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.
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.
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.
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). 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.
Introduction to thermodynamic and Fluid Mechanics properties and processes. Fluids and their properties definition of a fluid, viscosity, density, specific gravity. Zeroeth law of thermodynamics. Calorimetry including Specific Heat Capacity, specific heat at constant pressure or volume, relationship between specific heats and isentropic index and Specific latent Heat.
Charles, Boyles and Gay Lussac (pressure) relationships. The ideal gas law molar vs mass version. Polytropic processes.
Conservation of Energy and the First law of thermodynamics. Closed system processes and cycles. Use of ideal gas properties of Air tables.
Conservation Laws; mass and volume flow rates, continuity equation. Open system processes and cycles and the flow equation. Entropy, reversibility, and the Second Law of thermodynamics.
Coefficient of performance (COP) for heat pumps and refrigerators.
Hydrostatic pressure; variation of pressure vertically and horizontally in a fluid. Measurement of pressure; simple, U-tube and differential manometers.
Pressure force and centre of pressure on submerged bodies. Hydrostatics calculation of forces on submerged surfaces. Buoyancy and stability of floating and submerged bodies.
Conservation laws; momentum equation, energy equation, Euler's equation, Bernoulli's equation.
Fluid flow laminar and turbulent flows with calculation of Reynolds number.
Flow in pipes using the Haaland equation and Moody plot.
Supporting laboratory classes
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this module students will be able to:
1. Identify the facts, concepts, principles and theories of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics.
2. Evaluate calorimetric heat flows involving sensible and latent heat exchanges.
3. Analyse 1st and 2nd law processes and cycles.
4. Use the COP for air-conditioners, heat pumps and refrigerators to determine heat flows.
5. Report on fluid parameters such as density, viscosity, static pressure, Reynolds number etc.
6. Calculate the changes in fluid properties during flow through e.g., diffusers, nozzles and tapering/diverging tubes using Bernoulli theorem.
7. Calculate the forces on submerged planer surfaces and report on buoyancy and stability for floating objects.
8. Calculate head losses that occur within a fluid flowing in a pipeline.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Teamworking.
• Basic mathematical skills and associated computational methods.
• Application of scientific knowledge.
• Ability to assemble and communicate technical information.
• Problem solving.
• Logical thinking.
• Communication skills.
Introduction to Solid Mechanics, Revision of Statics, Equilibrium of Forces, and moments, loads and reactions, types of support. Stress-strain relationships. Direct and shear stress applications. Resolution of forces. Forces in plane frameworks, classification of simple structures, forces and stresses in beams, shear force and bending moment diagrams. Properties of beam cross-sectional areas, second moment of area. Torsion of circular sections.
Intro to dynamics and applications, Newton's laws of motion. Newton’s law of gravitation, acceleration due to gravity. Weight and mass. Vectors and scalars. Kinematics, rectilinear motion: displacement velocity acceleration. Uniform acceleration equations, velocity time, displacement time graphs. Angular motion and position. Radians linear and angular speed. Radial and tangential accelerations. Equations for uniform angular acceleration. Relative motion. Simple projectile motion. Kinetics of particles, coordinate systems. Work energy power. Work done by a constant force. Graphical representation of work done by a variable force. Hooke's law and work done extending a linear elastic spring. Work done by a couple on a body in angular motion. Kinetic energy and the work-energy theorem. Power, potential energy (particularly GPE), kinetic energy, elastic strain energy. Conservative and non-conservative forces. Impulse and momentum, conservation of momentum. Particles in rectilinear impacts. Elastic and inelastic impacts. Coefficient of restitution.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the students should be able to:
1. Construct shear force and bending moment diagrams for various loading scenarios
2. Calculate and analyse the stress and strains produce in various elements under load.
3. Calculate various properties for common beam cross-sections
4. Analyse statically determinate frameworks
5. Analyse rectilinear and circular motion (for constant accelerations)
6. Calculate momentum and energy using conservation laws
7. Calculate work, force, energies, and displacements
8. Analyse planer rectilinear collision
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Problem solving.
• Numerical analysis.
• ¬Team-working.
• Basic mathematical skills and associated computational methods.
• Application of scientific knowledge.
• ¬The use of spreadsheets to solve engineering problems.
• Ability to assemble and communicate technical information.
Basic algebra: notation, order of precedence, indices, scientific notation, algebraic expressions, simplification and factorisation, algebraic fractions, simple equations, transposition of formulae, partial fractions.
Functions: basic concepts, graphs of functions, composite functions, inverse functions, linear functions, engineering functions.
