BSc (Hons)

Mechanical Engineering

Learn how to design, analyse and manufacture mechanical systems and gain the teamwork and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in various engineering sectors.

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Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    H304

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £785*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Prepare to drive innovation in a dynamic field as you become an accredited engineer and develop your skills with the latest industry-standard tools, techniques and technology. Work with industry experts solving real problems across sectors including automotive, industrial, aviation and renewables.

DESIGNED FOR

Developing technical solutions not only tests your skills, but also your ability to collaborate, research, analyse, and present. If you want to build on these talents and work in mechanical engineering roles across aerospace, energy systems, manufacturing and more, this course is for you.

Accredited By

  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), forming the educational base for Incorporated Engineer status and, with further learning, Chartered Engineer status

Career Paths

  • Automotive engineer
  • Inspection and QC
  • Design engineer
  • Biomedical engineer
  • Project manager

Skills Taught

  • Knowledge of cutting-edge technology and software
  • Problem-solving and analytical skills
  • Teamwork, management and leadership
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Professional responsibilities such as sustainability and ethics

An orange robotic arm with white claws sits on top of a wooden desk with a motherboard, small plugs and wires in an engineering workshop at USW's Treforest campus

Course Highlights

IMechE accreditation

You’ll gain Incorporated Engineer status and can reach Chartered Engineer status with further study.

Industry-focused

Strong links with industry partners such as IrvinGQ, Aston Martin, and Tata Steel provide real-world exposure.

Cutting-edge facilities

Train with industry-standard equipment, high-spec design software, our analytics supercomputer and more.

Dedicated, supportive staff

Our diverse team is active in cutting-edge research and will guide you towards your desired career.

Module Overview

Prepare to tackle critical technical challenges through our IMechE-accredited course. Learn the fundamentals of mechanical engineering and hone your skills with state-of-the-art machinery and software, before managing a comprehensive engineering project that showcases your capabilities.

Year One 
Engineering Mathematics 1 (Year one if part-time) 
Design and Manufacture (Year one if part-time) 
Professional Engineering Techniques (Year one if part-time) 
Mechanical Science 1 (Year two if part-time) 
Thermofluids 1 (Year two if part-time) 
Measurement Systems (Year two if part-time) 

Year Two 
Mechanical Science 2 (Year three if part-time) 
Thermofluids 2 (Year three if part-time) 
Production Processes (Year three if part-time) 
Instrumentation and Control Systems (Year four if part-time) 
Sustainable Engineering Design (Year four if part-time) 
Fundamentals of Business Engineering and Management (Year four if part-time) 

Year three  
Materials and Manufacture (Year five if part-time) 
Operations Management (Year five if part-time) 
Computational Analysis (Year five if part-time) 
Engineering Dynamics (Year six if part-time) 
Individual Project (BSc) (Year six if part-time) 
Supervised Work Experience (optional) (Year six if part-time) 

A blend of classroom-based learning and practical sessions gives you a good grounding in the latest tools, techniques and theory at the core of mechanical engineering. Develop the key personal and professional skills that underpin future learning and boost your employment prospects.

Engineering Mathematics 1 (Year one if part-time) 
Understand the relevance of mathematics in engineering and develop the mathematical and data skills needed to solve engineering problems.

Design and Manufacture (Year one if part-time) 
Learn how to define problems, identify requirements and apply engineering principles within design, manufacturing, materials and practice.  

Professional Engineering Techniques* (Year one if part-time) 
Lay the foundations for personal and professional development, such as research methods, report writing, presentation and communication.
*Half of this module can be studied in Welsh.

Mechanical Science 1 (Year two if part-time) 
Explore static and dynamic engineering principles and investigate the major scientific concepts that underpin engineering systems.

Thermofluids 1 (Year two if part-time) 
Understand the basic thermodynamic and fluid mechanic properties of both liquids and gases.

Measurement Systems (Year two if part-time) 
Learn how to select task-specific sensors, design circuits to convert signals into useful data, and plan how to process, store, and transmit measurement data.

Expand your knowledge of advanced principles and concepts within specific engineering areas. Apply and evaluate these concepts using cutting-edge machinery and software. Build managerial skills that enable you to make informed decisions required to lead engineering projects.

Mechanical Science 2 (Year three if part-time) 
Understand static and dynamic systems using experimental analysis, developing your understanding of fundamental concepts to solve engineering problems.

Thermofluids 2 (Year three if part-time) 
Combine advanced principles of thermodynamics and apply them to engineering and industrial applications, exploring the different methods of analysis for working fluids.

Production Processes (Year three if part-time) 
Gain a more detailed knowledge of manufacturing tech, CAD/CAM, processes and control. Use robotics and advanced printing and cutting techniques.

Instrumentation and Control Systems (Year four if part-time) 
Understand the mathematical models, techniques, structures and hardware involved in different types of instrumentation and control systems.

Sustainable Engineering Design (Year four if part-time) 
Build upon your knowledge of the design process and enhance your skills and knowledge around computer-aided design using industrial software.

Fundamentals of Business Engineering and Management (Year four if part-time) 
Build fundamental managerial skills, enabling you to make decisions around life cycles, risk assessment, project planning and more.

Consolidate your analytical and problem-solving abilities in preparation for your dissertation. Under the guidance of a staff member, you'll manage a detailed engineering project tailored to your interests and aspirations, presenting your findings to demonstrate your expertise.

Materials and Manufacture (Year five if part-time) 
Understand how the structure, properties and processing of materials affects their usage by conducting tests and running simulations.

Operations Management (Year five if part-time) 
Develop and evaluate complex manufacturing systems and asset management tools and techniques as you report an industrial maintenance and inspection regime.

