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 or Aerospace 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.

Course highlights

Industry Links

WORK BASED LEARNING:
As part of your studies, you will undertake a Work Based Learning (WBL) module, with students completing placements with a range of local employers. Please note that 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.

World Class Facilities

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

Further Study Opportunities

PROGRESSION AND 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.

This Foundation degree, which takes two years to complete, starts with a comprehensive introduction to the discipline and a grounding in the mathematical skills needed by graduate engineers. Scientific topics on which modern engineering are based are also covered, and there is an emphasis on both engineering practice and its real-world application. Design plays a prominent part in the degree, and students are taught how to interpret technical drawings and how to use professional CAD software.

A significant part of the curriculum is delivered through active learning, where students work on assignments and projects, both individually and in teams, and this is supported by the College's workshops and laboratories. In addition, students will undertake a period of relevant industrial work placement which will assist in developing a sound understanding of the practical applications of some of the theoretical content. This forms a significant portion of the assessment and will be completed in the first semester of Year 2.

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.

• People Teaching You
  Dr Neil McDowell

  Lecturer and Course Director

  Belfast Metropolitan College
  

• Contact Teaching Hours

  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.

  Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

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

• 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.
• Facilities

  BMC offers a range of 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.

A level requirements

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

Irish Leaving Certificate

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

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

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

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

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

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

Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma must be relevant.

Access Course

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

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

Note

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

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

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

• How we choose our students

  In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
  
  Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
  
  Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by an Admissions Officer/Manager from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
  
  Applicants for the Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement; in addition, all applicants should have GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above. Applicants not offering Physics at A-level require GCSE Physics at grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science at grades CC/4,4 or above. Selectors will also check that any specific subject and grade requirements in terms of A-level can be fulfilled (see Entry Requirements).
  
  Offers are normally made on the basis of 2 A-levels. Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview. The offer for repeat applicants is set in terms of 2 A-levels and the same as for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
  
  A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a two A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 3 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
  
  For applicants offering the Irish Leaving Certificate, please note if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade 04 in Physics is required. A minimum of five subjects will be required in the Irish Leaving Certificate, at least four of which should be at Higher Level. Performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry, applicants for this Foundation Degree must have had a minimum of IJC grade C/Merit in Mathematics. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.
  
  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.

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  International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

  For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre 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.