BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship)

Program Overview

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Course Details

Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) is aimed at those who are committed to developing their career in this challenging and exciting industry. The course has been informed by employers and is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) as fully satisfying the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially fulfilling the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. This degree incorporates the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship so your staff can learn to work on all stage of product creation, product modification and product componentry.

Your apprentices will spend most of their time in the workplace, with a minimum of six hours per week being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning, which is usually facilitated on a day-release basis. Study at the University of Bolton complements learning in the workplace, supporting your apprentices as they learn to understand, enhance, design, and support mechanically-based technology.

Offering a solid foundation in the fundamental scientific and mathematical principles underpinning engineering, this course can prepare apprentices for higher-level responsibilities within your organisation. Our expert team will support them as they develop the ability to bring product concepts to life through a combination of engineering know-how, computer-aided design, testing and manufacturing skill, and engineering management knowledge. We’ll guide your apprentices, helping them gain skills in logical thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork, as well as a focus on quality, ethics and safety.

This Degree Apprenticeship allows you to offer structured training, a recognised degree-level qualification, and support towards professional registration with the IMechE, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Integrating study into the normal working week allows apprentices to put their new skills and understanding into practice without delay, benefitting your organisation immediately.

If you’re looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don’t work for an employer offering apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for details of study opportunities that don’t require current employment.

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Highlights

When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this course, they will receive a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body and be awarded an academic degree – the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bolton.

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has accredited the degree as fully satisfying the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially fulfilling the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our team of dedicated academics and professionals. Our team are highly qualified in their fields, and many are Chartered Engineers.

During the final stage of the course, your apprentice will undertake a substantial work-based research project, the nature of which will be identified and developed through consultation between your organisation and the University. As well as offering your apprentice valuable experience, this live project can offer you genuine insight into potential opportunities or improvements that can benefit your organisation.

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Key Features

Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we’ll work with your apprentices on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout their studies.

The course includes significant opportunities for problem-based learning in our well-equipped laboratories.

We have specialist mathematics tutors who are dedicated to making mathematics accessible and enjoyable. We have an excellent track record in supporting students to achieve mastery of engineering mathematics and science.

Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.

Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice’s progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.

After successful completion of this course, graduate apprentices can continue their studies with the University of Bolton’s MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Systems Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering Management or MRes Engineering Management, all of which are designed to fully meet the academic requirements set by IMechE and the Engineering Council to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Both the MSc and MRes are also available as Level 7 Degree Apprenticeships.

Program Outline

The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship) programme is designed to meet the Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Standard (ST0047). Developed by employers, consultants and contractors, the apprenticeship standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway. It prepares apprentices to support product design and development activities ranging from early concept feasibility, computer-aided design and other modelling activities and stages through to final preparation for launch and customers.

In addition to technical knowledge, this programme offers your degree apprentices the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills. These include the ability to use specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, the ability to produce and interpret technical solutions, the ability to explain design ideas, effective communication (spoken and written), good team working skills, project and time management, and strong decision-making skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

This degree apprenticeship aims to support the development of the next generation of mechanical engineers with strong skills in and knowledge of product design and development. On successful completion of the end point assessment, apprentices will be well prepared to take on demanding roles that require the ability to use engineering techniques to bring new products to life or improve existing products.

Graduate apprentices may choose to continue their mechanical engineering training to achieve the professional standards to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng). For instance, the University of Bolton’s MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Systems Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering Management or MRes Engineering Management programmes are designed to fully meet the academic requirements set by IMechE and the Engineering Council to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. These master’s-level courses are also available as Level 7 Degree Apprenticeships.

Graduate apprentices might also choose to pursue further study in a specialist field or research.