BEng General Engineering
About this course
BEng (Hons) in General Engineering, an engineering degree built on a broad base of mechanical, electrical and structural topics before specialisation in the final year. Core topics include Circuit Design, Computer Architecture, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Project Management and Engineering Design. The first two years cover the same broad foundation as the four-year MEng, and students can transfer between the two courses up to the end of the second year; an additional year studying overseas or in industry is possible between second and third year. The first year provides a shared foundation through compulsory modules such as Solid Mechanics and Structures, Electronic and Electrical Systems, Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, and Mathematics for Engineers, alongside Computational Tools for Engineers and Scientists and Engineering Practice, which applies theory in a wider engineering context. The second year deepens this base with Engineering Mathematics, covering probability, statistics and advanced methods for modelling engineering problems, plus further Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics and Structures, Electrical Engineering and Electronics; the latter covers analogue circuits, sensors, digital electronics and microprocessor design. Engineering Design in the second year introduces design principles and project management through a supervised major design project. In the third year, students choose one of four specialisms, each leading onto the relevant degree programme: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Every route combines stream-specific content with an individual technical project and weekly laboratory sessions, and each includes the compulsory BEng Engineering Project, an open-ended investigation of a research topic carried out with an academic supervisor.
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
A level: A*AA including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics and one STEM subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 63%: 60 offers from 95 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 8%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 62 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 77%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 52%
- Finance Professionals: 8%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 7%
- Information Technology Professionals: 6%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 92%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 79%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 69%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 220 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 28%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 85 students who started
- A levels: 99%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Solid Mechanics and Structures
- Electronic and Electrical Systems
- Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
- Engineering Practice
- Mathematics for Engineers
- Computational Tools for Engineers and Scientists
- Engineering Mathematics
- Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
- Solid Mechanics and Structures
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics
- Engineering Design
- Specialisms
- BEng Engineering Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BEng General Engineering at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £35,500 after 3 years, £46,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £37,000 and £58,000. The £46,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Engineering.
What do graduates of BEng General Engineering at Durham University do next?
92% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BEng General Engineering at Durham University?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BEng General Engineering at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 196 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BEng General Engineering at Durham University?
63% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 60 offers from 95 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BEng General Engineering at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BEng General Engineering at Durham University?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.