Find a course

Expand

Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng

BEng (Hons)

UCAS code: H360

Start dates: September 2023 / September 2024

Full time: 3 years

Part time: 6 years

Location: Wheatley

Department(s): School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Overview

There are some challenges only an engineer can solve. And then there are some challenges that demand an engineer with a very specialist set of skills. Like expertise in electric power systems. An understanding of digital control technology. Knowledge of sensors and data.

Study Electro-Mechanical Engineering at Oxford Brookes and you’ll develop practical engineering skills and an advanced knowledge of electronic systems that will open up many career opportunities. You don’t need any previous knowledge, we’ll help you become an expert as you progress through the course.

Aircraft, drones, robots, medical equipment, even toys depend on electronic systems to function. Few people understand how those systems work – even fewer understand how they interact with the mechanics of the product. We’ve designed this course to give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to solve real industry problems and start a career working on exciting projects at the cutting-edge of technology.

Order a Prospectus Ask a question Attend an open day or webinar

Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Study in an engineering hotspot

    Oxford has many high-tech companies, from medical device manufacturers to autonomous vehicle testers. Take advantage of our links to gain work experience or network.

  • Learn by doing

    You’ll get practical experience using our workshop and lab equipment, designing systems and solutions throughout the course.

  • An active community

    There’s lots to get involved in during your course and in your spare time, from our Formula Student team to the robotics society.

  • Help when you need it

    Our teaching staff have drop-in sessions for anyone who needs support. And our academic advisers will help you with your studies too.

  • Work experience

    A year in industry gives you valuable experience of the technical skills you’ve practised in the labs. And it looks great on your CV too.

  • Free language courses

    Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

  • Study Abroad

    The opportunity to study abroad is not compulsory. It is the student’s responsibility to organise this if they wish, however it may not be possible to offer credit as part of the course.

Course Details

Course Structure

The course shares some modules with our other engineering degrees, but includes specialist modules where you’ll learn about electro-mechanical systems. This means you’ll gain expertise in areas like stress analysis while developing a specialism in electronic and control systems. During year 1, you’ll familiarise yourself with our labs and build up your knowledge in vital areas like engineering simulation and modelling.

By year 2, you’ll start to design your own systems and learn about more advanced analytics tools and techniques. You’ll also develop computer simulations of electro-mechanical systems.

After year 2, we recommend you take a placement year. This means you’ll gain practical experience in an industry related to your degree – it will look good on your CV and help you understand how your university work applies in a working environment.

For your final year, you’ll continue advancing your knowledge in specialist areas. And you’ll also complete your own engineering project where you can explore an area you’re interested in.

Electro-Mechanical Engineering BEng

Learning and Teaching

You will learn through a variety of methods, depending on what you study.

Our teaching methods include;

  • tutorials
  • set reading
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • laboratory sessions
  • group work
  • experience
  • independent study
  • internet-based research
  • reviews of scientific papers
  • class discussions
  • interactive feedback
  • peer assessments
  • student presentations
  • one-to-one dissertation meetings.

Assessment

In Year 1 we assess your practical work through coursework write-ups;

  • for modules like Maths and Modelling, you will submit your mathematical modules
  • for Design, we assess your simulations and design reports.

If you partake in one of our Engineering School’s design challenges, such as Formula Student, we will assess your input into the working car.

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Robotics and Electro-Mechanical Design and Practice I (30 credits)

This module provides a complete spectrum of both practical and theoretical engineering skills that are useful across all engineering industries. It is approached from a variety of engineering subjects, including technical drawing, computer aided design/engineering (CAD/CAE), modelling, management, and machining. Electro-mechanical engineering students study these for electro-mechanical systems.

Engineering Mathematics and Modelling (30 credits)

In this module students learn to produce mathematical analyses and programmes to perform them. All the maths needed for the analysis of electro-mechanical systems receives introductory treatment. A very modelling-based approach is taken.

Sensors Actuators Programming and Micro-controllers (15 credits)

An introduction to, and overview of, electro-mechanical engineering. Students develop a sound understanding of the circular process of parameter measurement, conversion to digital form, processing and generation of an output and actuation to convert the processed response into a physical input to the system and so control it.

Basic Dynamics (15 credits)

An introduction to the basic principles used for the analysis of mechanical engineering designs with regard to equilibrium and motion. The analysis techniques delivered through this module are applied to a range of basic mechanical and automotive components, devices and systems.

Basic Electrical Engineering (15 credits)

An introduction to electrical quantities and parameters and to the operation of electrical and electronic components and circuits of relevance to electro-mechanical and robotics engineering.

