BEng Mechanical Engineering (H305)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

This course is well balanced, covering a wide range of topics in engineering science and engineering practice. The course is designed to educate the next generation of mechanical engineers to have a positive impact on our society across the 21st century.

Our curriculum embeds a diverse set of professional engineering and management skills spanning four core thematic areas:

  • design and manufacture
  • dynamics and control
  • materials
  • energy and fluid flow.

Years one and two are common to all Mechanical Engineering students and cover the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering. Teaching is delivered via lectures, seminars, laboratories, design classes and short projects in modelling and manufacturing.

In your third year you will apply the principles you have learnt to real, complex engineering applications. A major element is the open-ended individual research project, which requires independent and creative thinking.

Accreditations

Our Mechanical Engineering BEng is approved by major professional bodies in the UK (IMechE) so as a a graduate you can gain exemptions from a number of their examinations or credits for prior learning.

Course structure

First-year students studying Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Engineering Design all start their degree with a broad knowledge of the fundamentals and a command of the skills that underpin modern engineering.

You will share common units with your peers in other disciplines and work on an interdisciplinary project, based on global challenges and inspired by Engineers Without Borders.

You will meet and work closely with more people from the start of your degree, broadening your social circle and long-term professional network. Interdisciplinary working is now the norm in industry, and good understanding of disciplines other than your own will serve you well when you enter the workplace.

Starting your degree with a broad foundation of knowledge will expand your frame of reference, enabling you to be more creative as you progress with your programme and become more specialist in later years of study. The skills-based approach will provide you with technical abilities that will enable you to be successful in your degree and your career.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics
AAB including AA in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
D*DD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four Physics units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics.

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38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics or Computer Science
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics or Computer Science

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
88% overall, with 9.0, 8.5 in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science (in any order)
Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics of Mechanics or Computer Science, and Standard Higher: AAAAA
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction from units in one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science, and A in A-level Mathematics. Or Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction in Mathematics (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry), 12 credits at Distinction from units in one of Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science, and achieving the required level in the University of Bristol mathematics test.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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