Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BEng option.

Foundation year

This foundation year aims to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in mathematics, as well as the theories and concepts of electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering.

Degree

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 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.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
Provides a grounding in key areas of engineering and mathematics.

Degree

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.

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.

Why I chose mechanical engineering at Coventry University: a student's journey.

Studying Mechanical Engineering MEng/BEng, James is now in his fourth (master’s) year. Here, he shares his experiences of the course at Coventry University.

Read James' story

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

Mechanical Science - 30 credits

Get to grips with the mechanical science every engineer needs and build the foundation for advanced study. Explore how things move and behave under force by applying Newton’s laws of motion and discover how materials respond when put under stress.

Develop shear force and bending moment diagrams for different beam loading scenarios and dive into the world of thermofluids to see how heat and fluid flow power engineering processes. This module aims to equip you with the core knowledge to understand, analyse and design mechanical systems across a range of industries

Compulsory

Engineering Mathematics - 30 credits

Deepen your understanding of key mathematical methods in engineering by learning to translate real world problems into mathematical models. Develop your ability to analyse these problems using appropriate techniques and modern mathematical software. Explore topics including linear algebra, calculus, complex numbers, mathematical software, numerical methods, probability and statistics.

Compulsory

Engineering Design - 30 credits

Engineering design is where creativity meets innovation, turning ideas into real products, processes, or systems that meet real world needs. You will tackle exciting technical and intellectual challenges, drawing on a wide range of engineering knowledge and skills to bring your solutions to life Follow a structured design process, manage projects effectively and tackle problems with creative solutions. Using industry-standard tools and software, apply key design techniques through both individual and group work. Create a prototype of your design and use CAD software to clearly present your ideas and show how your design works.⁴

Compulsory

Materials Science for Manufacturing - 30 credits

Discover how the right materials and manufacturing processes turn great ideas into products. Explore the four main classes of engineering materials: polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites and learn how they are used across industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics.

Get to grips with common manufacturing techniques, including innovative processes like additive manufacturing (3D Printing), and understand how material behaviour influences production. Develop skills in material and process selection using tools such as Ashby charts and Granta EduPack, while exploring key principles of electrical and mechanical science that link to materials and manufacturing.

Compulsory

Modules

Solid Mechanics and Dynamics - 30 credits

Take your understanding of mechanical science to the next level as you deepen your knowledge of how rigid bodies move and how materials respond to forces. Learn to apply solid mechanics to real world design problems, building skills that will prepare you for more advanced study and professional practice.

Develop knowledge in both dynamics and statics. In dynamics, investigate how things move and vibrate, from analysing plane mechanisms and gear systems to balancing rotating parts and using differential equations to study vibrations.

In statics, focus on how materials withstand forces, including torsion in shafts, shear stresses in beams. Learn how to calculate stresses, strains, and deflections in structures using methods such as Macaulay’s and unit load.

Importantly, explore failure theories, experimental testing and be introduced to finite element analysis (FEA), a powerful computer aided simulation tool used by engineers worldwide. Learn how to apply 1D, 2D, and 3D elements to model how components behave under load and solve static problems with confidence.

Compulsory

Thermofluids Analysis - 30 credits

Explore the core principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics that power modern engineering. Learn to apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to real world systems, from engines and power plants to refrigeration and air conditioning. Study thermodynamic cycles such as Otto, Diesel, Brayton and Rankine, and see how they drive everyday technologies.

Understand the complexities of fluid flow, including laminar and turbulent behaviour, viscous effects, boundary layers and forces like lift and drag. Use dimensional analysis to simplify complex problems and apply continuity, momentum, and energy equations to practical engineering situations.

Additionally explore topics such as one-dimensional isentropic flow, entropy, heat engines and irreversible processes. By the end of the module, you should know how to calculate the performance of ideal and real engine cycles, analyse refrigeration and heat pump systems and understand how air-conditioning processes impact human comfort.

Compulsory

Design and Innovation – 30 credits

Build key skills to succeed in product innovation. Develop your creativity, engineering management abilities and practical experience with digital tools and experimental methods. As the projects grow in complexity throughout the year, learn how to analyse, design and improve real products.

Use a systems-based approach to guide your design work and explore what it means to design responsibly as an engineer—considering environmental, social, economic and cultural factors, including diversity and inclusion. Look at what drives sustainable business practices, including industry standards and legislation, and learn how to review existing products to understand their performance and environmental impact.

Design your own innovative solutions using CAD/CAM software, evaluate different concepts and consider how materials, manufacturing and function all affect the final product. Along the way, you should develop a full set of professional design outputs, including drawings and bills of materials.

