15
15th for Mechanical Engineering
The Guardian University Guide (2023)
Work alongside our partners in an industry-based project
Keep your options open with our general first year
Our Mechanical Engineering degree adopts a practical approach that will develop your skills and knowledge for a career involving innovation and leadership.
Mechanical engineering is concerned with anything that moves and many things that don’t. From a simple nut and bolt, through to the complex multi-physics of aerodynamics in Formula One, mechanical engineering solves the broadest range of challenges and leads to a multitude of different and exciting careers.
Our approach reinforces your learning from lectures through practical activities, and allows you to fully assess your assumptions while building teamwork and project management skills essential to your future career. The degree is professionally accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) as meeting partial fulfilment of the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer.
Year 1
In the modern world, Mechanical Engineers are part of small or large teams developing complex systems, which is why our broad based common first year adds significant value to your degree. You will study themes from within mechanical engineering, but also the fundamentals behind electrical, electronics and chemical processes, along with a solid foundation in engineering mathematics.
Year 2
Specialist modules in mechanical engineering will begin in the second year, where you will cover main themes of materials, statics and dynamics, fluids and thermodynamics, complemented by design and laboratory activities. You have the opportunity to undertake a business development project, to introduce you to Industry 4.0 concepts.
Year 3
In year three, you will work on an engaging individual project shaped over your interests and ambitions. Your supervisor, a leading specialist in the subject area, will guide you to gain an in-depth knowledge of the topic for successful project completion.
Previous examples include:
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 to 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 from our Engineering degrees are well-paid too, with a median starting salary of £27,250 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022).
Here are just some of the roles that our BEng and MEng Mechanical Engineering students have progressed into upon graduating:
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Each of our Engineering undergraduate programmes comes with an optional placement with a cutting-edge engineering company. Each placement will give you practical, realistic workplace experience that will make you attractive to employers after your graduation. In recent years, Lancaster University students have taken work placements with EDF, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mercedes AMG, Network Rail and more.
I'm Joe, and I'm working at Mott MacDonald as a graduate mechanical engineer in the rail division!
How did Lancaster help you get your job?
The careers team at Lancaster helped me ensure my CV was a good reflection of my strengths and experiences as well as helping me prepare for my interview with Mott MacDonald. Additionally, working on group projects, particularly with engineers in different disciplines and with staff in different faculties during my 4th-year project, gave me confidence when working with multidisciplinary teams.
A Level ABB
Required Subjects A level Mathematics and a Physical Science, for example, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Computer Science, Design & Technology or Further Mathematics.
GCSE Minimum of four GCSEs at grade B or 5 to include Mathematics at grade B or 6, and GCSE English Language at grade C or 4.
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including either:
Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Design Technology
BTEC (Pre-2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Merit in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians units.
BTEC (2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Merit in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in the following units – Unit 1 Engineering Principles, Unit 7 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Unit 8 Further Engineering Mathematics is highly recommended.
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and others which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism. We divide academic study into two sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). For most programmes Part 1 requires you to study 120 credits spread over at least three modules which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects. A higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster please visit our Teaching and Learning section.
The following courses do not offer modules outside of the subject area due to the structured nature of the programmes: Architecture, Law, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Biomedical Science.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research.
This module encourages students to analyse real-world problems, and to use a logical design path and tools and techniques such as 2D and 3D CAD, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and Form over Function to arrive at a design that meets the initial requirements. Often working in teams, students will learn about the full product lifecycle, from customer requirements to design process and to product recycling/disposal. As well as the practical aspects of design and innovation, the module covers other skills such as marketing, packaging, completing a statement of requirements, and the human brain.
The module is based on exploration and discovery and evaluated through coursework alone. It also incorporates the ‘IMechE Design Challenge’, a ‘design-make-test’ competition held annually between North West universities.
The module starts with the fundaments of Ohm’s law and introduces the main laws and theorems necessary to understand direct and alternating current flow in a circuit, including Kirchoff’s laws and different simplification theorems. Every student will be able to reduce a circuit to its simplest form and carry out basic voltage and current split calculations.
