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Course Information

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Mode of Study

1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years full-time study

School

Engineering, Physics and Mathematics

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

September 2026

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2025 MODERN UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

Overview

Are you analytical and creative, with an interest in design technology? Do you aspire to develop sustainable solutions for today’s society?

Undertaking the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Foundation Year may be your first step towards realising your ambitions. The course aims to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge to develop effective, sustainable solutions and products that meet the varied needs of society.

The course seeks to provide an engaging and practical learning experience, equipping you with a strong foundational understanding of mechanical, civil and automative engineering.

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to progress onto Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) (i2i International Soccer Academy).

Entry Requirements 2026/27

Standard Entry

We receive a high number of applications with qualifications from the United States. These applicants require a High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.6.

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator:www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK or the US, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

 

Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £28,290

* In relation to fees for UK students: £9,790 is the tuition fee. The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy, and accommodation fees.


Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050 (subject to Parliamentary approval, along with 2026/27 fees) Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.

*if your course is longer than one year


* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.


International Fee in Year 1: £34,500

This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.

 

 



Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options available for UK and International applicants for 26/27 entry.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

else

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Foundation Year

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YEAR

Features & Benefits

Top 35: Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria is ranked top 35 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025).

Research Power: Engineering is ranked 25th for research power in the UK out of 89 submissions (REF2021). This is a rise of 8 places compared to 2014.

Accreditations: Mechanical Engineering BEng - which this Foundation Year leads into - is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Careers & Employability

Throughout your year of study, there will be a wealth of opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge of mechanical and civil engineering, primarily preparing you for undergraduate study.

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to progress onto Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) - i2i Soccer Academy. From here, you will be prepared for a career as a practising engineer, equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary to progress into technical and engineering roles.

The teaching approach on your course emphasises the practical application of professional knowledge and skills through independent, inquiry-based learning, as well as collaboration with industry and professional organisations where appropriate.

Soccer Academy

The partnership between Northumbria University and the i2i International Soccer Academy allows us to offer aspiring male and female student-athletes the opportunity to combine full-time academic study at a World Top 100 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024), with professional soccer development from England's largest and most prestigious international soccer academy.

Group shot of the i2i Soccer Teams at the BUCS Northern Conference Finals.

i2i International Soccer Academy

Staff

Gain insight from experienced tutors who have spent years working in engineering and technical development roles, with their expertise forming a strong foundation for your academic learning snd development.

You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will offer advice and support regarding your academic, personal, and professional development throughout your course.

Mechanical Engineering BEng aims to create a research-rich learning environment where students can develop their skills, from first learning how to conduct and evaluate research via problem-solving activities to planning and managing their investigative research project.

Subject experts enhance foundational engineering knowledge by structuring the curriculum around their research skills, interests and experiences. This research-embedded environment makes the learning process engaging, developmental, personal, and meaningful.

As you progress through the course, you will be encouraged and supported to work more independently in your studies. This approach allows you to tackle more complex challenges and take on more responsibility for your learning journey. You will be able to identify and explore individual topics of interest within the broader scope of Mechanical Engineering and research-led inquiry.

Facilities

Mechanical Engineering offers specialist facilities to support your learning and professional growth, with laboratories for smart materials and composites, engineering systems, engine testing, building and constructing and more.

Our facilities are utilised to provide an authentic practice-based learning environment and rapid prototyping rooms make it easy for you to bring your design projects to life.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research.

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints



If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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