Compulsory

Instrumentation, Electronics and Control – 30 credits

Gain the knowledge and skills in electronic systems, instrumentation systems and control systems. Emphasis will be placed on design, simulation, laboratory practical demonstration and optimisation of electro-mechanical instrumentation and control systems using appropriate engineering software tools applicable to engineering industries.

Compulsory

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.

Modules

UK Work Placement– 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Stress Analysis and Structural Dynamics - 30 credits

Build upon the basic principles of stress and dynamic analyses covered in previous modules. Understand the fundamentals of stress analysis and the behaviour of materials under stress, thus enabling you to select and apply concepts creatively in the solution of complex problems of stress analysis in design.

Your work throughout this module will also focus on the theoretical fundamentals of vibration analysis and is aimed at developing your ability to apply these to practical system. Topics include the theory of elasticity, vibration theory and finite element analysis.

Compulsory

Computational Thermofluids - 30 credits

Explore the science and engineering behind modelling and simulating how heat and fluids behave in real-world systems.

Learn how to simplify the complex equations that describe heat transfer and fluid flow (like the Navier-Stokes equations) using practical engineering assumptions. This should help you find analytical solutions to thermofluid problems commonly found in engineering.

As the module progresses, you'll also be introduced to computational thermofluid mechanics. This means using numerical methods and specialised software, like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to solve more complex problems that can’t be solved easily by hand. Learn how to validate your results and understand the limitations of these tools.

Compulsory

Project Management and Dissertation - 30 credits

Take on an independent engineering project to apply your skills in a professional context, demonstrating your readiness for graduate employment. Apply the knowledge you’ve gained throughout your degree, while developing the critical and soft skills that employers value. Demonstrate creativity, analytical thinking, problem solving, effective communication and professional project management, all within the framework of current industry and research practice.

Begin by defining your project title, aims, objectives and hypothesis, establishing the originality of your work. Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the current state of knowledge, identify opportunities for innovation, and inform the design of your project. Depending on the project scope, you may undertake theoretical development, experimental work, design, surveys, or advanced data analysis, all contributing to a clear set of deliverables.

Throughout the project, refine your abilities in selecting appropriate methods and tools, critically evaluating sources and communicating complex ideas clearly and professionally. Strengthen your project management skills, including time management, risk management and compliance with ethical and regulatory frameworks, all of which are crucial for future careers in engineering.

Maintain professional documentation of your work, recording progress in a project logbook and meeting regularly with your supervisor to reflect on achievements and plan future actions. You will have access to technician support and extensive laboratory and industry compatible workshop facilities and software, should your project deliverables require this⁴. Your project concludes with the production of a formal technical report and an oral presentation, preparing you to present and defend your work in front of both technical and non-technical audiences, mirroring professional engineering practice. This module will help you graduate with proven experience in independent project delivery, evidencing your strengths for graduate roles in industry or further academic research.

Compulsory

Choose one of the following optional modules to complete the BEng:

Choose one of the following optional modules to complete the BEng. For those studying the MEng, module selection here will decide your master's year specialist pathway.

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing - 30 credits

Leads to both the MEng Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Pathway) and MEng Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Pathway)

Build on your knowledge of materials and manufacturing, focusing on how material properties, microstructure and manufacturing methods are connected, especially in industries like automotive and aerospace.

Gain further knowledge and the analytical tools required to critique the structure—properties- processing and in-service performance—of both advanced metallic and non-metallic structural materials (composites, engineering ceramics and polymers).

Explore advanced materials, including metals, composites, ceramics and polymers, and learn how their structure and processing affect how they perform in real-world applications. Study cutting-edge manufacturing methods like additive manufacturing using power beam technologies, alongside more traditional manufacturing processes.

Control Systems Engineering - 30 credits

Leads to the MEng Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Pathway)

Build on your knowledge of instrumentation, electronics and control by exploring how modern digital computer systems are used to control real-world engineering systems.

Learn how to represent and analyse linear, single-input single-output systems that operate in discrete time— which is key to understanding digital control. Using industry-standard software like MATLAB and Simulink, design and test digital control systems, helping you quickly get to grips with core concepts.

Get hands-on experience with microcomputers, sensors and actuators to see how feedback control systems work in practice. Real-world examples will help you see how digital control can improve system performance.

Clean Energy - 30 credits

Leads to the MEng Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing Pathway)

Explore clean energy and new technologies that provide heat, power and transport solutions for a more sustainable future. Learn how to assess global energy challenges, understand the science behind climate change and evaluate different renewable energy options and their real-world impacts. Study how to design efficient energy systems, including off-grid and hybrid solutions, while gaining practical skills in analysing their costs, sustainability and benefits. Understand how policy, community engagement and innovation shape the transition to cleaner energy systems.

