Mechanical Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Photo of engineer businessman hand draws gear to success as concept

Mechanical Engineering is the basis for many of the engineering disciplines, including the automotive, aerospace, marine and medical sectors.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BEng:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MEng:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

H300 / H303

Start date

January 2025 - condensed


Course overview

In our ever-changing world, mechanical engineers develop new and differing uses for technologies and materials to improve the mechanical operation of equipment and devices used in anything from food and oil production to international construction projects or the design of toys.

  • The BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering aims to produce mechanical engineering graduates with the versatility and depth of understanding to deal with new and unusual challenges in mechanical engineering, alongside the necessary imagination and creativity to innovate.
  • It is designed to give graduates the opportunity to equip themselves with relevant, up-to-date skills and knowledge necessary to work as a mechanical engineer in a broad variety of businesses, including engineering management, research, engineering design, development and consultancy.
  • The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Opportunity to participate in field trips abroad, which have previously included trips to Poland, Bulgaria, China, Belgium and the USA2.
  • Dedicated industrial placement tutor, who can help you with your applications for placements and support you if you choose to spend a year in industry. Past placements have included roles in Aston Martin Lagonda, Babcock International Group, Cummins, GE-Aviation and GKN2.
  • Access to modern facilities in our High Performance Engineering Centre, which houses a 20% scale model wind tunnel, composites lab, metrology lab, four-pot shaker rig, flow lab, AVL engine test cell, automotive workshop, fatigue and tensile testing (Instron), a full size Harrier Jet, three further simulators, civil engineering specialist testing equipment, a range of CNC machinery and a laser workshop4.
  • If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degrees are accredited1 by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) up to and including the 2025 intakes under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.

The accredited 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.

The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).


IMechE Membership Partner

We are a Membership Partner with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Working in collaboration with the IMechE we aim to ensure our engineers and technical teams meet industry-recognised standards of engineering excellence.

We are committed to the professional development of everyone within our organisation, and recognise that professional registration and recognition are crucial in helping our employees and business grow and excel.

Mechanical Engineering graduate secures Rolls Royce role

Clearing graduate Juan Prado Moreno recommends Mechanical Engineering BEng as your chance to broaden your engineering knowledge and experience before choosing a specialism.

Read Juan's story
Juan Prado Morena

What you'll study

This course has a common first year

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses:

  • Automotive Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
  • Mechanical Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
  • Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Modules

In your second year, you will extend and strengthen your technical knowledge across mechanical science as well as design, sustainability, and further mathematics. During this year you will be exposed to professional software that will enable you to design and analyse a product, process, and system in depth. You will also develop your knowledge across control engineering and instrumentation which is vital across numerous disciplines.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Final Year BEng students have the opportunity to create a more bespoke and highly specialised year by choosing an option module and final year individual and group project.

Year three MEng students also undertake a similar set of modules as the BEng final year students, but with a deeper level of technical and hands-on mastery. You also have the opportunity to create a more bespoke and highly specialised year through an optional module.

Modules

During the final year of the MEng course, you have greater responsibility and adopt the working practices required by the profession to solve complex real world problems. This year becomes very bespoke depending on the direction of your specialism.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Our innovative ‘Activity-Led Learning’ (ALL) approach means you will be given opportunities to work with staff on real-world problems from industry (subject to availability), commerce and research groups, as you would in professional practice. This provides you with an opportunity to develop professional skills at the same time as learning the technical content of your degree.

Practical project work may, for example, involve manufacturing prototypes with 3D printing, reverse engineering of current and past products to produce 3d scanning to create engineering data and geometry to create design models, which can then be used through CAM software to generate CNC machining programs, ready to produce physical products.

The full range of teaching methods include lectures with associated practice, laboratory, workshop exercises and tutorials; problem-based learning in groups with tutor or industrial mentor support; group learning; formative modelling exercises; and independent research of library resources, the internet and engineering companies. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for course-related advice.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments
  • Laboratories

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include coursework, tests, essays, formal examinations, practical or project work, group work and presentations and posters.


International experience opportunities

The University is committed to providing a global educational experience and we provide opportunities to participate in several collaborative projects and field trips2. Previous mechanical engineering students have visited the Warsaw University of Technology in Poland to undertake workshop and computer aided manufacturing skills in an overseas environment. Others have taken part in a collaborative project developing universal healthcare solutions working with the University’s Occupational Therapy students alongside six other institutions from around Europe, participating in international innovation and creativity programmes in Bulgaria (including Ruse) and Hasselt, Belgium.

Further overseas field trips have previously included: test work at the GM proving ground; a tour of the Ford F150 factory in Detroit, USA; a tour of Hirata, a Japanese Tier 1 automotive supplier for Ford, Chrysler and GM; participation on a certificated training course with Altair on Inspire; and visits to Mahle Powertrain, the University of Michigan and Chrysler Building.

