Mechanical Engineering with Year in Europe (France) (MEng)
Mechanical Engineering is the creative application of science and expertise to the design, construction and operation of products and processes.
Course overview
Mechanical engineers are essential to the workings of the modern world, combining imagination and technology to offer innovative solutions across society and industry. They work across all industrial sectors, developing and manufacturing well-designed products through efficient manufacturing processes.
Choosing the MEng programme offers you a quicker, more direct route to Chartered Engineer status than the three-year BEng. It allows you to use years three and five to expand and strengthen your knowledge in mechanical engineering.
You will benefit from advanced learning in design and management and an appreciation of the techniques needed to manage and organise a multidisciplinary engineering design project.
An added advantage of this course is that you study the French language as part of the first three years and spend year four studying engineering at a partner university abroad before returning to Cardiff for the fifth year.
Other Cardiff University Mechanical Engineering courses include:
- A thorough grounding in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering if you choose a BEng course
- The opportunity to follow a sandwich year in industry if you choose the relevant four-year BEng or five-year MEng degree option
- The opportunity to study abroad at a partner institution for one semester if you choose the relevant MEng (International) degree option
Distinctive features
The distinctive features of the course include:
- Fast-track route to Chartered Engineer status
- The opportunity to learn in a research-led teaching institution served by staff rated highly in the last Research Excellence Framework
- The facilities that come with a successful research unit
- The opportunity to learn from leaders in their fields, through direct access to academic staff, many of whom are Chartered Engineers or have worked in industry
- Accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- The opportunity to participate in the design, development, construction, testing and competition of a proven Formula Student racing car
- An open and engaging culture between students and staff
- The opportunity to improve your French language skills
- A year spent studying at a French university
Accreditations
UCAS code | H308 |
---|---|
Next intake | September 2018 |
Duration | 5 years |
Mode | Full time with year abroad |
Typical places available | The School typically has approx 230 places available. |
Typical applications received | The School typically receives approx 1270 applications. |
Contact
Ask a questionEntry requirements
AAA - ABB including Mathematics. If you are studying a science A level, a pass in the practical element (where applicable) will be required. Please note, General Studies will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
36-32 points including 5 or above in Higer Level Mathematics, or 666-665 in 3 Higher Level subjects to include Mathematics.
Alternative qualifications may be accepted. For further information on entry requirements, see the School of Engineering admissions criteria pages.
If you are an overseas applicant and your first language is not English, please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our accepted qualifications.
You will require GCSE French at grade C or grade 4 (or an equivalent qualification) and GCSE English or Welsh Language at grade C or grade 4. Alternatively, IGCSE English First Language or English Second Language will be considered at grade C.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2018/19)
Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|
£9,000 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Visit our tuition fee pages for the latest information.
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Students from outside the EU (2018/19)
Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|
£19,950 | None |
Tuition fees for international students are fixed for the majority of three year undergraduate courses. This means the price you pay in year one will be the same in years two and three. Some courses are exempt, including four and five year programmes and Medical and Dental courses. Visit our tuition fee pages for the latest information.
Costs for sandwich years
During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply. Full details can be found on our fees pages.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
No specific equipment is needed. The University will provide resources such as computers and associated software, laboratory equipment (including any safety equipment) and a variety of other learning resources.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
This is a five-year full-time degree, the fourth year of which is spent studying in France at the designated partner university. The course includes a carefully chosen balance of core modules and optional modules. Most modules are worth 10 credits, some are worth 20 and a few, including the year three and year five projects, are each worth 30. You need to attain 120 credits a year in order to continue your studies.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2018/19 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2018.
Year one
Year one consists of a series of lectures underpinned by practical laboratory sessions. The core modules include two language modules for French.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
French for Year in Europe | EN1016 | 10 credits |
French for Year in Europe | EN1021 | 10 credits |
Electrical Technology | EN1040 | 10 credits |
Engineering Applications | EN1048 | 20 credits |
Professional Engineering | EN1086 | 10 credits |
Engineering Analysis | EN1090 | 20 credits |
Materials and Manufacture | EN1101 | 20 credits |
Mechanics | EN1102 | 20 credits |
Thermofluids | EN1103 | 20 credits |
Year two
Year two again consists of a series of lectures underpinned by practical laboratory sessions. The core modules include two language modules for French.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
French for Year in Europe | EN2016 | 10 credits |
French for Year in Europe | EN2019 | 10 credits |
Mechanical Engineering Labs | EN2024 | 10 credits |
Control and Instrumentation | EN2037 | 10 credits |
Thermofluids 2 | EN2104 | 20 credits |
Solid Mechanics and Dynamics | EN2105 | 20 credits |
Computing 1 | EN2106 | 10 credits |
Engineering Analysis and Computing 2 | EN2107 | 20 credits |
Design | EN2602 | 20 credits |
Manufacturing Systems Design | EN2904 | 10 credits |
Year three
Year three includes a major project, with a value of a quarter of the overall year. For this you will work individually, alongside a supervising staff member.
