Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year

Develop the skills all modern mechanical engineers need on this mechanical engineering degree. A city of technology that’s home to Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota: Derby is the perfect choice.

Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

KEY FEATURES OF THIS COURSE


- EMPLOYER LINKS: You'll benefit from our close links with world-famous companies likes Rolls-Royce, Alstom and Toyota.


- ACCREDITATION: Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree is professionally accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council – this recognition means you can be sure our courses meet professional standards


- FACILITIES: You'll have access to excellent labs and facilities whilst studying this degree. Spaces include our Additive Manufacturing Lab with various 3D printed technology, Wind tunnel and Thermodynamics area that includes a jet engine and test engine, and our Mechanical Workshop with both traditional lathes and milling machines, alongside more modern CNC equipment


- EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Challenge yourself on one of the many competitions we take part in. In the British Model Flying Association Payload Challenge, you will design, build, test and compete a radio-controlled aircraft against other national and international teams


- PLACEMENT YEAR: Gain valuable experience in industry by taking an optional placement year between years two and three.


- FLEXIBILITY: Not sure on the type of engineering you want to study? Spend the foundation year and year one of the degree covering all aspects of engineering and gain the multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. In year two, you have the option to switch your degree to either BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering or BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering or continue studying on BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering


WHAT YOU'LL COVER
You'll gain the essential foundation of engineering in your first year before studying the areas of thermodynamics, engineering design, automation, and computational mechanics in your second and third year.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN
There’s a mixture of lectures, research projects, seminars and workshops as well as industrial visits and guest lectures from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

YOUR CAREER
This degree prepares you for careers in mechanical engineering design, motorsport or automotive design and in applications of advanced materials. You can also progress to our MSc which meets all the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

STUDY OPTIONS:
This course is also available without a Placement Year option.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027