MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Gear up for an exciting career in mechanical engineering and take the first step towards chartered engineer status. Gain the expertise and skills to make your mark on tomorrow’s engineering challenges.

Typical offer: 128–136
Entry requirements
Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)
Full details
UCAS code: H301
Course length: Various
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Location:
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
Institute code: H36
Work placement option
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Study abroad option
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To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by July 2025.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:

module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
expected contact hours
assessment methods
staff teaching on the course

2nd in the East of England for mechanical engineering (Complete University Guide, 2024)

Excellent placement and career prospects with leading organisations

Outstanding facilities in our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building

Discover Spectra

Course overview

The MEng Mechanical Engineering provides you with a thorough grounding in engineering, and the opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills at master’s level. The course is the first step towards becoming a chartered engineer, and will lead to exciting career options in a range of sectors.

You will study the key engineering disciplines, including mathematics, materials and electrical science, mechanical science, manufacturing technology, computer-aided engineering and thermodynamics. During your final master’s year, you’ll deepen your understanding of engineering through a selection of advanced modules.

As with the BEng, you will have the chance to work on some impressive team projects, including designing a hovercraft, a Formula Student racing car and an unmanned aircraft.

If you’re looking for a degree with endless potential, mechanical engineering is the place to start.

Why choose this course?

Choosing a degree in mechanical engineering is more than just picking a subject: it’s setting a strong foundation for your future. This classic discipline is the perfect starting point for a professional career, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in any area of engineering.

Mechanical engineering isn’t just about machines: it’s about innovation and problem-solving across fields like robotics, sustainable energy and aerospace.

With a wide range of industries open to you, this path offers diverse career opportunities and a clear route to making a real impact in the world.

You will learn and be inspired in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science: Experiential learning zones and state-of-the-art equipment will enhance your learning experience. You’ll have access to modelling, water engineering labs, heavy structures testing facilities and innovative construction materials research labs.

Our industry connections will provide you with additional expertise and career-defining opportunities: Students and graduates have secured placement and employment opportunities at top companies such as Amazon, Bosch, Tesla Motors (UK), Aston Martin, London Energy Ltd and Barclays.

You will study at one of the largest engineering schools in the UK: Ranked 2^nd in the East of England of mechanical engineering (Complete University Guide, 2024), the University of Hertfordshire has a strong and proven reputation.

Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) Framework: Herts students benefit from our membership in the CDIO initiative, an innovative educational framework supporting the next generation of engineers to ensure they are better equipped to enter and succeed in industry.

Professional accreditations

The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering course is accredited by IMechE as meeting the academic requirement, in part, for Chartered Engineer registration for the 2023 cohort intake, up to, and including, the 2025 cohort intake.

Your future career

Professional chartered mechanical engineers are highly sought after around the world. Our graduates have an excellent employment record, with 93% employed or in further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22), illustrating that this degree gives you the flexibility to work in virtually any manufacturing setting, both in the UK and abroad.

Mechanical engineering graduates typically secure employment in the following roles:

mechanical engineer
automotive/aerospace/civil engineer
product design engineer
manufacturing engineer
quality/maintenance engineer
project engineer.

We'll get you ready to stand out in the graduate job market. This mechanical engineering degree is specifically designed to ensure you leave with the skills and knowledge to succeed in your career. You will benefit from CV-boosting opportunities and optional modules that further enhance your employability.

What you'll study

In your first year, you will build a strong foundation in core engineering concepts, including engineering fundamentals, statics and dynamics, and engineering mathematics. Modules such as Electrical Science, Programming for Engineers, and Introduction to Mechatronic Systems introduce essential practical skills and develop your understanding of engineering applications. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) packages, widely used in the mechanical industry, which will equip you with crucial skills for visualising and designing components. Additionally, you’ll take part in the IMechE Design Challenge, applying your skills in a real-world competitive setting.

In your second year, the focus shifts to more specialised subjects such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials in engineering, and sustainable design. This year strengthens your theoretical knowledge through applied learning in modules like Dynamics and Vibrations and Structural Mechanics, offering a deeper understanding of mechanical systems and sustainable design principles. You’ll further develop your design process skills through group and detail design projects, using Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to enhance your technical capabilities. You’ will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working for an engineering company on placement, applying your classroom knowledge in a professional environment.