The core modules include two language modules for French and there are also optional modules.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
French for Year in Europe | EN3018 | 10 credits |
French for Year in Europe | EN3021 | 10 credits |
Industrial Project Management | EN3026 | 10 credits |
Materials and Manufacture | EN3033 | 10 credits |
Energy Studies | EN3036 | 10 credits |
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer | EN3042 | 10 credits |
Robotics and Image Processing | EN3062 | 10 credits |
Project | EN3100 | 30 credits |
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
Commercialising Innovation | EN3006 | 10 credits |
Fluid Mechanics | EN3034 | 10 credits |
Solid Mechanics | EN3037 | 10 credits |
Object Oriented Engineering Computing | EN3085 | 10 credits |
Waste Management and Recycling | EN3401 | 10 credits |
Fluid Power and Control | EN3513 | 10 credits |
Automotive Power Transmission | EN3607 | 10 credits |
Year four: Sandwich year
Year four is spent studying at the designated partner university in France, through the medium of French.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year in Europe | EN3089 | 120 credits |
Year five
Year five includes two group projects, which are linked to topical research. In total, these make up half of the overall assessment.
There are also several core and optional modules.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
Applied Numerical Methods in Engineering | EN4018 | 10 credits |
Automotive Design | EN4101 | 30 credits |
Integrated Building Design | EN4102 | 30 credits |
Renewable Energy Design | EN4103 | 30 credits |
Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering | EN4107 | 30 credits |
Mechatronics Design | EN4110 | 30 credits |
Energy Management | EN4603 | 10 credits |
Cond Monitoring, Modelling and Forecasting | EN4604 | 10 credits |
Risk and Hazard Assessment | EN4606 | 10 credits |
Control | EN4610 | 10 credits |
Tribology | EN4611 | 10 credits |
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer | EN4626 | 10 credits |
Fundamentals of Nanomechanics | EN4630 | 10 credits |
Quality and Reliability | EN4640 | 10 credits |
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
Teaching is through lectures, examples classes and extensive laboratory, IT and practical work. The taught modules in the first two years are largely compulsory, but options are usually available in years three and five. All students must complete a 30-credit individual project in year three, for which they are allocated a supervisor from among the teaching staff. There are opportunities for interactions with potential employers.
The year abroad will be taught through the medium of French, using the delivery methods of the overseas institution, including lectures, seminars, workshops, group work and laboratories.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
38%
Guided independent study
62%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
37%
Guided independent study
63%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
null%
Guided independent study
null%
Placements
null%
Year 4
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
0%
Guided independent study
0%
Placements
100%
Year 5
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
null%
Guided independent study
null%
Placements
null%
How will I be supported?
You will be assigned a personal tutor who is a member of the academic staff associated with your degree course. Your tutor will be there to advise you on academic, non-academic and personal matters in a confidential and informal manner when you need some guidance. We aim to help you overcome any problem, however big or small, as smoothly and quickly as possible.
For the 30-credit project in year three, you will be allocated a supervisor in the broad area of research specialism and meet regularly.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles. Opportunities for you to reflect on your abilities and performance are available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback in classes like design and project work and via return of marked coursework.
The opportunity to test your knowledge and understanding will be provided throughout the semester via class tests in Years 1 and 2, plus feedback on written assessments. Occasionally, peer assessment of an individual’s contribution to a group may be used, and you may also receive oral feedback on presentations and contributions to group activities.
How will I be assessed?
Your progress in each module is usually assessed at various stages through each semester (through a short test) to give you feedback on your progress, then finally at the end of the appropriate semester. Assessment is undertaken using methods including formal written examinations, case studies, assignments and project work.
Examinations count for 60% to 70% of all assessment throughout the course, depending on the options chosen. The remainder is mainly project work and larger pieces of coursework, plus performance in laboratories.
The opportunity to test knowledge and understanding is given through class tests throughout years one and two, plus feedback on written assessments. Occasionally, peer assessment of an individual’s contribution to a group may be used, and students may also receive oral feedback on presentations and contributions to group activities.
Assessment methods (2017/18 data)
Year 1
Written exams
62%
Practical exams
2%
Coursework
36%
Year 2
Written exams
68%
Practical exams
2%
Coursework
30%
Year 3
Written exams
null%
Practical exams
null%
Coursework
null%
Year 4
Written exams
0%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
100%
Year 5
Written exams
null%
Practical exams
null%
Coursework
null%
What skills will I practise and develop?
This course is accredited via the Engineering Council, meaning the core competencies of UK-SPEC (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence) are integrated throughout the taught years of the course.
Through lab work you will develop practical skills focused on the application of a range of engineering principles to real-life technological, regulatory and ethical problems encountered in the engineering profession.
You will develop your French language skills and gain an understanding of the academic culture of Higher Education and professional practice in France.
You will also:
- Enhance your communication skills, both orally and in writing through a series of reports and assignments
- Develop your knowledge, skills and confidence to solve multidisciplinary problems in a engineering context
- Enhance your team-working skills, ability to exercise original thought and good professional judgement
Careers
Career prospects
In 2015/16, 95% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.
Many graduates work in product design for the automotive, aeronautical, communications and energy industries. Some work in medical engineering, some are travelling the world for the petrochemical industry, while others are involved in development, production and general management.
A few choose to use their degrees as a qualification to enable them to work in other disciplines. Those who have followed this route typically work in the Armed Forces, the financial sector, the legal profession, chartered accountancy or computing.
With such high-calibre and broad opportunities, a career in mechanical engineering is varied, challenging and rewarding.
Jobs
- Graduate mechanical engineer
- Civil engineer
- Project manager
Next Undergraduate Open Day