Basic Stress Analysis (15 credits)

This module introduces students to the principles used in the analysis and design of mechanical engineering systems, together with the application of these principles to basic mechanical and automotive components, devices and systems.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Engineering Simulation, Synthesis and Design (30 credits)

The module address topics of advanced electro-mechanical engineering, the focus is on real-time control, including state-estimation and mapping. Applications are made to different types of system such as drones and augmented reality and active control systems. Attention is given to a range of input systems and how signals are processed to produce and output strategy.

Stress and Dynamic Systems (30 credits)

The purpose of this module is to study the various aspects of statics and dynamics in modern engineering components and systems. This includes: comparison and selection of analytic techniques for investigating the static and dynamic behaviour of engineering systems and components; and design of engineering component with optimal static and dynamic characteristics.

Control Technology (15 credits)

An introductory study of control technology, covering both digital and analog control using electronic systems, including design using models created in MATLAB and SIMULINK.

Electronic Systems (15 credits)

Students study the electronic and electrical systems , this includes the impact that these systems have on their performance and recent developments in their design.

Electric Machines and Drives (15 credits)

To provide an overview of the electrical machines and drives that are relevant to Electro-Mechanical and Robotic Engineering, with deeper insight where appropriate. Consideration will be given to different prime movers, methods of transferring the drive and to their control.

Electric Power Systems (15 credits)

To provide an overview of power systems as relevant to electro-mechanical engineering. Specific attention will be given to power storage, power modulation systems for various engineering applications, including electric vehicles. Engineering Project This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake individual investigative work on an electro-mechanical-related topic. It enables students to carry out a detailed study of a realistic engineering problem. The resulting project extends substantially beyond the project work done in any of the taught modules and should enable students to consolidate their knowledge and strengthen skills acquired in taught modules.

Year 3 (placement year)

Optional modules

Optional work placement year

You will be encouraged to undertake a work placement for one year between the second and final years of your course. Placements are highly valued by prospective employers, as they recognise the benefits of obtaining industrial experience. Our work placement programme has been commended by professional bodies as a model of excellence. We have an excellent record of students gaining full-time employment on graduation with their industrial placement-year company. Students will typically have to arrange their own accommodation during their placement year and will have to cover their own transport and living costs. Previous students have gained placements with companies such as: Bentley; Black and Decker; BMW; CTG; Cummins Ltd; Delphi Diesel Systems; EP Barrus; Norbar Torque Tools; Rolls-Royce; Wheelright Ltd.

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

Engineering Project (30 credits)

Management, Ethics, Energy and Sustainability (30 credits)

This module aims to provide you with a wide understanding of the broader issues facing business and society, and it will provide an understanding of the three pillars of sustainability in a management context. Business refers to these pillars of sustainability as the triple bottom line, whilst many people view this more holistically as moving towards the circular economy. The principal areas studied in this module are: project management and business leadership; energy and environmental issues; sustainable engineering and whole life cycle assessment; ethics and social aspects of employment.

Sensors and Data Logging (15 credits)

This module covers the operation and use of sensors and data loggers, including their practical limitations, errors, calibration, and how they are actually set up and connected, and how to process, read and use the data produced.

Advanced Analogue Electronics (15 credits)

This module extends the fundamental knowledge obtained in a Foundation Degree of advanced analogue electronics up to Honors level. It enables the student to be able to design and analyse circuits so that projects can be successfully undertaken.

Design of Machines (15 credits)

The purpose of this module is to provide a more detailed background to common machine elements and components, to enable design, selection and modelling in advanced design and project work. The components covered are gears, including epicyclic, planetary and helical gears; friction drives, rolling element bearings and hybrid drives; the kinematics of contacts, particularly in rotating machinery.

Mechatronics (15 credits)

The module addresses topics of advanced mechatronics and offers a distinctive electro-mechanical based contribution to the student experience. The aim is for the student to firstly learn the landscape of the mechatronics approach and then to become proficient in the application of mechatronic principals to a representative range of applications. The equivalence of electrical and mechanical systems is explored in the framing of equilibrium equations and this is then applied.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Careers

Many of today’s mechanical devices include electronics. Engineers with knowledge of those systems are in high demand.

You could look for careers in:

  • programming for electro-mechanical systems
  • robotics design and manufacture
  • automation
  • research and development
  • autonomous control
  • technical sales
  • flexible manufacturing
  • production engineering
  • systems engineering.

You’ll also have a very good understanding of traditional engineering systems. Your skills will be useful in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to manufacturing.

With your optional placement year, you can gain valuable experience of the working world. And throughout the course, we’ll introduce you to different companies and industry experts who can inspire your career choices and guide you towards a dream job.

Entry requirements

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 112

A Level: BBC

IB Points: 30

BTEC: DMM

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 88

A Level: CCD

IB Points: 27

BTEC: MMM

Further offer details

We welcome applications from candidates with equivalent alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

International qualifications and equivalences

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,500

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,500

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.

Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Part-time study

Programme Changes:

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.

For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.