Mechanical Engineering (With Integrated Foundation Year)

Program Overview

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BEng (Hons) - Mechanical Engineering (With Integrated Foundation Year)

Unlock your potential with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year. From designing cutting-edge technology to solving real-world problems, this versatile field offers endless opportunities.

Our Integrated Foundation Year degree offers an invaluable extra year of academic preparation, ensuring you're fully ready for degree-level study. By completing the foundation year, you'll strengthen your foundational knowledge of the subject, sharpen essential learning techniques, and boost your confidence. It’s the perfect stepping stone to ease your transition into university life and equip you with the skills needed to excel in your chosen field.

Throughout this programme, you will explore exciting themes while enhancing your problem-solving abilities, fostering creativity through innovation and engaging in hands-on practice with real-world scenarios.

Course Overview

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress directly onto the Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons).

This degree was designed in collaboration with BAE Systems, to study a broad range of topics that lay the foundation for a successful engineering career. Core areas include mechanics, where you'll explore the principles of motion, forces, and energy, and thermodynamics, which explores heat transfer and energy systems. You'll also study materials science, learning how different materials behave and how they can be used in design. Fluid mechanics and control systems are essential for understanding how machines interact with fluids and automated processes. The programme covers advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing and robotics, alongside computer-aided design (CAD) for creating precise technical drawings and prototypes.

Additionally, you'll develop your skills in mathematics and engineering analysis, equipping you to solve complex technical problems. In between years two and three of this degree, you will have the option of taking a 12 week paid internship with BAE Systems (Barrow), as part of the BAE Systems Scholarship. If chosen, this is an excellent opportunity to apply your learning to the world of work, gain industrial training and develop connections within the industry.

On this course you will...

• Study in a brand-new purpose built facility that has been designed to include all of the modern equipment and resources you need to make a success of your course.
• Benefit from engaging with stakeholders from local and national employers.
• Study a degree that was designed in collaboration with BAE so that you can be equipped with all of the knowledge and skills that employers really need.
• Apply for the BAE Systems scholarship. The scholarship includes a bursary of up to £8,000 to support the cost of your studies, along with 12 week paid placement* and guaranteed interview* with BAE Systems (Barrow) at the end of your degree. (*subject to security clearance and criteria)

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK
• Course Location: Barrow-in-Furness
• Institute: Institute of Engineering, Computing and Advanced Manufacturing
• UCAS Code: B115
• Delivery Style: In-person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Study Options: BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year and Year in industry
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BEng (Hons)
• More information: Programme Specification
• Prospectus

Minimum entry requirements

• 48 UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

• £9,535 UK | Year
• Tuition Fees Policy

Related Courses

• BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year and Year in Industry
• BSc (Hons) Computer Science

Course Structure

What you will learn

Throughout the four year degree programme you will study 6 compulsory modules per year (5 in year 3).

Year one

• Foundation Year
  • Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
  • Essential Study Skills for Engineering
  • Foundation Engineering Principles
  • Digital Skills and Technologies for Engineering
  • Foundation Engineering Mathematics and Problem Solving
  • Foundation Engineering Design

Year two

• Engineering Design
• Integrated Engineering
• Mathematics and Computing
• Principles of Materials and Manufacturing
• Mechatronic Principles – Electrical
• Mechatronic Principles – Mechanical

Year three

• Applied Materials and Manufacturing
• Applied Mechatronics – Electrical
• Applied Mechatronics – Mechanical
• Digital Manufacture
• Integrated Engineering 2
• Mathematics and Modelling
• Year in Industry (Optional)

Year four

• Advanced Manufacturing Systems
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Advanced Instrumentation and Control
• Integrated Engineering Project
• Operations Management

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

In this program, you will be an active participant in your own learning. We use a “flipped classroom” model, which means you will go over lesson materials online at home, so that in-class time can be spent exploring hands-on activities, like group problem-solving and discussions.

Through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), you can study the core content at your own pace and schedule. When you come to in-person sessions, you will complete practical exercises, interactive seminars, and real-world problem-solving to solidify your understanding.

To build upon you study skills, we offer workshops and lab sessions that focus on study techniques, research skills, and critical thinking. These sessions also help with time management and planning—a huge plus as you prepare for the next steps in your career or education.

Our instructors are all researchers or have industry experience working on the latest projects in mechanical engineering, and they’ll make sure you’re up to date on the most current developments in the field. You’ll learn from their real-world experiences, which keeps your studies connected to what's happening in tech right now.

How you will be assessed

In this program, assessments come in two forms: formative and summative.

• Formative assessments are ongoing, giving you feedback on your progress as you work through the course, helping you improve along the way.
• Summative assessments happen at the end of a project or module and count towards your grade.

To suit different learning styles, assessments use various formats like coursework, presentations, and exams, and deadlines are spread throughout the year to help manage your workload.

• Coursework could be writing reports, creating presentations, or completing computer-based assignments that reflect real-world tasks.
• Exams are usually unseen, done in a timed setting, and can include multiple-choice, problem-solving, or essay questions.

Your tutor will explain how each assessment works and provide a marking guide so you know what to aim for. Generally, plan to spend about 20% of your time on assessment prep.

Projects and Industry Engagement

Throughout your degree, you will work on engineering design projects in a simulated professional setting, tackling real-world problems while considering social and environmental impacts. You’ll start with guided projects in small teams and eventually take on an independent project. “Industry touchpoints” in each module will connect you with real-world scenarios, guest speakers, and field trips.

This mix of learning approaches, combined with support from experienced researchers and tutors, will help you become confident and skilled in engineering and prepare you for a successful career in the field.

Overview

48 UCAS points, preferably to include study in maths and physics (or STEM) at level 3.

GCSE English, Maths and Science (or STEM) at 4/C or above or equivalent.

We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

• A-levels: A - Must include study at level 3 in Maths and Physic (or STEM).
• T-levels: Pass (D or E) - All T levels in Engineering and Manufacturing route are acceptable for entry to this programme with study in mathematics and Physics modules.
• Access to HE: P - 60 credits with 45 graded at level 3 - Engineering or maths based.
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP - Engineering based with a pass in maths module and a pass in units 1 and 7 (Engineering Principles and Calculus).
• Scottish Highers: DDDD - Must include study at level 3 in Maths and Physic (or STEM).

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Advanced Manufacturing. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this programme.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 - UK

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Funding

A non-repayable bursary paid directly to the student, scholarship recipients will receive a total of £8,000 across their four years of study, (Year 0, Foundation Year: £3,000, Year 1: £3,000, Year 2: £1,000, Year 3: £1,000). Recipients will also be awarded a 12-week paid placement with BAE Systems and a guaranteed interview upon completion of their degree, providing a snapshot into what a career at the company is really like. Eligibility criteria: you must be a UK National and does not have any criminal convictions.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There are no additional costs. Textbooks are available via the library. The institute will pay for field trips and provide any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).