Professional Engineering BEng

Study the Professional Engineering BEng degree at Aston University to gain the advanced engineering knowledge and skills that you need to qualify for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and take your career prospects to the next level – all while working and earning a wage.


Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Course type
Part-time (Hons)

Course format

Work-based learning

Duration

2 years

UCAS code(s)

N/A

Start date

Overview
Why explore Professional Engineering BEng at Aston University?

This programme provides the advanced engineering knowledge and understanding needed to qualify for incorporated engineer (IENG) status.

engineering

"This programme has been a life changing experience for me.  It has enhanced my theoretical and technical knowledge which helps me offer real-life solutions to real-life engineering problems. It has allowed me to apply relevant theories and techniques in the workplace such as power flow analysis and fault level calculations, using both manual and software tools. This has been a real boost for my day to day activities in the workplace."

Zenzo Mpofo
BEng Professional Engineering graduate 

engineering

"This programme has been a life changing experience for me.  It has enhanced my theoretical and technical knowledge which helps me offer real-life solutions to real-life engineering problems. It has allowed me to apply relevant theories and techniques in the workplace such as power flow analysis and fault level calculations, using both manual and software tools. This has been a real boost for my day to day activities in the workplace."

Zenzo Mpofo
BEng Professional Engineering graduate 

Course outline and modules

The BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering degree course at Aston is designed as a progression route for those looking to move on from an Engineering Foundation degree, enabling you to top-up your qualification to a full BEng degree while earning and developing your skills in the workplace. You can specialise in one of the 5 available pathways offered on this course to obtain one of the following degree awards:

  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering 
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Power Systems Engineering)
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Control Systems Engineering)
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering)
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
     

What you’ll learn

Delivered by Aston’s Professional Engineering Centre, the BEng Professional Engineering undergraduate degree provides advanced engineering knowledge and understanding, alongside building the range of practical competencies needed to qualify for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.The course is developed according to the Engineering Council framework and designed to meet academic requirements of the following:

  • Benchmark Statement of the IET/IMechE IEng class of membership
  • Benchmark Statement of UK-SPEC Engineering Specific Learning Outcomes
  • QAA Engineering Benchmark

Real-world learning

Students spend most of their time doing a full-time job as well as studying for their degree part-time. Everything is structured to fit around the job and is designed in partnership with employers.

Core Modules

BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering Pathway:
  • Professional Development Audit (PE3PDA)
  • Engineering Project Management (PE3EPM)
  • Sustainable Engineering (PE2SEN)
  • Final Work Based Project (PE3WBP) 
  • Plus 3 additional optional modules
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Power Systems Engineering) Pathway:
  • Professional Development Audit (PE3PDA)
  • Engineering Project Management (PE3EPM)
  • Sustainable and Renewable Technologies (PE3REN)
  • Power Systems Analysis (PE3PSA)
  • Power Systems Dynamics and Smart Grids (PE3PSD)
  • Power Electronics for Power Systems (PE3PEL)
  • Final Work Based Project (PE3WBP) 
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Control Systems Engineering) Pathway:
  • Professional Development Audit (PE3PDA)
  • Engineering Project Management (PE3EPM)
  • Sustainable Engineering (PE2SEN)
  • Maintenance Management Systems (PE3MMS)
  • Engineering Materials and Manufacturing (PE3EMM)
  • Control Systems and Instrumentation (PE3CSI)
  • Final Work Based Project (PE3WBP) 
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering) Pathway:
  • Professional Development Audit (PE3PDA)
  • Engineering Project Management (PE3EPM)
  • Sustainable Engineering (PE2SEN)
  • Advanced Manufacturing Systems (PE3AMS)
  • Quality Engineering (PE3QEN)
  • Final Work Based Project (PE3WBP) 
  • Plus 1 additional optional module
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) Pathway:
  • Professional Development Audit (PE3PDA)
  • Engineering Project Management (PE3EPM)
  • Sustainable Engineering (PE2SEN)
  • Solid Mechanics (PE3SMC)
  • Dynamic of Structures (PE3DST)
  • Final Work Based Project (PE3WBP) 
  • Plus 1 additional optional module

Optional Modules

BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering Pathway (Three Options):
  • Gas Transmission and Distribution (PE3GAS)
  • Environmental Management Systems (PE3EMS)
  • Health and Safety Management (PE3HSM)
  • Solid Mechanics (PE3SMC)
  • Systems Engineering (PE3SYS)
  • Dynamics of Structures (PE3DST)
  • Maintenance Management Systems (PE3MMS)
  • Engineering Materials and Manufacturing (PE3EMM)
  • Engineering Design Application (PE3EDA)
  • Quality Engineering (PE3QEN)
  • Electrical Machines, Construction and Performance (PE3ELM)
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering) Pathway (One Option):
  • Engineering Materials and Manufacturing (PE3EMM)
  • Engineering Design Applications (PE3EDA)
  • Systems Engineering (PE3SYS)
  • Health and Safety Management (PE3HSM)
  • Environmental Management Systems (PE3EMS)
  • Maintenance Management Systems (PE3MMS)
  • Solid Mechanics (PE3SMC)
BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) Pathway (One Option):
  • Engineering Materials and Manufacturing (PE3EMM)
  • Dynamics of Rotor Machines (PE3DRM)
  • Engineering Design Applications (PE3EDA)
  • Systems Engineering (PE3SYS)
  • Health and Safety Management (PE3HSM)
  • Environmental Management Systems (PE3EMS)
  • Maintenance Management Systems (PE3MMS)

 

Entry requirements

A Foundation Degree or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline. Applicants must be in full time employment and have the support of their employer. We understand that some engineers may not have completed a Foundation Degree (or equivalent qualification) and therefore do not meet the entry requirements.

