3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a three-year, full-time degree designed to give you a broad and practical education in mechanical engineering. The program blends the fundamentals of traditional mechanical engineering—such as mechanics, materials, thermo-fluids, and computer-aided design—with a strong focus on innovation, user needs, and business plan development. The curriculum is informed by UCLan’s Advanced Digital Manufacturing Technology (ADMT) research centre and the Jost Institute of Tribotechnology, ensuring you’re learning the latest industry-relevant skills and concepts. You’ll study in the university’s new £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre, which features cutting-edge facilities for additive manufacturing (3D printing), rapid prototyping, CNC machining, and more1589.
Curriculum Structure:
The course is structured around a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, and independent study. You’ll cover modules such as Engineering Analysis, Engineering Design, Engineering Science, Thermo-Fluids, and Engineering Applications. Each standard module is worth 20 credits, with a total of 360 credits required for graduation. The program also emphasizes hands-on learning, with access to modern workshops equipped with CNC lathes, milling machines, laser cutters, and a composites workshop for research and development projects. You’ll use industry-standard software like SolidWorks, FLUENT (CFD), COMSOL, ANSYS, and CATIA, and work on real-world projects, including preparing race cars for competitive events and developing hovercrafts1589.
Accreditation:
This BEng course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), meeting the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer and partially fulfilling the requirements for Chartered Engineer status with the Engineering Council35.
Campus Location:
UCLan is based in Preston, Lancashire, UK. The School of Engineering and Computing delivers the program at the main campus, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant engineering community17
UCLan places a strong emphasis on hands-on, practical learning. Throughout your degree, you’ll have opportunities to:
Participate in laboratory sessions and workshops using the latest equipment, including 3D printers, CNC machines, and rapid prototyping tools.
Work on real-world engineering projects—from developing hovercrafts and race cars to collaborating on research with the ADMT centre and Jost Institute of Tribotechnology.
Join the Innovation Club and research groups, engaging in collaborative projects with students and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Undertake field trips to leading engineering organisations both locally and internationally, gaining direct industry insight.
Optional industrial placement: After your second year, you can choose to spend a year in industry, applying classroom knowledge to real engineering challenges and building valuable professional experience and networks.
UCLan’s dedicated careers team and engineering faculty offer comprehensive support to help you plan your future:
Career counselling and guidance tailored to engineering pathways.
Workshops on CV writing, interview skills, and job applications to prepare you for the competitive job market.
Industry networking events and on-campus recruitment with major employers in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, computing, electronics, energy conversion, research and development, and the Ministry of Defence58.
High employability: UCLan’s Mechanical Engineering graduates are highly sought after in the UK and internationally, working for companies across a wide range of industries.
Further academic progression: After completing your BEng, you can continue to an MSc in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, or pursue research and development roles. The course also provides a pathway to Chartered Engineer status through further study and professional experience6
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