It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options if you study this course in Peterborough. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.
1st
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
As a graduate engineer, you'll spend your career involved in the challenge to achieve net zero by 2050. This course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to competently contribute to the realisation of this globally critical goal.
From day one of the course, you'll work on real-world engineering projects. You'll look at technical problems through environmental, ethical, social and financial lenses, and use the maths and science knowledge and skills you've gained to solve them – the same approach you'll take in the workplace.
You'll learn to address engineering design problems creatively and innovatively using the wide range of digital tools that engineers use to simulate and analyse physical phenomena, as well as those used to support the design and manufacturing process.
You'll become adept at communicating though a variety of media with fellow engineers and a range of stakeholders from technical and non-technical backgrounds and develop team-working skills throughout your course.
Study at ARU Peterborough and work on engineering projects from day one, applying your knowledge to real-world problems.
Why ARU?
Emphasis on engineering design
Enhanced employability with industry defined skills development
Focus on sustainability, decarbonisation and net zero
Dedicated, industry-standard, electronics laboratory and a mechanical engineering workshop
Gain extensive experience in the responsible use of digital solutions
Your skills will be in high demand as there is a global shortage of engineers - in the UK alone it’s estimated that an additional 50,000 engineers a year are needed to respond to 21st-century challenges. Accordingly, qualified mechanical engineers command an impressive average salary. With experience, you could further increase your earning power by progressing to senior design or project management roles.
From the very start of your degree, you’ll meet established engineers from across the industry, learn what it’s like to work in engineering, and be encouraged to join professional bodies, building valuable contacts and knowledge to help you gain employment in your preferred area. You’ll build your CV not only by learning manufacturing and testing methods and using industry-standard equipment, but by working individually and as part of a team, solving problems and carrying out research.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU with postgraduate courses on the horizon for ARU Peterborough. You could also study for a Masters such as MSc Mechanical Engineering in Chelmsford. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
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.
You’ll cover the fundamentals behind engineering and its science, including computer-aided engineering, getting a solid background in maths, mechanics, thermo-dynamics and heat transfer, robotics and system automation, and simulation.
You’ll become familiar with the Engineering Council’s UK-Standard for Professional Engineering Competence. Explore net-zero innovation and its technology and complete several projects, including a net zero challenge project, a conceptual design project, a design, implementation and operation project and your major project, which encompasses an individual piece of research.
You’ll also take on one of our Ruskin Modules. These give you the opportunity to work with students from different courses to come up with creative solutions to complex problems and key challenges facing society. We call these ‘wicked problems’ and you’ll be able to choose something that appeals to your broader interests, beyond your chosen field of study.
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 *.
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.
Placement year
Work Placement Engineering and the Built Environment
It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options if you study this course in Peterborough. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.
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.
Assessment for this course will use a variety of techniques to develop and assess not only your technical knowledge and skills, but also professional skills such as communication and teamwork.
Professionally relevant assessments will be used to help you experience the types of tasks you will undertake in the workplace. Some of your understanding of the more theoretical and technical aspects will be assessed through examination. You'll receive structured, insightful feedback throughout your course.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
You’ll be working in some of the newest university facilities in the country, in our stunning campus in the heart of Peterborough.
Based in our teaching building, The Lab, you’ll benefit from our dedicated electronics laboratory and mechanical engineering workshop, kitted with industry-standard equipment, including a 3-D printer, Universal Testing Machine, Waterjet Cutter, CNC machine and laser cutter.
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.
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.
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.
You will be required to purchase your own safety shoes, these will be required for site visits and lab work.
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 Hashim Bhabha
Dr Ruishan Liu