It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
1st
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Get involved in hands-on projects with other engineering students, developing your teamwork and leadership skills while learning how to analyse and solve problems creatively. This course gives you real world experience, preparing you for employment.
We offer a unique project-based curriculum with industry-led Live Briefs, where you’ll apply science and engineering principles to propose solutions to problems from companies such as BAE systems, Ford Motor Company, New Hollands, Antobot, Tecosim and Transporter Engineering.
This innovative approach allows you to spend 50% of your time in the classroom and 50% in the engineering workshops and specialist laboratories.
Going to university can offer you a series of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. As part of your course, you could study abroad with one of our short-term Global Experience programmes. Opportunities include summer schools and placements, lasting from one to four weeks and funded by ARU’s UK Turing Scheme grants.
Accreditation
Our BEng Mechanical Engineering course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer. Students who successfully graduate with this degree may, with the appropriate further learning, meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Discover our project-based course and some of the specialist modules available.
Why ARU?
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to resolve practical, real-world challenges, and practice the ‘art of precision guesswork’ and problem solving.
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
Explore modules in areas including materials, design and modelling, manufacturing, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, as well as project-based learning.
Study in our state-of-the-art facilities including 3D printing, CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing) laboratories, and CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machining.
A diverse breadth of expert staff with a wide range of industrial and academic backgrounds make learning more real, hands-on and relevant.
Build your CV by learning manufacturing and testing methods, using industry-standard equipment, solving problems and carrying out research.
From the very start of your degree, you’ll meet established engineers and learn what it’s like to work in the industry. We'll encourage you to join professional bodies too.
As a graduate, you'll be able to apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status after a period of initial professional development.
Qualified mechanical engineers are in high demand nationally and internationally, commanding an impressive average salary. The average salary for UK engineering graduates after 15 months of graduating is £28,000. In comparison, ARU engineering graduates earn £30,000 on average. With experience, you could further increase your earning power by progressing to senior design or project management roles.
Careers that you may go into are:
Aerospace engineer
Automotive engineer
CAD technician
Contracting civil engineer
Control and instrumentation engineer
Maintenance engineer
Mechanical engineer
Nuclear engineer
Your high-level numerical and problem-solving skills will also appeal to employers outside of the engineering sector, for example in IT, finance, business and education.
We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
This course covers the entire development process of products from an engineering point of view. It gives you exposure to marketing analysis, brand and product placement, concept development, engineering and building it in-house on campus. There are top research facilities, and the department offers a friendly atmosphere.
Utkarsh Kavi, Mechanical Engineering student
Explore how engineering works and how to achieve results within financial constraints.
With this hands-on course, classroom-based knowledge is gradually replaced with practical skills as you work on real-life challenges and with clients. You'll become an analytical and creative problem-solver.
You can expect to use testing and measurement equipment, specify and design electronics subsystems, and model and analyse mechanical engineering problems using computer-based and mathematical methods.
Student experience
Forces at work: Mechanical Engineers and the world we live in. Hear from ARU Senior Lecturer Dr Shabnam Sadeghi Esfanhlani in this Springpod Subject Spotlight. Watch the full lecture on Springpod.
Mechanical Engineering graduate Theo reflects on their university journey and offers advice for future students.
Meet Mechanical Engineering student Jack Sullivan, who we caught up with to ask some questions about his experience studying at ARU.
Work with other engineering students and build up your teamwork, management, leadership and problem-solving skills.
Explore all aspects and stages of the engineering process and discover where your passion and talents lie.
Experience the practical nature of the industry. Our students worked with BAE Systems, a multinational defence, security and aerospace company, on a brief to re-engineer a small drone to new specifications.
A victory and achievement for Team
Heron of ARU, who won the CAD Challenge at the International IMechE Railway Challenge 2025.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
Year 1
Manufacturing and Materials Project (30 credits)
Applied Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
Introduction to Engineering (15 credits)
Structural Mechanics (15 credits)
Engineering Dynamics (15 credits)
Mechatronic Design Project (30 credits)
Into ARU
Year 2
Solid Mechanics and Machine Elements Design Project (30 credits)
Mechanical Vibrations (15 credits)
Project Management, Ethics and Quality Engineering (15 credits)
Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer (15 credits)
Advanced Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
Engineering Thermodynamics (15 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
Computational Fluid Dynamics and System Engineering Project (30 credits)
Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing Project (30 credits)
Automation and Control (15 credits)
Research Methods and Individual Project (30 credits)
Advanced Structural Analysis and Design (15 credits)
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend typically 9-12 months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.
The first three years of our MEng is the same as our BEng degree, however the MEng is an integrated four-year degree (a three-year undergraduate degree plus a Masters degree in one course).
Yes, high-performing BEng students can transfer to the MEng, offering even more opportunities for advanced study and professional development.
We’ll use a range of assessment methods to check your progress throughout the course. These include exams, essays and reports, work relating to practical classes and demonstrations, log books, presentations and posters.
Safety footwear (steel toe and midsole)
General stationary and calculator
Prescription safety goggles
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
We work closely with local IMechE, IET, and Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society to organise events on cutting-edge technologies. They're a great chance to hear from expert speakers.
There's also an active Engineering Society which runs events, and where you can meet like passionate and like-minded peers.
Dr Martin McMahon, Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at ARU, showcases our metal 3D printer – the only one of its kind in the East of England – and discusses the benefits of additive manufacturing.
3D printing - plastic or polymer-based
CNC cutting machine
CNC machine
Drilling machines
Laser machine
Material testing
Metal 3D printing machine
Milling machine
Robot manipulator
Vibration testing
Wire EDM machine
Workshop
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
See entry requirements for the BA or BSc (Hons)
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.
£4,767UK students starting 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
Part-time fee notes
Part-time course fees assume that you’re studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity, or 60 credits per year). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period, or for more credits. All fees are for guidance purposes only. Your offer letter will contain full details of credits and fees, or you can contact us if you'd like more information.
Paying your tuition fees If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.
If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.
Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.
£4,767UK students starting 2026/27 (part-time, per year)
Part-time fee notes
Part-time course fees assume that you’re studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity, or 60 credits per year). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period, or for more credits. All fees are for guidance purposes only. Your offer letter will contain full details of credits and fees, or you can contact us if you'd like more information.
Paying your tuition fees If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.
If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.
Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.
This course includes an optional placement year. The placement year fee is:
£1,500 (2025-26)
£1,700 (2026-27)
You will be responsible for covering the cost of travelling to your placement during your placement year. This cost could vary significantly depending on where your placement is located, where you live during your course and how you travel.
Living at university
We understand that affordability is an important issue when you’re thinking about studying at university.
The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking.
Costs may also be lower if you're living at home. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
accommodation
bills
internet, mobile phone and calls
travel
food and drink
socialising and going out
study materials.
Most full-time UK students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover living costs. More about maintenance loans.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
If you're eligible for a scholarship, you'll generally receive it automatically – there's no need to apply.
Our campus employment bureau, ARU Temps, can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great chance to enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
Dr Hossein Bisheh
Professor Hassan Shirvani
Dr Ahad Ramezanpour
Dr Sarinova Simanjuntak
Dr Peter Marshall
