Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year BEng
About This Programme
The BEng Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year is a four-year programme at the University of Birmingham Dubai: a foundation year followed by the three-year Mechanical Engineering degree, which prepares students for global careers designing, manufacturing, installing and testing everything from nanoscale robots to spacecraft. The foundation year is preparation for the degree, equivalent to Year 13 in the UK system. The degree then covers core mechanical engineering, from mechanics and computer programming to sustainable energy, taught by staff from the Dubai and UK campuses on the technology-enhanced Dubai campus, with the option to spend a year in Birmingham. It is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Course Highlights
- The University of Birmingham is ranked 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, in the global top 100 and the top 10 UK universities.
- An accredited degree: UAE Ministry and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
- Graduates receive the same University of Birmingham degree as students in the UK.
- Teaching from staff on both the Dubai and UK campuses, and research-led teaching on the latest developments in mechanical engineering.
- The first year prepares students for the degree and is equivalent to Year 13 in the UK system.
What You'll Study
The course runs full-time over four years, including the foundation year, through lectures, case studies, online assignments and project work supervised jointly by research-led academics and industry engineers. Each module is usually prepared by a team spanning the Dubai and UK campuses, with at least the module leader based in Dubai, and students receive the same teaching resources and assessments as students in the UK. Learning includes lectures, classes, case studies, online assignments and quizzes, presentations and self-directed study. Work is assessed by exams, coursework, presentations and a dissertation. Projects can be supervised by staff on either campus, jointly with other Schools, or with industry-based engineers. Students have the option to spend Year 2 of the BEng at the Birmingham campus in the UK. Teaching staff listed on the course page are Dr Archibong Eso Archibong, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering; Dr Adel Abdel-Wahab, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr Imran Qureshi, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering; Dr Majid Malboubi, Head of Quality Assurance; Dr Hassan Ali, Associate Professor; and Dr Seyed Ghaffar, Head of Engineering (Dubai).
Foundation Year
2026/27. Preparatory study in essential subjects such as calculus and mechanics, with dedicated support. Successful completion, to the required academic standards, guarantees progression to the degree; the 20-credit Physical Sciences module must be completed to progress to Engineering.
- Data handling and skills (Dubai)10 credits
- Mathematics I20 credits
- Mathematics II20 credits
- Physical Sciences20 credits
Select one of these English modules.
- Academic English and Study Skills (STEM Dubai)30 credits
- Advanced Academic English and Study Skills (STEM Dubai)30 credits
- Advanced Academic Skills (STEM Dubai)30 credits
Year 1
2027/28. A strong foundation in engineering principles, with a broader understanding of behaviour, policy, entrepreneurship and global perspectives, and the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. Students can choose to study the second year in the UK.
- Electrical Engineering 120 credits
- Engineering Materials10 credits
- Engineering Mathematics 120 credits
- Fluid Mechanics and Energy Transfer20 credits
- Integrated Design Project 1A10 credits
- Integrated Design Project 1B10 credits
- Introduction to Computing for Engineers10 credits
- Mechanics 120 credits
Year 2
2028/29. Advanced topics in engineering mathematics, mechanics, mechanical design, mechatronics and control engineering, and thermodynamics and fluids, with practical projects and teamwork.
- Engineering Mathematics 220 credits
- Mechanics 220 credits
- Integrated Design Project 220 credits
- Mechanical Design A20 credits
- Mechatronics and Control Engineering20 credits
- Thermodynamics and Fluids20 credits
Year 3
2029/30. Engineering fundamentals applied to advanced topics through problem-solving, a major individual project in a chosen specialism, and a group design study covering the commercial, legal and safety sides of product development.
- CFD and FEA (Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis)20 credits
- Individual Engineering Project (BEng)30 credits
- Integrated Design Project 3 (BEng)20 credits
- Mechanical Design B20 credits
- Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering20 credits
- Sustainable Energy and the Environment10 credits
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University's general entry requirements and the course's own criteria. Each application is reviewed by the course's Admissions Tutor, who decides whether to make an offer.
Careers
The degree gives specialised training for a wide range of careers, with professional skills to complement technical ability. Graduates are sought after in engineering, finance, consultancy and commerce, including at companies such as Aston Martin, BP, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Exxon Mobil and Mercedes High Performance Engines. The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance to identify options, build skills and reach opportunities.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. The programme is also accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE): the accredited BEng (Hons) partly meets the academic benchmark for registration as a Chartered Engineer, and graduates need an approved form of further learning under UK-SPEC to complete it.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Start Date
January and September (September 2026 applications closed)
Typical Offer
BBB-BCC, including Mathematics
Duration
4 years (including the foundation year)
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Engineering
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Integrated foundation year, Single honours
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 134,922/yr
AED 134,922 for the foundation year, full-time, as published for September 2026 and January 2027 entry; each later year costs AED 149,106. The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation, is charged for each year of study, and can be paid in full or in three instalments a year. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made directly through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal (not UCAS), with no application fee, and are usually decided within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form.