Mechanical, marine and materials engineering

Choice and flexibility

In your first year, course content is common across mechanical engineering, marine technology and civil engineering, which allows for flexible transfer throughout and at the end of your first year.

In your second year, the mechanical engineering and marine technology courses start to diverge into their respective areas, as each course is tailored to the fundamental subjects on each course.

Optional ‘with composites’ pathway 

In your third year, and into your fourth year (if you’re on the MEng course), all courses feature an optional 'with composites' pathway, which allows you to study the design and manufacture of specialist materials. Should you wish to choose this route, ‘with composites’ will appear as a named specialism on your degree certificate to acknowledge your specialism in this area.

Which course is right for me?

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Choose these courses if you want:

• to design artefacts, systems and processes for real world application
• a broad engineering education with the ability to choose electives
• electives such as medical and biomechanical systems on the MEng course.

BEng (Hons) Marine Technology and MEng (Hons) Marine Technology

Choose these courses if you want:

• to design of artefacts, systems and processes for marine applications
• an engineering education developing both naval architecture and marine systems
• electives such as ship and yacht management on the MEng course.

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year

Choose this course if you:

• do not have the usual entry requirements for our BEng courses, or if you are returning to study after a period at work
• want to be prepared for entry onto our BEng course.

BEng or MEng?

Our BEng courses are three years of study plus an optional year in industry. They satisfy the educational requirement of accrediting bodies towards becoming an Incorporated Engineer and partially satisfy the educational requirement for Chartered Engineer status. You might opt for a BEng if you want a shorter study time or if your career plans do not include becoming a Chartered Engineer. It also allows you to focus any masters-level study by choosing a specialist MSc later on.

Our MEng courses are four years of study plus an optional year in industry. They satisfy the educational requirement of accrediting bodies towards becoming a Chartered Engineer. You might opt for an MEng if you want to study to an advanced level in the MEng year or if you would like to undertake your studies all in one go.

If you start on the BEng courses, you are able to transfer to the MEng courses at the end of your second year, subject to academic achievement.