In your third year, you have the chance to work for an engineering company on placement.

In the final year, you will delve into advanced topics like advanced mechanics, acoustics, and renewable energy and the environment. The programme culminates in the MEng Team Project, where you’ll tackle a real-world engineering problem, integrating the knowledge and skills you’ve developed over the course of the programme to create practical, innovative solutions.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Engineering Fundamentals	15 Credits	Compulsory
This introductory module provides level 4 engineering students with the practical opportunity to become familiar with the basic elements and practices associated with mechanical and manufacturing engineering, providing a foundation upon which subsequent engineering modules will build.
Engineering Mathematics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to enable students to explore mathematical techniques commonly used in engineering. Topics covered include functions frequently occurring in engineering applications, their manipulation and application, complex numbers, integration techniques, differentiation of functions of one or more variables, ordinary differential equations, determinants, matrices and vectors. A range of applications will support the mathematical content of the module.
Statics and Dynamics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module encompasses: 1. Statics (fundamental concept of units, forces, free body diagrams, moments, normal stresses, shear stresses, shear force-bending moment relationships). 2. Dynamics (dynamics concepts, velocity and acceleration, linear and angular motion, moment of inertia, application of free-body diagrams, work and energy principles, impulse-momentum principles). 3. Vibration (simple harmonic motion, vibrational motion in a single degree of freedom system).
Applied Design	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the engineering design process, from brief through to manufacture, to devise a solution to a posed engineering problem. Design activities are accomplished in small teams, thereby developing skills in teamwork, communication and leadership. Project management techniques are addressed and employed with the purpose of effective time management. Students are exposed to the workshop environment, with the aim of constructing their solution. Students will test and operate their build to evaluate its performance compared to the specified design brief.
Electrical Science	15 Credits	Compulsory
Many mechanical systems rely on electrical circuits for power, sensing and actuation. This module introduces the principles of electrical circuits and introduces the fundamental concepts of electrical units and relationships, basic AC and DC circuit theory, digital systems, A/D and D/A conversion, and electro-mechanical principles and devices. You will gain a secure foundation in the fundamental concepts of circuits, devices and systems that underpin all branches of engineering. This will include study of the mathematical operations of AC quantities, including phasors, vectors and complex numbers, some key semiconductor devices and circuits involving diodes and transistors and a fundamental knowledge of the principles and construction of DC and AC machines, transformers and linear actuators.
Programming for Engineers	15 Credits	Compulsory
This course will enable the student to understand and appreciate the role of basic programming within engineering disciplines. This will be accomplished through applications of programming language with practical demonstrations to allow students gain insights into the application of their work. Topics for the lectures are given below, and will be accompanied by practical classes where students will write scripts and execute them to control a programmable circuit board. Introduction Computers, Software, Hardware and microcontrollers including UART Communications Problem solving, structure and pseudocode Variables Operators Conditionals Functions Loops Strings Files Debugging Future Research and Developments
Engineering Professionalism	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will be introduced to their individual responsibilities and development to becoming professional engineers. Through relevant application of professionalism as students, they will develop skills and knowledge that will be transferable to industry practice or continued study. Using relevant academic research and industry examples students will learn about codes of conduct, relevant legislation, compliance and ethics as well as working in teams, leadership and management. The learning and assessment will be in conjunction with aligned and concurrent modules to allow this module to support and develop their skills for use in present application. The aim is to develop personal responsibility for their learning and professional development. Through industrial speakers and real case study examples students will be faced with real professional discussions and dilemmas.
Introduction to Mechatronic Systems	15 Credits	Compulsory
The intended learning outcomes are facilitated through a combination of approaches to learning and teaching mainly based on active experiential learning methods, supported by the module team and by encouraging the students to access a variety of resources, including available equipment and appropriate software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually, by their ability to conceive, design, implement and operate a low-budget autonomous electromechanical device. Content breakdown by units: Introduction to Project Management Techniques; Introduction to safety and hazardous substance legislation; Introduction to design Intent and design process; Solid body modelling for design implementation (Physical models); CAD tools and prototypes; Parameter analysis as a conceptual design methodology; Introduction to mathematical modelling; Detail design; Introduction to design for assembly and manufacture; Design validation process (Technical Performance Measure); Alongside the above-mentioned units, employability topics will be developed.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Fluid Mechanics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of fluid flow including hydrostatic thrusts on submerged surfaces, Reynolds number, pipework systems, viscous drag and aerodynamic drag and the principles of fluid machines.