Solving equations: linear equations, quadratic equations, polynomial equations, inequalities, logarithm and hyperbolic functions, inverse of 2x2 matrices with application to solve a system of equations.
Trigonometry: basic trig functions, inverse trig functions, right-angled triangles, identities and equations, sine, and cosine rules.
Differentiation: gradients, differentiation from first principles, standard derivatives, evaluating derivatives, higher derivatives, differentiating products and quotients, chain rule, parametric differentiation, implicit differentiation, logarithmic differentiation.
Applications of differentiation: maxima and minima.
Integration: standard integrals, indefinite and definite integrals, area bounded by curves, integration by parts, integration by substitution, integration using partial fractions.
Applications of integration: centre of mass, moment of inertia.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Simplify and manipulate a variety of algebraic and trigonometric expressions
2. Apply logarithmic, trigonometrical, and hyperbolic functions to solve engineering problems.
3. Apply analytical methods to solve geometry related problems
4. Apply differential and integral calculus to solve engineering problems
Skills
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate mathematical skills so that engineering problems presented in other courses can be modelled, analysed, and solved.
Materials selection: considerations for manufacture, cost, environment, sustainability, and performance; case studies. Relation of engineering material properties to structure: stiffness and packing/bonding of atoms; dislocations and yielding; fast fracture and stress concentration; fatigue; creep and diffusion; corrosion and wear; methods of testing. Classes of Materials: metals and alloys, strengthening mechanisms; ceramics and glasses, polymers, composites. Use of energy, sustainability, recycling, and environmental considerations. Primary forming methods and secondary manufacturing processes. Manufacturing planning processes – MRP, MRP II, JIT, Kanban, TPS etc. Quality assurance methodology – ISO 9000, Six sigma, 5S, 6S.
Computer Aided Design - Draw, constrain and dimension accurate sketches on 2D reference planes and create 3D part models using extruded and revolved features. Create, display, and use work planes for secondary sketch features. Use Rectangular/Circular patterns, Swept and lofted features. Create Drawing Sheets to customize Drawing Template files, using text and text parameters. Create Assemblies of created parts using a build approach and apply assembly constraints to align parts. Assign materials to component parts and analyse physical properties.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Know the methods of producing and treating ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, including resource sustainability and energy consumption.
2. Understand the effect of microstructure on the macroscopic properties of metals and their alloys.
3. Understand the structure, mechanical properties, and engineering application of a range of non-metallic materials.
4. Summarize the relationships which influence the selection of materials for component manufacture, and select suitable manufacturing, quality assurance processes, economic and sustainability considerations.
5. Use 2D and 3D CAD software to produce visualisations and technical drawings
6. Assign material to a component and analyse the physical properties.
7. Create Assembly files of created component parts and apply assembly constraints, to assemble and align parts.
8. Create sectioned assembly drawings, exploded assembly drawings and animations.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• The selection and application of manufacturing processes.
• Selection of materials for given engineering components.
• Understand Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques and how these fit into Engineering, Design and Manufacturing strategies.
• Knowledge of the appropriateness of methods and techniques used for different CAD related problems/scenarios, as well as having the opportunity to develop a broad range of ICT, technical and transferable skills. Problem solving and logical thinking
The student will be introduced to the principles of engineering design and manufacturing processes; they will gain practical experience of the processes through the hands-on use of manufacturing engineering equipment in the production of working prototypes. Content also includes lectures on - the design process; product design specification; design evaluation; sketching; engineering drawing; primary metal forming processes; foundry processes; conventional machining processes; metal cutting conditions; cutting tool materials; dimensional metrology; selection of manufacturing processes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of Mechanical Engineering including the wider multi-disciplinary engineering context and sustainable management of energy and resources.
2. Recognise the roles and responsibilities of Professional Engineers.
3. Develop a Product Design Specification, a product design and plan its manufacture
4. Develop workshop skills including fitting, machining, assembly, and heat treatment and produce engineering drawings (including CAD (Computer Aided Design)).
5. Produce a working prototype and evaluate the design and chosen manufacturing processes.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Time management
• Project management
• Idea generation
• Problem solving, and the steps involved in a systematic approach to product design
• Teamwork
• Leadership and management skills
• Drawing skills and machining skills.
Kinematics, coordinate systems, cartesian, normal, polar. variable force problems and calculus.
Kinematics, d'Alembert- integration of Newton 2 wrt displacement to give work energy. Integration of Newton 2 wrt time to give impulse = momentum. rotary motion, Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, parallel axis, perpendicular axis. Impulse momentum and geared systems. Gyroscope.
