Mechanical and Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons)

Our teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and group projects as well as tutor-directed and self-directed research. There’s a strong emphasis on problem-solving because we believe that you’ll learn best when you’re engaged in putting what we teach into practice.

Assessment methods are designed to give you feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. They include assessed projects that will enable you to test your skills and understanding. Some modules have coursework as the main method of assessment, in order to enable you to shape your assessment and focus upon your interests. 

• See all the Modules for this course

You’ll be taught by tutors who have many years of experience in the various aspects of the engineering industry. Their experience, combined with their on-going active research, will provide an excellent foundation for your learning.

The quality of their research has put Northumbria University among the UK’s top 25% of universities for the percentage of research outputs in engineering that are ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. (Research Excellence Framework 2014.)

Our reputation for quality is reflected by the range and depth of our collaborations with industry partners. We’ve built up numerous industrial links during the 50+ years that we’ve been offering engineering courses. These links help ensure high quality placements and collaborative projects.

Northumbria has the advantage of being located in the North East of England, which is a centre of manufacturing and technical innovation. As well as Nissan, the region’s #1 company, there is a strong concentration of automotive, engineering, chemicals, construction and manufacturing companies. 

Northumbria University provides outstanding facilities for engineering. We have specialist laboratories for smart materials and composites, building and construction, control and instrumentation, and fluids and thermodynamics. 

Our rapid prototyping room will make it easy for you to bring your design projects to life, and our modelling workshop offers tools and specialist equipment for modelling your designs. All our facilities are backed up by specialist technicians who will give support and advice when you need it.

To facilitate group projects, there is a working space called The Hub that’s well equipped for meetings and working with IT. The Zone is another area that’s popular with students undertaking group work or individual study.

Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. Our problem-solving approach requires you to acquire a wide range of research skills during the course. You’ll undertake a major project that will bring together all the academic and technical skills that you’ve developed up to that point.

Throughout the course your learning will be directly impacted by the teaching team’s active research into their specialist subjects. One of Northumbria’s signature research themes is ‘Future Engineering’, which is about innovation in the engineering and construction industries so that they are fit for purpose in the 21^st century. We also have particular interests in novel construction materials, Building Information Management, smart materials and sustainable technologies.  

• See our research here

BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Architectural Engineering is accredited with the Engineering Council via the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). It meets CIBSE’s academic requirement to become an Incorporated Engineer

Our ‘learning by doing’ approach will give you an in-depth understanding and technical skills that are sought by employers. The major project in your final year is a great opportunity to apply everything you have learnt. The outcome is not only important for assessment purposes but also to demonstrate your professionalism to employers.  

Some of our past graduates now have senior roles within engineering consultancies such as Buro Happold. Other graduates run their own businesses.

If you wish to undertake further study at postgraduate level, it may be possible to transfer to our integrated masters degree – MEng Mechanical and Architectural Engineering.  If you wish to undertake further study at postgraduate level, we offer courses like MSc Engineering Management that will help you advance into management and develop skills in enterprise and entrepreneurship

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.

• See all Alumni profiles for this subject area