Thermodynamics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of thermodynamics and provides a basis for higher-level modules in thermodynamics and heat transfer. Lectures and tutorials are accompanied by laboratory sessions in thermodynamics. Assessment is through laboratory reports, written coursework and an examination.
Materials in Engineering	15 Credits	Compulsory
Processing-microstructure-property relationships. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys. Forming and shaping methods. Ceramics. Polymers. Composite Materials. Corrosion. Creep, Fracture and fatigue. Non-destructive testing.
Sustainable Design	15 Credits	Compulsory
The intended learning outcomes are facilitated through a combination of approaches to learning and teaching mainly based on active experiential learning methods. These activities will be supported by the module team and by encouraging the students to access a variety of resources including available equipment and appropriate software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually, by their ability to design & build a structure and/or device supporting the movement of a fluid.
Dynamics & Vibrations	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module Dynamics consists of three parts: Kinematics, concerned with the description of the motion of rigid bodies without considering the forces causing such motion. Kinetics, concerned with the forces causing the motion of rigid bodies. Vibration, concerned with the oscillations of a mechanical system. This module expands on the dynamics part of modules at level 4 and provides practical applications relevant to industrial design and analysis.
Structural Mechanics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module includes shear force-bending moment diagrams, beam theory, combined loading conditions, direct stress/strain, shear stress/strain, torsion of shafts, bending stresses in beams with asymmetrical sections.
Introduction and Application of Control Systems	15 Credits	Compulsory
This course will introduce the engineering principles of Control Systems engineering by introducing simulation through the use of MATLAB and Simulink software as well as the practical application of simulation work utilising sensors and actuators commonly found in the electro-mechanical discipline. This will be conducted through the following topics: Introduction and Application of Laplace Transform Block Diagrams and Simulink Familiarisation Application of Simulink Control Systems Understanding of First & Second Order Systems Block Manipulation & Unity Feedback Temperature and Pressure Sensors Displacement Gyroscopes, Accelerometers, AC & DC Motors, Motor Drivers Valves, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Actuators (Electric Heaters and Boilers) Sensor selection and analysis.
Industrial Mechanics	15 Credits	Compulsory
The intended learning outcomes are facilitated through a combination of approaches to learning and teaching mainly based on active experiential learning methods. These activities will be supported by the module team and by encouraging the students to access a variety of resources including available equipment and appropriate software packages. Students will be assessed, in groups as well as individually. Groups will typically design, manufacture, test and operate a mechanical part or mechanism which is part of a wider mechanical system, using the tools described in section Outline Syllabus below.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Industrial Placement	0 Credits	Optional
The optional placement year is undertaken in the academic year prior to the final year of study, and must meet University standard requirements for the length of placement to be considered for the conferment of "with Sandwich" upon graduation. Students undertake the placement within an organisation that can provide an appropriate learning experience within an engineering or general STEM environment/role. To be eligible for placement, students must normally have achieved sufficient credit at Levels 4 and 5 to be able to enter the final year upon completion of the placement. While the School and University actively support the placements process ultimately it is the placement company that will select students, normally through an interview process. During the placement, a member of School staff will be assigned to the student as a tutor and will monitor the student's progress during the placement period.
Year Abroad	0 Credits	Optional
The Year Abroad will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first two taught years of the degree within a different organisational and cultural environment in a partner academic institution. The host institution will appoint a Programme Co-ordinator who will oversee the student's programme during the Year Abroad and will liaise with the appointed UH Supervisor.
Semester Abroad	0 Credits	Optional
The Semester Abroad will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first two taught years of the degree within a different organisational and cultural environment in a partner academic institution. The host institution will appoint a Programme Co-ordinator who will oversee the student's programme during the Semester Abroad and will liaise with the appointed UH Supervisor.
Plant Engineering	15 Credits	Optional
This module will introduce fundamental concepts of Plant Engineering, an area which a significant number of Mechanical Engineers make their careers in. The module includes (but is not limited to): An Overview of where a plant engineer fits within the 21st century production sphere; Skills for projects, process, environment and energy management in plant engineering; Maintenance management (Plant based equipment maintenance principles); Introduction to standards and policies of equipment installation (manufacturers guidelines, HSE, etc); Overall descriptions and coverage of types of plant-based systems, equipment and processes (example: electrical supply, pressure systems, HVAC, noise, vibration, etc). Safety management with corresponding legal knowledge. Introduction to relevant professional bodies.
