Mechanical Engineering - BEng (Hons)
with a Year in Industry
- Standard option
-
with a Year in Industry
- including a Foundation Year
Undergraduate Open Days
Join us at the Medway campus on Saturday 24 June and the Canterbury campus on Saturday 1 July. Meet staff and students, find out about our courses and explore our stunning campuses for yourself.
Engineering has shaped modern society and personal lives in a way that no other discipline has ever done. Studying Mechanical Engineering at Kent allows you to be a part of this revolution, and to gain the knowledge and skills to make your own mark in this exciting field.
Overview
Mechanical Engineering is a fundamental discipline that is responsible for the design and the development of mechanical systems and it is vital in many tech industries. At the University of Kent, we focus in the modern applications of Mechanical Engineering, e.g. robotics, assistive technology, smart materials and autonomous vehicles.
Our research-led degrees enable our graduates to work at the forefront of the major areas of mechanical engineering, combining theory with practical and project work, turning ideas into real systems.
We have strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and with institutions that provide accreditation to university degrees (Institution of Engineering and Technology and Institution of Mechanical Engineers). Our engineering students’ work has won international prizes and our visiting industrial professors contribute to a strong industrial relevance of our courses.
Our degree programme
This programme covers all aspects of mechanical engineering, from robotics to manufacturing, from fluid dynamics to materials. This will allow you to enter any branch of mechanical engineering following graduation.
The first year of our course lays the foundation for the rest of your studies and includes modules on mechanics, CAD, introduction to mechatronics, engineering analysis and mathematics. In the first year project you will engineer a system to solve a problem using mechanics, sensors and actuators.
In the second year, you further develop your understanding of the field, gaining advanced practical experience, specifically in mechanisms, mechatronics, fluid dynamics, manufacturing and design. As your knowledge of mechanical engineering grows, you discover which areas particularly interest you, so that in your final year you can begin to specialise in preparation for your final-year project.
Foundation year
For students (Home/EU) wishing to apply for BEng Mechanical Engineering for 2023 entry, it is possible to be considered for stage 1 entry by undertaking the Foundation Year course. Please contact us for further information about this route.
Year in industry
The additional aims of our Year in Industry degree are to give students an opportunity to gain experience as engineers working in a professional environment and to develop employment-related skills. The Year in Industry opportunity develops students’ technical skills, employability and soft skills as well as increasing their awareness of the future context for employment.
Your Year in Industry takes place between your second and final year. The School’s dedicated employability officer helps you to identify organisations offering placements. Companies also visit the School to present their industrial placement opportunities and to interview candidates.
As well as gaining invaluable workplace experience, you also have the chance to evaluate a particular career path, and, if your Year in Industry goes well, you may be offered a job by that employer after graduation. For further details, see course structure.
BEng programme
It is possible to take this as a 3-year programme without the year in industry. See Mechanical Engineering BEng.
Study resources
We provide first-class facilities to support your studies, including:
- mechanical workshop staffed with skilled mechanical engineers
- 120-seat engineering laboratory
- open access to high-end computers
- CAD and development software
- robotics/wheelchair laboratory
- 3D printing and laser cutting facilities.
Kent's School of Engineering has recently undergone a £3 million redevelopment and modernisation called the Jennison Design Hub, whereby you gain state-of-the-art engineering and design facilities which include:
- a virtual reality suite
- a production studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities)
- a large teaching and design studio
- engineering workshop and fabrication facilities
- a dedicated makerspace.
Extra activities
There are many ways to get involved in School life. You could become a student representative, giving students a voice on School committees or become a student ambassador and work with us in secondary schools to promote engineering and technology.
We also host events where you can meet industry experts and former students.
In addition, you can take part in student-led societies including:
- UKC Digital Media
- Kent Engineering Society
- TinkerSoc – Kent’s Maker Society.
Professional network
The School has strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). We have several visiting industrial professors who contribute to the strong industrial relevance of our programmes.
Featured video
Entry requirements
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
-
A level
BBB including B in Mathematics plus one other science/technology subject (Physics, Computing or Electronics).
-
Access to HE Diploma
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.
-
BTEC Nationals
DMM in an Engineering subject including Further Maths/Further Maths for Engineering Technicians. Other subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances.
-
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics (not Mathematics Studies) 5 at HL or 6 at SL or HL Maths: Analysis and Approaches at 5 (not Applications and Interpretations), and a science subject 5 at HL or 6 at SL.
