General Engineering (with Industry) - BEng (Hons)

University of Leicester

Professional engineers have a high degree of specialist knowledge but increasingly they use a broad approach to problem-solving across a range of engineering disciplines. This is coupled with an awareness of environmental, social, legal, economic and regulatory aspects of the problem at hand. Whether you study for the BEng or the MEng, your General Engineering degree will equip you for a career in modern industry and commerce where a broad understanding of the subject is paramount. Unlike some other universities, Engineering at Leicester has always been viewed as a unified subject and all engineering research and teaching staff belong to a single School. This has significant advantages for our graduates who leave here familiar with a broad range of topics and techniques in electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering. While this is an advantage to all our courses it provides a special quality to our General Engineering degrees. You will take modules on mechatronics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, design, engineering mathematics, experimentation, control, systems thinking, sustainability, business, management and specialist electrical and mechanical options. These are carefully selected to provide overall coherence and balance, ensuring a good foundation for interdisciplinary projects in a wide range of professions. General Engineering graduates are highly sought-after by engineering employers, due to their broad skill set and adaptability. They are also able to move into specialist areas such as biomedical engineering, systems engineering, mechatronics or patenting. Successful engineers must be able to analyse and solve complex problems in the industrial context, communicate ideas to others, work effectively in teams and exercise leadership skills. This is why all our Engineering degrees include business, integrated design, management and professional development activities throughout. Topics covered include business finance, project planning and management, intellectual property, health and safety, motivation theory, marketing, total quality management, ethics and professionalism. What's the difference between a BEng and an MEng? Each of our Engineering subjects is available in six forms: BEng (3 years), BEng with Industry (4 years), BEng with Year Abroad (4 years) MEng (4 years), MEng with Industry (5 years), MEng with Year Abroad (5 years) The MEng places greater emphasis on industrially-related project work, advanced technical content and leadership, and automatically meets the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. The MEng shares its first three years with the corresponding BEng. If you want to, you can spend a year of the course working in an industrial placement. If you choose a 'With Industry’ degree you will spend a year on an industrial placement with a sponsoring company between your second and third years at Leicester. You will undertake a programme of training and practical experience that is agreed between the sponsoring company and the University. Recent placements have included: Rolls-Royce, Force India F1 Team, Ford Motors, Intel UK, Network Rail, Porsche Engineering Services, Aero Engine Controls, Babcock International, Auto Electrical Services and Jaguar Land Rover. A member of staff will be individually assigned to you as your industrial placement tutor, who will be in contact with you throughout your placement and will visit the sponsoring company. During the year you will return to Leicester to present details of your placement to other students studying for 'With industry' degrees. A year in industry is a great opportunity which can give you first-hand experience of working in an engineering-related career while also enhancing your employability skills and allowing you to network with people in industry.