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Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year

Entry requirements


32 to 48 UCAS points to include minimum 2 A Levels. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination

Pass Access - In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

24

Include 1 Higher Level in a relevant subject from Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths. Maths and English accepted within

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H5,H5,H5,H5,H5-H5,H5,H5,H6,H6


Maths and English accepted within. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MP

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

PPP

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

M,M

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

32 to 48 UCAS points to include minimum 2 Advanced Highers. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers

T Level

P

Pass from a Science/Technology pathway . Must have GCSE Maths 4/C

UCAS Tariff

32-48

To include minimum 2 A Levels. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

4years

Full-time including foundation year | 2024

Other options

5 years | Sandwich including foundation year | 2024

Subject

Mechanical engineering

Do you want to embark in engineering but do not have the traditional entry requirements to start a degree? Perhaps, you are looking for a complete career change. This four-year degree route incorporates a foundation year to give you a solid grounding in the disciplines underpinning mechanical engineering. You will be actively involved in engineering projects and our hands-on approach to learning runs through design, mechanics and materials, improving your employability across many industries.

- Open the door to a successful future. With starting salaries from £23,000, our graduates have gone on to work for Hoare Lea, Babcock Marine, Becton Dickinson, e2v, Edwards, the Shaw Group and the Ministry of Defence.

- Aim for professional qualification. Subject to completion of the foundation year you will be eligible to progress onto one of our professionally accredited degree courses.

- Make use of cutting-edge facilities. Students in engineering, science and the arts have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories in our new engineering and design facility.

- Be flexible. Our combined first year allows you to switch to marine technology or civil engineering in line with your career ambitions.

- Be unique. Our courses are the only ones in the country to have a named 'with composites' pathway; choosing this will allow you to stand out in the job market.

- Learn hands-on . We offer the latest industry-standard software, laboratory sessions and practical classes.

- Aim higher. You may progress onto the MEng course at the end of your second year if you are doing well.

- Put learning into practice. Take a paid year in industry – many of our students receive job offers or sponsorship as a result of their placements.

- Go on to thrive. Your degree opens doors to sectors as diverse as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and energy.

Modules

In your foundation year, you will prepare for the demands of degree in mechanical engineering. We will ensure that your mathematics and physics are up to A level standard, as well as introducing you to the three main disciplines of the engineering industry, mechanical, civil and electronics engineering, you will also work on a collaborative project, developing a range of skills you will need over the course of your degree.

Core modules:

* Mathematical Methods
* Applied Mathematics
* Mechanical and Marine Engineering
* Physics

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website.

Assessment methods

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Plymouth

Department:

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

60%
Mechanical engineering

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Mechanical engineering

Teaching and learning

61%
Staff make the subject interesting
69%
Staff are good at explaining things
63%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
67%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

82%
Library resources
83%
IT resources
71%
Course specific equipment and facilities
49%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

87%
UK students
13%
International students
89%
Male students
11%
Female students
69%
2:1 or above
19%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
D
D

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Mechanical engineering

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£26,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
78%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

54%
Engineering professionals
7%
Science, engineering and production technicians
5%
Information technology and telecommunications professionals

We're short of engineers in a lot of areas and mechanical engineering is no exception. Mechanical engineers are in demand across multiple industries, with vehicle manufacturing most popular, with roles especially common in design and manufacturing. Other important sectors include aerospace, the oil and gas industry, consultancy and defence. Jobs are all around the country, with London, the Midlands, Scotland and the South East the most likely places for a new mechanical engineer to find work at the moment, and starting salaries are good. Although large employers are much the most likely place to get work, some of the most challenging, cutting edge jobs are with small niche engineering firms, so keep your eyes peeled if you want something a little different. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Mechanical engineering

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£25k

£25k

£30k

£30k

£37k

£37k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
Mechanical Engineering
BEng (Hon) 3 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 112-128
Same University
University of Plymouth | Plymouth
Mechanical Engineering
BEng (Hon) 3 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120
Lower entry requirements
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) | Inverness
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
BEng (Hon) 4 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 21-24
Nearby University
University of Exeter | Exeter
Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year
BEng (Hon) 4 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 104-129

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here