Our stimulating Mechanical Engineering (Automotive) MEng degree programme is designed to give you a thorough background in Mechanical Engineering and the expertise and knowledge to develop and implement new automotive technologies.
This course provides you with the skills to deliver results in an ever-changing industry. You will benefit from a research-led culture, which informs our teaching. Our expertise in applying engineering science will equip you with the ability to solve problems of industrial and societal significance.
You’ll work alongside Civil and Electrical Engineers, this interdisciplinary working reflects industry practices and right from the very start will begin building your teamworking and professional skills alongside your technical knowledge. 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.
You will be the subject expert on a major project during your degree where you will apply your in-depth technical knowledge. This will provide you with vital employability skills that will give you a competitive edge in applications forms, interviews and assessment tests for graduate jobs.
Please be reassured that the vote to leave the European Union does not mean there will be any immediate material change to the UK university sector's participation in EU programmes such as Erasmus and study abroad programmes. Visit our EU Referendum information page for more information.
Laura Green
MEng Mechanical Engineering
“I always had a strong passion for maths at school and being able to see its real-life applications through studying mechanical engineering was one of the main reasons I chose to study it. Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham provides all the support needed to succeed.”
This course 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.
You will learn how to take energy from a source like petrol, the wind or hydrogen, and convert it into useful motion in machines such as racing cars, industrial robots or microscopic pumps. 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 programme is organised into integrated modules covering core mechanical engineering subjects that are designed to develop your learning progressively.
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.
Why study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham?
- Accredited degrees: our programmes are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which provides employers with assurances that you have the qualities they seek. An accredited degree is an important step towards you becoming a chartered engineer.
- You will have the opportunity to take part in a lot of
design projects which will be conducted in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.
- You will be working with
team members from other disciplines like mechanical, electrical and civil engineering.
- The course also allows you to interact with a
variety of academics from these three different departments.
- Mechanical engineering is also very
well connected with a variety of industries located in West Midlands and you will have the opportunity to take part in industry led design modules and final year projects.
-
UBRacing is the University's Formula Student team and provides a great opportunity to gain hands on experience in an engineering task, building great team working abilities.
- MEng students get the opportunity to pursue individual interest in engineering allowing them to
specialise and gain and deep level of understanding in the chosen area.
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 Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fluid Mechanics and Energy Transfer - 20 credits
In this module, the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and energy conservation, and introduce associated engineering applications.
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Integrated Design Project 1 - 20 credits
The aim of the module is to introduce students to the design process and the skills employed therein, within an engineering context.
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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.
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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.
Year 2
All modules compulsory.
- Integrated Design Project 2 (20 credits)
- Engineering Mathematics 2 (20 credits)
- Mechanics 2 (20 credits)
- Mechanical Design A (20 credits)
- Thermodynamics and Fluids (20 credits)
- Mechatronics and Control Engineering (20 credits)
Year 3
In years 3 and 4 of your degree fundamentals of engineering are used to explore advanced engineering topic areas such as Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering. A group design study project is also undertaken in year 3, exploring the associated commercial, legal and safety aspects of developing a new product. All modules compulsory.
- Integrated Design Project 3 (BEng) (20 credits). Automotive project must be taken.
- Engineering Mathematics 3 (20 credits)
- Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering (20 credits)
- Mechanical Design B (20 credits)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis (20 credits)
- Sustainable Energy and the Environment (10 credits)
- Turbomachinery and Compressible Flows (10 credits)
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.
Compulsory modules:
- Individual Engineering Project (MEng) (40 credits). Automotive project must be taken.
- Synoptic Mechanical Engineering (20 credits)
- Advanced Vehicle Engineering (10 credits)
- Advanced Fuels and Powertrain Systems (10 credits)
Optional modules. Examples of optional modules are listed below:
Choose one option from:
- Process Modelling (10 credits)
- Robotics for Mechanical Engineers (10 credits)
- Bio-medical Engineering (10 credits)
- Industrial Automation and Robotics (10 credits)
And choose three options from:
- Advanced Mechanics (10 credits)
- Advanced Thermal Systems (10 credits)
- Micro and Nano Technologies (10 credits)
- R&D in Manufacturing Processes (10 credits)
- Machining Support Systems (10 credits)
- Laser-based Manufacturing (10 credits)
- Intelligent Systems (10 credits)
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 2019. 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.
Annual tuition fees 2019/20
| UK/EU
|
£9,250
|
| International
|
£22,260
|
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.
- Number of A levels required:
- 3
- Typical offer:
- AAA
- Required subjects and grades:
- A level Mathematics (Further Mathematics and Physics are not required but are advantageous). You must also pass the practical element of any reformed science A levels which include Biology, Chemistry and Physics taught from 2015.
General Studies not accepted.
International Baccalaureate Diploma:
6,6,6 at Higher Level to include Mathematics with a minimum of 32 points overall.
BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma
Grades: MEng; not considered unless A level Maths also taken.
BTEC Diploma considered in combination with A Level.
Grades: MEng; D*D* plus A-level Maths grade A.
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma considered in combination with 2 A Levels
Grades: MEng; D*plus A,A including Mathematics.
Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.
Students who just miss the grade requirements for MEng study will be automatically considered for a place on the BEng programme.
Additional information:
Foundation Year
Would you like to study for one of our degrees but lack the entry qualifications we require? Consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.
International students:
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 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.
Apply through the UCAS website using code H330.
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', including advice for UK, EU and overseas applicants.
You will benefit greatly from ongoing and substantial investment in new teaching spaces. Labs are kitted out with brand new, hi-tech equipment and extensive key software through our partnership agreement with Microsoft.
