Learning Info Sheets Mechanical Engineering

8/2/2019 Learning Info Sheets Mechanical Engineering

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1

SUBJECT SHEETS

Mechanical Engineering

For more than fifty years, the United Kingdom (UK) has been at the forefront of the

teaching and development of mechanical engineering. This is typified by the brilliant,

UK-trained mechanics in Formula One car racing, whose expertise is one of the best inthe world. You can study mechanical engineering (or one of its specialist branches) on

its own or in combination with a wide variety of complementary subjects and your UK

qualification will be highly regarded worldwide.

Checklist: Why study Mechanical engineering in the United Kingdom?

the engineering profession in the UK is regulated by the Engineering Council (UK), which works toenforce high standards in training and professional practice

mechanical engineers are represented by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) andthe Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE). By satisfying their membership requirements youcan qualify for registration as a Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer or EngineeringTechnician with the Engineering Council (UK), a professional standard that is recognisedthroughout the world

IMechE and IIE help their members to keep up to date technically and to advance in their careersby running professional development programmes, courses, conferences and seminars

a range and diversity of highly practical career-based qualifications are available

UK courses in mechanical engineering include valuable training in management andcommunication skills as well as in technical skills

the opportunity to improve your fluency in English will improve your job prospects in English-speaking countries.

www.educationuk.org


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SUBJECT SHEETS

1 What can I study?

Full-time courses

Type of study Features

GNVQ, NVQ, SVQ;

BTEC/Edexcel First Diploma

Usually one year, full-time. Can lead to A-level study or to a National Diploma

course.

Vocational A-levels and Scottish

Highers

One or two years, full-time. Can be used for entry to undergraduate study.

BTEC/Edexcel National Diploma Two years full-time. Could be in mechanical engineering or a particular branch

of mechanical engineering. Can be used for entry to undergraduate study.

SQA Higher National Certificate One year, full-time. Could be in mechanical engineering or a particular branch of

mechanical engineering. Can be used for entry to undergraduate study.

BTEC/Edexcel/SQA Higher

National Diploma (HND)

Usually two years full-time. Could be in mechanical engineering or a particular

speciality, including automotive engineering; mechantronics; or motor vehicle

management with technology. The HND is a respected qualification in its own

right but it can also qualify you for transfer into the second or third year of a

degree course.

First degree courses: BEng

(Bachelor of Engineering); MEng

(Master of Engineering)

The MEng is a first degree course that is now offered alongside or in place of the

BEng at a number of institutions. It is growing in popularity. The MEng is a

higher award that the BEng and usually takes one year longer to complete. A

BEng usually takes three or four years ful l-time; a MEng usually takes four or five

years full-time. BEng students with high marks in their second year are usually

offered the opportunity to transfer to the MEng.

An accredited MEng degree fulfils the educational requirements for the

Chartered Engineer (CEng) qualification. An accredited BEng degree partially

fulfils the educational requirements for the CEng but will need a top up of the

equivalent of a further year of study, usually called matching experience or

matching section. There is a vast range of courses offered. Examples include:

automotive engineering

electro-mechanical engineering

marine technology

mechanical engineering

offshore engineering

sports engineering

You can combine mechanical engineering with other subjects, including:

aeronautics

automotive design

building services

business studies

a foreign language

motor sport engineering

renewable energy.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 2


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SUBJECT SHEETS

Several universities offer a foundation year before starting your degree these

are suitable for students whose entrance qualifications are not of the required

standard (for example, those who did not achieve maths or physics at A-level)

and who need some extra, remedial or conversion tuition (see Entrance below).

Both BEng and MEng courses are available as sandwich courses. This means

that they include one or more periods of supervised work experience. The work

placement is usually either in one twelve-month block or in two six-month blocksseparated by a period of study.

Postgraduate courses:

MSc (Master of Science); MPhil

(Master of Philosophy); PhD

(doctorate)

The MSc is a taught course and takes one year full-time. The MPhil (two years)

and the PhD (three years) are research degrees.

Short courses and continuing professional development

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (www.imeche.org.uk) actively promotes technology transfer inmechanical engineering through more than 100 technical seminars and twenty conferences annually

including Autotech, Railtech and Aerotech. It also runs short courses, often aimed at particular sectors.The Institution of Incorporated Engineers (www.iie.org.uk) also provides a support network for itsmembers on a regional and international basis.

