Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) / MEng
Key Facts
-
UCAS Code
BEng: H308
BEng with Foundation: H309 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 - 4 years
Full Time Foundation: 5 years
Part Time: 5 - 8 years
-
BBC at A-Level or,
DMM at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
Updated 18/11/2025
Updated 18/11/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
Our degree in Mechanical Engineering at UON is a flexible course, with many options to add even more value to your studies. The BEng is available to study full-time or as a part-time mechanical engineering degree, with teaching delivered over multiple days each week. If you would prefer day-release study, the Engineering BSc (Hons) offers this option.
You can study for three years to achieve the BEng, and you can add an additional year in industrial placement between the second and third year, so that you can put your studies to practice.
If you choose to, you can then study for a further year to achieve the award of MEng, an integrated master’s stage, giving you a more in-depth experience of engineering principles and the opportunity to showcase all that you have learned in a substantial group research project.
IMechE accredited course
This Mechanical Engineering degree has been accredited by IMechE under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.
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).
Highlights
- Study for your mechanical engineering degree in 3 years or take on the integrated masters degree as a fourth year
- Dedicated specialist lab facilities – view our Engineering Teaching Labs Tour
- HP Laptop and software included with this course.* (*Terms and Conditions apply)
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
- IMechE accredited course.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer could be:
- BBC at A-Level or,
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Merit at T Level
We look for applicants for the BEng in mechanical engineering with A-Level Maths at grade C or above or Engineering at BTEC or T Level.
- We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
- Applications welcome from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
Admission to this foundation engineering course is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study. Entry requirements are as follows:
- A-level DEE
- BTEC MPP
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
- Professional/industry experience
All International students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent)
for study at undergraduate level. - Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent)
for study at master’s level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
Our BEng Mechanical Engineering degree has been developed to ensure that you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your career and drive the industry forward. Within this course you will study mechanical engineering principles, mechanical design and simulation, materials science, control systems, thermo-fluids, corrosion and condition monitoring, as well as investigating sustainability and innovation within the industry and business practice.
At the end of the third year, you can choose to either graduate with a BEng level qualification, or continue onto the integrated master’s fourth year to achieve the MEng qualification.
Choosing to do the extra year for the MEng qualification offers more in depth specialisation and can increase chances of landing a leadership role within the industry.
The module introduces students to engineering drawing and the production of engineering models and drawings using computer technologyThe selection of materials, engineering components, and the operating principles of simple machines will also be features of the module.
The purpose of this module is to provide Engineering students with a sound background knowledge and understanding of structure, properties, testing and application of engineering materialsStudents will gain a broad knowledge of the range of manufacturing processes that can be applied to materials for a variety of manufacturing applications.
The purpose of this module is to examine key factors which complement technical elements of engineering, understanding of which is regarded essential in todays industrial environmentAnalysis of the key areas of quality, standards sustainability, project management and ethics form strong themes throughout the module.
This module aims to provide an overview of fundamental scientific principles which underpin the design and operation of mechanical engineering systems providing a basis for further study in specialist areas of mechanical engineering and to develop analytical problem-solving skills in the context of mechanical engineering
This module aims to provide Engineering students with the fundamental knowledge and analytical techniques to build a firm foundation for the analysis, operation, problem solving and circuit simulation exploring both DC and AC electrical and electronics circuits.
This module aims to provide Engineering students with the fundamental knowledge and analytical techniques needed to enable them to study related engineering modules successfully and to analyse and solve practical problems through the application of mathematics and to develop analytical problem-solving skills in the context of engineering and engineering systems.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join this full time Mechanical Engineering degree, you will receive a laptop when your course begins. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page.
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree in engineering, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
Are there any work experience opportunities?
Integrated into the second year is the opportunity to work with one of our industrial partners for three to four days per week. These placements are fully supported by the University and using our links with the Northampton Engineering Training Partnership (NETP) we ensure that you are given the guidance and support you need to have a fulfilling and productive placement experience.
How will I learn?
We teach this BEng course through a combination of theoretical and practical approaches so that you can learn system design techniques for electronic and mechanical purposes as well as how to optimise this design, depending on the application and purpose.
To broaden your theoretical knowledge and appreciate the applications of systems in heat and mass transfer applications (including hot water circulation and thermally powered cooling) you will work in our thermo-fluidics laboratory and use computer simulation tools.
There will also be small group work for collaborative research and development tasks which will help you learn how to work in multidisciplinary groups while improving your communication and presentation skills. The dissertation in your third year will consolidate everything you have learned and also develop your written communication skills.
This can also be studied as a part-time Mechanical Engineering Degree, studying 80 credits or less per year. This will be taught over multiple days each week. If day-release study is what you would prefer, Engineering BSc offers this option.
What is the schedule of the course?
Typical modules are taught over four or five days per week.
How will I be assessed?
For the initial BEng (Hons) qualification, a wide range of assessment tools are used, essays, reports, end of stage examinations.
What is the difference between a BEng and MEng?
When it comes to a BEng vs MEng the main difference is that a BEng is the undergraduate level of study. You can complete your BEng and then opt to study one more year of mechanical engineering to obtain the higher level masters level MEng qualification.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,700
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
Fourth year MEng students will be charged at MSc rate, subject to inflationary increase.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course for 2025 entry.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £15,200
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Fourth year MEng students will be charged at MSc rate, subject to inflationary increase.
Careers and Employability
Mechanical engineering university graduates are sought by employers in almost all sectors of the engineering industry.
These include:
- Aerospace industry
- Automotive industry
- Chemicals industry
- Construction industry
- Defence industry
- Fast-moving consumer goods industry
- Marine industry
- Materials and metals industry
- Oil and gas industry
- Pharmaceuticals industry
- Power generation industry
- Rail industry
- Utilities industry
Facilities and Special Features
- You will benefit from industry workshops, innovative laboratories and computer-aided design suites.
- Our engineering programmes have strong industry focus, aiming to build upon students’ knowledge and experience to prepare them for employment or further study.
- Longstanding links with the Northants Engineering Training Partnership (NETP) means that you will have the opportunity to do paid work placements as part of your degree and you will be introduced to key industrial contacts before you’ve even graduated.
- Choice to complete the Mechanical Engineering degree part time or full time.
- Possibility of an industrial based final year project.
- IMechE accredited.