Resources and facilities
Your learning is based around dedicated teaching and research facilities, with Laboratories for teaching and project work. We strive to be as flexible as possible, giving you the opportunity to specialise within your undergraduate study throughout your time at Birmingham.
We continue to review our facilities and have exciting new projects to enhance your time spent at the University of Birmingham:
New building and facilities for the School Of Engineering
The University has begun work on a new School of Engineering building which is due for completion in 2020. It will bring together many engineering disciplines into one state-of-the-art building.
Collaborative Teaching Laboratory
The Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) is a hub for science and engineering teaching, with multi-functional labs suitable for subject-specific and cross-disciplinary teaching and team working.
How you will learn
We are a department within a large engineering school – so you get the best of both worlds. You will be taught from a combination of large-scale lecture tuition, small-group teaching, and lab and other practical classes. We make extensive use of online learning tools, too, so you can study even when you’re not on campus.
Laboratory-based work is an integral part of your course, this is vital not only to develop your experimental practical skills, but also to reinforce concepts introduced in lectures. Practical sessions typically last two to three hours, although more advanced experiments and activities may span over several sessions.
All of our undergraduate programmes feature a significant level of project working in each year of study, with individual and group projects designed to prepare our graduates for teamworking, problem solving and project management.
How you will be assessed
Each module is assessed independently and methods may include end-of-year exams, written assignments, oral and poster presentations, computer-based tests, class tests, and laboratory and project reports.
The early years of your course are assessed mostly by examination, whereas in later years this emphasis will shift to continuous assessment in project work. This model reflects your ability to specialise in Years 3 and 4, after undertaking thorough grounding of engineering principles at the start of your studies.
Feedback is an essential part of learning and we use a wide range of methods, such as written feedback on your assessments, class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor. You'll receive feedback on each assessment, highlighting the positives of your work as well as any areas that need more attention.
Your personal tutor
At the start of your degree, you'll be assigned a personal tutor who will remain with you throughout your studies to help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and dealing with any welfare issues.
We also have our own Welfare Tutor/Wellbeing Officer who is able to provide practical and emotional support for you if you are experiencing personal problems that interfere with your academic work.
Seminars and tutorials
Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside our lectures, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate lecture material, as well as testing your understanding through problem-solving exercises.
Self study is an essential part of the programme and requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.
Lecturers and world leading researchers
You will be
taught by staff who are experts in their research fields: staff with extensive industrial connections, research staff and staff with teaching qualifications. They will provide you with tools to gain the creative, problem-solving and technical skills needed to undertake your final-year individual project.
As well as specialised labs with state-of-the-art facilities, you may also get to work with
internationally leading research groups. There are also opportunities to work in industry which will provide real-world experience.
As one of our Mechanical Engineering students, a huge and exciting array of career opportunities will be open to you when you graduate – both at home and abroad.
The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17 shows that 94% of our Mechanical Engineering graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation.
Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham has extremely strong links with key employers, such as Aston Martin, BP, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce, who provide projects and work placements for our students and regularly recruit our graduates.
You will be actively encouraged to gain industrial experience by undertaking summer placements or studying the programme MEng Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Year. These will help build your confidence and prepare you for graduate employment.
We have an Industrial Liaison Officer who works with our industrial partners and we also have extensive industrial contact through our research. The Department also benefits from an Industrial Advisory Committee, which ensures that our programmes are industrially relevant and producing graduates with the skills and knowledge industry needs. The committee includes senior engineers from Rolls-Royce, Caterpillar, IMechE, Renishaw, Mazak Intertek and MatOrtho
Where our graduates work:
- Air Products
- Albright Patents LLP
- Amec
- Arup
- Aston Martin
- Atkins
- Deloitte
- Exxon Mobil
- The Guardian
- Jaguar Land Rover
- JCB
- Laing O’Rourke
- Llyods
- Marks & Clerk UK
- MBDA
- Mercedes AMG High Performance Engines
- Prodrive
- Renishaw
- Rolls-Royce
- Yamazaki Mazak
"I think the best way to get an experience out of university is to get involved with as many things as you possibly can, say 'yes' to everything. You start to meet people and network and you gain experiences and that's what makes you, yourself. That's what gives you the opportunities that you're going to get outside of university. Rather than just being in a crowd of people, you start to stand out."
Daisy Partlow, MEng Mechanical Engineering graduate, 2016
Watch Daisy's video profile
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
Birmingham has transformed into one of Europe's most exciting cities. It is more than somewhere to study; it is somewhere to build a successful future.
Clubs and societies
The Guild has over
200 Societies, community volunteering groups and associations for you
to join; they cover every topic and activity that you can think of - there
really is something for everyone.
The Mechanical Engineering Society brings
together students within Mechanical Engineering and provides a social side
to your degree so you can make the most of your time at Birmingham. UBRobotics offers the opportunity to be involved in the multi-disciplinary field of
robotics and develop unique skills such as coding, mechanical design and
electronics.
We?re also home to three racing teams,
UBRacing,
UBeRacing and
BrumEco, which build and race single-seater petrochemical, electric and fuel efficient cars to compete on an international stage
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your new-found independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
The City of Birmingham
One of Europe's most exciting destinations, Birmingham is brimming with life and culture, making it a wonderful place to live, study and work.
Our students fall in love with the city - around 40% of our graduates choose to make Birmingham their home.
International students
The University of Birmingham has been welcoming international students onto our campus since 1900.
We have one of the largest and most vibrant international student communities in the UK, with 5,000 international students from more than 150 different countries and 31% of our academic staff from overseas.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, how to apply and funding options, then you can visit our international students webpage. You may also wish to take a virtual tour of our campus and watch the video below to hear our international students say their favourite thing about the University of Birmingham.