Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year BEng (Hons)

University of Surrey

Foundation courses

A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. It’s a great option if:

You don’t have the grades for a full degree course

You have non-traditional qualifications or experience

You’re starting university after some time away from education

You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Life as a foundation year student

During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.

As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support.

Why choose this course

Surrey’s mechanical engineering courses are designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of modern society and are professionally accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. We are ranked Top 20 in the UK for mechanical engineering in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 and the Complete University Guide 2023.

Our programmes provide broad engineering knowledge, leading to a wide range of possible careers. Mechanical engineers work in areas such as:

Automation

Fluid mechanics

Mechanical design

Robotics

Stress analysis

Sustainable materials.

In addition to learning from internationally recognised academics, you’ll have access to industry-standard facilities, including our state-of-the-art Design Centre, materials testing laboratory and the UK’s only environmental wind tunnel.

You can also take part in our award-winning Professional Training placements scheme, which give students industry work experience opportunities with leading organisations in the UK and abroad. Participating companies include:

Arup

BAE Systems

Jaguar Land Rover

Rolls-Royce.

What you will study

The course encompasses topics such as fluid-dynamics, stress analysis and numerical methods. In addition, you’ll receive training on the latest industry-standard design and solid modelling software, automated manufacturing techniques and sensors, actuators and advanced control systems, which drive modern mechanical engineering products.

For your final year project, you may choose to make the most of Surrey’s partnership with the National Physical Laboratory. You could also explore the cross-disciplinary aspect of mechanical engineering, applying your skills in areas ranging from prosthetics to satellites.

You can apply to study for either a BEng or MEng. The latter is a direct route to a masters qualification. Depending on your progress, you may have the option to switch between the BEng or MEng programmes during your studies.