The module provides students with an understanding of the role and main functions of the key component blocks in many state of the art electronic systems. The theory will be supported with case study applications, where students will look at systems such as the electric guitar, computer mouse, electronic fuel injection and the telephone. Students will gain a basic understanding of the limitations and headline specifications of these items including sensors, signal conditioning, analogue-digital conversion, processors and actuators, and following the flow of information through a typical system.
Students will learn how to perform the basic calculations that underpin the subject, and confidently analyse and solve engineering problems and design solutions.
Applying mathematics to real world problems is a key skill for engineers. This module introduces students to a range of mathematic techniques that can be directly applied to engineering problems. Amongst the topics covered, students will learn about indices and logarithms, as well as complex numbers to enable them to precisely describe an electrical current or signal. They will also learn to manipulate square matrices to find inverses and determinants, and will manipulate vectors to find scalar and vector products.
The mathematical methods used here are put to use in engineering practicals and projects. For example, topics related to matrices are used in the second year robotics project for transforming coordinate systems.
Calculus is a flexible technique that can appear almost anywhere in engineering, from the smallest integrated circuit to the largest nuclear power plant, and this is reflected across the range of modules that calculus features in.
This module provides a broader understanding of functions, limits and series, and knowledge of the basic techniques of differentiation and integration. Students will come to understand the meaning of a derivative, both algebraically and graphically. They will also appreciate the meaning of an integral, and be able to integrate expressions directly by parts and by substitution. From this, students will apply integration to calculate physical quantities, including the arc length of a curve, the area and centroid of a plane region and the surface area, volume and centre of mass of a volume of revolution.
This module introduces students to a further range of mathematic techniques that can be directly applied to engineering problems including the application of matrices, for solving simultaneous linear equations. Students will learn about the application of the Laplace transform, a powerful technique used in electronics, control and vibration analysis which transforms differential equations to a linear function. They will also discover iterative methods that provide extra opportunities to find solutions to equations.
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to use a range of mathematical techniques which will be of use in future engineering and mathematics courses. Techniques include Fourier series, simultaneous linear equations, eigenvalues, Laplace transforms and partial derivatives.
Many of the fundamental equations of engineering are written in the form of differential equations and so, this module teaches students the skills necessary to work with these. Students will learn both analytical and numerical techniques, which are of particular relevance to future engineering modules that analyse fluid and heat flow and temperature distribution.
Students will learn to verify that a given function is a solution of a specified first-order or second-order differential equation. They will also, when given an initial-value problem featuring different types of differential equations, find their particular solutions. The equations that will be examined include separable first-order differential equations, linear first-order differential equations, and homogeneous and non-homogenous linear second-order differential equations with constant coefficients.
Introducing a range of key aspects of chemistry that is relevant to engineers, this module addresses atomic and molecular structure. It focuses on chemical reactions and bonding, as well as thermodynamics, acid, based and redox reactions, the kinetics of reactions, and nuclear chemistry. Lectures featured in this module are supported by weekly, small group tutorials that are designed to illustrate the practical applications of the concepts learnt in the lectures.
Students taking this module will develop an appreciation for the importance of electrons in a variety of chemical reactions, such as corrosion and polymerisation. Additionally, the module will enhance students’ ability to balance such chemical reactions, predict the results of key reactions and perform a variety of calculations relating to the determination of reaction rates.
A key feature of today’s cutting-edge electronic technology is the storage of information and its processing. This module uncovers the basic engineering principles behind these critical requirements such as Boolean algebra, truth tables, Karnaugh maps, logic gates and memory circuits. Students will gain both the knowledge and the vocabulary with which to understand digital electronic systems together with the background necessary to appreciate what is likely to be possible in the future.
The module also looks at how analogue electronic components can be combined to perform simple logic functions and how these logic blocks can be combined to perform memory tasks. Students will develop this concept towards the principle of a processor and will learn about simple programmable devices and how these relate to the range of programmable solutions that are currently available.
