“From my very first year, in my foundation year, I tried to be like a sponge! I absorbed every bit of knowledge I could.”
BEng (Hons)Mechanical Engineering
Apply through Clearing
Available through clearing
- 2026
- 2027
- 3 years
- 4 years part-time
- 4 years with foundation year
- 6 years part-time
UCAS code: H303
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a mechanical engineering degree at Solent University
Design and build mechanical systems and put your knowledge into practice with an engineering degree that delivers hands-on skills and an IET-accredited pathway to professional registration.
- 0%positivity score for academic support (NSS 2025)
- 0thin the UK for teaching satisfaction in mechanical engineering, out of 69 institutions (Guardian Uni Guide 2026)
- 0thin the UK for student satisfaction in mechanical engineering, out of 74 institutions (CUG 2026)
- Get hands-on experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping equipment, alongside advanced CAD and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) simulation suites using industry-standard software including SolidWorks and ANSYS Granta.
- Access to specialist engineering facilities in the SMART Centre, equipped with industry-standard instrumentation including dedicated mechanical workshops, composite materials fabrication facilities, precision manufacturing and machining tools, and materials testing equipment.
- Practice-led teaching is supported by research-active academics and experienced industry practitioners, with live industry briefs and real-world mechanical engineering challenges embedded throughout the programme.
- You'll be given assessments designed to reflect professional engineering practice, including technical reports, design portfolios, laboratory practicals, presentations, and examinations.
- Benefit from industry connections through guest lectures, site visits, and professional body engagement with the IET, providing direct insight into careers and professional practice in mechanical engineering.
- Study this course part-time.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Course overview
Solent University’s mechanical engineering programme focuses on applied engineering principles and places a strong emphasis on employability. Our experienced course team will help you to develop the range of theory based, professional and hands-on skills that employers in the industry are looking for.
This degree offers a comprehensive exploration of mechanics and manufacturing across aerospace, automotive, component manufacture, nanotechnology, design engineering, engineering management or production planning.
The engineering academic group’s extensive network of industry contacts has provided past students with the opportunity to work on live briefs, helping them to develop analytical, problem solving, team working and business and management skills. These elements can help students develop a range of transferable skills and help to ensure they are well prepared for a professional working environment.
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge employers will require, from essential engineering concepts to mechanics, drawing, CAD and manufacturing skills. Critically, past students have been able to gain an insight into real-life engineering problems, tackling projects defined for them by our network of industry contacts.
If you’re looking to study our mechanical engineering degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the STEM foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the STEM foundation year.
This course is also offered on a one-day-per-week part-time study basis for professional CPD, aimed at applicants already in employment. Applicants holding a relevant HNC qualification would normally be considered for entry on to year three of the six-year part-time course.
This course is part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries – industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.
Accreditations, recognitions and memberships
Accredited by:
Part of:
Who is this course for?
This degree is ideally suited to students who are fascinated by how things work and who want to develop strong practical skills in designing, building, and testing mechanical systems and products. The course is a strong fit for those who enjoy problem-solving, working with technology, and applying mathematical and scientific principles to real-world engineering challenges.
Applicants should have a solid foundation in mathematics and physics, and an enthusiasm for working with mechanical hardware, CAD tools, and manufacturing technologies. Prior experience with engineering projects is advantageous but not essential. The ideal candidate is analytical, practical, and motivated to pursue a professional career in mechanical engineering.
What does this course lead to?
This course could lead to careers in a wide variety of mechanical engineering disciplines, such as aerospace, automotive engineering, design engineering, component manufacture, nano-technology, management of engineering departments or production planning. Particularly if you further your professional development and become a fully chartered engineer, you could work on anything from prosthetics and medical technology to large-scale engineering projects.
Whether your preference is for research and development of new products, turning ideas into practical designs or producing final products and projects, you’ll have a huge range of career options and opportunities. Course graduates have gone on to roles including mechanical design engineer, graduate research engineer and production engineer.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The engineering team has a diverse range of research interests, which are incorporated into teaching activities and involve key aspects of the design process. The main areas of interest include manufacturing, materials and 'Design for X'.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Students benefit from a range of multifunctional workshops and labs, including a dedicated computer/CAD suite. Specialist facilities include a production and electronics laboratory for designing, building and testing electronic circuitry; and a heat treatment laboratory containing furnaces that can heat treat steels and alloys. Non-destructive testing, including XRF analysis, is also available.
The materials testing laboratory has large tensile testing machines, and the manufacturing laboratory features a range of advanced equipment such as a range of additive manufacturing equipment that can produce detailed 3D printed components, a rapid prototyping machine, and a laser cutter.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
CAD and the Design Process
The aim of the module is to demonstrate the role of an engineer as an engineering designer. This module is designed to foster an understanding of the fundamentals of the engineering design process and its various stages. It equips you with theoretical and practical technical knowledge to design a product by going through the various stages of the design process.
Mechanical Principles
This module will give you an understanding of the fundamental principles used by engineers to design vehicles, machines and buildings. You will learn to analyse forces on the performance of machines and structures and how to conduct tests and experiments to confirm the results on your analysis.
Applied Mathematics
On this module you will learn how to apply a range of mathematical techniques to realistic engineering problems. You will use basic algebra and solve simultaneous equations and equations of straight lines to answer engineering problems around linked variables in mechanics and electronics.
Electronics Principles
This module is designed to introduce you to the electrical and electronic principles necessary to analyse circuit behaviour and design. It also provides the foundation for further study of more specialised electrical/electronic engineering techniques used later in your course.
Manufacturing Principles
This module helps you to develop an awareness of the factors affecting the selection of materials and processes used in manufacturing a product. It does this by comparing the attributes of materials and the suitability of processes in the light of the external factors that need to be considered when developing the product design specification.
