BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year
About this course
BEng (Hons) in Physics and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Core topics include Engineering Design, Circuit Design, Embedded Systems, Signal Processing, Control Systems, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The programme includes a foundation year, a common second year, and pathway specialisation from year three, with an optional professional placement year. Assessment is competency-based throughout, without traditional lectures or exams, and follows the CDIO framework.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other Level 3 requirements below. A Level: A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects considered Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD) Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 78%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Engineering professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 12%
- West Midlands: 55%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 13%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Mechanical Engineering Application Toolkits
- Automotive Engineering Practice
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Practice
- Computed Aided Design
- Ethical Design and Manufacturing
- Applied Mechanics and Structural Analysis
- Sustainable Machine Elements Design
- Applied Thermal and Fluid Engineering
- Vehicle Instrumentation and Control
- Intelligent Control and Automation
- AI-Augmented Computer-Aided Engineering
- Smart Powertrain Systems
- Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Materials
- Engineering Micro/Virtual Placement
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £40,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,500 less than the UK median for Mechanical engineering.
What do graduates of BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CDD at A level. The average entrant had 83 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.