Sensing and extracting signals from the real-world is a fundamental requirement of virtually all electronic systems. This module provides students with the background knowledge and understanding of the ways in which signals are captured from sensors, then amplified, and then fed into a data acquisition system. It includes work on circuits and networks and introduces the op-amp, which is a fundamental building block of many analogue circuits. Students will also gain an understanding of basic sensor characteristics and of signals, including how they can be represented in the time and frequency domains and how they can be manipulated with filters.
Students have an opportunity to build and test the operation of op-amp and sensor circuits in a dedicated electronics lab during the module.
The global energy sector is continually evolving, particularly around the development of sustainable and renewable energy sources, and this module provides an understanding of this field along with conventional power generation and utilisation. Primarily, students will learn about the fundamental aspects of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemical and nuclear reactions which are essential for those who wish to specialise in these fields.
Students will gain an understanding of the ways in which energy is captured from renewable sources and produced from fossil fuel reserves, as well as a detailed understanding of wind turbine design. The module covers how hydroelectric schemes, tidal barrages and wave energy works and teaches students to make numerate comparisons of the energy available from these sources compared with thermal and nuclear power stations.
This wide-ranging module considers the engineering aspects of transport technology such as fuel consumption and how it may be reduced, types of engines and motors and electric drive systems for land transport. More specifically, students will look at the Otto cycle, aerodynamic drag, basic circuit theory, batteries and fuel cells. They will also learn how to calculate vehicle performance taking account of drag, mass, and propulsion characteristics. Energy flow diagrams for IC engines and electric and hybrid vehicles will be covered, as well as thermodynamic cycles for petrol and diesel engines and their major components.
There are four practical exercises associated with this module reflecting the wide scope of the content. They include evaluating the efficiency of an internal combustion engine, which requires a group to partially dismantle the engine and make measurements to determine its compression ratio and valve timings. The group will then reassemble it and perform calculations based on their measurements. Another exercise involves the economic assessment of a new light rail transport system in the North West.
Manufacturing is at the foundation of global prosperity and is a continually developing field. This module covers a wide range of manufacturing processes used in engineering from the well-established practices such as casting and moulding to modern, growing methods such as additive manufacturing. By the end of the module, students will have gained knowledge of a range of materials and ways of producing them as manufactured or part-manufactured components whilst estimating the cost of doing so.
The lectures are accompanied by hands on experience of machining, welding and material testing techniques in dedicated workshops. There will also be at least one industrial visit to see manufacturing processes in action (most recently Jaguar Land Rover).
The human skeleton, a suspension bridge and a car chassis are examples of structures that are designed to transmit forces from one place to another. To do this safely and efficiently it is important to adopt the right arrangement of load-bearing components and to use materials with appropriate strength and stiffness. In this module, students will learn about structural forms and beam theory and will develop their ability to analyse engineering problems by calculating internal stress of components in tension, compression and bending, and by applying the Euler buckling theory. As a result, students will gain an appreciation of designing simple engineering structures to achieve the required strength and stiffness for a wide range of manufactured products.
Practical sessions will be delivered in our labs and students will work in groups to design, build and test efficient steel box beams to withstand a set load. The exercise comprises application of the analysis techniques learnt in lectures, an element of creative design, sheet metal fabrication and testing, and a final written project report including analysis of the failed beam.
Focusing on the fundamental aspects of process engineering, this module aims to equip students with an understanding of basic processing terminology such as batch, semi-batch, continuous, purge and recycling. There will be a review of processes, along with flow diagrams, process variables and units, and students will become familiar with the mass balance of non-reactive systems, including general material balance of a single-unit operation and multiple-unit operations.
This module will allow students to assign process variables, units and economics; students will develop knowledge of industrial processes along with a working understanding of phase equilibrium thermodynamics to chemical processes. A range of vapour-liquid equilibria, covering the level rule, ideal solutions, Raoult’s Law, Henry’s Law, volatility and relative vitality, will be approached in detail on the module.
Control is about making engineering devices work efficiently and safely. This module gives students the ability to programme to a level where they are able to solve everyday engineering problems, such as controlling the movement of a robot arm. They will gain the ability to use functions, arrays and pointers, and will be able to manipulate strings, format the input/output and carry out basic mathematical calculations.