We also encourage you to undertake a placement year or study year abroad2 after your second year of study. Previously students have been placed in Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands, CERN in Switzerland and Bertrandt in Germany.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points

BEng (Hons): 112
MEng: 120

A Level BEng (Hons): BBC including Mathematics and one from Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Biology, Further Mathematics, Electronics, Engineering or BTec Certificate in Engineering. Excludes General Studies.
MEng:
BBB to include Mathematics and one from Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Biology, Further Maths, Electronics, Engineering or BTec Certificate in Engineering: Excludes General Studies.
BTEC BEng (Hons): DDM in Engineering or Aerospace Engineering or similar, to include a Distinction in the 'Further Engineering Mathematics' unit 28 or 8 or Calculus To Solve Engineering Problems Unit 7. Does not include BTecs with maintenance or technology in the title
or DM in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering plus Grade B from one A level from Mathematics and Physics
MEng: D*DD in Engineering or Aerospace Engineering or similar, to include a Distinction in the 'Further Engineering Mathematics' unit 28 or 8 or Calculus To Solve Engineering Problems Unit 7. Does not include BTecs with maintenance or technology in the title
or DM in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering plus Grade B from one A level from Mathematics and Physics
IB BEng (Hons): Overall pass in IB including at least 15 points from three HL subjects one of which must be Maths with a minimum of 5 points
MEng:
Overall pass in IB including at least 16 points from three HL subjects one of which must be Maths with a minimum of 5 points
Access to HE BEng (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit all to be in Mathematics or Physical Science units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
GCSE requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above including English and Mathematics

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with us

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The engineering and computing buildings house an impressive range of industry standard equipment. Home to flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility and wind tunnels, the High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC) also houses a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines, a full size vehicle shaker rig and a composite material laboratory4.

Metals Workshop

Metals Workshop

Participate in technical work in a hands-on way. The workshop includes lathes, milling machines, fabrication equipment for sheet metal work, CNC machines, work benches, welding lines and a fitting assembly area.

Harrier Jet

Harrier Jet

Our Harrier T4 allows students to gain hands-on experience with the parts, tools and mechanical aspects of a real aircraft. It is used by many engineering disciplines to learn how an aircraft works and how to maintain it.

Metrology Laboratories

Metrology Laboratories

Coventry University is a recognised leader for independent measurement expertise and services in the field of metrology. Facilities in our metrology laboratory include an impressive range of dimensional metrology equipment.


Careers and opportunities

A student who successfully completes the course will be able to:

BEng and MEng Mechanical Engineering

  • Apply the necessary study and research skills to support the analytical, critical and reflective requirements of written, oral and group assessments.
  • Contribute to a team with the necessary planning, reviewing, adaptability, drive and leadership to achieve the required objectives and observe work schedules.
  • Clearly communicate research, concepts, solutions, and recommendations, and demonstrate an approach to written and oral presentations appropriate to an engineering professional.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, theories and practices found in engineering management and leadership, consultancy, and entrepreneurship.
  • Develop independent learning and problem-solving skills appropriate to current and future study and employment.
  • Apply engineering principles, science, mathematics, processes, materials, design, and management to solve problems of increasing complexity.
  • Apply engineering analysis methods when solving complex problems and develop extended experience in solving problems related to a broad range of mechanical systems and components.
  • Generate, and appropriately communicate, design solutions through the application and comprehensive understanding of the engineering design processes.
  • Critically assess data and information using practical laboratory skills, experimentation, and research, and establish the effect on design.
  • Understand risk assessment and the need for professional and ethical conduct in commercial and social contexts, informed by a knowledge of sustainable development and the regulations/legislation governing engineering activities.
  • Understand and evaluate a range of appropriate engineering materials, components, and systems, identifying their limitations and likely developments.

MEng Mechanical Engineering

  • Apply a comprehensive understanding of mechanical engineering principles together with a critical awareness of current issues at the forefront of the specialism.
  • Apply and evaluate engineering analysis methods when solving complex problems and assess their limitations, especially when applied to new or unfamiliar technology.
  • Generate and appraise innovative design solutions through the application and comprehensive understanding of the engineering design processes.
  • Critically assess data and information that may be uncertain or incomplete and quantify the effect on design using practical laboratory skills and experimental research.
  • Critically appraise management, business and ethical practice and their limitations informed by a knowledge of sustainable development, customer requirements and the regulations/legislation governing engineering activities in a commercial, social and international setting.
  • Critically evaluate a range of current and emerging engineering materials, components, and systems, identifying their limitations and likely developments/adaptations together with commercial and industrial constraint.

Successful completion of this course provides a possible route into many careers within the global engineering industry, including such industries as aerospace, automotive, rail, marine, chemical construction and defence.

This includes support in identifying placements2 and employment. Previous placements have included GE Oil and Gas in subsea systems and design; LH Group examining rail industry servicing; vehicle build for Jaguar Land Rover; and engine development for Cummins Engines.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career4.

Where our graduates work

IBM, Cummins Engines, TATA Motors, TATA Technologies, Jaguar Landrover, Geely, Unipart amongst others.

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply


Discover Uni stats