Educational institutions do not generally provide short courses in mechanical engineering. You may finda handful by searching the website www.educationuk.org

Checklist: Choosing the right course

if you are unsure of the level of study to aim for, check with the professional body in the countriesin which you would like to work

consider whether you would be best advised to follow a general course in mechanical engineeringor a more specialised course in one of the branches of mechanical engineering (for example,automotive engineering). You should also consider whether you would like to combine yourengineering studies with another discipline (for example, business studies)

think about where you would prefer to live as well as study, as you will be able to find courses at alllevels throughout the UK.

2 Entrance

The minimum entrance requirement for a BEng or MEng course is mathematics and physics (or design

technology) at A-level, Scottish Higher or the equivalent. Some institutions ask for comparatively highgrades (BBC at A-level, AABB at Scottish Higher or thirty points in the International Baccalaureate).Others will accept good marks in the BTEC/Edexcel National Diploma or the Vocational A-level.

If you do not have the standard entry qualifications, some universities offer a foundation year providingremedial or conversion tuition before you start your BEng/MEng.

Refer to the section Entrance in Engineeringin this series for full details and information on how to checkwhether your qualifications are of the required standard.

http://www.imeche.org.uk/http://www.iie.org.uk/http://www.educationuk.org/http://www.educationuk.org/http://www.iie.org.uk/http://www.imeche.org.uk/


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SUBJECT SHEETS

3 How can I register as a professional?

Professional registration in the UK is through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and theInstitution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE). The Institutions have corporate members (Members and

Fellows are recognised by the designatory letters MIMechE and MIIE, and FIMechE and FIIErespectively). Members in these classes are considered to have reached the standard of professionalismrequired by the Engineering Council (UK) for registration as a Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineeror Engineering Technician, with their associated designatory abbreviations, CEng, IEng and EngTech.

To qualify for registration as a Chartered Engineer, you must satisfy the requirements of the Institutionsand the Engineering Council (UK) in three areas:

academic formation (usually an accredited BEng or MEng, although IMechE will accept otherequivalent qualifications applications will be assessed on an individual basis)

initial professional development (at least four years of appropriate, supervised work experience ideally this should be undertaken through a formal framework such as IMechEs MonitoredProfessional Development Scheme)

professional responsibility (applicants must demonstrate their competence and commitment to theengineering profession).

Applications for non-corporate membership, from those not qualified but working or interested inmechanical engineering, are welcomed at the Affiliate grade.

For more information go to www.imeche.org.uk and look under Membership at UK-SPEC and IMechE.

To qualify for registration as an Incorporated Engineer, you must satisfy the requirements of theInstitutions and the Engineering Council (UK) in three areas:

academic formation (usually an accredited BEng although IIE will accept other equivalentqualifications - applications are assessed on an individual basis)

initial professional development (approximately three to five years of professional experience at thelevel stated by the Engineering Council (UK)


To qualify for registration as an Engineering Technician, you must satisfy the requirements of theInstitution of Incorporated Engineers and the Engineering Council (UK) in three areas:

academic formation (usually a GNVQ (Advanced)/Approved NVQ Level 3, or Edexcel/SQA National

Certificate or Diploma)

initial professional development (approximately three to five years of professional experience at thelevel stated by the Engineering Council (UK)


Would a UK qualification be recognised in other countries?

Your qualification will be widely recognised. See Would a UK qualification be recognised in othercountries? in Engineeringin this series.

http://www.imeche.org.uk/http://www.imeche.org.uk/


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SUBJECT SHEETS

Routes to IMechE membership

Mechanical engineering a career path to Member or Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical

Engineers and Chartered Engineer

Accredited honours degree (BEng) plus experience, or accredited Masters degree (MEng)

Initial Professional development

This can take place before, during or after a degree course, but the final six months should be after

the degree. It incorporates both professional training a structured programme of not less than two

years duration which meets the IMechEs requirements and responsible experience. The IMechE

has a structured scheme (see below).

The Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) MIMechE, CEng

The scheme is IMechEs preferred route to CEng MIMechE,

though it is not a mandatory requirement for membership of

IMechE.

Member of the Institution

of Mechanical Engineers

and Chartered Engineer

It consists of an aggregate of two years accredited training,

followed by two years of approved responsible experience, with

a Chartered Engineer acting as a mentor throughout. The

training phase may be shortened by a credit for previous

training, but trainees must spend at least one year in the

training phase of the scheme from the time that their individual

registration is approved at IMechE. Credit for such previous

training must always be authorised by the mentor, who will want

to see written records of all training.

This provides a structured and strongly focused approach to

both technical and personal development, usually leading to

CEng MIMechE at or close to the minimum age requirement of

twenty-five years.