The fundamentals of structuring and writing a computer programme are included and students will gain experience at interfacing with practical engineering systems such as a motor. The module will be particularly relevant to students with an interest in robotics, computing and control.
This module considers a range of material in the wider business development area. Students are encouraged to think with creativity, entrepreneurial flair and innovation. Practical sessions allow students to demonstrate their progress on a weekly basis through idea generation, peer presentations, elevator pitches and formal presentations. The module is accompanied by a number of external industrial speakers who have been successful in their own business endeavours and are keen to pass on that knowledge.
Students will become familiar with a rich mixture of experiential learning opportunities, that develop a wide range of transferable skills in the context of engineering entrepreneurship. The module will focus on the development and use of business plans and marketing strategies. Students will prepare a business plan, discuss team dynamics and the requirements for entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, the appropriate terminology to use when developing business projects will be explored. Students will discuss relevant aspects of company finance, uncertainty in business ventures and techniques for analysing markets. They will also examine frameworks for marketing and structuring a business plan and will develop the ability to analyse potential markets and sources of funding.
This module introduces students to numerate aspects of engineering. It is designed to provide students with a broad and flexible array of mathematical methods for the analysis of data and signals. It also intends to illustrate the essential role of computing in the application of these skills. Students will use calculus for the analysis of trigonometric, non-linear, polynomial and exponential functions, and will sketch multivariable functions with a relation to engineering on three-dimensional Cartesian axes.
Additionally, students will evaluate the significance of differential equations in the description of an engineering system and will apply methods such as Laplace, integration and substitution to find the solution of these equations. They will also develop the ability to analyse systems in both the time and frequency domain using Fourier and Laplace transformations. Students will learn to apply the spectrum of approximate methods that exist for finding the roots of equations, definite integrals and linear approximations.
The matrix representation of coefficients and their correspondence will be applied to arrays in software, including the use of manipulations such as the inverse matrix. Students will use the concept of least squares analysis in order to assess the consistency of data. Finally, they will develop the ability to use a software package such as Excel for multivariable analysis of a given function and to produce appropriate graphical outcomes.
This module introduces the subject of structural and stress analysis, and also covers mechanical vibrations. Students will develop an understanding of the physical behaviour of structural components and their design with reference to stress and deformations. They will also engage with mathematical and physical models for the analysis and design of statically indeterminate structures. In addition, the module encourages students to quantitatively analyse the behaviour of oscillatory systems with one or more degrees of freedom.
Students will learn to discuss the meaning and significance of the terms natural frequency, resonance and damping in relation to vibrating systems. They will also find the natural frequencies and, when there is more than one degree of freedom, the corresponding mode shapes for such systems. Students will gain a working knowledge of the essentials of mounting a machine so that only small force amplitude is transmitted into the foundation. An awareness of how an accelerometer works will be developed, including its advantages and disadvantages, and how to use it to measure vibration. Additionally, students will gain the ability to carry out two dimensional stress and strain transformation calculations, and will be able to calculate maximum shear stresses in shafts and beams subject to shear loads.
Students will be introduced to a range of key concepts in engineering project management and will put some of these into practice by means of an interdisciplinary group project. This module aims to motivate students to produce and test a functional electro mechanical machine to meet a given specification for example, the development of a mobile robot which follows a line. Students will develop a range of skills including, the ability to describe a mechanical/electrical system at the block diagram level, identifying its power and signal flows and writing an overall performance or functional specification. They will also acquire the knowledge necessary to integrate the functional requirements with other needs such as maintainability, safety, manufacturability, environmental impact and regulatory compliance. The requirements for interface management including spatial, mass, environment, control, failure modes, and energy, will also be discussed.
Additionally, students will develop the skill set required to prepare an interface management plan for a complete project and interface specifications for the subsystems/components. They will discuss the project lifecycle including specification, design, manufacture, commissioning, maintenance, modification and disposal. Finally, students will apply the principles of validating the design of a complex system using analysis, sample testing, type testing, commissioning, system tests and acceptance.