-
International Foundation Programme
N/A
-
T level
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
International students
If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Form
Course structure
Duration: 4 years full-time
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules currently include:
EENG3230 - Engineering Design and Mechanics (15 credits)
EENG3240 - Fundamentals and Mechanics of Materials (15 credits)
EENG3050 - Introduction to Electronics (15 credits)
EENG3110 - First Year Engineering Applications Project (15 credits)
EENG3130 - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
EENG3150 - Digital Technologies (15 credits)
EENG3180 - Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
EENG3190 - Engineering Analysis (15 credits)
Stage 2
Compulsory modules currently include:
EENG5170 - Control and Mechatronics (15 credits)
EENG5620 - Engineering Group Project (15 credits)
EENG5650 - Instrumentation and Measurement Systems (15 credits)
EENG5180 - Dynamics of Machines (15 credits)
EENG5190 - Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (15 credits)
EENG5200 - Failure of Materials and Structures (15 credits)
EENG5770 - Entrepreneurship and Professional Development (15 credits)
EENG5220 - Design and Manufacturing Technology (15 credits)
Year in Industry
You spend a year working in industry between Stages 2 and 3. You gain practical work experience, while assessing possible future career options and making contacts in the industry. Employers are always keen to employ graduates with knowledge of the work environment and some students receive job offers from their placement company.
We have a dedicated Employability Officer who will help you apply for placements; but please note that it is your responsibility to secure a placement, which cannot always be guaranteed. The School has excellent industrial links, providing students with many placement opportunities.
You are eligible to apply for a placement offered through the School's exchange agreement with Hong Kong City University.
Please note that progression thresholds apply. In particular, in order to be considered for an industrial placement, you need to achieve an overall mark at Stage 1 of at least 60%.
Compulsory modules currently include:
EENG7910 - Year in Industry (Industrial Assessment) (90 credits)
EENG7920 - Year in Industry (Academic Assessment) (30 credits)
Stage 3
Compulsory modules currently include:
EENG6000 - Project (45 credits)
EENG6460 - Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
EENG6830 - Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) (15 credits)
EENG6470 - Finite Element Analysis (15 credits)
EENG6480 - Engineering Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer (15 credits)
Optional modules:
EENG5610 - Image Analysis & Applications (15 credits)
EENG6140 - Biomaterials (15 credits)
Fees
The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:
- Home full-time £9,250
- EU full-time £16,400
- International full-time £21,900
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
Your fee status
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
Scholarships
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsUniversity funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either mathematics or a modern foreign language. Please review the eligibility criteria.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes practical work in conventional laboratory experiments or projects, lecture modules and examples classes, which develop your problem-solving skills, and staff hold regular ‘surgeries’ where you can discuss any questions you have. Practical work is carried out in air-conditioned laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding IT infrastructure.
Stage 1 modules are assessed by coursework and examination at the end of the year. Stage 2 and 3 modules, with the exception of the Stage 3 project, are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. All years include project work to replicate industrial practice and develop skills to maximise employability.
Contact hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Programme aims
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification
Careers
Graduate destinations
Our graduates go into careers in areas such as:
- electronic engineering and computing
- telecommunications industries including radio, television and satellite communications;
- medical electronics, instrumentation and industrial process control.
They have gone on to work in companies including:
- Aero Engine Controls
- BAE Systems
- Bentley Motors
- Bombardier
- British Energy
- Delphi
- Jaguar Land Rover
- RDDS
- Rolls-Royce
- The Royal Navy
Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study.
Professional recognition
For over 30 years, our BEng and MEng courses in Electronic and Communications Engineering have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.
Accreditation will be sought from the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE).
Help finding a job
Employers are always keen to employ graduates with knowledge of the work environment and some students receive job offers from their placement company.
The School of Engineering holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School’s dedicated Employability Officer.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Career-enhancing skills
In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including:
- planning and organisation
- leadership
- effective communication.
You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Apply for Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry - BEng (Hons)
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
Find out more about how to apply
All applicants
International applicants
Contact us
International student enquiries
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
School website
Discover Uni information
Discover Uni is designed to support prospective students in deciding whether, where and what to study. The site replaces Unistats from September 2019.
Discover Uni is jointly owned by the Office for Students, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council.
It includes:
- Information and guidance about higher education
- Information about courses
- Information about providers
Find out more about the Unistats dataset on the Higher Education Statistics Agency website.