MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

Our study years are classed as thematic pillars where we look at the course in a vertical not horizontal fashion. As such, knowledge gained in the first year will be built upon in subsequent years and embedded in the final year. These pillars are Mechanics, Thermofluids, Design and Management, supported by other areas of mechanical engineering. 

In the first year, these topics are supported with maths and control. In the second year they are Control and production processes. In the final year they are operations management/asset management and of course the final year project.

Level 4

• Engineering Mathematics 1
• Design and Manufacture
• Professional Engineering Techniques
• Mechanical Science 1
• Measurement Systems
• Thermofluids 1

Level 5

• Mechanical Science 2
• Thermofluids 2
• Production Processes
• Instrumentation and Control Systems
• Sustainable Engineering Design
• Fundamentals of Business Engineering and Management

Level 6 

• Operations Management
• Materials and Manufacture
• Engineering Dynamics
• Computational Analysis
• Individual Project

Teaching

The course will be delivered at our Treforest campus. There will be one day of delivery per week over 5 years including a self study distance learning module in the summer of the 4th year. Your dissertation will also be industry based and will be completed at the end of the final year of teaching. Typically, there will be 6 hours of contact per week with 7 in the first year.

Assessment

Assessment methods include assignments, coursework and examinations.

Facilities

At our campus we benefit from access to specialist labs, specialist PC’s and industry
standard software.

Support

We have an open door policy and also you will benefit from Personal Coaching and Progress Monitoring (PAC). This will be an academic staff member from your course.

The purpose of PAC is to help you remain successful through a conversation about your academic and professional progress on all aspects of the Course. You will have meetings with your PAC to reflect on your achievements so far and consider ways forward.

You will be required to keep a logbook detailing your activities and learning in the workplace and present it during you PAC meetings.

Advice Zones

Advice Zones are the first point of contact for advice and information regarding university life. Advice Assistants offer confidential, impartial guidance and advice on a range of issues including extenuating circumstances. Advice Assistants are also able to answer and advise on your queries, questions or concerns regarding booking appointments with specialist teams such as Counselling, Disability and Dyslexia, Money Advice and Progression Advice.

Details of Advice Zones can be found here. 

If you are being taught at a Partner College e.g. through a franchise course, please contact your college in the first instance if you have queries.

Advice Zone Online

Advice Zone Online is the University’s online student support system. It is one central place where you can access support Advice Zone Online lets students view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and ask
new questions, which will connect them with the right team at the University to get help. 

Appointments with a range of support services can also be booked here.

Advice Zone Online will only contact you via your University email address so it is important that you regularly check this account.

Advice Zone Online can be accessed directly via this link or the UniLife homepage.

The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. Most offers we make are at the top of the range, but we take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable.

Typical A-Level Offer

BCC - CDD to include Mathematics and one other Science subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to include Mathematics and one other Science subject  (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC Offer

BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject which must include Maths modules (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical IB Offer

Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including a score of 5 in Mathematics at Higher Level. You will also need to obtain a score of 5 or above in English at standard level.

Typical Access to HE Offer

Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths, Science or Engineering and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: 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

Degree apprenticeships: Work-based learning landing page

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 3rd 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 3rd year of the Full time BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering or year 5 of the Part time BSc

The apprenticeship is funded through Welsh government and complies with the wider apprenticeship commonalities.

This course offers an upskilling opportunity for people already in employment.

Graduates of our Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses pursue a career in electronics, computing, electrical engineering, communications or control systems and embedded systems.

Our work-based learning opportunities offer many benefits to students and employers, large and small.

To discuss the range of apprenticeship opportunities at USW, or if you would like a member of our team to evaluate your work-based learning needs, contact us on 01443 482203 or at [email protected].

All places are awarded following a recruitment process that is specific to the participating company or organisation.

All places are subject to obtaining a role within such a company or organisation and meeting the institutions entry requirements.