The first half of this module introduces fluid mechanics. It will address hydrostatistics with emphasis on forces on plane areas, centre of pressure and forces on curved surfaces. The module will also cover Archimedes' principle, with an emphasis on the buoyancy and stability of floating bodies and metacentric height. Students will also explore Bernoulli’s equation and flow measurement, and will learn about the steady flow momentum equation, forces and fluid flow.
The module’s second half will address thermodynamics. Students will discover the intensive and extensive thermodynamic quantities, the equation of state and the perfect gas law. They will also become familiar with thermodynamic equilibrium and reversible and irreversible processes, and will develop an awareness of the work, heat and the first law of thermodynamics. Additionally, the module will cover heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure, along with the definition of expansivity and compressibility, and internal energy and enthalpy.
Students will examine how forces arise in static fluids, and will develop the ability to carry out basic calculations on fluid motion. The module will introduce the basics of fluid machinery and explore the behaviour and effects of turbulent and laminar flow in pipes. It will also examine thermodynamic quantities and their relationships and application to heat engines, boilers, condensers, nozzles, diffusers, turbines, compressors and throttles.
Students will develop the knowledge required to discuss the terms: centre of pressure, metacentre, metacentric height and Reynolds number. They will also learn to apply Archimedes' principle to situations involving buoyancy, and will find the force on a submerged plane or curved surface. In addition, students will gain the ability to determine whether a body will float stably, estimate its period of rolling and will understand the characteristics of laminar and turbulent flow. A further skill available on this module is the ability to estimate the pressure drop due to friction in a fluid flowing along a pipe. Students will also learn to apply Bernoulli's equation to situations of flow along a closed conduit.
This module is designed to enhance students’ understanding of system dynamics and feedback at the block diagram level, by providing tools for the analysis of linear single degree freedom systems. Students will gain the ability to use appropriate instrumentation for feedback and data-logging purposes. The module will enable students to interface devices such as memory, digital IO and analogue IO to a microprocessor or microcontroller. They will also discover how to access such devices from within a program using C and/or Assembler.
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to develop single degree freedom models for simple mechanical, electric and electromechanical systems. They will also be able to discuss the assumptions necessary to develop such linear models and have an awareness of nonlinear and chaotic systems. Additionally, students will develop the ability to analyse 1st and 2nd order models in both the time and frequency domain, including vibrations and asymptotic stability. They will write down the transfer function of a system from its differential equation and understand the significance of the poles/zeros.
Further skills available on the module include the ability to manipulate block diagrams of open and closed-loop systems and the design of proportional, integral, derivative, velocity and multi-term controllers. Finally, students will construct and use Bode diagrams, and will develop the knowledge required to analyse the function and physical operation of a range of common types of transducer, e.g. for the measurement of strain, force, temperature and acceleration.
Introducing the fundamentals of materials engineering, this module addresses a range of topics including atomic bonding, the origins of the elastic models and elastic and plastic deformation mechanisms in crystalline materials. In addition, the module explores defects and crystalline imperfections, strengthening mechanisms in crystalline materials, Fe-C system and non-equilibrium phase transformations.
It will also address the effects of wear such as the nature of surfaces, describing and measuring surface form, static and kinetic friction, adhesive and abrasive wear regimes, and mechanical design. This section of the module will look at combined loadings, thin walled theory, yield criteria and failure mechanisms. Students will gain an understanding of the manufacturing processes and surface finish, tolerances, limits and fits, and will work with standard components such as rolling bearings, plain bearings and seals.
Students will develop the ability to classify the fundamental types of solid materials according to bond type, energy and physical properties. They will also learn to describe the unit cell types adopted by industrially significant metals, and will gain familiarity with the use of direction and Miller indices as a method of describing planar symmetry, and the crystallographic basis of anisotropy. Additionally, the module will enhance students’ ability to describe fundamental materials concepts of solid solutions, point defects, dislocations and atomic diffusion. Finally, students will develop an understanding of how finite element analysis is able to supplement the engineering design process, and will be aware of the need to validate the results of a finite element analysis.
