General Engineering at Durham University - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

This degree is designed to offer you the knowledge and skills necessary to join engineering teams on graduation. It is complementary to the four-year Durham MEng, and transfer is possible between the courses up to the end of the second year. In the first two years, the BEng covers the same broad base of engineering education as the MEng degree. In the third year, you choose to specialise in Civil, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering. The BEng prepares you for an exciting career in modern engineering, with the flexibility to respond to changing technologies. There may be the opportunity to study at an overseas institution, or spend time in industry as an additional year between Years 2 and 3. A course highlight is the Engineering Project in the final year where you will work one-to-one with an academic expert on a technical engineering challenge.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Modules

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 a working knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism and hardware interfacing. Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1 offers a working 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. Examples of optional modules: 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 offers you a working 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 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) Core modules: At this stage of your degree you will choose to specialise into one of four streams: Civil Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering. Each route includes stream-specific lectures plus an individual technical project. Practical skills, in addition to the weekly laboratory sessions, cover topics from land surveying to industrial problem-solving with interaction with local industry, depending on the selected stream. The BEng Engineering Project provides an open-ended challenge for you to investigate a research topic. You will identify and initiate methods to investigate the topic, generate data, analyse the data, formulate recommendations and present the work in a written report and oral presentation. This project is the highlight of your degree, and an amazing opportunity to carry out your own research and to develop the professional skills required to become a practising engineer.

Assessment method

During the first two 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 final year has more of a focus on assessment through coursework, including a technical dissertation project.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
H103
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus code:
O

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AA including Mathematics and one subject that carries a practical endorsement (Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics) and B (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/


English language requirements

Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.

English language requirements

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
EU £31250 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £31250 Year 1

Additional fee information

There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
General Engineering at Durham University - UCAS