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Degree type

MEng

Course length

4 years full-time

Location

Durham City

UCAS code

H411

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Typical offers

Typical offers
A Level A*AA
BTEC D*DD
International Baccalaureate 38

Course details

This degree delivers the breadth and depth that you will need to succeed in the world of engineering. It is designed to produce graduates who will go on to lead engineering teams.

A common first two years in General Engineering provide you with the broad knowledge required to effectively work on multi-disciplinary engineering problems. The course structure offers a huge amount of flexibility – you could join us on a civil engineering pathway but decide to pursue aeronautical engineering at the end of your second year. We believe in empowering our students to make informed decisions that would best serve their future careers.

After your first two years, you will start to specialise in Civil, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering, and supplement this discipline-specific knowledge with Engineering Design activities and focused practical skills. You can further specialise in your final year, with three additional choices: Aeronautical Engineering, Renewable Energies, and Bioengineering, learning advanced topics at the forefront of engineering knowledge whilst working with a world-leading academic on a research and development dissertation project, the highlight of many of our students’ degrees.

Course structure

Year 1

You will study four modules in engineering, one in mathematics and one optional module. In your engineering modules, you will examine 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and implement engineering algorithms into computer code. You will also take part in a group design activity where you have to design, build and test a device to solve a specific engineering challenge. Recent examples include miniature hydroelectric generators and chain-climbing robots.

Core modules:

Solid Mechanics and Structures 1 gives you a working knowledge of solid mechanics, structures and structural analysis, in a wider engineering context.

Electronic and Electrical Systems 1 provides knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism and hardware interfacing. 

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1 offers knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including dimensional analysis, fluid statics and fluid dynamics.

Engineering Practice 1 provides you with practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines. It shows how the material covered in other engineering modules fits together in the wider engineering context, and will also introduce you to engineering ethics and professional issues.

Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists gives you all the maths skills and techniques needed for studying Engineering and other sciences.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

  • Introduction to Programming
  • Computational Thinking

Year 2

Core modules:

Engineering Mathematics 2 provides a working knowledge of probability and statistics and advanced mathematical methods for modelling engineering problems.

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 2 gives you further knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

Solid Mechanics and Structures 2 builds your knowledge of the mechanics of dynamics and vibration, stress analysis of structures and sections, trusses and frames, and the mechanics of soils. It also provides an introduction to finite element methods.

Electrical Engineering 2 provides you with knowledge of mathematical methods for modelling engineering problems and computing.

Electronics 2 gives you knowledge of electronics and computing in terms of circuits, digital electronics and microprocessor design.

In Engineering Design 2 you will learn about various aspects of the design process including the principles of design and project management. You will undertake a major design project with guidance from an academic supervisor and an external (industrial) engineer.

Year 3

At this point in the degree you will specialise into Aeronautical Engineering.

Core modules:

Materials 3 gives you an understanding of processing–structure–properties relationships. It will introduce you to commercially important manufacturing and processing techniques including life-cycle analysis.

Solid Mechanics 3 develops principles in the subject areas of dynamics, materials, computational stress analysis and fatigue. Practical use of computational stress analysis is also developed.

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 3 builds specialist knowledge in turbomachines, and how to apply these to the analysis and design of hydraulic machines, axial flow steam and gas turbines. 

Electrical Engineering 3 covers the fundamental concepts and the range of techniques used for electromechanical energy and power conversion in industrial applications. It introduces the foundations of power electronics control in modern industrial applications and the issues regarding renewable resource integration in modern energy networks.

Engineering Design 3 will enhance your understanding of the design process and the way theoretical work supports design. It will give you an introduction to innovation and business aspects of engineering design projects.

Control and Signal Processing 3 builds on your knowledge of different mathematical techniques used in the design and analysis of control systems. It will also teach you about methods of analysis for both continuous and discrete signals.

Year 4

Core modules:

Non-Linear Solid Mechanics 4 provides an overview of non-linear solid mechanics problems. You will develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the problems involved material and geometric non-linearity and contact and friction.

Aircraft Structures 4 offers an overview of aircraft structures. You will cover the working principles of aircraft structures, and explore analytical methods and simulation tools for these aircraft structures.