This module will enhance students’ knowledge of heat transfer calculations and aims to outline where these are essential to engineering design. Students will develop an understanding of electric power systems, including the characteristics of the main types of electric machine. In addition, they will gain the ability to estimate steady-state heat transfer rates and will be able to size simple parallel and contra flow heat exchangers. They will also develop the level of understanding required to estimate temperature distributions within 1-D or rotationally symmetric systems in which there is steady heat flow, as well as correctly sizing cooling fins.
Students will set up appropriate boundary conditions for 3-D heat conduction problems that are to be solved numerically using a software package and will estimate the time it takes for a thermal system to reach a steady state. Finally, they will be able to perform calculations to predict the performance of a single-phase induction motor and will be able to analyse the starting, speed and torque control methods used on induction motors.
Introducing the metal cutting manufacturing processes, this module focuses on mechanical machining theory. It covers jigs and fixtures as well as cost estimating, computer numerical control (CNC) and ancillary equipment. Students will gain an understanding of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and parts classification, along with group technology.
The module will enhance students’ understanding of the process of machining, as well as the principles of work holding and fixturing. Students will prepare a process plan and will be able to estimate times for the manufacture of simple jobs.
Additionally, students will develop an understanding of the principles of CAPPE, and will set out a time estimate for a manual or robotic assembly process. They will also consider the principles of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA).
Students will give an account of the relationship between CNC, FMS and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), including the information structures needed to achieve integration. They will also gain an understanding of key issues in modern manufacturing, especially regarding tooling and other investment hotspots. This module will allow students to appreciate current enabling technologies such as rapid prototyping and the use of in-cycle gauging and statistical process control (SPC).
This module examines the role of management and its relevance to engineering today. In this context, specific knowledge about manufacturing systems and project financial appraisal will be introduced, together with relevant aspects of law and human resource management, industrial organisation and project costing. Students will receive an outline of company finance and reporting, along with an overview of environmental reporting, quality and safety management.
The module will reinforce students’ understanding of the role of management in industry, as well as how modern manufacturing operations are organised financially. Students will financially evaluate both large and small projects as the basis for major decisions, and will develop knowledge of what quality is and its importance to all organisations. Additionally, students will apply suitable tools for the improvement of quality, and will come to understand the importance of environmental reporting. The module will also enable students to carry out a basic level of safety management.
This module addresses the physical behaviours of a wide range of engineering materials by considering underpinning scientific concepts affecting resistance to failure by yield, fast fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion/environmental degradation. Through the examination of case study examples, the module will inspect the connection between materials selection, processing and environmental/service conditions. The influence these factors have upon the economic and safe use of materials, in a range of common engineering applications, will also be explored.
Students will develop the ability to describe the limitations of yield based failure criteria when determining the resistance to failure by crack initiation, growth and fast-fracture. They will apply Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) concepts to the modelling of engineering components. They will gain the level of knowledge necessary to explain how fatigue testing is carried out in the laboratory, this is done whilst applying the results from such testing, to the modelling of engineering components.
The module will enhance students’ ability to describe the underpinning mechanisms that cause creep in materials. They will be able to use creep models and creep data to carry out basic calculations to predict the performance of materials under elevated temperature conditions.
Additionally, students will gain the skill set required to explain the underlying factors that affect the environmental degradation of materials, in particular those applicable to industrially significant metallic alloys. Students will reinforce their understanding of why the structural integrity of materials in engineering design, is a function of the structure-property-environment relationship. Finally, they will be able to exercise informed materials selection in engineering design.
The aim of this module is to give students experience in managing a research project and help them develop an in depth knowledge of a specific, specialist area of their subject. Students will have the opportunity to learn professional software, research, design or experimental skills consistent with their subject. They will be assigned a project title and a project supervisor who will guide and advise them throughout the project. The project involves the production of a literature review, project plan, an oral presentation, a final report and a poster.
The module will offer different outcomes depending on which topic students choose to work on. For example, they can gain knowledge of the scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in the engineering discipline.
Students can also acquire the ability to apply and integrate their understanding of other engineering disciplines, to support the study of their own engineering discipline. Alternatively, students are offered the opportunity to gain an understanding of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes.
