Program Overview

Mechanical Engineering via Study Centres BEng (Hons)

Overview

This course allows you to benefit from Sunderland's teaching of engineering while living in your home country. The content of the course mirrors the Sunderland-based equivalent course, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

Why us?

• Sunderland has over 100 years’ experience of teaching engineering

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory projects and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills. You will also have opportunities to present ideas to other students and develop concepts within groups.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include exams, multiple-choice tests and projects.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Digital Technologies for Engineering (20 credits)
  • Learn to use digital technologies to support and enhance your work as an engineer. Use advanced engineering software to perform engineering calculations and analysis and learn to design, simulate, and prototype systems as part of a digital workflow. Develop smart electronic systems, comprising both hardware and software, and simple computer programs.
• Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)
  • Develop the mathematical and analytical skills needed to solve engineering problems. Study the foundations of topics such as algebra, trigonometry, Calculus, matrices and differential equations. Gain transferable skills in problem-solving.
• Manufacturing and Materials (20 credits)
  • Expand your knowledge of all engineering materials (metals, polymers, ceramics and composites), their properties and processing. Build on your understanding of manufacturing processes and systems alongside economic, ethical, and environmental considerations. Apply computer-aided materials selection and manufacturing process selection techniques to engineering components.
• Applied Mechanics (20 credits)
  • Understand the fundamental concepts, laws, and analytical methods for the solution of engineering mechanics problems. Use mechanical technology and evaluate the results of practical mechanics experiments. Utilise different mathematical techniques such as differentiation, integration, solution of simultaneous equations, ordinary differential equations (ODEs), trigonometry, and vectors.
• Electronic & Electrical Principles (20 credits)
  • Gain a fundamental understanding of concepts related to electronic and electrical engineering. Grow your analytical skills to be able to solve electronic and electrical circuits. Enhance your knowledge of machines and transformers.
• Digital Design Principles (20 credits)
  • Get an introduction to the world of design engineering. Learn to use key design and engineering software such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design). Develop the ability to produce an engineering drawing, alongside workshop and manufacturing skills.

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Thermofluids and Engines (20 credits)
  • Expand your knowledge of the mechanical engineering disciplines of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Gain fundamental knowledge by exploring topics such as thermodynamics, air standard cycles, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Engage in essential mathematical techniques including differentiation and integration, solution of simultaneous equations, and ordinary differential equations.
• Computer-Aided Engineering (20 credits)
  • Develop a critical understanding of finite element analysis and its integration to the design engineering process. Use industry standard and commercially available software to predict the performance and behaviour of a component or system due to external influences. Analyse mathematical models of the behaviour of a component or system due to external influences.
• Design Methods and Applications (20 credits)
  • Explore the creation of solid models of simple components using 3D solid modelling software. Gain an introduction to the three interlinked methodologies of design for manufacture, design for assembly, and process selection. Undertake a redesign project which must be conducted conscious of both the economic challenges and environmental responsibility which the global manufacturing sector is facing. Use case studies to gain insight and understanding into the key aspects of the design for manufacture concept.
• Engineering Mechanics (20 credits)
  • Enhance your knowledge of the mechanical engineering discipline of applied mechanics. Apply the appropriate mathematical techniques for modelling and analysing engineering problems. Explore a range of specialist areas including machine dynamics and strength of materials.
• Automation for Manufacturing (20 credits)
  • Delve into the operation and application of a range of both Instrumentation and Automation Systems. Enhance your understanding of the properties of measurement systems and sensors and evaluate their application in selecting an appropriate approach for a given application. Analyse signal conditioning and data capture systems using components such as operational amplifiers, analogue to digital converters and microcontrollers.
• Engineering Group Interdisciplinary Project (20 credits)
  • Work in groups across engineering disciplines to solve a real-world engineering problem. Apply your specialist skills and knowledge to perform tasks to support your project group. Progress your project through the various stages including; identifying the problem, project planning, design and evaluation.

Final year (national level 6):

• Project (40 credits)
  • Undertake a unique engineering project that builds on one or more of the topics you've studied throughout your course. Conduct research and resolve an engineering problem in an area of practice that is interesting to you. Enhance your time-management and research skills.
• Manufacturing Systems Designs (20 credits)
  • Discover a range of tools that can be applied within a manufacturing context to analyse existing performance and aid the development of models and systems which achieve an enhanced level of productivity. Develop your knowledge of modern measurement and control tools.
• Professional Management Techniques (20 credits)
  • Explore some of the soft skills outlined in the UK-SPEC which are pre-requisites to chartered status. Develop your communication and interpersonal skills alongside the design and development of processes and systems. Discover more about project management, and some of the techniques associated with it.
• Engineering Dynamics and Thermofluids (20 credits)
  • Gain advanced knowledge of the principles underlying a range of engineering applications of engineering dynamics and thermofluids systems. Design from first principles a range of psychrometric and heat transfer systems. Evaluate the dynamic characteristics of rotating systems and predict instability.
• Mechanical Design and Materials Selection (20 credits)
  • Enhance your understanding of the materials needed in a wider engineering context and the interdependency of design, manufacture, economics, and environmental considerations. Undertake a design exercise based upon a real engineering problem and select the appropriate materials from which specified components or assemblies would be made. Synthesise solutions to engineering problems using the knowledge and techniques you’ve gained throughout your studies.

Facilities

This course is available at partner universities around the world.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .

Please contact the study centre for more information on their specific requirements and equivalent qualifications from outside the UK.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Please contact the relevant partner for information on fees and finance.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Salaries in engineering can be very attractive and our course is directly relevant to the needs of employers.

Career options

As a Mechanical Engineer the industries which may interest you would include automotive, automation, aerospace, power generation, communication or defence industries.

You could play a major role in design, management or manufacturing in any of the above industries.