Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng (Hons)
University of Plymouth
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2) View reviews

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Different course options
2 options available
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Qualification

Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECTED

Qualification

Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Sandwich

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

5 Years

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Subjects

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Mechanical Engineering
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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UCAS Tariff
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Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
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AS
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City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths)
SELECT

Extended Project
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths)
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OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

Do you want to embark in engineering but do not have the traditional entry requirements to start a degree? Perhaps, you are looking for a complete career change. This four-year degree route incorporates a foundation year to give you a solid grounding in the disciplines underpinning mechanical engineering. You will be actively involved in engineering projects and our hands-on approach to learning runs through design, mechanics and materials, improving your employability across many industries.- ...Read more

Do you want to embark in engineering but do not have the traditional entry requirements to start a degree? Perhaps, you are looking for a complete career change. This four-year degree route incorporates a foundation year to give you a solid grounding in the disciplines underpinning mechanical engineering. You will be actively involved in engineering projects and our hands-on approach to learning runs through design, mechanics and materials, improving your employability across many industries.- Open the door to a successful future. With starting salaries from £23,000, our graduates have gone on to work for Hoare Lea, Babcock Marine, Becton Dickinson, e2v, Edwards, the Shaw Group and the Ministry of Defence.- Aim for professional qualification. Subject to completion of the foundation year you will be eligible to progress onto one of our professionally accredited degree courses.- Make use of cutting-edge facilities. Students in engineering, science and the arts have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories in our new engineering and design facility. - Be flexible. Our combined first year allows you to switch to marine technology or civil engineering in line with your career ambitions.- Be unique. Our courses are the only ones in the country to have a named 'with composites' pathway; choosing this will allow you to stand out in the job market.- Learn hands-on . We offer the latest industry-standard software, laboratory sessions and practical classes.- Aim higher. You may progress onto the MEng course at the end of your second year if you are doing well.- Put learning into practice. Take a paid year in industry – many of our students receive job offers or sponsorship as a result of their placements.- Go on to thrive. Your degree opens doors to sectors as diverse as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and energy.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
70/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
49th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
65th
Mechanical Engineering
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 25 = 75% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
75%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Mechanical Engineering graduate salary at this uni
£26,000
UK Mechanical Engineering graduate salary
£27,000
What students say
M
Mohammed
17 Jan 25

Good..Read more

I
Isunam
21 Nov 24

The University of Plymouth supports and cares for its students. They have a supportive academic staff and many events and activities to promote student mental health and..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

UCAS Tariff:

32 - 48 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

AS:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

24 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H5,H5,H5,H5,H5 - H5,H5,H5,H6,H6 Grades / Points required

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

MP Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

PPP Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

M,M Grades / Points required

Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

T Level:

P Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

32 to 48 UCAS points to include minimum 2 A Levels. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers

32 to 48 UCAS points to include minimum 2 Advanced Highers. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

To include minimum 2 A Levels. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths. Excluding General Studies

Pass Access - In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Maths and English accepted within

Maths and English accepted within. To include one relevant subject from: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology and Design, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Maths, Further Maths, Pure Maths, Use of Maths.

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

In a relevant subject: ICT, Science, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Technology, Physics, Statistics, Maths

Considered in combination

Pass from a Science/Technology pathway . Must have GCSE Maths 4/C

Considered in combination

Popular A-level subjects

Mechanical Engineering

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Mathematics
82%
Physics
76%
Chemistry
21%
Biology
14%
3D Design
10%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest Mechanical Engineering (General) reviews

Mechanical Engineering (General)
Mechanical Engineering (General)
I
Isunam
21 Nov 24
Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
The University of Plymouth supports and cares for its students. They have a supportive academic staff and many events and activities to promote student mental health and...
Read more
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How Mechanical Engineering (General) students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 26 reviews
5 star
35%
4 stars
39%
3 stars
23%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 2,245 reviews
5 star
37%
4 stars
53%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Plymouth
University of Plymouth , Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is a modern campus university ideally placed in the centre of Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth, located on...

Student rating
( 4.2) View reviews
CUG ranking
65th
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus Plymouth PL4 8AA United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Plymouth  0.2 miles away

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