Mechatronics BEng/MEng

If you’re starting university in 2020, we’ll be teaching you in different ways to make sure you get the best learning experience possible. You’ll learn through live sessions with teaching staff and have the chance to study independently too, with access to all the online resources you need through our globally available student portal.

We’re planning different scenarios for teaching so that we can be flexible. While we’re social distancing, we’re aiming to teach you through some small group sessions on campus, with larger lectures delivered online and available to you on-demand. If you’re unable to make it to campus at first, or we need to limit access to campus in the future, your course can be delivered fully online.

The table below shows current plans for your learning across a typical week, including scheduled live online teaching and an indication of what we hope to teach face to face, where you can make it to campus. While some weeks might look different to this, due to how we schedule classes, the table gives you an idea of what to expect based on the overall number of teaching hours on your course.

You’ll receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start.

Term 1: Online teaching only

Term 2 onwards (from January): Blended teaching

Read more about our scenarios for returning to campus and what they might mean for your teaching and learning experience, and how you’ll be able to access student support.

Future plans for teaching

We’re developing our timetable for face to face teaching  with current government advice on social distancing to keep you safe. If social distancing requirements are lifted, we’ll start to safely move back towards our usual teaching arrangements with more opportunities for face to face learning. Some learning and support might stay online in this scenario. If more restrictions are put in place, or there is another lockdown, we’ll be prepared to deliver your learning and support fully online, with alternative arrangements made for any required placements. We’ll always give you notice of any changes that we make.

Definitions of terms

• Live learning – Live learning will cover everything you’ll do with teaching staff like lectures, seminars, workshops and other classes, and we’ll schedule all of this for you. This might include some study outside your regular timetable, like taking part in discussion forums or online blogs where you’re supported by academic staff.
• Independent learning – Independent learning is all the studying you’ll do outside your live learning sessions with teaching staff. This self-paced study will give you the chance to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time as you need to, and you’ll have access to on-demand resources and materials to help you do your best.
  • Self-paced study – Self-paced study will give you the chance to learn wherever and whenever you want to and at your own pace, outside your live learning sessions. This independent learning could include reading and reflection, preparation for classes, revision or homework along with access to other online activities such as quizzes.
  • On-demand resources – You'll have access to on-demand resources like pre-recorded video lectures and workshops as part of your independent study. You’ll be able to review and revisit whenever you need to at your own pace.
• Face to face sessions – Wherever it’s possible to do so, and we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure your safety, you’ll be able to attend scheduled sessions, workshops or appointments on campus as part of your live learning. The number of hours given in this scenario provides an indication of the number of hours of face to face learning you could expect, and a full timetable will be provided to you before the start of your course.

Support

You’ll have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will mainly be delivered online and you’ll have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You’ll have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

More on teaching for your subject in 2020/21

Read our guide to what’s been happening in your subject area recently and more about what to expect this autumn.

Teaching BEng

This programme aims to produce professional and competent Mechatronic Engineers capable of playing an active role in formulating, meeting the challenges and opportunities arising in contemporary industrial and commercial practice.

You will gain knowledge and understanding through a combination of lectures, seminars, exercise classes, design build and test projects, laboratory classes, industrial visits, group and individual project work, experimenting, constructing, analysing, assessing and discussing and self-study. You can arrange one to one sessions with your module tutoring team. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning throughout your course.

Your first year (Level 4) study is assessed using a competency based assessment system called Student Observable Behaviour System (SOBS). The SOBS are categorized as typical and excellent for each module. For a student to pass a module, (s)he is expected to achieve all the typical SOBS. After each teaching session, the students are requested to demonstrate their understanding of the session contents by completing the SOB check-points which are observed and assessed by the tutor. At the start of the year students are given a set of SOB check-points within each module which are assessed on throughout the module. Students and staff can monitor progress and engagement with SOBS online.

During your first year (Level 4), your weekly timetable will typically consist of 12-15 hours of timetabled contact time spread across 4 days.

Independent Learning

When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).

Overall Workload

Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). While your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;

Level 4 

28% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 338 hours
• Independent Learning: 862 hours

Level 5 

28% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 338 hours
• Independent Learning: 862 hours

Level 6

21% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 248 hours
• Independent Learning: 952 hours

Teaching MEng

Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. You can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and practicals in smaller seminar groups. In addition, you can arrange one to one sessions with your personal tutor or module leader. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning.

Independent Learning

When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).

Overall Workload

Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). While your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;

Level 4 

28% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 338 hours
• Independent Learning: 862 hours

Level 5 

28% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 338 hours
• Independent Learning: 862 hours

Level 6 

21% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 248 hours
• Independent Learning: 952 hours

Level 7 

19% of your time is spent in timetabled Teaching and learning - typical structure activity:

• Teaching, learning and assessment: 232 hours
• Independent Learning: 968 hours

Academic Support

You will have access to academic support services that you assist you in the following areas:

• Study Skills, including academic writing, reading and numeracy skills
• Employability, with workshops and tutorials on CV writing, interview and presentation skills
• Library Support, including sessions on finding, and choosing the right resources and software and tutorials on referencing and plagiarism
• Progression and Support Advisors to assist you with if you experience difficulties with your studies
• Well-being Services.

These services can be accessed through the UniHelp Desk in the Library building.

Assessment BEng

The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.

There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. Assessment methods could include a range of coursework including essays, reports, portfolios, your main final year project, and practical sessions including performance, presentations or lab based exams. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.

Percentage of course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:

Assessment MEng

The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.

There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.

Percentage of course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:

Feedback

You will receive feedback on the formative assessment, and written summative assessments. Feedback on examination performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.

We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.

Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.

Qualifications

In addition to qualifications such as A level and International Baccalaureate, we accept a wide range of international qualifications.

Find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country on the relevant support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

English language requirements for international students

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications.

For some EU countries, we may be able to accept English language competency evidenced through your high school qualification. If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Visas and immigration

In order to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a student route visa. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.

Please apply via UCAS using this course’s UCAS code:

• BEng: H730
• MEng: HR30

For help with your application, please view our undergraduate application page.