Program Overview

Course summary

There is a strong industrial demand for skilled engineers capable of spanning mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines with a view to the effective and informed design of systems that interchange and manage electrical and mechanical energy. This degree gives you the fundamental knowledge and tools to satisfy this demand in a unique way focussing on electro-mechanical energy conversion.

During this course, you will study units from the mechanical and electrical disciplines along the following themes:

• design and integration of electro-mechanical systems;
• energy conversion and actuation systems;
• embedded systems and control;
• power electronics and electric drives; and
• energy management.

Years one and two offer a grounding in mathematics, thermal management, dynamics and control, computing, electrical energy technologies, and analogue and digital electronics. Laboratory work and case studies will draw together these interdisciplinary foundations.

In the third year, as well as classroom-based subjects, you will engage in a research project. This will give you the freedom to apply the knowledge and skills that you have developed, focusing on a specific topic area from actuation and sensor systems and intelligent adaptable power systems to efficient, clean propulsion technologies.

Mechanical and electrical engineering graduates will be able to innovate technologies in a range of areas. These might include:

• the power flow of renewable energy microgrids, from the wind to the electric generator and the power network to the user in the home;
• actuation systems for motion control or robotics used in healthcare and manufacturing;
• the complete power train of future electric vehicles, from the energy storage system, through to the electric motors, to the mechanical drivetrain and traction system;
• efficient energy storage, allowing sensors to operate in previously inaccessible and far-reaching locations.

Accreditations

Our Mechanical and Electrical Engineering BEng is accredited by IET.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: AAC
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: H361)

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £30400 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

First-year students in several engineering programmes including students in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering programme all start their degree with a broad knowledge of the fundamentals and a command of the skills that underpin modern engineering. This gives you plenty more opportunities to broaden your social circle and long-term professional network.

Interdisciplinary working is now the norm in industry, and a good understanding of disciplines other than your own will serve you well when you enter the workplace.

In year one you will focus on:

• the study and practice of fundamental mathematics engineers need to describe and analyse physical processes efficiently;
• learning how to generate and communicate designs and use these skills to work on an interdisciplinary design project, based on global challenges;
• bringing these skills together to tackle a lab-based electro-mechanical design problem.

As you progress through the course you will move from structured teaching exercises based on fundamental theory in the areas of energy conversion in the mechanical and electrical domains, towards more research-driven, creative and open-ended project-based units.

This skills-based approach will provide you with technical and practical abilities, confidence, adaptability and understanding of social/industrial context that will support you to be successful in your degree and your career.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics

A-level contextual offer

• AAC including AA in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics

BTEC

• DDD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four Physics units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics or Computer Science

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics or Computer Science

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics of Mechanics or Computer Science, and Standard Higher: AAAAB

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction from units in one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science, and A in A-level Mathematics, Or Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction in Mathematics (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry), 12 credits at Distinction from units in one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science, and achieving the required level in the University of Bristol mathematics test.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
  • GCSE English Language grade C or 4
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level E.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.