Thermal Power Systems	15 Credits	Optional
This module encompasses fundamental concepts of various thermal power cycles/ systems. It covers the analysis of these cycles and the assessment of their performance parameters. The course also examines new developments in power and refrigeration cycles. The developments of Otto, diesel and dual cycles; vapour power and Joule-Brayton cycles; refrigeration and heat pump cycles are introduced and their performance are investigated.
Advanced Controller Design and Stability	15 Credits	Optional
This course will continue to build on the foundations developed in Control Systems from level 5 and 6. It allow students to use the foundations of classic control systems to build an understanding of digital control systems to be able to understand system stability for complex and modern engineering scenarios. This will be conducted through the following topics: Introduction to Root Locus Methods Controller Design using Root Locus Introduction to Digital Control and Digital Time Response Digitisation and Introduction to Digital Root Locus Digital Controller Design Introduction to Non-Linear Systems and Describing Functions Non-Linear Stability
Analysis of Applied Control Systems	15 Credits	Optional
This course will continue to build on the foundations developed in Control Systems from level 5 and allows students to build on the analysis of scenarios presented to them, allowing them the ability to conduct suitable stability modelling through MATLAB and Simulink. This will be conducted through the following topics: Introduction to Frequency Response Introduction to Nyquist Response Analysis & Nyquist Stability Criterion Bode Plot Analysis Nichols Charts Closed Loop Performance Controller Design using Frequency Response
Acoustics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides an introduction to the principles and practice of acoustics and noise control. It begins with the basics of sound, sound sources and human perception. It then explores the relationship between the source of sound and the listener in three different scenarios: source and listener outdoors, source and listener in a room/enclosure and source and listener separated by partition (or in separate rooms). These scenarios provide comprehensive coverage of the principles relevant to a wide variety of practically important systems, such as rooms, enclosures and barriers. Further concepts explored include: control of noise, manipulation of sound propagation and isolation of sound.
Renewable Energy and the Environment	15 Credits	Compulsory
This course will enable the student to understand and evaluate forms of renewable energy. This will include; solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, fuel cell, nuclear and micro energy sources. You will learn how to calculate the energy a system can generate, how it can be optimised and flaws in the technology. This will require our students to develop their creativity to enhance solutions, giving a taste for research and development job roles. Environmental acts - Climate change - Biodiversity - Triggers and effects Photovoltaics - Angle of Incidence - Chemistry - Stability - Flaws Wind Generation - Offshore - Onshore - Urban - Induction (magnetism) Thermal - Solar reflectors - Optics - Ground surveys - geothermal Hydropower - Dams - Offshore wave generation - Bernoulli's applied Fuel cells - Hydrogen - Hydrocarbon - CO2 storage - Chemistry Nuclear - Fusion and Fission Microgeneration - Piezoelectric - Thermoelectric - Solar Applications to Automotive and mechatronics Future Research and Developments
Advanced Mechanics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will extend the students knowledge and understanding of structural & component analysis to meet the design requirements. This module provides an introduction to advanced analytical and numerical techniques for the design and analysis of mechanical/automotive components. Classical stress analysis techniques and finite element method will be introduced and applied. Students will also gain an introduction to more advanced applications of finite element analysis such as design and analysis of composite structures. Topics include plate theory, fracture and fatigue, composite mechanics, and introduction to finite element method. Student learning will be supported by assignments making use of both analytical and numerical techniques for the structural analysis of typical mechanical/automotive components & structures.
Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chains	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will equip students to apply lean manufacturing techniques (a.k.a. "The Toyota Production System") to the manufacturing and other sectors, while also incorporating a systems thinking perspective to operations and in particular through an understanding of the theory of constraints. It will approach the topics initially from a historical perspective discussing the first principles of these practices as developed by Toyota. Students will then progress to applying these philosophies to current industrial and commercial contexts and applications.
MEng Individual Project (Mechanical)	30 Credits	Compulsory
The major individual project occurs in either third or fourth (sandwich awards) year of study can take several forms ranging from design-oriented work to investigative work and research projects and placing their findings in the context of the application of real world engineering. Students are highly encouraged to propose their own topics for investigation. The project title and topic are chosen and moderated to provide an intellectual challenge appropriate to an honours programme of study in a specific engineering field. The student is expected to firstly identify and elucidate the problems through a critical review of a subject area and then plan, organise, and execute a significant individual programme of work related to a chosen field of study through the analysis and synthesis of results. Students should demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying skills, knowledge and experience gained from previous work in an individual practical, problem solving project. Student will be subjected to both end-point assessments and a continuous progress assessment that will assess the learning outcomes.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
