Mechanical Engineering with a Foundation Year

This is the most flexible of our MEng degrees. It covers fundamental engineering principles, while giving you the freedom to follow individual interests in your third and fourth years.

Passionate about mechanical engineering, and keen to get into the workplace?

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, you can start a BEng or MEng degree.

Sheffield’s Mechanical Engineering BEng is an excellent alternative to an MEng course – offering the option to graduate, or continue your engineering education with an MSc or switch to a MEng depending upon performance.

In the first two years you'll study the core subjects that you need to be a successful mechanical engineer and we’ll embed that knowledge by applying it to open-ended projects, typical of the engineering industry.

In the third year, you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree in a way that supports your career aspirations by choosing from a wide selection of engineering modules.

One of the highlights for the third year is the individual research project, chosen from a very wide range of topics and under the supervision of an expert in the chosen field.

Throughout the course, you will be given many opportunities to develop and demonstrate the professional skills, such as written and spoken communication, group working and project management, that employers desire.

This course is seeking re-accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2024-25 entry.

Why study this course?

• Project-based learning - our system of project-based learning integrates engineering science with practical projects. So, you’ll become comfortable and capable in tackling realistic, open-ended problems – which makes you a better engineer.

• Professional skills focus - the course includes professional skills learning, which empowers you to take responsibility for your own development and become an independent learner. This includes areas such as developing communications skills, teamwork, and presentation skills, helping to create more employable engineers.

• Personal tutorials - all our students are assigned a personal tutor from day one, someone who will be your point of contact for both pastoral and academic support throughout your studies. You’ll meet your tutor on a weekly basis throughout the first year to receive both pastoral and academic support. The small group academic tutorial system in your first year strengthens the student-tutor bond and helps you to develop as an independent learner.

• Vibrant student and staff community - our excellent ‘student voice’ is consistently recognised and rated highly in the National Student Survey (NSS). Students are encouraged to be involved and have a say in their own education and to work together with staff to improve their mechanical engineering programmes.

• Specialist teaching facilities - 'Learning by doing' is the reason The Diamond was built. Dedicated to engineering, with a focus on developing practical engineering skills, this is where you’ll apply the theory you learn in lectures – consolidating your understanding alongside students from other disciplines, and beyond the bounds of the curriculum.