Program Overview

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Course summary

This course is well-balanced, covering a wide range of topics in engineering science and engineering practice. The course is designed to educate the next generation of mechanical engineers to have a positive impact on our society across the 21st century.

Our curriculum embeds a diverse set of professional engineering and management skills spanning four core areas:

• design and manufacture
• dynamics and control
• materials
• energy and fluid flow.

All Mechanical Engineering students share a common curriculum in the first two years, covering the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering. Teaching is delivered via lectures, seminars, laboratories, design classes and short projects in modelling and manufacturing.

In your third year, you will apply the principles you have learnt to real, complex engineering applications. A major element is the open-ended individual research project, which requires independent and creative thinking.

Accreditations

Our Mechanical Engineering BEng is accredited by IMechE.

Overview

Typical offer

A-level standard offer: **A*AA**
 A-level contextual offer: **AAB**
 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: **H305**)

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 studying Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Design Engineering all start their degrees with a broad knowledge of the fundamentals and a command of the skills that underpin modern engineering.

You will share common units with your peers in other disciplines and work on an interdisciplinary project, based on global challenges and inspired by Engineers Without Borders.

You will meet and work closely with more people from the start of your degree, broadening 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.

Starting your degree with a broad foundation of knowledge will expand your frame of reference, enabling you to be more creative as you progress with your programme and become more specialist in later years of study. The skills-based approach will provide you with technical abilities that will enable 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

A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics

A-level contextual offer

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

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer

BTEC

D*DD 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.

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements

International Baccalaureate Diploma

38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) 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

34 points overall with 17 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

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer

European Baccalaureate

88% overall, with 9.0, 8.5 in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science (in any order)

Scottish Qualifications Authority

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

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.

More about Access to HE entry requirements

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.

Search international qualifications

More about UK qualifications.

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 Engineering can be found in the Admissions Statement:
  Admissions statement
• The admissions statement above relates to 2025 entry. The statement for 2026 entry will be available in summer 2025.

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

73%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Mechanical Engineering (Full time) at University of Bristol

96%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Mechanical Engineering (Full time) at University of Bristol

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

Data for Mechanical Engineering (Full time) at University of Bristol, over two years

Related courses

See a list of all Mechanical Engineering degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.

MEng Mechanical Engineering

MEng Mechanical Engineering with Study Abroad

MEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry

Related Subjects

Aerospace Engineering

Civil Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Design Engineering

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