Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Mechanical Engineering

Course overview

In our mechanical engineering foundation programme, you will be equipped with the essential groundwork for your future undergraduate studies, offering a clear path towards BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering.

On this programme you will learn, collaborate and flourish through project based learning with students in other engineering areas. This approach of learning mimics the real-life working world, where your career will be enriched by working alongside people with different skill sets, view points and approaches.

"My time at Aston taught me fundamental engineering principles which I use day to day in my job. Being able to do a placement year also benefitted me greatly as it gave me an insight into industry and experiences that helped me when applying to graduate jobs."

Tarun Dosanjh

BEng Mechanical Engineering

System Design Engineer at Red Bull Racing

Why Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation: Mechanical Engineering at Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Thriving student life

Aston Students’ Union was rated 8th in the UK in the 2022 What Uni League Table

Hands on collaborative teaching

Our dedicated academics ensure smooth transitions for students from diverse backgrounds

Mechanical Engineering at Aston University

Mechanical Engineering student Tom Obee talks about his experience studying at Aston.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

A day in the life of a Mechanical Engineering student

Let’s follow Faridot a student studying Mechanical Engineering at Aston.

Course description

Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Mechanical Engineering

Aston University's foundation programme in Mechanical Engineering will empower you with the essential skills and knowledge to transition onto BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by experienced and passionate faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but dedicated to helping you succeed. You will make use of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, you must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
You will develop an introductory knowledge of technical skills including, but not limited to, CAD, model making (3D printing/foam) and metal work. Along with fundamental people skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and ethical social impact, preparing you for the dynamic demands of mechanical engineering.

Progression opportunities
On successful completion of our foundation programme, you will then have the opportunity to transition onto our BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering degree. Graduates from Aston University’s BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering course have gone on to successful roles such as Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Development Engineer, Design Engineer and Project Manager for leading companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, BAE Systems and Caterpillar Inc.

How you will learn

Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures to interactive workshops, allowing you to absorb knowledge through multiple approaches. You will dive into real-world projects that challenge and inspire you through hands on work, where you will put theory into practice.

At Aston University there are many extra-curricular activities you can partake in to further develop yourself and explore your passions. Mechanical engineering students have the opportunity to design, build and race at Silverstone a single-seat racing car in IMechE’s national competition Formula Student. You will have the opportunity to showcase your work in the Mechanical Engineering and Design Industry Club, with the chance to meet employers, work on live industrial projects and interact with industry professionals.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance, and a dedicated programming support officer for additional support. The Learning Development Centre is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you

My Experience with Aston Racing

We spoke to formula student Leader Sherjit about his experience at Aston Racing and why studying engineering at Aston was the best choice for him!

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What you will learn

On this programme, you'll receive an introduction of principles and disciplines of mechanical engineering, science and mathematics through a series of team-based projects. Whilst developing the essential skills to transition onto BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience that sets you apart in industry.

My Placement at Siemens

Successful BEng Mechanical Engineering graduate Eishar sought out new experiences at Aston University which has supported her to grow and thrive in her career today.

Find out more

Facilities

Mechanical Engineering is a hands-on discipline, you learn through combining lectures with practical lab-based work and engineering workshops. You will master both individual learning and group work with like-minded peers, guided by industry professionals and technical experts. Our engineering facilities mirror these environments with state-of-the-art facilities.

Within the model shop

Five 3D printers
Maker space (with four additional 3D printers)
Laser cutting
Silicone moulding
Vacuum forming and foam cutting
Design Studio (an interactive space with PC’s and software)
Clay modelling facilities for automotive design
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Surface modelling using Solidworks and Keyshot
Dedicated project-based learning space and bookable student booths, assembly areas and professional drawing boards
Engine test lab (five engine test cells with hydraulic and electrical dynamometers, Kistler combustion analyser, emissions analyser)
Fuel characterisation and preparation lab
CNC Machine shop
Plasma cutting facility
Formula student garage & Shell Eco garage
Biomedical research lab with tissue and cell preparation areas, fume cupboards and microscopy facilities
Materials characterisation suite with advanced cyclic multi-axial testing equipment
Desalination and water treatment research lab with under-floor drainage
Solar array simulator
Solar thermal simulator

Our mechanical engineering course offers a range of excellent support for students, including additional mathematics 1-2-1 development, peer-assisted learning, expert technicians, and personal tutors.

