Program Overview

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Mechanical Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Overview

This integrated programme is designed to prepare and support UK students for a strong and rewarding experience in their selected engineering discipline, Mechanical Engineering, immediately aligning students to the fundamentals of engineering from the moment they enrol.

In addition to providing all necessary science, technology, engineering and mathematics background to allow students to confidently enter year one of the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering programme, the first year of study will also develop transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, teamwork and creativity, and provide an excellent transition period in preparation for learning and teaching methodologies used in the UK to support high engagement and achievement in the discipline.

The first two years are taken in common with three other engineering disciplines (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil & Structural) and therefore prior to being immersed in the technical depth of your selected engineering area in the final two years of study, your education will include an understanding of the relation and importance of other engineering areas to your own discipline - invaluable in the modern team-based multidisciplinary engineering sector.

Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) forms a core element of programme delivery, based around developing innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world problems and closely linked to our well-developed industrial collaborations.

Professional Accreditation

The BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.

Entry Requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 64 UCAS tariff points.

• A levels: DDE
• T levels: Pass - Overall grading Pass (D or E in the Core) with no subject specific requirements
• BTEC Extended Diploma:
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma (from 2016) MPP, along with a minimum of GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4
  • Any Engineering subject to include Mathematics for Engineering Technicians (Unit 4) Pass
  • Construction and Built Environment to include Mathematics in Construction and the Built Environment (Unit 3) Pass
  • Applied Science to inc. Mathematical Calculations for Science (Unit 7) and Using Statistics in Science (Unit 8)
• BTEC Nationals Level 3 (from 2016): Any Engineering subject to include Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems (Unit 7) Pass AND GCSE English grade D/grade 3 or equivalent
• Applicants on Access Programmes: 64 UCAS tariff points. There are no specific subject requirements
• International Baccalaureate Requirements: 64 UCAS tariff points with Maths at Standard Level grade 5 plus Higher Level grade 3 or Standard Level grade 4 in English
• Plus minimum of GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4 and English grade D/grade 3 (equivalents accepted)

Additional entry requirements:

• If you are a mature applicant (aged 21 and over), you will be eligible to apply for this course with level 2 qualifications (or GCSE equivalents). You will also need to provide a written statement, and will be interviewed as part of the process

Your Learning Journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

Core

• The Effective Learner
• Foundation Mathematics
• Computer Skills and Application
• Foundation Physics
• Fundamentals of Materials

Optional

• Introduction to Coding
• Introduction to Computer Visualisation

Second Year

Core

• Computer Aided Engineering
• Design, Build and Test (Mechanical)
• Electronics and Mechanics
• Mathematical Methods and Applications
• Engineering Materials
• Thermofluids

Third Year

Core

• Engineering Mathematics and Machine Learning
• Group Project
• Instrumentation, Measurement and Control Systems
• Materials and Manufacturing Technologies
• Solid Mechanics and Vibration Analysis
• Thermofluids 2

Fourth Year

Study abroad or placement year.

Final Year

Core

• Individual Research Project
• Integrated Design
• Materials Failure Analysis and Reliability
• Project Management and Six Sigma

Optional

• Advanced Fluid Mechanics with Aerodynamics
• Reliability and Safety Engineering
• Sustainable Energy
• Vehicle Design and Analysis

Professional Placement

A placement year allows you to apply your academic learning within a wide range of industries, including private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. You will gain hands-on experience, develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, and build a professional network that will benefit your future career.

We will support you throughout the process, offering:

• Access to a wide range of placement opportunities with top employers
• Assistance with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation
• Guidance on making the most of your placement experience

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

In your first year you will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are typically explored in formal lectures, practised in tutorials, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratories. Cognitive and personal skills are developed in more open-ended problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic, technical, and library staff. Project work is used to bring various aspects of the programme together.

Typically, each module will involve 72 hours of timetabled contact except Mathematics for which you will have 96 hours of timetabled contact for each module. The expected weekly timetabled commitment will be around 21 hours.

After the foundation year the teaching and learning strategy accounts for learning outcomes that need to be achieved, progression through the levels of study, and the nature of the subject. One of the goals of Higher Education is that students develop lifelong learning skills and are increasingly able to take greater responsibility for their own learning (become independent learners) as they progress through the programme. Our strategy begins with the end in mind. We want students to become great engineers; that means great problem solvers and great team-workers with an inquisitive and curious mind. This should mean that by the end of your study with us you can move seamlessly into the world of work, academic research, or become an entrepreneur.

Our assessment methods incorporate a range of different methods designed to meet the needs of industry and accrediting bodies, as well as to prepare students for a research career.

Fees, Finance and Scholarships

Tuition Fee

• UK: £9,535 per year (Sandwich year: £954)

For international students completing an integrated course with our partner, University of Bradford International College (UBIC): Your UBIC fees will be different to your University of Bradford (UoB) fees. Your UBIC and UoB fees will be confirmed in your offer letter.

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career Prospects

Mechanical Engineering is a very diverse sector and graduate engineers are in high demand around the world. The sector offers a wide range of exciting careers in positions including:

• Computer Aided Design Engineer
• Product development Engineer
• Modelling and simulation analyst
• Manager
• Project Manager

Recent graduates have gone onto work for Jaguar Land Rover, Ford Motor Company, Horiba MIRA, Cummins, Precision Casting Corporation, Denso Marston, Carnaud MetalBox.

Study Abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Support for Your Studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

75% say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for courses in Mechanical engineering at The University of Bradford

88% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Mechanical engineering at The University of Bradford

85% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Mechanical engineering at The University of Bradford

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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Transparency Statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.