Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

This page describes the course as presented under normal circumstances. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and current uncertainty around large gatherings, it’s currently necessary to replace the residential schools described with directed practical work and activities that you’ll carry out at home and online. These changes will remain in force for as long as the pandemic prevents residential schools from taking place. Therefore, whether you attend a residential school (as described below) or carry out the practical work/activities will depend on when you undertake the affected modules.

This general engineering qualification fulfils the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer status. The combination of this degree and an accredited MSc fulfils the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status. Engineering is a creative and analytical subject. You’ll develop the skills, techniques, concepts and knowledge needed by professional engineers, underpinned by science and mathematics. The course has a common core with a choice of routes to suit your area of interest. You’ll work on real-life projects to create innovative solutions to challenging problems. You’ll team up with other students and work on your own projects.

Key features of the course

• Accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council.
• Includes individual and team-based projects, practical hands-on activities (normally at residential schools) and remote access experiments.
• Allows you to move to our Master of Engineering if your aspirations change, even after you’ve started.
• Choice of six specialist routes and a broad engineering route.
• Develops employability skills, including personal and professional development planning.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

• studying online – some modules have a mixture of printed and online material, and others are entirely online. Online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
• face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and/or online tutorials
• using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
• working in a group with other students
• using and producing diagrams and screenshots
• practical work
• finding external/third party material online
• using technology for research purposes involving access to catalogues and databases online
• working with specialist reading material
• continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
• using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
• engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree
• some modules require you to use specialist software
• some modules may require you to attend a residential school.

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Course details

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study four 30-credit modules – the last includes a compulsory one-week residential school.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study two 30-credit core engineering modules and a 30-credit module in your choice of engineering specialism. You’ll complete Stage 2 with another core 30-credit module that includes the one-week residential school.
• Next, in Stage 3, you’ll study another 90 credits in your chosen specialism. You’ll conclude your degree with a 30-credit project module.

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module.