ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING

BEng (Hons)

 

Accredited by the University of Warwick

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BEng

Course Level

Undergraduate

Duration

3 years FT/4.5 years PT

Entry

September, February

Fees

View Fees

Department of Engineering
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19% of all UK employees work in the engineering sector*

*EngineeringUK

200,000 engineers needed between now and 2024 to meet UK demand* 

*Prospects.ac.uk

Drive innovation and solve complex engineering challenges with our Electromechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) degree. As the UK faces a critical skills shortage, our programme equips you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to become a sought-after engineer. By combining electrical and mechanical engineering principles, you'll gain the expertise to design, develop and maintain electromechanical systems across various industries.

You will start by learning the fundamentals of all engineering disciplines – essential maths, mechanical and electrical science, electronics, design and programming – then how to apply those concepts and skills to solving contemporary engineering problems, designing new products and developing innovative new manufacturing solutions. Our facilities are totally up-to-date for Industry 4.0, while the hardware and software is the same used in industry, so you will be familiar with it all when you start your career.

On graduation, you will be an expert in engineering disciplines, in the use of simulation software and computer control of automated operations, ready for industry. We also make sure you are skilled in independent learning, so you can keep pace with developing new technologies throughout your career.

Why should I choose this course?

  • PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Get hands-on experience studying in our cutting-edge engineering facilities
  • ENRICHMENT – Go on visits to manufacturing and engineering sites with industry partners such as Shell Energy, Warwick Manufacturing Group and the University of Warwick
  • EXPERT TUITION – Learn from experienced, highly-experienced lecturers with a wealth of knowledge from working in the engineering industry, as well as leading guest speakers
  • AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

Our facilities

Engineering students gain hands-on experience of programming robots and controllers in our state-of-the-art industrial manufacturing cell facility, plus you will use all our modern laboratories for practical work in electrical power, electronics and control, fluid mechanics, mechanical principles and materials testing. You will also have access to the Industry 4.0 Learning Factory at the nearby Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT).

Camden House

Camden House is our bespoke STEM education facility for our engineering students. It features:

  • Control engineering rigs
  • Cyber-physical systems
  • Mechatronics automation
  • PLCs
  • Fluid dynamics software
  • MATLAB and SolidWorks design software
  • Enhanced IT facilities

Course breakdown

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Year 1

Engineering Maths

Concepts, tools and applications in algebra, functions, trigonometry, calculus, vectors and matrices, data analysis and statistics.

Mechanical Principles

Solid mechanics, stress, strain and elasticity, linear and rotational dynamics, fatigue, complex loadings, beams and mechanisms.

Electrical Principles

Single and three-phase, motors, transformers, harmonics and filters, AC/DC, phasors, star/delta, power factors.

Electronics and Logic

Digital logic, semiconductors, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, AC/DC conversion and control, power FETs.

CAD Design

2D/3D CAD drawing and design, mechanical, electrical and manufacturing applications, design specifications and stakeholder criteria.

Software Applications

Use of FEA/CFD applications packages, use of mathematical software (e.g. MATLAB), fundamentals of programming (e.g. in MATLAB).

Year 2

Systems and Control Principles

Programming and design of embedded systems, communication principles, applications to automation, robotics and AI.

Thermofluid Mechanics

Flow of fluids and energy, heat transfer and heat engines, compressibility.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability

Solar, wind, hydro, fuel cells, biofuels, tidal; conversion processes, limitations and effectiveness, security, Passivhaus design.

Smart Manufacturing

Global/industrial perspectives, process simulation, conventional and smart materials (piezoelectric, photoactive, magnetorheological, shape memory etc).

Mechatronics Systems

Design of mechatronic systems to replicate manual operations, automation, robotics, control of processes, communication protocols.

Virtual Engineering and Simulation

Simulation of systems and processes in FEA/CFD and design software, use of AI/AR/VR.

Year 3

Embedded Systems

IoT systems, programming embedded devices, modelling systems (Laplace, transfer functions), feedback control and stability.

Internet of Things Operation and Control

Implementation of embedded systems in an IoT manufacturing environment.

Industry 4.0 Manufacturing

Cyber-physical systems, simulation software for processes, systems and factories, digital twins, operation and evaluation.

Project Management

Project sequencing, proposals, scheduling tasks, resources and budget, management of people, safety and quality, engineering ethics.

Independent Project

Propose, plan, implement, review, present, report.

The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.

Entry requirements 

Entry requirements

88 UCAS points - must include A-level Maths or Further Maths from a BTEC national qualification.

EU/International Students

For entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

A wide variety of teaching methods will be used to ensure you gain the appropriate skills and knowledge, including lectures, practical sessions, workshops, tutorials and group study sessions. Face-to-face classes will be combined with practical research activities in our state-of-the-art engineering facilities, while you will also conduct independent and online learning.

Assessment

Assessment occurs through a combination of assignments, projects and tests/exams, with a focus on the holistic development of practical, interpersonal and higher-level skills. Many modules will require a practical demonstration of skills, while others will require you to carry out your own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team. Our assessments will focus on developing the skills required by a professional engineer – designing and demonstrating a product, delivering presentations and technical report-writing, aimed at technical and non-technical audiences to broaden your range of skills.

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this course:

  • Coursework – 70%
  • Practical assessment – 25%
  • Written examinations – 5%

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Additional qualifications and training

It is recommended that students on this course join the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) as student members, offering benefits including workshops, short courses and webinars as well as alignment with professional expectations. The IET Birmingham base is also located just a short walk from our campus buildings.

Student membership of the IET costs approximately £20 per year – for more details, visit the IET website.

Tuition fees

UK students

If you are a UK student enrolling on a standard-length Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half-year tuition fee is £4,625. There will be no change to this tuition fee for the forthcoming two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).

View undergraduate fees

International students

If you are an international student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £13,500 per year. The course fee for academic year 2024/2025 is £14,000 per year.

If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.

View international fees

Part-time study tuition fees over 4.5 years

Year 1: £6,165

Year 2: £6,165

Year 3: £6,165

Year 4: £6,165

Year 5 (half year): £3,090

Total amount payable £27,750 (equivalent of 3 year FT undergraduate degree)

Uniform and kit costs

This course requires equipment (e.g. safety boots, overalls) costing approximately £50, depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – you will not require any specialist equipment at the start of the course and exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you after enrolment.)

Kick-Start Scheme

As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.

Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.

Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course

Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.

As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.

Career opportunities

The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Mechanical engineer

Average Salary: £32,000

Project engineer

Average Salary: £36,000

Process design engineer

Average Salary: £43,000

Process manufacturing engineer

Average Salary: £35,000

Electrical/electronics engineer

Average Salary: £32,000

Product designer

Average Salary: £45,000

Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BEng (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses such as our Engineering Management MSc/PGDip

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Jon’s Story

An expert in sustainable practice, Jon says there are many advantages to studying engineering at University College Birmingham.

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