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FD|Undergraduate

Mechanical Engineering

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
CC
Duration
2 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
H302

The majority of man-made products are mechanical or have mechanical parts, and mechanical engineers are to be found working in virtually every type of industry, on products as diverse as racing cars, jet engines, cruise ships, farm machinery, sports equipment and domestic appliances. Mechanical engineers therefore have very wide career opportunities and are employed because of their scientific knowledge, design expertise, problem-solving skills and business awareness. Mechanical engineers are also at the forefront of sustainable solutions for a better world in the 21st century.

The Foundation degree (FdEng) in Mechanical Engineering is a two-year degree offered by Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC) in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).

On completion of the Foundation degree, successful students can then choose to enrol at Stage 2 of a BEng Honours degree in either Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Product Design Engineering, and graduate after a further two years of study. Alternatively, they can progress directly into full-time employment in the design or mechanical/manufacturing industry.

Mechanical Engineering highlights

Further Study Opportunities

The Foundation degree is designed to provide direct access to the BEng Honours degree programmes offered by the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at QUB for students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to enrol for their degrees.

World Class Facilities

The College has a wide range of workshop, laboratory, computing and CAD facilities to support teaching and learning. These are all located on-campus.

Industry Links

WORK BASED LEARNING
The college liaises closely with industrial partners to identify and evaluate suitable Work Based Learning (WBL) opportunities for students. Note students must source and secure a suitable placement location/provider. The WBL experience, which is one of the main strengths of this programme, requires 400 hours of meaningful placement with a company, during which time students receive several visits from a dedicated WBL coordinator to monitor progress, assess performance, encourage reflection on the learning experience and consult with the Industrial Supervisor.

Course Structure

In Year 1 students are introduced to core engineering principles and mathematics, and they undertake individual and small team-based projects, designed to introduce them to the concept of professional engineering practice and to develop personal and interpersonal skills. They are also introduced to the principles of engineering design and manufacturing processes where they gain practical experience of the processes through the hands-on use of manufacturing engineering equipment in the production of working prototypes.

Year 2 builds on the knowledge already gained with a series of more advanced engineering science subjects, which focus on basic theory and application. The Work Based Learning (WBL) forms a significant part of Year 2 (one third) and while no formal teaching programme is required for it, students are prepared for it through instruction on areas such as interview skills, report writing and other skill areas which they are likely to encounter. The College liaises closely with its industrial partners to identify and evaluate suitable WBL opportunities for the students.

People teaching you

Lecturer and Course Director

Belfast Metropolitan College

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

12 (hours maximum)
16 – 18 hours of lectures/tutorials/practical activities per week (varies by stage of study). 1 hour of pastoral tutorial support per week

Personal Study

17 (hours maximum)
14 – 20 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, tutorial sheets and others.

Teaching Times

Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Depending on timetable, classes are scheduled over 3 to 4 days per week, with no classes timetabled on Wednesday afternoon to facilitate extracurricular activities.

Learning and Teaching

Through the Foundation Degree we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. We do this by providing a range of learning experiences, which enable our students to develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies that enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  • Lectures

    Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments.

  • Practicals

    Where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.

  • Self-Directed Study

    This is an important part of life as a higher education student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  • Tutorials

    Most lectures are supported by tutorial classes, in which students work in groups. These provide significant opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers.

  • Work Placements

    Students undertake a work-placement during Year 2. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

Assessment

The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module.

  • Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at the College they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, advisers of study and peers. Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

College students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Facilities

BMC offers a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support student activities and project based learning:

Modern Workshop
Computer Based Learning Suite
Flexible Project Environments
Teaching Laboratories

BMC is responsible for delivering the degree. However, Foundation students are enrolled as students in both the College and the University and have all the main entitlements and access to facilities at both campuses.

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Work Based Learning (40 credits)

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

CC including Mathematics and at least one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics or Technology & Design.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H3H4H4H4H4/H3H3H4H4 including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry.

If not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Physics.

Note: a minimum of five subjects will be required in the Irish Leaving Certificate, at least four of which should be at Higher Level.

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with grades MMP, with Merits required in four specified units, including Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mathematics for Technicians.

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with grades MMP, with Merits required in four specified units, including Engineering Principles and Further Engineering Mathematics.

Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma must be relevant.

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 55% in each module.

Must be a relevant Access Course including two modules in Mathematics (Level 3) and two modules in Physics (Level 3).

Note

1. All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

2. Applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade C/4 in GCSE Physics or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/4,4.

3. Applicants who successfully complete the Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an overall average of 55% (must pass all modules) can be
considered for Stage 2 (second year of a 3/4 programme) of BEng Honours Mechanical Engineering, BEng Honours Aerospace Engineering or BEng
Honours Product Design Engineering.

How we choose our students

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by an Admissions Officer/Manager from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

Applicants for the Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement; in addition, all applicants should have GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above. Applicants not offering Physics at A-level require GCSE Physics at grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science at grades CC/4,4 or above. Selectors will also check that any specific subject and grade requirements in terms of A-level can be fulfilled (see Entry Requirements).

Offers are normally made on the basis of 2 A-levels. Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview. The offer for repeat applicants is set in terms of 2 A-levels and the same as for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a two A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 3 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as Edexcel BTEC Extended Diploma (Level 3)/BTEC National Extended Diploma (Level 3) in a relevant subject, will also be considered.

The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those candidates taking a BTEC Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma and must include both GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 and GCSE Physics grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science at grade CC/4,4 or better. A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering (180 credits)/National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLHs) ) is required for entry to this degree and must include Level 3 Mathematics for Technicians and Level 3 Further Mathematics for Technicians (see entry requirements) or Engineering Principles and Further Engineering Mathematics (see entry requirements).

Applicants offering Higher National Certificates/Diplomas in a relevant subject plus GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above, a combination of Scottish Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers, the International Baccalaureate or Irish Leaving Certificate, will also be considered.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to an Open Day, which is usually held on a Saturday between early-February and mid/late-March. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice; the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

After graduating with the FdEng in Mechanical Engineering, students will have acquired practical and theoretical knowledge and a wide range of skills. They will also have had the benefit of undertaking a major industrially relevant project as part of the industrial placement. As a result, graduates will be in an excellent position to pursue careers in many of the areas where mechanical engineers are employed.

Employment after the Course

This Foundation degree is a collaborative provision between the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (SMAE) at Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast Metropolitan College. Students who complete the Foundation degree with an average of 55% or higher can progress directly to Stage 2 of any of the BEng Honours programmes provided by SMAE: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Product Design Engineering. This will obviously broaden students’ options in terms of employment and create the opportunity for even further progression through postgraduate study. For information on available Master’s and research programmes, please see the SMAE website.
www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £3,167
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £3,167
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £6,167
EU Other 3 £16,867
International £16,867

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

There may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from the libraries at BMC and QUB. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the libraries, prices per text can range from £30 to £100.
The programme has up to 6 modules per year, each with a recommended text.

Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students will undertake a period of work placement in Year 2, as a compulsory part of this programme and should be aware that they may have to fund additional travel and living costs.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for examination resits and library fines.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

  1. Applying through UCAS
    Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
  2. Applying direct
    The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
  3. Applying through agents and partners
    The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

Download Undergraduate Prospectus