Sustainability and Product Design – 30 credits

Leads to both the MEng Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing Pathway) and MEng Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Pathway)

Elevate your product design skills with a whole-systems approach that puts sustainability and real-world impact at the heart of engineering. Learn how to translate customer needs and sustainable requirements into clear design goals and develop innovative products that meet the demands of today’s global industries.

Gain hands-on experience using advanced, industry-standard design tools and methods, while considering the entire product lifecycle, from manufacture, to use and end-of-life. Explore how products fit within wider business, environmental and social contexts, helping you develop the commercial awareness and ethical understanding highly valued by employers.

Build your confidence in evaluating and testing your designs to ensure they meet performance, quality, and sustainability goals. Use industry aligned laboratories and workshop facilities⁴ and be supported by academic and technician expertise providing you with the opportunity to create physical models of your designs, giving you practical insight into the design and prototyping process.

Enhance your digital engineering skills using industry standard CAD software, supported by online learning resources that allow you to develop your capabilities at your own pace. Become equipped with a portfolio of skills and experiences that could provide you with a competitive edge in the job market, whether you are aiming for careers in product design, advanced manufacturing, or engineering consultancy.

Availability of optional modules may vary depending on student demand.

Optional

Your MEng pathway is dictated by your 'final year' optional module selection.

Modules

MEng Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Pathway)

Engineering Practice and Strategic Analysis – 30 credits

Develop the leadership, planning, and decision-making skills needed to manage new and emerging technologies in engineering and manufacturing. Focus on real-world issues like sustainability, ethics and risk, preparing you for professional practice. Learn how to plan and deliver successful projects, understand how your specialism fits within wider business and global contexts, and reflect on your professional growth. Explore innovation, product development and strategic planning to help you make informed, future-focused decisions.

Industrial Group Project – 60 credits

Work on real-world engineering challenges in collaboration with industry collaborators. Apply your technical knowledge, project management skills and teamwork skills to develop innovative solutions for complex engineering problems. Working in groups, define the problem, conduct research, develop and test solutions, and present your findings to an industry client. The module emphasises professionalism, creativity and communication, ensuring that you gain valuable experience that aligns with industry expectations. Upon successful completion of this module, you should have gained sufficient practical experience in engineering design and analysis, enhanced problem-solving abilities and strengthened your ability to communicate technical solutions effectively—all essential skills for a successful engineering career.

Computational Mechanics and Control – 30 credits

Build strong mathematical and analytical skills for solving real engineering problems. Focus on computer-aided engineering (CAE) and finite element analysis (FEA) to improve mechanical designs. Get hands-on experience using simulation tools to test different modelling techniques and understand their strengths and limits.

Explore advanced control systems using MATLAB/Simulink and Quanser lab kits, learning how to design and analyse control systems that meet real-world performance goals.

Key content includes:

Computational mechanics

Advanced FEA: Contact, impact, flexible bodies and material models for composites.
Topology optimisation for better design performance.
Fatigue analysis using simulation tools.

Advanced control systems

LQR, LQG, and Model Predictive Control (MPC) techniques.
Nonlinear control including Lyapunov stability and sliding mode control.
System identification tools like Kalman filters and recursive least squares methods.

Compulsory

MEng Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing Pathway)

Engineering Practice and Strategic Analysis – 30 credits

Develop the leadership, planning, and decision-making skills needed to manage new and emerging technologies in engineering and manufacturing. Focus on real-world issues like sustainability, ethics and risk, preparing you for professional practice. Learn how to plan and deliver successful projects, understand how your specialism fits within wider business and global contexts, and reflect on your professional growth. Explore innovation, product development and strategic planning to help you make informed, future-focused decisions.

Industrial Group Project – 60 credits

Work on real-world engineering challenges in collaboration with industry collaborators. Apply your technical knowledge, project management skills and teamwork skills to develop innovative solutions for complex engineering problems. Working in groups, define the problem, conduct research, develop and test solutions, and present your findings to an industry client. The module emphasises professionalism, creativity and communication, ensuring that you gain valuable experience that aligns with industry expectations. Upon successful completion of this module, you should have gained sufficient practical experience in engineering design and analysis, enhanced problem-solving abilities and strengthened your ability to communicate technical solutions effectively—all essential skills for a successful engineering career.

Smart Manufacturing and Virtual Prototyping - 30 credits

This module has two main parts: manufacturing optimisation and virtual prototyping. Learn how to improve manufacturing systems and use digital tools to design and test products before they’re made.

In the manufacturing optimisation section, build computer models to simulate how manufacturing systems work. Using maths and programming, learn how to solve real decision-making problems in production. Upon successful completion of this module, you should know how to analyse performance, spot improvements and optimise how systems run.