CFD Techniques	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module develops the student's knowledge of aerodynamic applications of CFD. It comprehensively reviews the governing equations of fluid flow and their area of application. The major numerical methods of solution are introduced, together with turbulence modelling. Meshing procedures are introduced, including physical measures of adequate meshing, solution adaptive meshing, multi-block and multi-grid methods.
Embedded Control Systems	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will develop a student's ability to design and implement embedded software and hardware for control of mechatronic systems. The module will start with a number of programming exercises to develop the students programming skills supported by lectures/seminars on hardware requirements for embedded systems. The remainder of the module will be project based with students expected to develop software through self-study and demonstrate its use to control various mechatronic systems.
Successful Project Delivery	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will extend students existing knowledge of project management and explore the complex nature of commercial project delivery in modern engineering organisations. Students successfully completing this module will be equipped to work within, and lead, high performing multidisciplinary project teams. Students will develop a critical awareness of their own skills, attributes, impact and contributions to project teams, team roles, as well as an awareness of leadership, including differing leadership styles and cultural issues in projects. In addition to these people oriented elements of the module, students will study the role of systems engineering in providing a structured and robust approach to project initiation, planning, delivery, control and closure. The module will support students in the application of other critical components of project management including; Risk management, quality management, configuration management, project management methodologies, intellectual property and contracts, business case viability and justification. The module will make use of experiential learning, case study examples, reflective practice, guest speakers blended with traditional learning methods.
Advanced Thermodynamics & Thermal Systems	15 Credits	Compulsory
cycles/systems. It covers the analysis of these cycles and the assessment of their performance parameters. The course also examines new developments in power and refrigeration cycles and assesses their impact on the environment. The developments of power-power and power-heat cycle/systems are introduced and their performances are investigated.
CAE & Applications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to: (i) Construct computer simulation models for a range of mechanical engineering requirements, from industrial complex models to models requiring sophisticated numerical solutions using CAD surface/solid information. (ii) Examine the effect of mesh density, domain size, boundary conditions, material properties and appropriate numerical schemes on the accuracy of results through the use of FEA software. (iii) Validate and correlate the simulation results against benchmark solutions or analytical approximations.
CFD & Applications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to develop student knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics. It comprehensively reviews the governing equations of fluid flow and their areas of application within the context of real-world engineering problems. Practical CFD skills are developed through laboratory activity, including geometry representation, the selection of appropriate meshing strategies (e.g. mesh element types, mesh refinement, mesh quality) and physics settings. Teaching on this module includes the fundamentals of fluid flows, field theory, boundary layer modelling, turbulence modelling and strategies for domain sizing/discretisation.
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, including preparing and working with raw and structured data, statistical analysis of data, processing and mining data to understand patterns and support making estimations/predictions and decision making, representation and search, problem solving.
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing	15 Credits	Compulsory
Enable students to make appropriate choices of the materials and processes; future scenarios and potential developments are considered.
Engineering Management and Innovation	15 Credits	Compulsory
As part of this module, students will explore the societal and environmental impact of engineering. Students will be equipped to use professional codes of conduct and a wide range of management tools to identify and mitigate risk. Students will study the role of systems engineering in providing a structured and robust approach to project initiation, planning, delivery, control and closure and how it can foster innovation. Additionally, students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as the role of diversity as a key driver for innovation.
MEng Team Project	45 Credits	Compulsory
This project involves the undertaking of a realistic engineering task, plus the experience of leadership and project management in a challenging team project. Wherever possible, the project is generated and operated in collaboration with a suitable industrial company or research collaborator and is typically of a multidisciplinary systems-based nature. Projects should help to develop understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied. Students apply their analytical skills gained earlier in their degree programme to produce innovative solutions to complex engineering problems. Each team undertakes formal planning and progress meetings throughout the duration of the project and offer both written and oral presentations and reflections of their work. Opportunities are available to integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines alongside their own discipline. Including concepts from some areas outside engineering, students should be able to critique and apply these effectively in engineering projects.

