Ranking
Top 100
QS World Rankings 2025
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Course overview
If you want to develop the vehicles of the future, our BEng Mechanical Engineering (Automotive) programme is for you. Prepare for a career in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Study with us and prepare for roles such as designing, manufacturing and testing anything from racing cars to spacecraft. You’ll learn to tackle engineering challenges and to play a role in building a sustainable future.
Accredited programme
This programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Our BEng programmes meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer, graduates will need to complete an approved format of further learning.
Why study Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham?
We frequently get guest lecturers and employer events, so the connections and networks you will have by the end of your degree are immensely valuable.
Course structure
This course provides you with the skills to deliver results in an ever-changing industry. You'll 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 global significance.
You'll build a solid base of essential engineering fundamentals and develop your broader understanding of behaviour, policy, entrepreneurship, and global perspectives. You'll fuel the passion necessary to address global challenges.
The first year is shared across the disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering.
Course highlights
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Collaborate with students and academics from other engineering disciplines to discover broader perspectives.
From mechanics and computing to mechanical design and powertrain engineering, you’ll learn the essentials and then specialise in automotive subjects with this flexible programme. You’ll be able to attend lectures on industrial design projects from leading engineering companies.
Benefit from learning in our state-of-the-art building with Design Centres and the Makerspace where you’ll apply your new skills in a practical training facility.
You can even join student activity teams to design, build and race cars in global competitions. You’ll work alongside students in other engineering disciplines, so you graduate with interdisciplinary experience.
- Benefit from strong industrial partnerships and academic expertise in timely areas
- Opportunity to change from BEng to MEng and/or consider a year in industry
- Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- Join student activities like UBRacing, Brum Eco Racing, and UBRobotics
- Benefit from research-led teaching, enhancing critical thinking
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Academics continue to conduct internationally excellent research in different areas of mechanical engineering. They are committed to introduce you to, and work with you on, the latest developments to help enhance your learning experience and future career.
Lecture
Tutorial
Projects
Laboratory
Practical assignments
- Learn through a series of engaging lectures which demonstrate how experts will approach solving problems in your field, helping you think critically and apply concepts
- Participate actively in discussions, collaborative problem-solving activities, and hands-on exercises during tutorials to deepen your engagement with the subject matter
- Develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
- Benefit from 1:1 supervision giving you the opportunity to get tailored guidance and feedback that meets your individual needs and development
You'll study in our state-of-the-art School of Engineering building featuring Design Centres, drop-in study spaces, and a Makerspace facilitating modern flexible learning.
We also have our own Welfare Tutor/Wellbeing Officer who is able to provide practical and emotional support if you are experiencing personal problems that interfere with your academic work.
Assessment
Your degree will begin mostly with examinations, before shifting to continuous assessment in project work during later years. This will allow you to specialise after undertaking thorough grounding of engineering principles at the start of your studies.
You'll receive plenty of feedback to help you progress, ranging from written feedback on your assessments to class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor. The feedback will highlight the positives of your work as well as any areas that need more attention.
You'll be assigned a personal tutor who'll 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.
You'll also need to undertake a considerable amount of self study. It's an essential part of the programme, which requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Your modules will each be 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.
2025/26
Core modules
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid Mechanics and Energy Transfer | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Electrical Engineering 1 | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Engineering Materials | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Engineering Mathematics 1 | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Integrated Design Project 1A | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Integrated Design Project 1B | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Mechanics 1 | 20 | Semester 1 |
Teaching staff
Dr Carol Kong
Lecturer in Laser Processing Technology
Staff profile for Dr Carol Kong, Lecturer in Laser Material Processing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAB to include A-level Mathematics. Further Mathematics and Physics are not required but are advantageous.
- IB
6,6,5 at Higher Level (including Mathematics) with 32 points overall.
- BTEC
BTEC options considered. See below for details.
Number of A-levels required: 3.
Required subjects and grades: A level Mathematics. Further Mathematics and Physics are not required but are advantageous.
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 accepted.
BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered for BEng programmes providing there is sufficient Mathematics content and you satisfactorily complete our Mathematics Aptitude test at the required level.
Grades: BEng; D*D*D* plus Distinction in mathematics and further mathematics.
BTEC Diploma considered in combination with A-level.
Grades: BEng; D*D* plus B. If A-level Mathematics is not taken, then the BTEC Diploma must include Maths and Further Maths units, and you must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at the 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 you must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at the required level.
Foundation Year
Would you like to study this course but lack the entry qualifications? You can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses. Learn more:
- UK students (not eligible if studying A-level Mathematics)
- international students
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
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. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBB to include Maths or Further Maths
- Contextual Offer
ABB to include Maths or Further Maths
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
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 for UK students. 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
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2025, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Course scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships which are exclusive to our programmes.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Apply
The UCAS code for this course is H302.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
- 29 January 2025
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
Career opportunities
As one of our graduates, a huge and exciting array of career opportunities will be open to you – both in the UK and abroad. We have strong links with key employers, such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Renishaw, who provide projects and work placements for our students and recruit our graduates.
You'll be actively encouraged to gain industrial experience by undertaking summer placements or studying the programme with an industrial year. These will help build your confidence and prepare you for graduate employment.
Benefit from our Industrial Liaison Officer and the extensive industrial contacts we have gathered through our research.
Like our previous graduates, you may begin a career in companies such as Aston Martin, Deloitte, JCB, LLoyds, Mercedes AMG, or Yamazaki Mazak.
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.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