Here, you will learn through hands-on experience by, for example, designing and building towers, wind turbines, and cars which you can then race in our Formula Student and Shell Eco Marathon competitions.

Check out the teaching spaces we have for our Mechanical Engineering courses, including workshops where areas such as hydraulics and high powered jets are covered in a safe environment.

coursepage_mechnicalengineering_formulastudent

Course objectives

Provide the necessary fundamental skills and knowledge for progression into Stage 1 of study.
Develop transferrable and communication skills required to be successful in further study.
Develop ethical and inclusive, problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Begin to develop the global awareness, sustainability and inclusive practice required in modern professional practice.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Foundation year modules

Foundation Year modules

In your foundation year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Undergraduate Professional Skills	15
Mathematics 1	15
Introduction to Scientific Principles	15
Industries of the Future	15
Global Engineering Project	15
Engineering Science Foundations	15
Applied Physics Foundations	15
Mathematics 2	15
Total	120

Foundation year outcomes

On successful completion of your foundation year, you will be able to:

Use mathematical principles to solve well-defined problems.
Solve well-defined problems using technical and scientific concepts relevant to the framework of study.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating inclusive, effective communication and teamwork skills.
Communicate discipline relevant technical ideas and solutions effectively, in a variety of ways, to diverse audiences, using appropriate terminology.
Conduct practical activities using appropriate equipment/tools, review data and draw conclusions to support technical decision-making relevant to the framework of study.
Discuss ethical and professional responsibilities, including stakeholder involvement, sustainability, safety, technical, EDI, and social factors.
Collect, interpret, and present, data from a variety of sources.
Reflect on their own learning needs and successes.
Demonstrate awareness of project management principles and methods

Entry requirements

A Levels
Standard offer: CCD
EPQ Offer: CDD and Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
Core Maths Offer: CDD and Level 3 Core Maths Qualification grade B
Aston ready (Widening participation) offer: DDD
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: Merit Merit Merit
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Merit
National Diploma and Diploma: Merit Merit plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade D
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Merit plus an A-Level in any subject at grade D OR achieve an overall grade Merit plus a BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert in any subject grade Merit
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: Merit Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD

26 including 3, 3, 3 in Higher Level subjects

Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 9 Distinctions, 12 Merits and 24 Pass.

All subjects are accepted at T Level: Merit

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:

GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£9,250

International students
(2025/26)

ONCAMPUS

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Mechanical Engineering programme employs a range of authentic assessment methods, including presentations, coursework, quizzes, and some exams. We make sure to coordinate deadlines to ensure you have a manageable workload.

The assessment methods will reflect the most effective and relevant way to review your performance for each module. Therefore, each module will be assessed in a variety of ways to reflect your knowledge from that module and how you would apply it in the real world.

Career prospects

Engineering and physical science skills are used in almost all aspects of our modern lives, meaning that graduates in these areas are in high demand. Students who have completed an Engineering and Physical Science Foundation Programme go on to study for their Bachelor level degree.

Upon completion of your BEng/MEng degree some students have gone on to work in a variety of roles including roles such as Mechanical Engineers, Design Engineers, Project Managers and Consultants in world-leading companies such as BAE Systems, Bentley Motor Cars, Network Rail, Caterpillar Inc, Corus and Jaguar Land Rover.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study the Foundation Programme in Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University?

If you don’t currently have the grades or subjects to progress straight onto an undergraduate degree programme within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, the Foundation Programme will equip you with the ideal base of knowledge to get you into your chosen study and career path.

You’ll be taught by Aston University staff, refining your knowledge, professional and study skills to prepare you for your chosen degree programme. You can choose to then study one of our business or social science programmes, with an integrated placement year, providing you with invaluable work experience, and even onto a Masters programme.

How will I study on the Foundation Programme?

Students will receive timetables that details the room and time of each subject. Each module will have a lecture that is delivers course content to all the students and seminar in smaller groups to provide more focused skills required for each module. Each module will have a total of four hours of teaching each week.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham