Overview
The Applied Mechanical Engineering top-up degree is designed to enhance your existing engineering skills and qualifications and in turn, your career.
Qualified mechanical engineers are in great demand. Successful completion of this honours degree could open up a wide range of careers in many engineering disciplines and prepare you to apply for further postgraduate study. The course is aimed at those who have chosen a more vocational route and have a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HND or equivalent in engineering.
We aim to help you build upon and ‘top up’ your previous qualification and experience with activity-led, hands-on learning, giving you the opportunity to further develop your engineering and mathematical knowledge, understanding, management and analysis skills in a professional manner to problem solve engineering problems.
You will have the chance to practice your learning through defining, analysing and solving case studies and a research inspired individual project.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costOur Facilities

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.

High Performance Engineering Centre
Home to flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility and wind tunnels. The centre also houses a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines.

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.
Course information
The course is designed for you to learn and develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical, materials and mathematical (analytical) sciences; approaches to design and product lifecycle; and managerial procedures that provide a basis for working professionally and effectively.
The top-up degree is composed of a number of linked modules that are delivered over the academic year. A major component of the degree is the individual project, which is bespoke in design and allows you to put into practice and further develop the skills that they have learnt in the modules. The individual project is practical in nature and based on a research inspired engineering problem with a professional approach.
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Ranked as the 15th best UK university
Guardian University Guide 2020
Course specification
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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.
In more detail...
The BSc Applied Mechanical Engineering top-up degree aims to provide you with a practical, industrially relevant, hands-on experience which is based on the understanding and development of traditional and research inspired engineering and mathematical science and technology.
The degree provides a rigorous balance of academic knowledge and development. Upon successful completion, the course should provide you with the skills needed to solve engineering problems through analysis and critical evaluation, using professional engineering, design and management tools.
We will support you to learn and adopt working practices that are professional and innovative in manner where there is an awareness of fundamental theoretical and analytical approaches to problem solving. Successful completion of this degree should also give you good grounding to develop the highly scientific, numerical, analytical, practical and problem solving skills that are sought within the engineering sector and other diverse fields such as managerial and finance and beyond.
Upon successful completion, you will top-up your existing qualifications to an honours degree level through a course that has been specially developed to take into account the mechanical and mathematical science and experience you have already gained through your existing qualifications.
This course aims to:
- Explore mechanical sciences, materials, product design lifecycle and management topics and the applications to mechanical engineering
- Share with you the knowledge and understanding needed to make an early contribution to an engineering enterprise, the economy and society
- Build upon and advance your previous knowledge using activity-led learning, underpinned by research inspired teaching, to provide you with a transformative learning experience
- Create an educational environment that gives you access to both academic and industrial experience
- Provide you with the opportunity to deal with complex issues, demonstrate self-direction and develop transferable skills
- Mentor you to be professional in your outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches
- Develop you as able and motivated to continue learning throughout your career to meet the challenge of a changing world.
- This course is designed to give you the skills and experience relevant to a career within a broad range of Engineering sectors. The degree will top-up your existing qualifications to honours level over a year.
- You will have access to and benefit from a wide range of teaching and research facilities. We have strong links with major international and national employers and our current teaching staff are experienced professionals that are industry and/or research active in their fields.
- You will also receive free student membership of the IMechE for the full duration of your studies, and free student membership of WES (Women’s Engineering Society) which is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity society open to all, regardless of gender identity.
We will support you in learning and adopting working practices that are professional and innovative in manner where there is an awareness of fundamental theoretical and analytical approaches to problem solving. The degree should give you good grounding to develop the highly scientific, numerical, analytical, practical and problem solving skills that are sought within the engineering sector and other diverse fields such as managerial and finance and beyond.
We place an emphasis on Activity-Led Learning, and you will be supported throughout with our comprehensive student support.
You will experience a variety of study materials that provide you with the opportunity to understand and reflect on the engineering science, as well as develop established and research-inspired skills that could be applied to practical problems for a future career in engineering.
Our students have access to a range of materials that provide a hands-on, professional experience using modern industry based facilities and CAD, FEA and CFD specialist software. You will explore concepts through practical case-studies with guidance by the teaching team.
You will be expected to supplement your teaching hours through independent learning.
Teaching methods include extended laboratories and workshops, industrial and design case studies within activity-led tutorials and seminars and traditional lectures.
Meet our staff
Reza Ali
Reza Ali is a lecturer in mechanical, aerospace and automotive engineering.
Read full profileThis course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework and examinations.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
This course will top-up your existing qualifications to BSc Honours degree level upon successful completion. You should also gain the engineering and mathematical, managerial, academic and practical skills that are relevant to current engineering sectors.
This course consists of five 20-credit modules (composed of 200 hours teaching each) and two 10-credit modules (composed of 100 hours teaching each) which is made up of classroom activities, coursework and independent study.
You should typically expect 12-15 hours of contact time per week. Your contact time will vary depending on your background knowledge (at the start of the module) and learning style and the requirements of the module. As you work through the modules, it will be explained that some modules allow you to spend more time working through your coursework and will reflect the support and guidance you will be given towards this.
You should have exposure to a wide community of engineering professionals and thinking across all modules.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials – additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
We aim to help you develop a rigorous problem-solving approach to engineering challenges, influenced through a rich mix of academic and industrial experience.
Upon successful completion of the course, you should be able to deal with complex issues that require a high degree of innovation through the development of transferable skills. You will also have opportunities to gain vital professional technical and managerial skills that could enable you to work both individually and as a team effectively and responsibly.
Where our graduates work
This degree should provide you with the skills to work within a broad range of engineering and associated sectors.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.