BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship at the University of Exeter is designed for students who want to combine engineering with business innovation and develop the skills to turn creative ideas into successful products or ventures. The course blends technical engineering knowledge with entrepreneurship, leadership, and commercial awareness, making it an excellent choice for aspiring engineers, innovators, and future business founders.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
The first year provides a broad introduction to engineering, helping students build strong technical and analytical skills while learning how engineers solve real-world problems. Through modules such as Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing, Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project, Fundamentals of Mechanics, Fundamentals of Electronics, and Fundamentals of Engineering, students gain practical experience in engineering design, teamwork, and scientific problem-solving.

Year 2:
The second year combines engineering with entrepreneurship, giving students the opportunity to explore how innovative technologies are developed and brought to market. Students study modules including Leadership and Management: Fundamentals of Practice, Making Innovation and Entrepreneurship Happen, Entrepreneurship 2, Modelling of Engineering Systems, Introduction in Economics and Company Finance, and the Entrepreneurship and Management Challenge Project, developing skills in leadership, innovation, engineering analysis, business planning, and financial decision-making.

Final Year:
The final year focuses on advanced engineering, innovation, and commercial application. Students complete an Individual Project while studying subjects such as Marketing, Management, and Industrial Awareness, before presenting and pitching their engineering business idea to a panel, giving them valuable experience in communicating innovative solutions and commercial opportunities.

Focus Areas

Engineering innovation, entrepreneurship, engineering design, product development, leadership, management, engineering systems modelling, business finance, marketing, project management, technology commercialisation, sustainable engineering, innovation strategy, and teamwork.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop a strong combination of engineering knowledge and entrepreneurial thinking, enabling them to design innovative solutions, evaluate commercial opportunities, manage engineering projects, and lead technology-focused businesses. The programme also strengthens analytical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership, teamwork, and business planning skills that are highly valued across engineering and technology sectors.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme prepares students for careers where engineering and business intersect, combining technical expertise with commercial awareness and innovation skills. Through practical projects, leadership training, and entrepreneurship-focused learning, students graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to contribute to engineering companies, technology start-ups, and innovation-driven organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Exeter has a strong reputation for engineering education, supported by research-led teaching, modern facilities, and close links with industry. General Engineering is ranked among the UK's leading programmes in the Complete University Guide, reflecting Exeter's commitment to producing highly skilled, innovative, and employable engineering graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship at the University of Exeter combines practical engineering education with entrepreneurial experience, helping students learn how to transform ideas into innovative solutions. Students develop hands-on skills through engineering projects, prototype development, innovation challenges, and business-focused activities where they learn to design, test, and improve products. The programme encourages students to work with real-world problems while using specialist engineering facilities, creative spaces, and digital tools that support both technical development and entrepreneurial thinking. Students also gain valuable insights from entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and innovation-focused activities that prepare them for careers in engineering, start-ups, and technology-driven businesses.

Students benefit from a combination of engineering facilities, innovation spaces, and project-based learning opportunities that support creativity, problem-solving, and product development:

Engineering Innovation Projects: Students work on practical engineering challenges where they combine technical knowledge with entrepreneurial skills to develop solutions, assess market opportunities, and understand how ideas can become successful products or services.
Entrepreneurship and Management Challenge Project: Students complete collaborative projects focused on innovation, leadership, and business development, gaining experience in teamwork, project management, idea generation, and presenting solutions.
Business Pitching and Venture Development: In the final year, students develop and present engineering business ideas to a panel of judges, giving them experience in communicating innovative concepts and exploring opportunities to develop their own ventures.
Makerspace: Students have access to Exeter’s Makerspace, a collaborative environment where they can experiment with ideas, create prototypes, and develop engineering projects using modern tools and equipment.
Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab): The FabLab provides access to digital manufacturing technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and 3D scanners, allowing students to transform engineering designs into physical prototypes.
Engineering Laboratories: Students gain practical experience through specialist facilities including the Electronics Laboratory, Materials Laboratories, and Structures Laboratory, where they can test designs, conduct experiments, and explore engineering concepts in practice.
Engineering Workshops: Students use professional workshop facilities to develop practical skills in designing, building, and improving engineering solutions through hands-on activities.
Digital Engineering Tools: Students use specialist computing facilities and engineering software for modelling, simulation, analysis, and design development, helping them understand how digital tools are used in modern engineering and innovation.
Research and Innovation Facilities: Students benefit from Exeter’s wider engineering research environment, including work in areas such as renewable energy, energy storage, robotics, autonomous systems, and sustainable technologies.
Industry and Entrepreneur Engagement: Students gain insights from entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals through talks, seminars, and innovation activities, helping them understand the journey from engineering idea to commercial success.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship at the University of Exeter prepares graduates with a valuable combination of engineering expertise, innovation skills, and business knowledge. This unique blend enables students to pursue careers in engineering companies, technology organisations, start-ups, and innovation-driven industries. Graduates can explore roles such as Engineering Project Manager, Project Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Product Development Engineer, and Entrepreneur.

The programme helps students build successful careers through industry connections, entrepreneurial opportunities, and dedicated employability support:

Career Support Services: The University of Exeter’s Career Zone supports students with personalised career guidance, CV development, interview preparation, employer networking events, careers fairs, and access to graduate opportunities. These services help students identify suitable career paths and prepare for the transition from university to employment.
Entrepreneurship Development Support: Students gain experience in developing business ideas, evaluating opportunities, and presenting innovative solutions. Through entrepreneurship-focused projects and final-year business pitches, students learn how to transform engineering concepts into potential products, services, or new ventures.
Industry Engagement: Students have opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and business leaders through talks, seminars, networking activities, and innovation events. These experiences help students understand industry trends and develop professional connections.
Strong Employment Outcomes: Engineering graduates from the University of Exeter achieve excellent career outcomes, with 96% of Engineering graduates in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation according to HESA Graduate Outcomes data.
Career and Salary Potential: Engineering graduates benefit from strong demand across sectors such as technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, consulting, and product development. The combination of engineering knowledge and entrepreneurial skills can also support graduates who want to create their own businesses or lead innovation projects.
University–Industry Partnerships: Exeter works with organisations and industry partners across areas including renewable energy, materials and manufacturing, engineering management, civil and structural engineering, water and environmental engineering, dynamics and control, and advanced technologies. These links help ensure students develop skills relevant to current industry needs.
Professional Recognition: The programme provides a strong foundation for professional engineering careers by developing technical expertise, project experience, and industry-relevant skills. Graduates who continue into appropriate accredited engineering pathways can work towards professional recognition and future Chartered Engineer development.
Graduate Outcomes: Graduates leave the programme with a combination of engineering ability, creativity, leadership, commercial awareness, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for careers in established engineering companies, consultancy firms, technology businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship, students can continue their studies through the MEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship, which allows them to develop deeper technical expertise and advanced entrepreneurial skills. Graduates may also pursue specialist postgraduate programmes in areas such as engineering management, renewable energy, robotics, sustainable engineering, advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, or research degrees such as a PhD.