BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
Course Overview
The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Bolton has been awarded professional accreditation by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). It uses UK-SPEC learning outcomes designed to meet, in part, the academic requirements leading to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. By studying with us, you can develop essential knowledge and understanding of engineering principles and practices while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus.Throughout the course, our expert team will support you in developing management, organisation, and employability skills alongside your subject-specific knowledge and understanding. Your studies will focus on areas such as mechanical design, systems engineering, analysis of materials and structures, and the theory and application of finite element analysis. We also aim to help you develop lifelong learning skills so that you can take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
The department provides a friendly yet challenging environment where the emphasis is on both the theories and principles of mechanical engineering and their application in a work context. You'll carry out case studies, practical and laboratory work and problem-solving projects. You'll also develop the presentation and managerial skills that you will use to manage engineering projects and support your future employment in the industry.
By studying for your BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering with us, you'll gain essential knowledge and experience a range of opportunities that support you in developing the attitudes, abilities and competencies needed to launch your career in mechanical engineering.
The course is also available part-time or as an apprenticeship. In addition, it's an ideal choice if you're an HND student looking to top-up your qualification to the honours degree level. We'll take into account your level of mathematics, science, and experience when we assess your application.
Highlights
- We are a well-respected, intensive teaching-focused department with a friendly approach and dedicated teaching staff.
- You'll have the opportunity to work on live engineering projects, both as an individual and as part of a group.
- There are also opportunities to participate in inter-university student competitions, including IMechE's annual Undergraduate Design Challenge, which includes all the universities in the North West.
- Professionals from national and multinational mechanical engineering firms are regularly invited to give guest lectures about the sector and job opportunities. You'll also have industry visits and work placements.
- You'll get hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment and software such as SolidWorks, Ansys and MATLAB, for analysis and design, prototyping and control.
- Your final year project allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding when investigating and providing solutions to engineering problems. Some projects may be on 'live' problems from local industry or in-house research activity.
Key Features
- The University of Bolton has a distinguished history in engineering, but we're always looking to the future. We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing engineering issues and keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.
- We offer modern, dedicated engineering laboratories and industry-standard design development and project facilities. These include CAD, analysis, optimisation, CAM and CAE software.
- Our dedicated tutors foster a supportive learning environment with intentionally small class sizes. Your tutors are experienced professionals and academics, highly qualified in their fields, and many are chartered engineers.
- We'll encourage you to develop an understanding of all aspects of engineering projects, for example, costings, the science and maths of these projects, functional design materials and project management.
- You'll have opportunities to develop business skills for a career in this field, including problem-solving, managing workloads, and communicating with a range of personnel. You'll also be able to develop your decision-making abilities and your ICT capabilities.
- Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering graduates enjoy high levels of employment, finding interesting and financially rewarding professional careers in the UK and overseas.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Your Level 3 subjects must include mathematics and a science subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics and Physics or BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering. Technology and engineering subjects and additional mathematics subjects (such as further maths and statistics) will be accepted as science subjects.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and Science.
- We'll be happy to consider your application if you have non-traditional entry qualifications and relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that we consider a reasonable substitute for the qualifications we typically accept for this course, If you have an HND/C in an appropriate engineering discipline, we'll consider you for entry to level HE5 of this programme, depending on the subject area of qualification and the level of maths and science that you have achieved. You may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) to determine your suitability for the course.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Mechanical engineering deals with designing, developing, installing, operating, and maintaining anything with moving parts. Jobs are available in a vast array of sectors.
A mechanical engineering degree combines mathematics, science, technology, business and management. As a graduate of this course, you'll be able to solve problems, manage workloads, communicate with various personnel, work in multidisciplinary teams, make decisions and have strong ICT skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
Mechanical engineers are employed in many industries, such as aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, medicine, sport, defence, consumer goods and electrical. There are career opportunities both in the UK and abroad.
After graduation, you could pursue a career in manufacturing or other areas of science and technology, such as sustainable energy. You may find career opportunities in research and development, design, production, and plant management, or choose to continue your formal education in the form of an MSc or research degree.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible fields include:
- Investment banking
- Mining and drilling
- Patent Law
- Production management
- Technical sales
- Water engineering
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Finance
- Accountancy
- Research and development
- Teaching and education
- Consultancy
- Civil engineering
- Supply chain
- Building services
- Telecommunications
- Waste management
- Quality management
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students starting the course from September 2011 until August 2025. We will seek re-accreditation with the IMechE for start dates from September 2025.
Please see the Engineering Council UK website for further details on the UK Standards for Professional Engineering Competences (UK-SPEC).
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at Bolton for September entry, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.
A direct application to Bolton provides the following features:
Free of charge to apply
Secure, simple and streamlined
Contact us directly for any admissions queries
Regular updates on your application directly from the University
Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering - 27 January 2025
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Apply online: University of Bolton BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering - 27 January 2025
-
Apply online: University of Bolton BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering - 22 September 2025
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
We use various teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Formally timetabled classes, including lectures, workshops and tutorials, are designed to help you acquire and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. We'll assign you a dedicated personal tutor to help guide you through your studies.
Other teaching methods, such as coursework, projects and practical activities, provide opportunities to develop creativity and innovation skills. These are designed to meet the professional body accreditation requirements, as well as help you apply, assimilate and integrate your understanding of the course material. As you progress through the programme, your studies will become less structured and more open-ended in nature.
Guest lectures and participating in competitive design and make exercises will offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and practical skills further.
The taught modules are assessed individually, and we award you credits when you successfully complete each module. Regarding assessment, you can expect project or design reports, examinations, portfolios, presentations, and blogs. These contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes.
We also use other forms of assessment to help you learn, provide you with feedback and inform your development, though these don't count towards your final module mark. These will help identify any areas that would benefit from extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutor.
We use a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Major Project
- Engineering Environment
- Engineering Principles 1
- Engineering Principles 2
- Projects and Systems
- Graphical Communications and Computer Modelling
- Engineering Applications
- Mechanics of Materials and Machines
- Thermofluids and Control Systems
- Engineering Modelling and Analysis
- Engineering in Business and Society
- Advanced Materials and Structures
- Management and Enterprise in Engineering
- Advanced Thermofluids and Control
- Finite Element and Difference Solutions
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 49% Practical exams 18% Written exams 33% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 54% Practical exams 10% Written exams 36% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 52% Practical exams 13% Written exams 35% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 74% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 26% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 78% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