There will be an opportunity for students to apply quantitative methods and computer software, relevant to their engineering discipline, to solve engineering problems. On the other hand, students may decide to strengthen their understanding of customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics. They could also take the opportunity to reinforce their workshop and laboratory skills.
This module provides fundamental understanding of the principals involved in the design and analysis of complex mechanical systems. The aim of this module is to develop students’ skills and abilities in mechanics, particularly in relation to mechanisms and linkages, balancing of rotating and reciprocating machinery and inertia forces in mechanisms. Students will gain experience in kinematics and kinetics of mechanisms, including velocity diagrams and instantaneous centres. Additionally, the module will introduce rigid body dynamics and motion described in various co-ordinate systems, along with balancing rotating and reciprocating equipment.
This module will enable students to use principles of forces and moments equilibrium (with inertia forces) to estimate the forces acting on rigid bodies that are accelerating in two dimensions. They will also use kinematic principles to relate displacements and velocities of points on linkages of rigid bodies. Additionally, the module will enhance the ability of the students to find the location of instantaneous centres in a linkage. They will then learn to apply the instantaneous centre method to investigate the velocities of points on a linkage.
Students will learn how to find the velocity of any point of selected planar mechanisms using velocity diagrams and the velocity image theorem. They will also develop the necessary knowledge to find the acceleration of any point of selected planar mechanisms using acceleration diagrams and the acceleration image theorem. Finally, students will apply the idea of energy conservation to ideal systems.
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the foundations of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including finite difference and finite volume methods, numerical solution of partial differential equations and von Neumann stability analysis. The advanced use of CFD for solving complex fluid dynamics issues will be explored and is crucial to several engineering branches including turbomachinery, hydraulic, aeronautical, renewable energy, environmental and chemical engineering.
Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical elements of CFD provided in this module enables students to correctly set up and solve problems in the aforementioned areas using state of the art commercial CFD software. The lab based component of the module aims to provide students with advanced expertise using key components of the CFD software. These include grid generation systems, CFD solvers (including choice of key physical modelling and numerical control parameters), and solution post-processors (including flow visualisation systems).
Students are provided with an insight into the physics, chemistry and engineering of common energy conversion processes, including conventional thermal power generation: coal, oil, open-cycle and combined cycle gas turbines. They will develop the ability to analyse systems efficiency and the CO2 emissions of different schemes, and will also study direct conversion, including solar photovoltaic devices and fuel cells.
This module will enable students to discuss and deduce numerically the efficiency of a variety of energy conversion processes. There will be an opportunity for students to gain a range of transferable skills such as, the ability to describe and analyse energy conversion processes. They will also gain a consideration of where current research trends are taking the field.
Composites are more commonly becoming the materials of choice for applications requiring high performance and light weight, for example in motorsport and aviation. Students will learn to define and distinguish the properties of modern composite materials and the factors that determine their use and design. These include composite mechanics and properties of composite systems, design of composite systems, manufacturing methods and their influence on properties, typical defects and methods of detection, mechanical failure, and environmental and economic issues.
Students will gain a through grounding in the theory of the design, manufacture and performance of modern polymer, metal and ceramic matrix composite materials. They will demonstrate their knowledge using real case studies which will develop the ability to describe and justify their use of fundamental engineering concepts and to communicate conclusions to expert and non-expert audiences.
Students will develop skills in analysing some commonly occurring machine elements during this module. Discovering how these devices work to support and transmit force and load, leads to better decision making in their selection and use as a machine component, either individually or as part of a more complex assembly.
Over the course of the module, students will develop the level of skill required to establish the geometry of contacts between bodies, including relative radii of curvature. They will be able to estimate stresses and loads between bodies at such contacts, and will understand how to carry out calculations on involute gear geometry. Additionally, students will learn to carry out calculations involving gear trains including efficiency and inertia considerations, and will gain the knowledge necessary to estimate the load capacity of plain (hydrodynamic) bearings. They will also develop their understanding of how loads are carried by bolted joints.
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2024/25 entry fees have not yet been set.