What if I need support?

You’ll have a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation.

If you need additional support during your time with us, rest assured that we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both of our Learning Resource Centres run drop-in study skills sessions.

Optional sandwich year

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service will guide you through the process of securing your placement. Students have previously undertaken placements in organisations such as:

Rolls Royce Cars
United Glass
ATT
Turner Powertrain Systems
Xerox

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about study abroad options

Rolls Royce Cars
United Glass
ATT
Turner Powertrain Systems
Xerox

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

Your main campus is College Lane. This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based.

You’ll learn in our new state-of-the-art building called Spectra, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.

You will also benefit from our Academic Support Hub, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

Spectra also provides space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Who you'll learn from

You will learn from friendly, motivated, and highly qualified faculty members with vast research expertise and industry experience in a variety of fields including, but not limited to advanced materials, innovative manufacturing technologies, sustainable energy, nanomaterials, microfluidics, biomaterials, and generative design.

You will also benefit from being taught by faculty from across the engineering department whose broad expertise ranges from energy, manufacturing, materials, product design and more.

Our faculty members are leaders in the UK for the Conceive Design Implement and Operate (CDIO) initiative, which aims to provide students with hands on experience to create systems and products in a modern team-based engineering environment.

Our exceptionally talented technical team is committed to providing you with hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment while ensuring the highest health and safety standards.

You will also learn from your student peers through working on activities such as Formula Student.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Find out more about support and wellbeing

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Typical offer (UCAS points)	(enter tariff range)
Typical A Level offer	(enter range)
Typical IB offer	(enter range)
Typical BTEC offer	(enter range)
Typical T Level offer	(enter range)
GCSE	EG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics
Access courses	EG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.
Additional information	Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language	All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
Additional information	Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Typical offer (UCAS points)	128–136
Typical A Level offer	ABB–AAB Mandatory subjects: Mathematics and either Physics or Technology, or engineering-based subjects, excluding General Studies / Critical Thinking
Typical IB offer	128–136 UCAS points Mandatory subjects: A minimum of three HL subjects at grade 5 or above, to include HL Mathematics and Physics
Typical BTEC offer	Not accepted
Accepted T Levels	None
GCSE	Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Access courses	Not accepted
Additional information	Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. All students applying for specific courses who are on time-limited visas are required to obtain ATAS approval prior to registering on the course. Find out more about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

English language	All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
Additional information	Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Start date	Study type	Apply
September 2026	Full time	Apply via UCAS
	Full time with placement year	Apply via UCAS
	Full time with study abroad year	Apply via UCAS

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Apply through Clearing

Make sure you've got your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

Apply online and get an instant response

Click to call or dial 0300 303 6300

Find out more before you apply

Our Clearing hotline is open Monday – Thursday, 09:00 – 16:45, and Friday 09:00 – 15:45. To apply you will need your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

	Study type	Fees
UK students	Full time	£9,535 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries	Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.
Disabled Students' Allowance	The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
Student loans	Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.
Accommodation costs	We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.
Additional course fees	Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet.

More about the course

Course fact sheets
MEng Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)	Download PDF

Programme specifications
MEng Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)	Download PDF

Additional information
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 4 Years Sandwich, 5 Years

MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Gear up for an exciting career in mechanical engineering and take the first step towards chartered engineer status. Gain the expertise and skills to make your mark on tomorrow’s engineering challenges.

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Typical offer: 128–136

Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)

UCAS code: H301

Course length: Various

Location: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Institute code: H36

Work placement option

Study abroad option

This course is up for review

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Professional accreditations

Your future career

What you'll study

What if I need support?

Optional sandwich year

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Where you'll study

Who you'll learn from

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

International applicants

UK applicants

International applicants

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UK applicants

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

International applicants

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Additional information

More about the course

Further information

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