Throughout this process of Initial Professional Development,

young engineers will inevitably gain varying levels of

competence. In the latter stages of the scheme, emphasis will

be placed on the need to continually demonstrate and prove

higher levels of competence as a prerequisite to becoming apractising, professional engineer.



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SUBJECT SHEETS

4 Next steps

Checklist: Your next steps

1 Look for courses on www.educationuk.org

2 For degree courses, check whether the course is on the Engineering Council (UK)s list ofaccredited degree courses go to www.engc.org.uk/accredsql/public/titleform.asp.

3 Compare the institutions teaching and research assessment scores by going towww.qaa.ac.uk/revreps/reviewreports.htm (teaching) or www.hero.ac.uk/rae/index.htm(research).Bear in mind other factors, such as prospective supervisors, the size of the department and thelocation of the institution.

4 Make sure that the course you choose will be accepted in your own country by the relevantprofessional bodies and the government, if the job you want to do demands this.

5 Where can I find more information?

British Council Education Information

Website www.educationuk.org

For further information, you can find details of your

nearest office at www.britishcouncil.org/home-

contact-worldwide.htm which includes links to all our

country web pages and a worldwide address book

giving contact details for all offices.

EducationUK Scotland

Website www.educationukscotland.org

Wales International Consortium

Website www.walesinternationalconsortium.com

Universities and Colleges Admissions Services

(UCAS)

Rosehill

New Barn Lane

CheltenhamGloucestershire GL52 3LZ

Telephone +44 (0) 870 1122211

Fax +44 (0) 124 2544 961

Email [email protected]

Website www.ucas.com

Engineering Council (UK)

10 Maltravers Street

London WC2R 3ER

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7240 7891

Fax +44 (0) 20 7379 5586


Website www.engc.org.uk

Engineering Council Examination Department

City and Guilds

1 Giltspur Street

London EC1A 9DD

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7294 2658

Fax +44 (0) 20 7294 2416


Website www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/ecukexams

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

1 Bird Cage WalkLondon SW1H 9JJ

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7222 7899

Fax +44 (0) 20 7222 4557

Website www.imeche.org.uk

Royal Academy of Engineering

29 Great Peter Street

London SW1P 3LW

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7227 0500

Fax +44 (0) 20 7233 0054

Website www.raeng.org.uk

http://www.educationuk.org/http://www.engc.org.uk/accredsql/public/titleform.asphttp://www.qaa.ac.uk/revreps/reviewreports.htmhttp://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/index.htmhttp://www.educationuk.org/http://www.britishcouncil.org/home-contact-worldwide.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/home-contact-worldwide.htmhttp://www.educationukscotland.org/http://www.walesinternationalconsortium.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.ucas.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.engc.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/ecukexamshttp://www.imeche.org.uk/http://www.raeng.org.uk/http://www.raeng.org.uk/http://www.imeche.org.uk/http://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/ecukexamsmailto:[email protected]://www.engc.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.ucas.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.walesinternationalconsortium.com/http://www.educationukscotland.org/http://www.britishcouncil.org/home-contact-worldwide.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/home-contact-worldwide.htmhttp://www.educationuk.org/http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/index.htmhttp://www.qaa.ac.uk/revreps/reviewreports.htmhttp://www.engc.org.uk/accredsql/public/titleform.asphttp://www.educationuk.org/


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SUBJECT SHEETS

National Academic Recognition Information

Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC)

Oriel House

Oriel Road

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire GL50 1XP

Institution of Incorporated Engineers

Savoy Hill House

Savoy Hill

London WC2R 0BS

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7836 3357

Fax +44 (0) 20 7497 9006

Website www.iie.org.ukTelephone +44 (0) 870 990 4088

Fax +44 (0) 1242 288 611


Website www.naric.org.uk

Other useful resources

British Qualifications34th

ed. (Kogan Page, 2004, ISBN 0 7494 4138 0) lists every recognisedqualification on offer in the UK, by schools, colleges, universities, business schools, learned societies,trade and professional bodies and associations.

Occupations 2004(DfES, 2003, ISNB 0 86110864 7) an in-depth guide of over 600 career choices of alltypes from unskilled to professional work. Also lists prospects and qualifications for each occupation.

NB. Please note these books may not be available at your local British Council office.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information given here is correct and up to date, theBritish Council accepts no legal liability for its accuracy, currency or completeness.

June 2004

British Council classification. Which courses (red) 6/9

British Council 2004

The United Kingdom's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.

We are registered in England as a charity.

http://www.iie.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.naric.org.uk/http://www.iie.org.uk/http://www.naric.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]

Learning Info Sheets Mechanical Engineering

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