Computational Analysis (Year five if part-time) 
Run computer simulations to model engineering problems, developing your ability to interpret results and use this as a basis to make design decisions.

Engineering Dynamics (Year six if part-time) 
Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to complex dynamic systems, drawing on advanced principles and systems within dynamics and thermodynamics.

Individual Project (BSc) (Year six if part-time) 
Undertake a detailed project in your chosen area. Independently identify problems, conduct research, develop solutions and present your findings.

Supervised Work Experience (optional) (Year six if part-time) 
Spend up to a year working in the industry, learning directly from professional mechanical engineers and forging connections that boost your prospects.

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

You’ll learn through a comprehensive mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials to develop theoretical concepts, and then apply this knowledge through extensive hands-on opportunities. These include lab experiments, industrial visits and collaborative projects using tech such as laser cutters, 3D printers, supercomputers and more.

Your knowledge is assessed through exams, coursework and lab reports. You’ll also have opportunities to present and demonstrate your project work, developing your communication skills and allowing staff to assess your practical performance using evaluation rubrics.

Teaching staff

Our teaching staff come from a broad range of backgrounds. Some have decades of experience working in engineering roles, while others have a track record of internationally significant research. This blend ensures our staff not only provide the highest level of academic support, but also helps you navigate the industry, providing connections to key organisations and opening doors for future employment.

Our mechanical engineering staff come from all over the world, and their richly diverse cultural backgrounds ensure all students feel part of a vibrant community on our course.

Placements

Throughout the course, you’ll solve real-world problems, replicate the processes and practices used in the industry, and engage with engineering professionals to give you a taste of working as a mechanical engineer. But we know that nothing can beat the experience of working alongside the experts in the real factories and labs of engineering firms, gaining real insights into engineering operations and applying your skills in meaningful ways.

If you choose to do a placement year, we support you in securing a position that aligns with your career goals and provides a relevant and transformative work experience.

Facilities

As a BSc Mechanical Engineering student, you’ll enjoy all manner of facilities and labs at the Treforest campus to bring your learning to life. They include a range of manufacturing and testing equipment such as 3D printers, laser scanners, a wind tunnel, non-destructive testing facilities, and high-spec computer suites equipped with industry-standard design and analysis software like SolidWorks, Ansys, and Matlab, as well as our ‘Cluster’ advanced analytics supercomputer. You’ll also develop practical skills under our expert technicians in our specialist workshops, including the CNC machining centre.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

The Mechanical Engineering BSc prepares you for an array of roles across research and development, design, manufacturing management, technical sales, and plant engineering. The scope of industries that require mechanical engineers is vast, ranging from aerospace and automotive to food processing and power generation, and everything in between. The degree forms the basis for accreditation as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, with options to pursue an Engineering PhD or research degree. It opens doors to diverse industries and advanced academic pursuits, contributing to innovation in the field.

Possible career paths

You may have a clear career path that you are aiming for and we can help you get there. On the other hand, you may still be unsure about the direction you wish to take and that’s why our lecturers, industrial contacts and careers services will want to talk to about these opportunities. It’s an exciting time to be a Mechanical Engineer – the world is facing some major challenges and we are at the forefront of developing solutions to many of these.

 

 

Careers support

Our teaching staff are always available to discuss potential career options within mechanical engineering. Their unparalleled knowledge and connections within the industry ensure they can guide you towards specialisms and placements that align with your ambitions and interests. We also have dedicated faculty-based careers advisors who provide tailored support with your CV, interview skills, self-promotion and more. Our curriculum includes modules dedicated to improving your professional practice to ensure you’re ‘work-ready’, understand how to navigate the industry and secure an engineering role after graduating.

Industry Partners

We have excellent links with key organisations in the industry, ensuring our curriculum is relevant and aligned to industry needs. These links also provide placement opportunities. Our students have gained invaluable experiences at the likes of GE Aviation, IrvinGQ, Network Rail, and Aston Martin to name a few. We also work closely with the Industrial Advisory Board to ensure our course keeps pace with industry trends and enables you to hit the ground running in your employment. Our industry partners provide valuable feedback, helping us update our curriculum and facilities, and integrate emerging technologies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS Points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include Mathematics and one other Science subject (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points).
  • Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level to include Mathematics and one other Science subject  (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points).
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject which must include Maths modules (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points).
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths, Science or Engineering and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

Advanced Entry: Advanced Entry: Internal applicants (USW and Partner Colleges) taking the HND Mechanical Engineering who achieve a distinction profile with above 70% in mechanical science and thermo fluids are considered for third-year entry onto the full-time BEng Mechanical Engineering. Applicants obtaining an HND from other universities or colleges with lower grade profiles are able to join the third year of the full-time BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering or year five of the Part time BSc.

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£785

per 20 credits*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Introducing Calon

We are investing in the future of STEM at USW with an exciting new Computing, Engineering and Technology building at our Pontypridd Campus.


University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

I TOOK A KEEN INTEREST IN COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD) MODELLING, A SUBJECT I PARTICULARLY RELISHED STUDYING

Thomas McNee

BSc Mechanical Engineering student

EQUIPPED WITH A PERSONAL RESIN PRINTER, I WAS ABLE TO BRING MY SOLIDWORKS CREATIONS TO LIFE

Thomas McNee

BSc Mechanical Engineering student

A cutout against a white background of mechanical engineering student stood with his arms crossed and looking to the side while wearing navy engineering overalls
A cutout against a white background of mechanical engineering student stood with his arms crossed and looking to the side while wearing navy engineering overalls

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.