In the virtual prototyping section, explore digital tools used to design and test products virtually. See how virtual simulations save time and money by predicting how a product will perform. Learn to create and test digital models before anything gets physically made—helping you design smarter and more efficiently.

This module prepares you to improve manufacturing processes and confidently use digital tools in modern engineering design.

Compulsory

MEng Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Pathway)

Engineering Practice and Strategic Analysis – 30 credits

Develop the leadership, planning, and decision-making skills needed to manage new and emerging technologies in engineering and manufacturing. Focus on real-world issues like sustainability, ethics and risk, preparing you for professional practice. Learn how to plan and deliver successful projects, understand how your specialism fits within wider business and global contexts, and reflect on your professional growth. Explore innovation, product development and strategic planning to help you make informed, future-focused decisions.

Industrial Group Project – 60 credits

Work on real-world engineering challenges in collaboration with industry collaborators. Apply your technical knowledge, project management skills and teamwork skills to develop innovative solutions for complex engineering problems. Working in groups, define the problem, conduct research, develop and test solutions, and present your findings to an industry client. The module emphasises professionalism, creativity and communication, ensuring that you gain valuable experience that aligns with industry expectations. Upon successful completion of this module, you should have gained sufficient practical experience in engineering design and analysis, enhanced problem-solving abilities and strengthened your ability to communicate technical solutions effectively—all essential skills for a successful engineering career.

Alternative Energy Systems – 30 credits

Gain the technical, analytical and practical skills needed to design, assess and optimise solar, wind and hydro energy systems. Explore the principles of solar radiation, wind resource assessment and hydropower fundamentals, focusing on how energy is converted and the availability of natural resources. Learn how to design and operate systems such as solar PV, solar thermal, wind turbines and hydro power, including how to integrate these into hybrid systems.

Throughout the module, apply thermodynamic and fluid dynamic principles to analyse system performance, assess energy output and reliability and identify ways to optimise efficiency. Explore the materials, structural design and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies—such as solar panels, wind turbine blades and hydro turbines—along with their supporting infrastructure.

Examine the environmental, social and economic impacts of renewable energy deployment, considering sustainability, land use, lifecycle emissions and community engagement. Cost analysis and financial modelling will help you evaluate the feasibility and return on investment of renewable energy projects, while exploring the effect of market trends and policy incentives. Study how renewable energy connects to existing power networks, including the role of smart grids, storage systems and demand-side management.

Compulsory

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

Fundamental Pure Mathematics - 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments. Concepts covered include basic algebraic properties, trigonometry, computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, an introduction to calculus including computation of limits derivatives and integrals. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Fundamental Applied Mathematics - 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments. Concepts covered include computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, complex numbers, application of matrices and determinant, application of vectors, application of differentiation and integration, and use of a computer software to solve a scientific problem. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Fundamentals - 30 credits

This module aims to introduce you to the basic analysis and design of electric circuits using DC and AC power sources. To prepare you for this we will discuss the laws of electric circuits and electrical engineering. Assisted by our professional academics, you’ll have the opportunity to work with industry-standard software to analyse techniques and identify and solve problems on electrical circuits. You’ll also learn the basic laws of magnetism as applied to electrical circuits.

Compulsory

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals - 30 credits

This module delves into the fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and concepts. Underpinned by the application of mathematics and physics, concepts covered include fundamentals of energy, design, manufacturing, materials and engineering mechanics. In addition, you’ll look to gain specific knowledge in mechanics, transport phenomena and thermodynamics.

Compulsory

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.

Subject Spotlight - Mechanical Engineering

Join Dr Arnaldo Delli Carri in this Mechanical Engineering Subject Spotlight as he explores the fascinating topic of how vibrations affect structures. He starts by thinking about what vibrations actually are, explains the concept of resonance, and documents some famous structural failures due to vibrations. Arnaldo then turns to how we can address vibrations using tuned mass dampers.

He explores how they work, how theyve developed over time, and different types of tuned mass dampers. He then illustrates the different applications of tuned mass dampers through case studies of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, the Stockbridge damper, and F1 cars.

Read story

How you'll learn

Our ‘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.

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include:

essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework.

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.

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.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

The assessment methods may include:

essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
exams
individual Assignments

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.

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.

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.

Which degree is best for Mechanical Engineering?

Wanita Jones talks about the support students get at the university, the engineering software and facilities offered, as well as engineering societies that students can join to have fun and meet new people at events.

Read Wanita's story

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. For T levels: overall grade of Pass (D or E on the Core) in the T level qualification in any subject.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,790	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,790 per year	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

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.

Applies to degree only:

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

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

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathway courses for additional options.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites⁴. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 364 days a year, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

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.

Take a virtual tour

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

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

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.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Once you successfully complete the course you should be able to:

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.

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 careers 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
Rolls Royce

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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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+