Core modules
Applied Maths for Mechanical Systems
The aim of this module is to build upon the skills and knowledge gained at level 4 by applying the appropriate mathematical principles and methods to problems involving mechanical systems.
Engineering Materials
This module provides the fundamental background concepts and aims required to develop understanding of the properties, processing and use of materials. The module introduces the relationship between the structure and properties of materials, and relates this to applications of materials in engineering.
Quality and Product Development
This module aims to give you a practical insight into the quality systems used at various stages of the product development process. It will cover product development tools and methodologies that contemporary organisations use to translate the needs of customers into good quality products and services that the customer will desire and subsequently purchase.
Automation and Control Systems
This module provides theoretical and practical foundations in automation and control engineering. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of underpinning mathematical techniques including Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms, control stability theorems, differential equations, control block diagrams, and Bode plots.
Modelling and Mechanics of Products
Continuing the Design theme, this module progresses your basic knowledge of design and 3D modelling, developed in Level 4 to modelling of complex mechanical products and theoretical design of mechanisms.
Competition and Contracts in Engineering
This module will introduce you to the business subjects of marketing, competition and law, including the nature of contracts and ethical considerations. These are key areas for any engineering business – as such every technically focussed engineer should have a good working knowledge of these areas.
Core modules
Analysis and Design Optimisation
In this module your knowledge will progress to the use of computer-aided simulation processes that allow detailed analysis of the behaviour of mechanical products in variety of different situations as well as optimising designs of these products.
Analysis of Materials and Structures
The aim of this module is to build upon previously developed topic areas by extending the study of structures and materials with regard to their in-service condition or analysing situations where they have failed in service.
Manufacturing Operations
This module examines the foundations of manufacturing operations. It will combine campus and industrial work based learning, introducing students to the philosophy behind Systems Thinking and Lean Systems.
Final-Year Project
Carrying out project work is one of the most critical skills for your future career as an engineer. In this unit, you will carry out a project which is more significant in scale and complexity than previously. You will manage the project yourself.
Optional modules
Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
Entrepreneurship
This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore and develop your entrepreneurial talents, which are important if you want to develop your own business or understand how businesses are developed. You will develop knowledge and skills around the legal and human resource aspects of setting up and running a successful business.
Business Strategy
In this module you will study these organisational constraints by examining the role, techniques and difficulties involved in strategic business management, along with the processes and strictures of formal strategic planning.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Practical classes and workshops
- Group presentations
- Individual presentations
- Coursework
- Written exams
- Portfolios
- Log books
- In-class tests
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in mechanical engineering?
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most enduring engineering disciplines, underpinning almost every sector of the modern economy. From aerospace and automotive to energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and medical devices, mechanical engineers design and build the systems and products that shape the world around us.
Demand for skilled mechanical engineers remains strong and continues to grow, driven by major transitions in areas such as electrification, sustainable manufacturing, autonomous systems, and the shift towards net zero. Employers across defence, automotive, aerospace, energy, and advanced manufacturing actively seek graduates with strong practical skills, technical depth, and the professional behaviours to contribute immediately in the workplace.
You could earn:
Mechanical engineer
Starting salary: £26,000 to £30,000
With experience, salaries can increase to between £35,000 and £40,000. Principal or chief engineers could earn around £45,000 to £65,000.
Design engineer
Graduate starting salary: £25,000 to £36,000
Experienced or incorporated engineers can earn between £37,500 and £48,000. Senior chartered engineers can earn £42,000 to 68,000.
Maintenance engineer
Graduate starting salary: £25,000 to £30,000
Mid-range salaries usually fall between £30,000 and £40,000. Senior maintenance engineers earn in the region of £45,000 to £58,000.
CAD technician
Starting salary: £17,000 to £20,000
With experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £35,000. Senior or chartered CAD technicians can earn £35,000 to £50,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk. Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“From my very first year, in my foundation year, I tried to be like a sponge! I absorbed every bit of knowledge I could.”
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
Top 25%
of UK unis for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2025
Developing your skills for the future
Our engineering degrees form part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries - industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.
Our engineering facilities are benefitting from a £8m investment to build a 2,000m2 state-of-the-art engineering centre - meaning students continue to have access to some of the most cutting-edge technologies to help support their studies while at Solent.
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MSc Project Management
Take your career to the next level with our professional course accredited by the Association for Project Management. Dive deep into the methodologies, techniques, and processes of project management.
Find out moreTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,790 per year
- International full-time fees: £19,081 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 additional costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous additional costs have been:
- PPE for site visits and workshop activities - £50-£100
Optional costs
- Foundation year
Normal stationery requirements and printing costs will come to approximately £30. There may be very minor costs (circa £30) for optional materials in the degree related project. - Years 1 to 3
Stationery and local travel to industry for interest visits: £200
Minor materials cost for final major project: approximately £50
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two A-levels (one A-Level in a maths or science subject), STEM based BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or STEM based BTEC Diploma at D*D*, STEM based T-Level Merit, or equivalent, which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- A BTEC Subsidiary Diploma will be considered in conjunction with other qualifications.
- Entry to year two full-time or year three part-time can be considered for applicants with a relevant HNC or equivalent qualification.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application
How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 14 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
Alternative entry options
Top-up route
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Part-time route
Applications for part-time and distance learning courses are made directly to the University and can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. If you have any questions about applying for this course, please contact the admissions office by emailing admissions@solent.ac.uk.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component.
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
TOEFL IBT tests taken prior to 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component.
TOEFL IBT tests taken from 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4 in each individual component.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
UCAS points: 104-120
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years part-time
- 4 years with foundation year
- 6 years part-time
