MSc Human Resource Management (Top Up)
The MSc Human Resource Management (Top-Up) program at the University of Gloucestershire...
BEng Mechatronics Engineering (Placement)
Park, Cheltenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
For students seeking a comprehensive and highly practical engineering education with integrated professional experience, the University of Gloucestershire's BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program provides an excellent opportunity. This four-year full-time degree, which includes a dedicated year of industrial placement, is designed to equip graduates with the specialist skills to excel in the dynamic fields of mechanical, electronic, and computing engineering. The program specifically prepares students to drive mechanical innovations in modern industry, with a strong emphasis on the 'Internet of Things' (IoT) era and the advancements of Industry 4.0, enabling them to design intelligent systems that adapt to changing data. The integrated placement year offers invaluable real-world experience, significantly enhancing graduate employability and providing a practical context for their academic studies.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program mirrors that of the standard BEng (Hons) in the non-placement years, offering a robust foundation in core engineering principles and specialized mechatronic topics. Typically, the first two years cover fundamental modules such as Engineering Mathematics, Introductory Software Development, Analogue and Digital Electronics, Mechanical Systems Engineering, and Sensors and Actuators. The third year is dedicated entirely to the industrial placement, providing a structured period of professional experience in an engineering setting. The final year of the program then builds upon the knowledge and practical insights gained during the placement, delving into more advanced and specialized areas, often culminating in a significant individual project that can often be informed by their placement experience. This structure allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a professional context and return to their studies with a deeper understanding and enhanced skills.
Research Focus: Similar to the standard BEng, the BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program maintains a strong emphasis on applied learning and problem-solving within the mechatronics field. While the undergraduate program's "research focus" is primarily on the practical application of engineering principles rather than pure academic research, the placement year provides a unique opportunity for students to witness and potentially participate in real-world industrial research and development. They may be exposed to the challenges and methodologies of industrial research first-hand, applying their academic knowledge to solve genuine engineering problems within a company setting. This practical engagement with the industry during the placement can often inspire and inform the student's final year project, potentially giving it a more applied research or development focus. For those with aspirations for in-depth academic research, the University also offers a related MEng program and postgraduate research opportunities in engineering technologies.
Industry Engagement: The industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program. The curriculum itself has been developed with significant input from industry employers, ensuring its relevance and alignment with current industry needs. The program aims for accreditation by professional bodies like the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and/or the Energy Institute, 1 signifying its commitment to professional standards and graduate employability. The placement year is the most significant aspect of industry engagement for this specific program. The University of Gloucestershire has established strong links with a variety of local and national engineering firms, and the dedicated placement year provides a formal and extended opportunity for students to gain valuable professional experience within one of these or other relevant companies. This not only enhances their technical and professional skills but also provides them with crucial networking opportunities and a significant advantage in the graduate job market. Many students find that their placement experience directly leads to graduate job offers.
Global Perspective: The BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program at the University of Gloucestershire naturally integrates a global perspective through the inherent international nature of the mechatronics industry. The technologies and principles learned are universally applicable and in high demand worldwide. Furthermore, the placement year specifically offers the potential for a truly global experience. Students have the option to undertake their industrial placement not only within the UK but potentially with a company operating internationally. This provides an invaluable opportunity to experience different work cultures, expand their professional network on a global scale, and gain a broader understanding of the international engineering landscape, further enhancing their global employability and perspective.
Location
Park, Cheltenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16600
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 65% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 64.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships are aimed at making education more accessible and affordable, allowing students to focus on their studies and enjoy their time in the UK without financial stress. The university provides several merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships to help ease the cost of tuition fees for international students.