The Aeromechanics 4 module gives an overview of aircraft aerodynamics. You will examine the working principles of aircraft flight, and explore analytical methods and simulation tools for aeromechanical analysis.

Fluid Mechanics 4 provides an advanced understanding of fluid mechanics, and the associated analytical methods and models.

Turbomachinery and Propulsion 4 offers an advanced understanding of propulsion cycles and their applications, along with turbomachinery operation and design.

You can choose between the MEng Research and Development Project or the MEng Technical Project plus the module Engineering into Schools.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

  • Internet of Everything 4
  • Optimisation 4
  • Environmental Engineering 4

Additional pathways

Students on the MEng in Engineering can apply to be transferred onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from four years to five.

Placement

You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Learning

Lectures provide you with key information on a particular field of study and allow you to work through practical examples. Practical sessions give you direct experience of practical and interpretative skills through laboratory classes, design activities and a Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC). The balance of these activities changes over the course of the degree, as you develop your knowledge and independence.

Advancing through the years, tasks in practical sessions become more open-ended, moving towards greater emphasis on independent study and research skills which is echoed through the research and development project that you will undertake in Year 4. This project will be supervised by a member of academic staff, and will result in a significant piece of independent research.

Assessment

In the first three years, most modules are assessed primarily by examinations. However, modules typically also include a coursework component, covering subjects such as CAD, programming and engineering design.

The balance of examination/coursework changes towards the end of the degree – half of the final-year mark is based on a dissertation research project, working one-to-one with an academic or industry partner.

Entry requirements

A level offer – A*AA including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

Contextual offer – AAB including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and Mathematics at grade A at A level (or equivalent) are required.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects including Mathematics and one STEM subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

  • We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
  • We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
  • If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.
  • If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
  • We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Alternative qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students £9,250 per year
EU students £33,250 per year
Island students £9,250 per year
International students £33,250 per year

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages here [link].

In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of;

  1. 6%, or,
  2. the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Career opportunities

Engineering

We have an outstanding reputation for employability. Our students have a dedicated careers contact who is available to offer advice and carry out mock interviews. Our Industrial Partnership Committee of around 20 local, national and international companies will ensure you have access to the best employment opportunities.

With subject specific skills, industry knowledge and transferable skills, such as problem solving, information technology, teamwork, presentation, project planning and management, you will be attractive to employers across many sectors.

Our graduates are employed in many sectors across the world including roles in civil, mechanical, electronic, electrical, manufacturing, design, aeronautics and systems engineering, and as consultants, technology analysts and software developers. Examples of high-profile employers include BP, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems.

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

  • 89% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

  • 100% are in high skilled employment
  • With an average salary of £31,750.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

Department information

Engineering

Enter the exciting world of engineering and gain the skills you need to plan, design and analyse engineering projects aligned to the needs of local, national and global industry.

Engineering at Durham is designed to develop talented, modern engineers who are equipped with the skills to solve problems across traditional discipline boundaries – from offshore wind turbines to electro-mechanical devices manufactured on a microchip.

With an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability, we are one of only a small number of general engineering departments in the UK. We offer a range of BEng and MEng qualifications with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, including the possibility of a work placement or year abroad. 

We consider Engineering as an integrated subject so, whichever degree you choose, you will study a common General Engineering for the first two years. After this time, you will have developed enough knowledge to make an informed decision about your future, both in terms of your discipline and the length of your degree, with transfer possible between the courses up to the end of the second year.

All courses are accredited by the relevant professional institution. Our MEng programmes fulfil the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

From research-led study to project-based learning, our courses are designed to develop students who will take on the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Rankings

  • Ranked 5th in The Complete University Guide 2024
  • Ranked 7th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Facilities

We are located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy. We are one of the most comprehensively equipped engineering departments in the UK with dedicated teaching laboratories and advanced facilities, including the newly refurbished electrical laboratory, wind tunnels, microelectronics clean rooms, a geotechnical engineering laboratory and powerful computers for computationally demanding projects.

Our students benefit from the Engineering Open Access area, built to facilitate both group work and individual project. For their Capstone dissertation project, students can access our dedicated project room for independent work.

Apply

Find out more:

Use the UCAS code below when applying:

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H411

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