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Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with Industrial Year BEng

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
H64I
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025/26:
£9,535 (UK)
£29,560 (International)
Further fee information

Our stimulating Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with Industrial Year degree combines mechanical, computer, and electronic and electrical engineering to address the challenges of designing and deploying intelligent technologies. You will gain strong theoretical and practical skills and collaborate with experts.

 

At the University of Birmingham we recognise that successful 21st Century engineers will thrive alongside professionals with wide-ranging expertise. Our flagship Integrated Design Projects run throughout Years 1-3 of your degree. You’ll work alongside Mechanical and Civil Engineers to develop designs for technologies with impact in the world. In your first year you’ll learn computer aided design, about engineering processes and human-technology interactions.

The Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering programme gives you a solid grounding in the underlying physical and mathematical principles of the subject, along with a thorough, connected overview of electronic, mechanical and computer technology and their applications.

You will also gain experience in a range of integrated system issues through project work, the projects are set and assessed alongside our partners from major industries.  In these projects, you’ll gain vital employability skills that will give you a competitive edge in applications forms, interviews and assessment tests for graduate jobs and they will bring your studies to life.

Whether you have applied for the ‘with Industrial Year’ degree from the outset or decide to join the scheme once you are here, a year in industry is an invaluable addition you can choose for your degree. You will be involved in serious projects at the core of the company’s business, with training and support. We’ll be in touch with you throughout the year too. You’ll gain experience of applying what you’ve learned in the early years of your degree to real engineering challenges.

Graduates of the programme will have the blend of mechatronic and software integration skills required for successful careers in robotics, in all forms of transport, in medical technologies, in advanced manufacturing and in space technologies, in research and development and in product design.

Why study Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with Industrial Year at Birmingham?

  • Accredited degrees, we have been an academic partner of the IET for over a quarter of a century providing employers with assurances that you have the qualities they seek.
  • Study in our new state-of-the-art School of Engineering building which includes a 50-seat electronics and electrical focused projects space and a basement that houses a full-size set of railway points, the University’s pantograph test rig and a test track for the scaled hydrogen-powered train.
  • Significant project work  which is highly valued by employers, is a thread that runs through your degree. This is underpinned by your coursework. Our projects and assessments developed with, and informed by, industry and research leaders.
  • Our degrees will  equip you to meet the technological challenges of the 21st century – autonomous vehicles, the internet of things, embedded computation, renewable energy, distributed generation, secure and high rate communications, electric vehicles, remote sensing, big data analytics, human-machine interactions, mechatronics, robotics.
  • Our courses are designed to meet the request from industry for graduates who are  well versed in subject fundamentals yet skilled in working across traditional boundaries.
  • You have the opportunity to choose specialities in your final year. See modules below.
  • The department fosters a lively student community with a strong discipline identity and close working relationships with highly supportive staff.
  • Graduates have gone on to work for highly respected organisations such as IBM, the National Grid and National Rail.

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 >> 


This Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with Industrial Year course is a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree, we offer a five-year Master of Engineering (MEng)  version too.

We also have degree programmes available in:
-  Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering BEng and Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering MEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng and Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Industrial Year BEng and Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Industrial Year MEng

I chose to study in the Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering at Birmingham as out of all the universities I applied to, I found the course content to be the most interesting and innovative. Being an engineering student at Birmingham has given me the chance to immerse in a series of opportunities that I may not have had if I had not applied to study here.

Oke Ojameruaye, BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering

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 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.

Year 2

The second year will include a substantial mechatronics group project encompassing electromagnetics, control and embedded computing, which unifies your learning across course modules. All modules are compulsory.

Year 3 (Industry)

An Industrial Year extends the length of your undergraduate degree by a year and is taken after year 2. The Industrial Year is well regarded by industry and the IET as providing a good opportunity to test and develop skills and techniques used by engineers the world over.

During this year you will be paid by the company, and will have the opportunity to get involved in a real project. You will find this opportunity immensely helpful in developing your technical ability as well as your personal skills. Some gain sponsorship from their placement company, and may even be offered a graduate job on completion of their degree!

You’ll come away with a clearer idea of what you want to do. We have strong links with industry, many of the companies we work with will regularly recruit our students. Opportunities are promoted throughout the year and we’ll help you through the application process.

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.

Year 4

In the final year of the degree, you will take specialist courses which define your expertise. You will also carry out an individual mechatronics research project, which will be defined in consultation with a subject expert.

Core modules

Choose 40 credits of optional modules

Example optional modules may include:

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

Annual tuition fees 2025/26

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

  • £9,535
  • £29,560 - International

Visit our  tuition fees page for more information. A £40:00 charge is also made towards the cost of an optional teamwork course at the University’s Raymond Priestley Centre in the Lake District

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 H64I

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 not normally accepted as one of the three A levels, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of an offer marginally.

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.

You will benefit greatly from ongoing and substantial investment in new teaching spaces. Labs are kitted out with brand new, hi-tech equipment – supplied by multinational companies like National Instruments – and extensive key software through our partnership agreement with Microsoft.

Resources and facilities

Your learning is based around dedicated teaching and research facilities, with Electronics 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

Work successfully completed on the £46.5M new School of Engineering building in February 2021. The state-of-the-art building is a 12,000 sqm facility, spans five floors and features a double-height atrium.

Makerspace facility

The Makerspace facilities at Birmingham allow students to design, build, and test prototypes for their designs. Hear from current final-year students about how they use the space.

How you will learn

We are a small 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 (six students or fewer), 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

Modules are assessed using a combination of exams, tests and coursework, the mix of which will be dependent upon the modules you select.

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 such as simulators, 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.

Contact Hours

Throughout your degree, depending on module choice, you can expect around 20 hours of contact time per week on average. This consists of approximately 14 hours of lectures and 6 hours of tutorials/labs.

During your first year it is important that you have a smooth transition into University. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are particular areas where you need support.

Do you know where you’ll be in five, ten, 20 years' time? Your degree from Birmingham will equip you with the creative, professional and technical skills to lead change and innovation in a future that we know little about for certain, other than that the technologies and systems we use will not be the same as they are today.

Industrial Year

A year working in industry provides you with the opportunity to build skills and confidence in the workplace. The School of Engineering Employability Network (SEEN), led by our Industrial Liaison Officer, provides advice and skills training to students looking for support with their careers, or who wish to undertake placements as part of their studies. Students within the department secure placements from a wide range of employers, with recent students taking their industrial year at companies including IBM, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Renesas, Cadence Design Systems, and Rolls Royce.

 My year in industry helped me a lot and increased my confidence. It helped me in understanding what sort of technical and practical knowledge I require out of the degree

Muhammad Usman, MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering with Industrial Experience

Graduates who have studied our courses:


Example employers

  • Airbus
  • ARM
  • Defence Science And Technology
  • IBM
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • National Grid
  • Network Rail
  • Siemens


Example careers

  • Analyst
  • Design engineer
  • Electrical power engineer
  • Client engagement
  • Lead software engineer
  • Automotive reader manager
  • Electrical engineer
  • Project control engineer

When looking at graduates it is highly important that they are engaged and connected with the working environment and are, for example, aware of the tools that are applied as part of their chosen profession.

The University of Birmingham prepares its students with practical hands-on sessions bridging the gulf between academia and industry very well, which in turn is very helpful to the individual candidate.

Johnny Ojeil, Director, Arup.

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