International Scholarships: The University of Gloucestershire offers International Scholarships for students coming from various countries across the globe. These scholarships typically range from £1,000 to £3,000 per year, based on academic achievement and the chosen course of study. The scholarship is automatically awarded to eligible students upon acceptance of their offer to study at the university. These awards are designed to make studying in the UK more affordable and are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Excellence Scholarships: For international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, the University of Gloucestershire offers Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved exceptional academic results in their previous studies. The Excellence Scholarship can be worth up to £3,000 and is designed to recognize and support high-achieving students who show great potential in their chosen field of study.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, the University of Gloucestershire offers country-specific scholarships to students from certain regions. These scholarships are tailored to students from specific countries, helping to promote international diversity at the university. The scholarships vary in amount, eligibility criteria, and application processes.
Graduates of the University of Gloucestershire's BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) program emerge with a significant advantage in the competitive engineering job market: valuable, real-world experience gained during their dedicated industrial placement year. This practical exposure, combined with their comprehensive academic knowledge, makes them highly attractive to employers across various sectors.
Automation and Controls Engineer: With hands-on experience in industrial settings from their placement, graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for roles designing and implementing automation systems in manufacturing, production, and processing plants. Their practical understanding of control systems, PLCs, and industrial instrumentation gained during the placement would be invaluable from day one in such a role, making them more effective than graduates without this experience.
Robotics Applications Engineer: The placement year likely exposed students to real-world robotic systems and their applications. As Robotics Applications Engineers, they would be responsible for integrating, programming, and maintaining robots for specific tasks. Their practical problem-solving skills honed during the placement would be crucial for troubleshooting and optimizing robotic workcells.
Mechatronic Systems Design Engineer: The placement experience would have provided graduates with insights into the practical challenges and considerations of designing integrated mechanical and electronic systems in an industrial context. As Mechatronic Systems Design Engineers, they can leverage this practical understanding to design more robust, efficient, and manufacturable products and systems, going beyond theoretical design.
Maintenance and Reliability Engineer (Automated Equipment): Graduates with a placement will have a deeper understanding of the maintenance needs and potential failure points of complex automated machinery. As Maintenance and Reliability Engineers, they can effectively diagnose, repair, and implement preventative maintenance strategies for mechatronic systems, contributing to increased uptime and efficiency in industrial operations. Their placement likely provided direct experience with maintenance procedures.
Field Service Engineer (Mechatronics): For those who enjoy a more hands-on and mobile role, a Field Service Engineer specializing in mechatronic equipment is an excellent option. The placement year would have provided practical experience with various types of machinery, enabling graduates to confidently install, commission, and troubleshoot equipment on-site for clients.
Manufacturing Engineer (Process Automation): In manufacturing environments, Manufacturing Engineers focus on optimizing production processes. Graduates from the placement program, with their experience in automated systems and potentially lean manufacturing principles observed during their placement, can contribute significantly to implementing and improving process automation for greater efficiency and quality.
Junior Project Engineer (Mechatronics Projects): The placement experience likely involved working within a team on real engineering projects. This makes graduates well-suited for Junior Project Engineer roles, assisting in the planning, execution, and monitoring of mechatronic-related projects, drawing on their practical understanding of project workflows and collaboration in an engineering environment.
Test and Validation Engineer (Mechatronic Systems): Ensuring mechatronic systems function correctly and meet specifications is the role of a Test and Validation Engineer. The practical testing and troubleshooting skills developed during the placement would be highly relevant here, allowing graduates to effectively design and perform tests and analyze the results with a practical understanding of system behavior.
Technical Sales Engineer (Mechatronics Products): Graduates with a strong technical understanding from their degree and the practical experience from their placement can excel in Technical Sales roles. They can effectively explain the technical features and benefits of mechatronic products and solutions to potential clients, building on their firsthand experience of the applications and advantages of such technologies in industry.
Graduate Engineering Trainee Program: Many large engineering and technology companies offer Graduate Trainee Programs. The practical experience and industry exposure gained from the placement year would make a University of Gloucestershire BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering (Placement) graduate a highly competitive candidate for these programs, allowing them to accelerate their career development within a structured environment.