As a guide, our fees in 2023/24 were:
| UK | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £26,550 |
It will be necessary for students to purchase clothing for use in laboratories which is approximately £30. The University pays for student membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology where appropriate plus contributes to specialist software and workshop materials.
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. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities.
For students starting in 2022 and 2023, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2024 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2024-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2023-entry applicants as guidance.
Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.
A generous donation from the family of Tom Millen will enable an outstanding Engineering student from a disadvantaged background to benefit from an annual bursary of £3,000.
When did you know Engineering at Lancaster University was the place for you?
I knew Lancaster University was the place for me to study Engineering after visiting campus for the first time. It was a five-hour drive from my hometown but as soon as I experienced the combination of facilities, course structure, and friendly academics, I was sold!
What is your favourite aspect of your course?
I love that all the theories we learn are translated into real-world examples. Not only is this hugely satisfying, it gives us a great start for when we do industry-linked projects later in our degrees. All of this gave me a lot of confidence in my employability.
What are you going to do after your degree?
I have recently had multiple job offers in a variety of fields within the engineering sector. Soon after graduation, I am starting one of these - a design engineering role in nearby Kendal, as I just couldn’t bear to leave Lancaster!
What do you like about Engineering at Lancaster?
The general first year gives a great foundation in all areas of engineering. This translates really well into industry! I also love the open nature of the lectures, projects, and labs; we aren’t given instructions, but get to use creative problem-solving skills. Throughout though, there was always a member of staff on hand if I needed help, and they were always really friendly; most lecturers know each student by name, despite the size of the department.
Sam Noller, MEng Hons Mechanical Engineering
We have world-leading academics, who are involved in state-of-the-art research which influences the material that we teach. We adopt innovative teaching methods including the pioneering use of creative project work and a design-build-test approach to learning, helping our students learn interactively and gain hands-on experience. We are an International Partner in the CDIO™ initiative, which seeks to revolutionise engineering education.
Our Main Engineering Lab is a large and spacious, double-floored room home to the Engineering Strongfloor, Robotics area, and Wind Tunnel. Here is where you'll get the opportunity to load test materials and constructions, and work on projects involving robotics or renewable energy.
Our Electronics Lab is equipped with equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, and power supplies to allow you to undertake prototyping and practical work in electronics.
Our Additive Manufacturing Lab comes equipped with a number of 3D printers and laser-based additive machines to fabricate items that wouldn't be possible using more traditional subtractive methods.
The Chemical Engineering Teaching Lab is where you'll in small groups to rotate around an assortment of experimental apparatus to engage and learn about industrial processes along with the associated health and safety, COSHH assessment, and substance controls.
Our Teaching Lab houses a variety of engineering apparatus that you'll get to use throughout your degree, from 3D printers and robotics arms, to CNC machines.
Within the School of Engineering, we have a dedicated Breakout Space for you to get together with other students and collaborate on work, or otherwise socialise in your downtime between lectures, workshops, and labs.
In the Mechanical Engineering Lab, you'll be able to join your peers working on the Formula Student project. Formula Student is an international racing competition for a single-seater racing car covering a number of static judging (design, marketing and cost) and different dynamic (acceleration, sprint, endurance) events.
The School's Computing Lab comes fully equipped with all of the software you'll need in order to create virtual prototypes of your projects, or work on electronic or embedded systems.
Engineering Projects make up a significant proportion of most of our Engineering degrees and involve a great deal of collaboration with your peers. This space is dedicated for you to work on these projects, allowing you the room to create and test prototypes.
If you're unsure of which area of specialisation you'd like to go into upon application, you can use the UCA code H100 Engineering to leave your options open. The common first year lets you change your specialisation allowing a more informed choice at the end of year one, subject to meeting the requirements of that course.
Our summer open days give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.
Undergraduate Open Days
Join Meenal and Vlad as they take you on a tour of the Lancaster University campus. Discover the learning facilities, accommodation, sports facilities, welfare, cafes, bars, parkland and more.
Undergraduate Open DaysThe information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University 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. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
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. View our Charter and other policies.
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