional Accreditation

Please see accreditation on the following programmes: