Course Structure (2023 entry)
We offer flexible degree programmes that enable you to experience a range of engineering disciplines before you specialise.
All first year students study a general engineering programme. In the second year, you continue to study the same core modules as all other students until the end of term one, after which you can specialise or continue on the general Engineering pathway.
This course structure not only ensures you make an informed decision about which specialism is right for you, but is also much favoured by industry which requires graduates that are conversant in the underlying principles of all engineering disciplines.
Students can also switch from the three-year BEng to the four-year MEng degree if academic requirements and regulations are met, and from the MEng to the BEng if they prefer to graduate earlier.
Please note that the joint course Computer Systems Engineering does not follow the course structure outlined on this page.
The information on this webpage is relevant to degrees starting in 2023. If you are looking for information relating to degrees starting in 2024, please see this webpage.
Year 1
- In your first year you will be taught the fundamentals of engineering, which you will build on in later years according to your interests.
- You will undertake a range of small projects from 'reverse engineering' to design-and-make challenges on topics including home automation, light rail transit, car aerodynamics, and intelligent robot design. These projects introduce you to industry-standard software, such as SolidWorks and Matlab.
Year 2
- All second year students follow the same core modules in term 1.
- In terms 2 and 3 you will study second year core and optional modules for your chosen course.
- For most disciplines there will be a core module which involves a 'design, make and test' project.
Year 3
- In the third year our courses concentrate entirely on providing specialist engineering knowledge in your chosen discipline. General Engineers will also be able to explore their particular interests in more depth.
- Students develop research skills through an individual project related to their degree, specialising in one particular area. This may be linked to our research activities, or be in conjunction with an external company, or support a fourth year project.
Year 4 (MEng only)
- In the fourth year of an MEng course students study specialist material relevant to their degree course.
- MEng students participate in a large group project worth 25% of the year, which simulates the multidisciplinary working practices you will experience in your career. Students from all specialist courses work together on these projects. Popular projects include the IMechE Formula Student racing car competition, Warwick University satellite project (WUSAT), Severn Trent reservoir design, ICE shaping the world infrastructure design for poor communities, building search-and-rescue robots with Warwick Mobile Robotics, or creating a human-powered submarine. The MEng final year multidisciplinary project is unique to the four-year degree and not something that you would normally find as part of a one year stand-along Masters.
The information on this webpage is relevant to degrees starting in 2023. If you are looking for information relating to degrees starting in 2024, please see this webpage.
I chose Warwick because of its reputation and their initially general course. Before coming here I only had experience in electronic engineering, but now I've been able to try the other disciplines and find the best one for me. I've actually switched to systems engineering which I wouldn't have been able to do if I'd specialised from first year."
Jonathan, 4th year Systems Engineering student
Intercalated Degrees
There are a range of fully supported intercalated year options available to Warwick Engineers:
- Year in industry
- Study Abroad Year
- Year In Research
An intercalated year can be taken in between years two and three for BEng, or between years three and four for MEng students.
Teaching
We use a variety of teaching methods, ranging from lectures and group tutorials to small-group teaching in laboratories.
The expected total study time is normally 1200 hours per year.
Assessment
You will experience a variety of assessment methods, and can expect to mostly take (online or face-to-face) examinations and complete coursework assignments.