Course contact details
Undergraduate Enquiries
Email:ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Phone:01273 876787
University of Sussex
Sussex House
Brighton
BN1 9RH
Mechanical Engineering (with an industrial placement year)
- BEng (Hon)
- 4 Years
- Sandwich
- September 2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
87.9% of our research outputs in Engineering were assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
About the course
This degree will enable you to lead multidisciplinary teams in the development of complex systems, including sustainable power generation, power-trains for automotive vehicles, and jet engines for aircraft propulsion. The placement year also gives you the chance to get real work experience for a year in industry, while still being supported by Sussex.
We undertake world-class research, which enriches your teaching. Our Dynamics, Control and Vehicle Research Group and the Thermo-Fluid Mechanics Research Centre, develop innovative concepts in vehicle technology and efficient aero-engines, among other things. You’ll study in our Future Technologies Labs that incorporate computer suites and new automation/robotics facilities. There is a dedicated manufacturing lab with state-of-the-art facilities such as CNC machines and 3-D printers. You'll be able to specialise in subjects such as CAD, computational fluid dynamics through optional modules and work on areas such as control, vibration, tribology, or aerodynamics through project work including Formula Student and Wind-driven car projects.
We have dedicated academic advisors to support you during you time at Sussex and a team of student mentors. You will also be welcomed into our active, student-run engineering societies.
Accreditation
Start your career ahead of the competition with our respected industry accreditation.
MEng or BEng?
We also offer this course without the industrial placement year, as a four-year MEng, or as a five-year MEng with an industrial placement year.
Location
Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.
About the University of Sussex
Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.
Modules
See the modules you will study by year by going to the ‘visit our course page’ link at the bottom of the page.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BEng (Hon) • Sandwich • 4 Years
Start dates
- September 2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- H32F
- Institution code:
- S90
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Sussex has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- H32F
- Institution code:
- S90
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Chat to student ambassadors
Discover what it's like to study Mechanical Engineering (with an industrial placement year) at University of Sussex: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
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Entry requirements
A level ABB
A-levels must include Mathematics, with at least grade B.
You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD
The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma should be in Engineering and must include a Distinction in Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems or if taking the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering you must gain a Distinction in the Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians.
GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics with at least grade 5 is essential (or grade B).
You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 24 credits at Distinction.
You will normally need A-level Mathematics, grade B, in addition to the Access to HE Diploma.
All Access applicants will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Scottish Higher AABBB
Highers must include Mathematics, grade A. You should normally have an Advanced Higher in Mathematics (grade B).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 points
This score should be from the full IB Diploma.
Higher Levels must include Mathematics, with a grade of 5.
For entry, either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level will be accepted.
Extended Project
We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact Admissions at ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Including at least 5.5 in each component. We accept IELTS One Skills Retake. We do not accept IELTS Online. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Including at least 59 in all four skills. We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | TOEFL (iBT), including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing. We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition. |
Please see our English language requirements. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/international-qualifications/english-language-requirements
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At Sussex, we recognise that not everybody has the same support to help them get to higher education. At Sussex it’s important to us to have a diverse, inclusive university community with a range of voices and experiences. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education ensuring that we have fair access to all regardless of background. A contextual offer is a reduced grade offer which is given to students who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026-27. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
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