Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year)

The Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year) program at Lancaster University is designed for students who do not meet the standard entry grades for the university's STEM degrees. This foundation year provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Get real-world experience with our placement years
• Brand new state-of-the-art facilities
• Practical hands-on courses including lab-based sessions and project work

Our UK Foundation Years offer the opportunity for Home students who don't meet our standard entry grades to prepare for a STEM degree at Lancaster University. You'll study your Foundation Year at the Lancaster University School of Mathematics, based at our delivery partner, Cardinal Newman College in Preston. However, with accommodation on Lancaster University's campus and access to all our facilities, you'll still be fully involved in university life.

Your Department

• Engineering
• Faculty of Science and Technology

Careers

Mechanical engineers lead the design and build of the things we use and see in our everyday lives. This dynamic discipline, which involves a high level of mathematics, physics, and other STEM subjects, is applicable to a virtually limitless range of scenarios and situations. From the cars we drive to the buildings we live and work in, mechanical engineers have been involved in building our world every step of the way. You will graduate with a broad range of skills that make you highly desirable, such as the ability to think creatively, develop solutions to problems, manage projects, apply practical and technical knowledge, and be confident in decision-making. It's unsurprising then that our graduates go on to work within a wide range of sectors and industries, from Aerospace to Energy, Maritime to Rail, and more. Graduates with our engineering degrees are well-paid too, with a median salary of £32,000 15 months after graduation.

Here are just some of the roles that our BEng and MEng Mechanical Engineering students have progressed into upon graduating:

• Design Engineer – Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Ltd
• Graduate Engineer – Johnson and Johnson
• Graduate Mechanical Engineer – Frazer-Nash Consultancy
• Air Integration Engineer – BAE Systems
• PhD Candidate – Lancaster University
• Graduate R & D Engineer – Laing O'Rourke
• Sustainability Design Engineer – Queen's University Belfast
• Graduate Manufacturing Engineer – BAE Systems
• Junior Test Engineer – RAL Space
• Process Engineer – Unilever
• Marine Engineer Officer (Submariner) – Royal Navy
• Aerospace Engineer – BAE Systems

Entry Requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

Qualifications and Typical Requirements

• A levels: CCC, including Mathematics, and either Chemistry or Physics
• Access to HE Diploma: Considered on a case-by-case basis, with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit
• Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: Accepted in place of one A level, as long as subject requirements are met
• BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM, considered on a case-by-case basis, with sufficient content in Mathematics and relevant science
• BTEC in combination with A levels: Our typical requirement would be A level grade C plus BTEC(s) at MM, or A levels at grade CC plus BTEC at M
• International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall, with 14 points from the best 3 HL subjects, including 4 in Mathematics HL, and 4 in either HL Chemistry or Physics
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers: We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, with an Advanced Higher in a specific subject if required
• T levels: May be considered on a case-by-case basis
• GCSE requirements: Mathematics grade 6/B, English Language grade 4/C
• English language requirements: IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component

Course Structure

As part of Mechanical Engineering (with a Foundation Year), you will study three subject-specific modules, designed to align with your intended undergraduate degree. You will study one compulsory module, Scientific Maths, and you will pick two additional STEM modules. You can choose from:

• Additional Maths
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

This structure ensures you build a strong academic foundation in subjects most relevant to your future studies.

Module Details

• Additional Maths: Take your maths skills to the next level with a deep dive into pure mathematics
• Biology: Explore the science of life in this engaging introduction to biology
• Chemistry: Get hands-on with the building blocks of the universe
• Physics: Ever wondered how the world works at its most fundamental level?
• Scientific Maths: Discover how maths works in the real world

Fees and Funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting at the beginning of each academic year. Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2026/27 are:

• Home: £9,790
• International: Not applicable

Additional Fees and Funding Information

• Additional costs: There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits
• College fees: Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system, with a small college membership fee
• Computer equipment and internet access: To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access
• Study abroad courses: In addition to travel and accommodation costs, you may need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs
• Placement and industry year courses: In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace

Scholarships and Bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply. You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

• Lancaster Bursary: £1,000 in each year of study, based on household income
• Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship – Home: £3,000 in your first year of study, based on entry grades
• International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship: £3,000, as a tuition fee reduction, per year of study, based on entry grades
• Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship: £3,000, as a tuition fee reduction, per year of study, based on nationality or country of domicile and entry grades
• International Study Centre Progression Scholarship: £3,000, as a tuition fee reduction, per year of study, based on nationality or country of domicile and entry grades
• India Scholarship – Undergraduate: £3,000, as a tuition fee reduction, per year of study, based on nationality or country of permanent residence
• Lancaster Sanctuary Scholarship: Full fees, up to £5,000 per year living costs, based on refugee/humanitarian protection status

Tom Millen Engineering Scholarship

A generous donation from the family of Tom Millen will enable two outstanding Engineering students to benefit from a bursary of £1,500. This award is in memory of Tom Millen, who served as Superintendent of Laboratories and Workshops in the School of Engineering at Lancaster University.

Similar Courses

• Chemical Engineering BEng Hons
• Chemical Engineering MEng Hons
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng Hons
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng Hons
• Engineering BEng Hons
• Engineering MEng Hons
• Mechanical Engineering BEng Hons
• Mechanical Engineering MEng Hons
• Mechatronic Engineering BEng Hons
• Mechatronic Engineering MEng Hons
• Nuclear Engineering BEng Hons
• Nuclear Engineering MEng Hons

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication. The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses.

Our Students' Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience, we have worked with the Students' Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire.

Lancaster University

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High Rankings and Reputation:

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Beautiful Campus:

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Strong Career Support:

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