Mechanical Engineering with Industrial YearBEng

Study with us and prepare for roles such as designing, manufacturing, installing and testing anything from nanoscale robots to spacecraft. You’ll learn to tackle engineering challenges and to play a role in building a sustainable future. Spend a year working in industry to explore and enhance your career options.

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.

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.

• Kickstart your future career by developing experience, links, and networks during your year in industry
• Benefit from strong industrial partnerships and academic expertise in timely areas.
• Opportunity to change from BEng to MEng
• Programme accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Begin your journey to becoming a Chartered Engineer 
• Join student activities like UBRacing, Brum Eco Racing, and UBRobotics
• Benefit from research-led teaching, enhancing critical thinking 

• 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.

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.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

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.

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.

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.

Course scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships which are exclusive to our programmes.

Apply

The UCAS code for this course is H304.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

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.

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.

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.