BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bristol

Program Overview

This four-year 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 areas:

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

All Mechanical Engineering students share a common curriculum in the first two years, covering the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering. Teaching is delivered via lectures, seminars, laboratories, design classes and short projects in modelling and manufacturing.

You will spend your third year applying the knowledge gained in the first two years of study in an industrial environment. There is no direct entry onto this course but you can transfer from our other mechanical engineering courses if you reach a high academic standard and are successful at an interview with industry. Places are limited and highly competitive.

In your final 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.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

1. Industrial Placement (Year 3)
In the third year, students undertake a full-time, salaried industrial placement lasting between 9 to 12 months. This placement allows students to apply the knowledge gained during their first two years of study in a real-world engineering environment. Students are supported by the Industrial Liaison Office (ILO) in preparing for placement applications and interviews, and in connecting with suitable engineering organizations and roles. The placement is an integrated element of the degree program and contributes to the overall degree award through assessments, including an initial report and presentation. ​

2. Core Curriculum and Laboratory Work
Throughout the program, students engage in a well-balanced curriculum covering a wide range of topics in engineering science and practice. The curriculum embeds a diverse set of professional engineering and management skills spanning four core areas: design and manufacture, dynamics and control, materials, and energy and fluid flow. ​

3. Individual Research Project
In the final year, students undertake an individual research project, applying the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course to a specific topic area. This project fosters independent and creative thinking, allowing students to tackle complex engineering challenges.​

4. Summer Internships and Additional Opportunities
Students are encouraged to seek additional practical experiences, such as summer internships, to further enhance their skills and employability. For instance, a student undertook a summer internship at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, working on a project involving a quadruped robot, which provided hands-on experience in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world solutions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here are the Progression & Future Opportunities for the BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry program at the University of Bristol:

  • Progress to a related MEng program or pursue postgraduate studies (e.g., MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or Renewable Energy).

  • Enter graduate schemes at top companies like Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Dyson, Jaguar Land Rover, BAE Systems, or National Grid.

  • Career paths include mechanical design, product development, manufacturing, energy systems, project management, and consulting.

  • Industry placement enhances employability and often leads to job offers from placement companies.

  • Opportunities in research, particularly if you continue to a Master’s or PhD, in areas like robotics, fluid dynamics, or sustainable energy.

  • Develop transferable skills for roles in finance, data analysis, and tech sectors.

 

Program Key Stats

£30,400 (Annual cost)
Sept Intake : 15th Jan


No
Yes

Eligibility Criteria

A*AA
3.4
38
90

1300
24
6.5
86

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Maintenance Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Energy Engineer
  • Engineering Consultant
  • Graduate Engineer

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