BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry

Course Overview

Engineering is all about the pursuit of solutions. Mechanical engineers play a vital role in the design and manufacture of almost anything with moving parts, from household appliances to renewable energy systems. This three-year course will foster your curiosity about how things work, refine your problem-solving skills and equip you for a rewarding career in a range of engineering sectors.

You’ll follow an integrated programme in your first year, building the knowledge, skills, and industrial connections you need to excel as an engineer. From Year Two, you’ll specialise in mechanical engineering, studying solid and fluid mechanics, control systems, and thermodynamics alongside design and manufacturing. You’ll spend your third year on an industrial placement before returning to UEA to complete your studies.

Your course culminates in a major individual project on a topic of your choice. This could be in collaboration with an industrial partner or related to the research of your supervisor. Building on your technical learning from previous years, you’ll develop essential skills like project management, risk assessment, and communication.

As an engineering student at UEA you’ll have access to our industry-standard facilities in Productivity East, including computer aided design (CAD) stations, 3D printers, subtractive manufacturing technology, and collaborative robots. You’ll also be able to demonstrate your knowledge and potential to industry professionals through events like our annual Select Partnership Scheme.

Studying mechanical engineering at UEA means you’ll graduate with a rounded skillset and a deep-rooted understanding of your chosen discipline. You’ll be equipped to enter a fulfilling career in engineering or to enhance your learning with further study. What’s more, our award-winning careers service will offer support throughout your course and for three years after graduation.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade 4 or grade C and Mathematics at minimum grade 5 or grade B.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

A levels

ABB including grade A in Mathematics and grade B in either Physics, Further Mathematics, Design Technology, Computing Science, Electronics, Chemistry, Geology or Biology.

Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including HL6 in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation or Analysis and Approaches) and HL5 in Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Design Technology or Computing Science.

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  6.0  overall (minimum  5.5  in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Recent Study

We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

Employability

As a UEA Mechanical Engineering graduate, you’ll enjoy excellent career prospects in mechanical engineering as well as a breadth of other industries. Your continuous contact with industrial partners throughout your degree will unlock doors for your professional and personal development, giving you the confidence and resources to pursue your career goals.

Our industry partners recognise the potential that our students bring to their organisations and will be at hand to support your growth throughout your studies. In several key sectors, mechanical engineers are in especially high demand – particularly those with the digital skills and industry insight to navigate the challenges of our time.

Upon completion of this course, you may choose to continue your academic studies by joining a Master’s degree programme or studying for a PhD. Your Mechanical Engineering degree could also support a career beyond engineering in accountancy, law, STEM teaching.

Examples of careers that you could enter include:

• Mechanical engineering
• Manufacturing
• Renewable energy
• Design Engineering
• STEM teaching

Discover more on our Careers webpages.