Aston University's IMechE-accredited* mechanical engineering program ensures your readiness for a prosperous post-graduation career. Mechanical engineers play a pivotal role in virtually all man-made creations, resulting in a growing demand for professionals in this field. Upon completion, you'll possess the expertise and skills required to excel in global engineering challenges. This program encompasses not only technical and scientific subjects but also valuable skills in project management, teamwork, commercial awareness, and leadership.
Mechanical Engineering
Engineers serve as practical innovators, addressing global and daily issues. Gain knowledge from experts at a renowned UK technical university.
Location: Aston University, Birmingham
BBC
4 or 5 years
H301
Start date
Course overview
ASTON POWER SKILLS
Built into every undergraduate degree
Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability
Course description
Facilities
Mechanical engineering is a hands-on discipline, you learn through combining lectures with practical lab-based work and engineering workshops. You will master both individual learning and group work with like-minded peers, guided by industry professionals and technical experts. Our engineering facilities mirror these environments with state-of-the-art facilities.
- 3D printers
- Maker space (with four additional 3D printers)
- Laser cutting
- Silicone moulding
- Vacuum forming and foam cutting
- Design Studio (an interactive space with PC’s and software)
- Clay modelling facilities for automotive design
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- Surface modelling using Solidworks and Keyshot
- Dedicated project-based learning space and bookable student booths, assembly areas and professional drawing boards
- Engine/motor test lab (five engine test cells with hydraulic and electrical dynamometers, Kistler combustion analyser, emissions analyser)
- Fuel characterisation and preparation lab
- CNC Machine shop
- Plasma cutting facility
- Biomedical research lab with tissue and cell preparation areas, fume cupboards and microscopy facilities
- Materials characterisation suite with advanced cyclic multi-axial testing equipment
- Desalination and water treatment research lab with under-floor drainage
- Solar array simulator
- Solar thermal simulator
- Drone test area
- Autonomous vehicles test kit
- Robotics lab with range of commercial industrial robot arms
Our Mechanical Engineering course offers a range of excellent support for students, including additional mathematics 1-2-1 development, peer-assisted learning, expert technicians, and personal tutors.
Take a 360 degree view
The engineering workshop
Take a 360 degree look at our state-of-the-art engineering workshop where you will spend lots of your time.
Course objectives
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Provides you with opportunities to realise your academic potential through a range of learning experiences.
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Encourages you, through a practical approach, to develop a passion for engineering and an enthusiasm for learning.
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Provides you with thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of mechanical engineering, including relevant aspects of societal, environmental, and commercial matters, enabling you to propose valid solutions to complex and non-standard problems while considering a range of technical and non-technical factors.
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Provides you with opportunities for advanced levels of study, a focus on skills, and an appreciation of the changing nature of engineering and the importance of staying at the forefront of technology.
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Provides you with appropriately structured curricula that combine teaching and learning in theoretical issues with practical and digital skills training.
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Provides you with an up‑to‑date and professionally focused curriculum that satisfies the accreditation requirements of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.*
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Enables you to obtain relevant industrial experience by offering the option of a sandwich placement year.
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Develops you into a capable graduate engineer who is highly valued by employers, with the confidence to approach unfamiliar topics and methods with assurance and a critical eye.
Modules
We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.
ASTON POWER SKILLS
Built into every undergraduate degree
Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:
AI & Digital
Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.
Inclusive Leadership
Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.
Environmental Sustainability
It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.
Entry requirements
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A Levels
BBC including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject
BCC including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject (with an EPQ at grade B)
CCC when including Maths and one other STEM (a) subject (contextual offer)
List of STEM (a) subjects: Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Computer Science, Biology and Electronics.
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Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.
If BTEC is in Engineering:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (Engineering): DDM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- 1 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (Engineering): M, plus 2 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates or Subsidiary Diplomas (Engineering): DM, plus 1 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and Diploma (Engineering): DM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics, plus 1 A-level at a minimum Grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (Engineering): DM, plus 2 A-levels at grade B. This must include the following units at Distinction if one A level is not in Mathematics: (QCF) Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians OR (RQF): Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction, with the following units at Distinction: Mathematics for Engineering, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, or Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Distinction, plus an A-Level in any subject at grade C. This must include the following units at Distinction: Mathematics for Engineering, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, or Further Engineering Mathematics.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
If BTEC is in any other subject:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM, and A Level Maths at grade B.
- 1 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M, plus 2 A-levels at grade B in Mathematics and another STEM (a) subject listed above.
- 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates or Subsidiary Diplomas (any subject): DM, plus A-level Mathematics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM, plus A-level Mathematics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 2 A-levels at grade B including Mathematics.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
- 29 points overall with 5, 5, 4 in Higher Level, including Mathematics and another STEM (a) listed subject.
We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of at least 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits at level 3; including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics units and at least 15 credits at Level 3 in STEM (a) subject units.
Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.
The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
- Building Services Engineering for Construction
- Onsite Construction
- Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing
- Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing
Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:
- GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
- GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4
Non-standard qualifications
Degree
Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent Level 3) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 2 entry: Please note that second-year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space in that year of the programme.
Typically, applicants for second-year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content.
The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
Fees and scholarships
Course fees
The fees set out below are not confirmed. We will update this webpage with the confirmed fees for 2027/28 by 31 July 2026.
UK students
(2027/28)
| First year tuition fee: | £10,050* |
| During placement year: | £1,250* |
International students
(2026/27)
| First year tuition fee: | £22,575** |
| During placement year: | £2,500** |
*UK students (Home Undergraduate):
Subject to parliamentary approval, the first year tuition fee will be £10,050, increasing annually in line with inflation for subsequent academic years.
On 20 October 2025, the Government announced that tuition fees in England will be increased annually in line with inflation, starting in 2026. The Government have since confirmed that it intends to determine the inflation-linked increase using the Retail Price Index, although this is subject to parliamentary approval.
According to the Department for Education’s Policy Paper published on 26 November, the annual tuition fee for the Programme commencing in the academic year 2027/28 is expected to be £10,050, subject to parliamentary approval. If you are holding an offer at Aston, when the annual tuition fee for your Programme for the 2027/28 academic year has been confirmed, we will write to update you. We will also provide as much information as we can about the inflation-linked increase in tuition fees for future academic years.
The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this webpage and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its terms and conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. Please note that our current Terms and Conditions are for 2026 entry. We expect to publish our 2027 entry Terms and Conditions in summer 2026. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.
Placement year fee
The placement year fee stated here is for September 2026 entry for this course. The updated placement fee for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.
**International students (Overseas Undergraduate):
The first year tuition fee and placement year fee are not confirmed. The annual tuition fee and placement year fee stated here are for the September 2026 entry for this course. The updated fees for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.
The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this course page and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its terms and conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. Please note that our current Terms and Conditions are for 2026 entry. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.
Placement year fee
The placement year fee stated here is for September 2026 entry for this course. The updated placement fee for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.