Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

From microscopic electronic devices to super structures like dams, bridges and towers, engineering has a vast scope that touches every area of our lives. The BEng (Hons) is a fascinating and thorough general engineering degree course that explores the fundamentals of this creative and analytical subject, and provides a firm foundation on which to build a successful career. It covers the range of techniques, concepts and knowledge required by professional engineers – from materials and mechanics to design and modelling – and you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in a number of areas: engineering design, environmental technologies, or energy and sustainability. Learning outcomes have been defined to fulfil the Engineering Council’s requirements under UK-SPEC, and early on in your studies you’ll compile a development plan aimed to fulfil your personal and professional aims. You’ll work on real projects and there are two compulsory week-long residential schools where you’ll team up with other students to create innovative solutions to challenging problems.

Educational aims

The BEng (Hons) is a 360-credit honours degree that offers you the opportunity to pursue a programme in general engineering, with the possibility of some specialisation in one of several engineering disciplines. Its learning outcomes are closely aligned with the Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA’s) benchmark statements for engineering, which include acquisition of knowledge and understanding; intellectual abilities; practical skills; and general transferable skills in your chosen area of study. The programme is intended to comply with the QAA’s expectation regarding levels of achievement in engineering honours degrees, “…normally, all students graduating with such a degree will meet at least the threshold standards in every component of the benchmark”.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

When you have completed this degree, you should have knowledge and understanding of:

• appropriate mathematical methods
• science appropriate to the specific engineering stream
• principles of IT and ICT relevant to the specific engineering stream
• general principles of design; techniques specific to particular products and processes; characteristics of engineering materials and components
• management and business practices (including finance, law, marketing, personnel and quality); professional and ethical responsibilities (including the global and social context of engineering)
• manufacturing and/or operational practice; codes of practice and regulatory framework; requirements for safe operation.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed this degree, you should be able to:

• select and apply appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems
• use scientific principles in the development of engineering solutions to practical problems, use of scientific principles in the modelling and analysis of engineering systems, processes and products
• select and apply appropriate computer-based methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems
• undertake analysis of systems, processes and components requiring engineering solutions; creation of new processes or products through a synthesis of ideas from a wide range of sources
• undertake commercial risk evaluation
• produce solutions to problems through application of engineering knowledge and understanding; and have the ability to undertake technical risk evaluation.
• Practical and/or professional skills

Communication

You should be able to:

• select and read material in an appropriate way, and identify and record what is relevant
• select, summarise and synthesise information from different types of material and sources
• present written material in a coherent and organised form, with arguments and information set out in a logical sequence, and with sources referenced in an appropriate way
• present technical reports on the engineering approach to the solution of problems; time- and resource management; teamwork and leadership.

Application of number

You should be able to:

• manipulate data; present data in a variety of ways
• use scientific, evidence-based methods in the solution of problems.

Information technology

You should be able to:

• access, process and prepare information using computers.

Learning how to to learn

You should be able to:

• use creativity and innovation in problem solving; work with limited or contradictory information
• identify and use sources of support and feedback
• monitor your progress and reflect on how successful you have been.
• Teaching, learning and assessment methods
• Teaching and learning via study materials (including study guides, textbooks, set books, audio and video material, home activity kits, and module-related software), optional face-to-face or online tutorials, at least two compulsory week-long residential schools, plus individualised tutor feedback. Continuous assessment via written, tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and/or computer-marked assignments (CMAs), end-of-module assessment (EMA) via examination or written project

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

There are no formal entry requirements to study this degree, but you may benefit from assessing your experience and confidence with mathematics. To help determine your mathematical level, visit ourMaths for Engineering website. 

Qualified engineers are much in demand for their rigorous approach to problem solving and high level of numeracy. These skills open up a wide range of other career opportunities – for example in management or finance – as well as in engineering itself.

On graduation you should be eligible to apply (via an appropriate engineering institution) to the Engineering Council for registration as Incorporated Engineer.

You might want to carry on with your studies and work towards registration as a Chartered Engineer.