BEng Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year)
About this course
BEng Hons in Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year), a mechanical engineering degree designed to prepare students for undergraduate STEM study. The foundation year is taught at Cardinal Newman College in Preston, with accommodation and campus access provided at Lancaster University. Students complete three STEM-based modules during the initial year before progressing to the main degree campus. Following successful completion of the foundation year, students transition to full degree studies on the main campus. Teaching methods incorporate group work, problem-based learning, and project work alongside standard lectures. Free transport is provided four days a week for the commute between the main campus and the teaching site.
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: CCC. This should include Mathematics, and either Chemistry or Physics. IB: 26 points overall with 14 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 4 in Mathematics HL, and 4 in either HL Chemistry or Physics
What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 84%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 11%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 60%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 38%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 9%
- West Midlands: 17%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 12%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 8%
Who gets in
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BEng Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £32,500 after 3 years, £39,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £46,000. The £39,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Mechanical engineering.
What do graduates of BEng Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year) at Lancaster University do next?
85% 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 Lancaster University?
81% 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 Lancaster University?
The typical offer is CCC at A level, or 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BEng Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year) at Lancaster University?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.