Simple mechanisms. slider/crank analysis of piston displacement, velocity, and acceleration. forces in the slider-crank. Rotating balance, centripetal acceleration, static vs dynamic balance. Force and moment vector polygons - Graphical and numerical solution. Particle impacts, oblique. impulse momentum relationship. conservation of energy and momentum. elastic inelastic and plastic collisions. coefficient of restitution. pile driver variable mass problems e.g., rocket problem conservation of momentum in rotating systems vibrations. Free forced, natural frequency, resonance, and damping. SHM. Degrees of freedom. Equations of motion and natural frequency of single-degree-of-freedom systems (spring-mass, simple pendulum, compound pendulum). Spring in series and in parallel. Forced vibrations. The equation of motion for a damped single-degree-of-freedom spring-mass system subject to a harmonically varying force and its solution for zero damping.
Stresses in pressure vessels. Stress distribution in composite beams. Thermal stress. Direct, axial, and bearing stresses. Problems involving statically indeterminate stress problems. Poisson’s ratio, problems involving 2D stresses. Single and double shear problems. Application of Mohr Circle to solve complex stress scenarios. Application of computer analysis to Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this module students should be able to:
1. Calculate the results of elastic and inelastic collisions in two dimensions
2. Calculate the velocities, accelerations and forces in simple mechanisms and out-of-balance forces on rotating systems.
3. Carry out calculations involving non-constant forces, masses and/or accelerations by employing conservation of momentum, impulse masses, and moments of mass.
4. Analyse free and forced SHM oscillating systems and the effect of damping.
5. Analyse complex stress scenarios with a Mohr stress circle and Finite Element Analysis.
6. Analyse a variety of stress related problems.
7. Analyse problems involving statically indeterminate systems.
8. Calculate the stress distribution in a composite beam and assessment of material efficiency.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Team working and project management
• Apply mathematical skills and associated computational methods
• Application of scientific knowledge
• The Use of spreadsheets to solve engineering problems.
• Ability to assemble and communicate technical information
This module will allow students to use advanced features of Parametric Computer Aided Design Software. Create and edit swept features from sketched shapes following existing 2D geometry; create sheet metal parts; emboss/engrave text/shapes from sketches onto parts; use meaningful naming of sketch dimensions to allow relationships and design intent; use commands and actions to allow assemblies to be created and modified using tables.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:
1. Use meaningful names with sketch dimensions to allow relationships and design intent to be identified.
2. Create and edit work features and use complex feature commands.
3. Create sheet metal parts and generate flat patterns.
4. Create embossed or engraved text/shapes from a sketch onto a part.
5. Create and modify table driven parts and assemblies and link with external spreadsheets.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• The deployment of appropriate advanced solid geometry feature creation methods/techniques and to develop parametric relationships in the model creation process.
• Be able to construct and manage assemblies utilising user-defined and library features/components.
Complex numbers: modulus, argument, conjugate, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Argand diagrams, Cartesian form, polar form, exponential form, solution of polynomial equations, De Moivre’s theorem.
Matrices: addition, subtraction, multiplication by scalar, matrix multiplication, transpose, inverse, determinant of 2×2 and 3×3 matrices, properties of determinants, adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, solution of set of linear equations written in matrix form (inverse matrix method, Cramer’s rule, Gaussian elimination).
Differential Equations: classification, modelling of physical problems, analytical solution of first order differential equations (direct integration, variables separable equations, integrating factor method), numerical methods (Euler’s method, Runge-Kutta 4th order method), solution of second order differential equations (homogeneous/non-homogeneous equations, direct integration, complementary function, particular integral).
Laplace Transforms: definition, table for common functions, inverse Laplace transform, application to solution of differential equations (including simultaneous differential equations).
Vectors: triangle rule for addition, components, magnitude, unit vector, position vector, scalar product, and applications (angle between vectors, vector component, work done), line segment theorem, vector product and applications (perpendicular vector, moment of force, area of triangle), vector kinematics (position, velocity, acceleration vectors).
Statistics: presentation of data in graphical form (stem-and-leaf plots, box-plots, pie charts, frequency distribution, bar chart, histogram, cumulative frequency plot) summarisation of data, measures of centrality and spread (mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range, standard deviation, variance, coefficient of variation), measure of shape (skewness), probability distributions (normal, binomial, Poisson).
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Perform mathematical operations on vectors, complex numbers, and matrices.
2. Solve 1st and 2nd order differential equations by numerical and analytical methods.
3. Solve models of engineering systems using ordinary differential equations.
4. Calculate and present statistical data and use probabilities techniques to predict behaviour.
Skills
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Clearly explain and present engineering mathematics in a concise manner and using correct mathematical terminology and presentation.