However, if you do have at least 180 credits from previous qualifications in a relevant engineering discipline, then we may be able to offer you the opportunity to complete a Portfolio of Evidence. If the Portfolio is successfully completed, then you will be offered a place on this Bachelors programme. For further information please email us.

How to apply

Apply now for October 2024 start:

  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering - APPLY HERE
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Power Systems Engineering) - APPLY HERE
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Control Systems Engineering) - APPLY HERE
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering) - APPLY HERE
  • BEng (Hons.) Professional Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) - contact us at eps_apec@aston.ac.uk.

Aston Professional Education Centre
School of Engineering & Applied Science

Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham, B4 7ET

Room: MB133
Tel: +44 (0)121 204 5394
Emaileps_apec@aston.ac.uk

Learning, teaching and assessment

All learning and teaching is undertaken through Distance Learning using a Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) using lecture notes, book chapters, case studies and work based projects.  You will also be allocated two supervisors who will initially visit you face-to-face in the workplace and will hold regular online meetings with you to help guide you through your studies and professional registration.  There will be a requirement to attend Aston University for an induction either online or on-campus, to sit online examinations,  and to attend optional online short tutorials.  Any online or on-campus attendance at the University is usually arranged on Saturdays as this a work based programme. 

Assessment

Your learning and progress are assessed through a variety of assessment methods:

  • Online exams
  • Quizzes 
  • Portfolios
  • Case Studies
  • Presentations: Poster, Video, Face-to-face
  • Work Based Project Report
  • Group Case Study Reports
Development

This programme is suitable for engineers currently in employment who aim to accelerate their professional and academic development while in employment. As part of the BEng we will work with you to draw up a plan for achieving the full range of personal development expected of an Incorporated Engineer under UKSPEC (the UK standard for professional engineering competence). As well as technical competence, this includes the ability to provide technical and commercial leadership, strong interpersonal/communication skills, and a personal commitment to professional standards, society in general and the environment. You must have your employer’s approval to take course.

You are assigned an academic supervisor and a Chartered Engineer professional supervisor for the duration of the course to help ensure your simultaneous academic and professional development during the course.

Fees and scholarship

Home tuition fee is £9,250

If the programme is taken over two years, then the fee payable is £4,625

Payment by instalments is available to students paying their own fees.

Overseas tuition fee: £19,000

Again, this is payable in instalments.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Career prospects

Benefits to Learners:

The applied nature of the programme enables personalised, specific and organisationally aligned development. You will:

  • Gain in-depth knowledge in the engineering field relevant to the engineer’s role
  • Identify opportunities for problem solving, innovation, and continuous improvement in your organisation
  • Manage projects
  • Gain the ability to perform skilfully and professional at workplace
  • Progress towards related professional institutions membership and chartered professional status
  • Successful completion of the BEng Professional Engineering degree from Aston University will give you the opportunity to apply for incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and progress to the MSc Professional Engineering course which, upon completion, allows you to apply for Chartered Engineering (CEng) status, opening new opportunities at technical and managerial level.

Benefits to Employers:

The programme provides the employers with the opportunity to:

  • Upskill their existing team of engineers.
  • Create and retain a team of professional engineers without any requirements for day/block release.
  • Benefit from the added value gained through the work-based module projects and the final major work based project. 
  • Minimal time away from work, as the course is delivered distance learning.

In the past 10 years, engineers from various companies have demonstrated the value of this programme to their employers. Some of these employers are listed below:

Atkins, Babcock International, BAE Systems, BMW UK, Bosch UK, BP, Collins Aerospace, Jacobs Engineering Group, McLaren, Mitsubishi Electrical Europe, National Grid, Network Rail, Rolls Royce, Salts Healthcare, Siemens UK, SSE, Thales UK, Thames Water, Toyota UK.

You can find some our students’ success stories from the links below:

Chat with Current Students

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I study Professional Engineering BEng at Aston University?

The Professional Engineering degree course at Aston allows you to gain the advanced engineering knowledge and skills that you need to qualify for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and take your career prospects to the next level, while working and earning a wage.

What are the career prospects for Aston’s BEng?

Successful completion of the BEng Professional Engineering degree from Aston will give you the opportunity to apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and progress to the MSc Professional Engineering course, which, upon completion, allows you to apply for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, opening new opportunities at technical and managerial level.

Why should employers work with Aston University?

Aston University has strong links with business, industry and the public sector, and we have developed work-based learning programmes with organisations such as National Grid, SSE, E-ON UK, Royal Mail, and BP. These courses can benefit all organisations and businesses from large multinationals to small local companies.