Undergraduate Course

Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year

BEng (Hons)

Course details

Study options

Full-time: Four years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

72 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS code

H301

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BEng (Hons)

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course description

Our Mechanical Engineering graduates can look forward to excellent future prospects. Offering high-quality teaching and plenty of practical experience – and in an ideal location with world-famous companies on our doorstep – the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering will give you the edge in your career.

Top20for student experience, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering subject area**The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2024
Top10for satisfaction with teaching**Mechanical Engineering subject area, The Guardian University Guide 2024
90%of students agreed that they had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth**BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, National Student Survey 2023
90%of students agreed that it was easy to contact staff when needed**BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, National Student Survey 2023

Meeting the needs of the industry and you

Engineering is such a broad discipline, and you may not fully know which area of engineering is the right choice to study when beginning your studies.

Employers are increasingly seeking engineers with a broader knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering to meet their environmental, consumer and business needs. As a University based in an advanced engineering city, it’s vital that we offer degrees with a strong focus on sustainability, electrification and automation.

With this in mind, we have developed our degrees to match the multi-disciplinary requirements that employers are shouting for. All engineering students will take the same core modules in the first year to gain an essential foundation in all aspects of engineering, giving you the chance to settle into your studies, and allowing you time to decide which area suits you best. At the end of your first year, you’ll have the opportunity to switch to either our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering or BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering degree should you realise your passion falls within this area, or you can continue on BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

Dr Sabuj Mallik, Head of Discipline of Engineering

View Mechanical and Motorsport Engineering - your questions answered! video transcript

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Why you should study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Derby

In-depth understanding

From computer aided design to structural analysis, vibration and dynamics to thermofluids, the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering covers a broad spectrum of themes to put your career plans on a firm footing.

The course features a wide range of specialist modules such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, Advanced Material Design and Analysis, and Advanced Thermodynamics. You'll gain essential skills to solve problems such as how to read technical drawings and use 3D modelling software. Your existing mathematics knowledge will be built on for practical application within a mechanical engineering context.

You'll undertake an individual project which entails real experience of solving an engineering problem in industry. Prospective employers often regard this project as an excellent way to assess the skills of potential future employees.

Industry experience to set you apart

By choosing to spend a year on an optional industry placement, you can give yourself a real career advantage. The industrial year takes place between the second and final stages of your degree and you will find there is a significant number of SMEs, large, national and international companies looking for placement students each year.

We offer a full range of support to students who are keen to enhance their employability through internships and placements while studying. For more information, please get in touch with our Careers and Employment Service.

Mechanical Engineering student working on fatigue and impact testing equipment
Students using the wind tunnel facility in the STEM centre

Use excellent facilities

You’ll have access to excellent labs and facilities whilst studying the degree. These include:

You'll also have access to our Makerspace. It’s a creative space where you can work on any project and turn your ideas into a prototype. All students across the University can use this space and it is a fantastic way of sharing knowledge and skills with one another. Equipment in the Makerspace includes a laser cutter, 3D printers, soldering irons, CNC machines and more.

Your teaching team

The teaching team has a wide range of experience across a variety of sectors which they bring into their teaching and research. They include:

Industry focused

The future is zero carbon. As a University based in an advanced engineering city, it’s important that we offer degrees with a strong focus on sustainability, electrification and automation. With this in mind, we have developed our degrees to match the multi-disciplinary requirements businesses are shouting for.

World-famous companies, including Rolls-Royce, Alstom and Toyota, are right on the University’s doorstep. Our close links with these companies offer opportunities ranging from placements to extra-curricular activities. And as a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering graduate, you will be ideally placed to make the most of many career opportunities in the city.

Challenge yourself

We offer inspiring opportunities for you to take part in high-profile events such as the British Model Flying Association Payload Challenge, which is supported by BAE Systems and the Royal Aeronautical Society. The aim is to design, build, test and compete a radio-controlled aircraft against other national and international teams. 

Our students have also recently taken part in the IMechE Railway Challenge in collaboration with Alstom. During the competition they won both the autostop and refuelability challenge and were delighted to secure third place overall. 

Anselm Won, student team leader stated

"What I enjoyed during the challenge was being a part of the team and the communication between the team members, the atmosphere was always bright, we were able to joke around and have fun whilst working together for the challenge, especially the celebratory reactions we had when we fixed problems on the loco."

Sorria Douglas working with computer aided design software

Sorria is a first-class engineering pioneer

Mechanical Engineering graduate Sorria Douglas is getting used to firsts. She achieved a first-class honours degree with us and she is now a Design Engineer with Nottingham-based L.A.C. Conveyors & Automation, the first female engineer at the company.

Read Sorria's storyRead Sorria's story
Mechanical Engineering student

Student Showcase 2022

We're showcasing the work of some of our talented Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering students to celebrate their achievements over the 2021-22 academic year.

View the Student ShowcaseView the Student Showcase

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

You will be assessed using a mixture of coursework assessment, examinations and professional presentations. 

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

Martin Sole beside bookcases

Martin Sole
Programme leader

Martin is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering and Programme Leader for the Mechanical, Electrical, and Motorsport Programmes.

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Engineering is a part of so many different industries, and completing an engineering degree will give you access to a wide range of opportunities. This course prepares you for careers at the cutting edge of mechanical engineering design, motorsport or automotive design and the applications of advanced materials. You could move into roles in design, production or manufacturing in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive and rail.

You could also take your studies to postgraduate level with our MSc Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering or MSc Strategic Engineering Management.

Student on placement at EPM Technology

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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