• Demonstrate mathematical skills so that engineering problems presented in other modules can be modelled, analysed, and solved.
Fundamentals of Electricity, definitions of current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff’s laws; series and parallel circuits, voltage division, current splitting theorem , energy and power; network theorems including Thevenin's, Norton's, maximum power transfer; capacitance, inductance and D.C. transients; A.C. theory; RL and RC series and parallel circuits; power in A.C. circuits; Introduction to 3 phase circuits; magnetic circuits; transformers; alternators and motors; semiconductor devices and circuits, operational amplifiers; practical applications of above.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:
1. Summarise the behaviour of basic components and apply to circuits.
2. Summarise AC (Alternating Current) theory and apply to RL, RC, and RLC circuits.
3. Simplify a complex circuit into a simple one for analysis using circuit theorems.
4. Analyse electromagnetic induction and apply to transformers, generators, and motors.
5. Interpret semiconductors applications and apply to diodes and operational amplifiers.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in
• Ability to apply electrical engineering principles to the solution of simple problems involving electrical devices and systems.
• Experience of practical teamwork.
While no formal teaching programme is required for Work Based Learning, students should be prepared for the Work Based Learning year and given instruction on areas such as interview skills, report writing and other skill areas which they are likely to encounter. The College will liaise closely with the industrial partners to identify and evaluate suitable Work Based Learning opportunities for full-time students. The students will be required to document and present the outcomes from their Work Based Learning in a comprehensive report and to maintain a logbook documenting their experiences. An academic tutor will assess the progress of the students by making at least two visits. The tutor will document each visit using feedback from the industrial supervisor and will record how and where the WBL outcomes have been achieved.
Summative assessment will be based on the student’s logbook/diary, WBL report, presentation / interview examination, Academic Tutor’s Report
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the students should be able to:
1. Identify the key concepts, theories, principles, and processes involved in mechanical engineering
2. Appraise the industry, professions, and allied industries, and review the linkages between elements of the disciplines.
3. Interpret project criteria and specifications and plan their implementation.
4. Formulate solutions to project problems.
5. Assess and analyse design problems that involve a degree of complexity.
6. Interpret criteria and specifications and plan their implementation.
7. Identify, analyse, and solve a range of engineering problems using appropriate techniques and principles.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Communicate effectively orally, in writing and by other media to differing audiences.
• Use Information and Communication Technology tools and skills effectively.
• Apply numerical methods in comprehension, analysis, and presentation.
• Be able to work effectively with others, under supervision or independently.
• Developed their personal skills: self-confidence, self-discipline, responsibility etc.
• Devise solutions to practical design difficulties in routine and unexpected situations.
Properties of gases and mixtures. Humidity’s, psychrometry and use of the psychrometric chart. Properties of steam. Use of pressure and temperature saturation tables. Superheating and reheating. Steam power cycles. The Carnot cycle and the Rankine cycle, the air standard Otto cycle and four stroke engines. The diesel cycle and the Dual combustion cycle. The Brayton cycle. Use of relative specific volume and pressure table values.
Boundary layer theory - head loss through section changes, coefficient of discharge. Stagnation and separation. Stokes, Allen and Newton flow and drag on a sphere, cylinder, and wing sections. Coefficient of drag.
Flow measurement theory - venturi meter, orifice meter and pitot tube
Momentum principle - calculate forces in pipes, enlargements, and reductors. Fluid machines; Force of a jet (pressure force and momentum force). Impulse turbine, Pelton Wheel. The effect of constant linear and angular accelerations on fluid surfaces.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this module students should be able to:
1. Identify the facts, concepts, principles and theories of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics.
2. Calculate and measure the properties of humid air.
3. Analyse external combustion steam engines and internal combustion air engines, including efficiencies.
4. Apply boundary layer theory to calculate head losses through sectional changes.
5. Analyse fluid flows using Euler’s and Bernoulli's equations with applications to flow measurement.
6. Report on the operation of a wind tunnel with analysis of data for various aerodynamic profiles.
7. Calculate the forces and powers of static and moving, curved vanes impacted by fluid jets.
Skills
On successful completion of this module students will have developed transferrable skills in:
• Teamworking.
• Basic mathematical skills and associated computational methods.
• Application of scientific knowledge.
• The use of spreadsheets to solve engineering problems.
• Ability to assemble and communicate technical information.
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.
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.
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 for NI and ROI are the 2024/25 fees and will be updated when the new fees are known. 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.
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.
Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students
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.
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.
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.
