Sustainable Transport Engineering
MEng Honours
- UCAS code: H392
- Full time
- 4 years
- Next start date: September 2021
This professionally accredited degree responds to transport challenges such as the increasing demand for cars and public transport and the decline of fossil fuels.
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £23400
Entry requirements
- A Level: AAB
- IB: 34 points
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This degree equips you with specialist skills for a career producing efficient transport systems in sectors such as the automotive, railway and transport industries.
You master the fundamentals of mechanical engineering before specialising later in your degree, with specialist modules including:
- structural optimisation
- energy sources and storage
- vehicle drives and dynamics
You showcase your professional skills – including project management and the application of design methodology – through an industry-relevant team project in your final year.
Please note: this degree was previously advertised as Mechanical and Low Carbon Transport Engineering MEng Honours (H390).
BEng or MEng?
Both our BEng degree and specialist MEng degrees provide a pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer. This is one of the most recognisable international engineering qualifications.
Our MEng degrees are a direct route to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You don’t need to study any more qualifications after your degree to work towards chartered status.
Our three-year BEng degree can also lead to Chartered Engineer status. However, you’ll need to complete further study, such as an approved master’s degree.
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COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
See our terms and conditions for more information
View our Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information
This degree allows you to explore several engineering disciplines in year one. This flexible route is taught across Civil, Electrical & Electronic and Mechanical Engineering.
You'll gain an understanding of engineering in a multidisciplinary context. You'll develop diverse skills relevant to the needs of industry and today’s global challenges.
After successfully completing Stage 1, you'll have the option of transferring on to one of the accredited Civil, Electrical & Electronic or Mechanical Engineering degrees. This is subject to the degree programme regulations and capacity of the degree you are transferring to.
Quality and ranking
We have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, recognised in many external surveys and assessments, but also by our own students.
Our commitment to teaching quality and an excellent student experience is reflected through our results in national and international student satisfaction surveys.
Teaching excellence
TEF GoldA ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
This means future employers will recognise the quality of your degree because it meets high professional standards.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1 will provide a broad introduction to the principles of engineering. You'll get hands-on from the very beginning of your degree, working in a team to design and build a working wind turbine as part of a project.
Modules
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Engineering Mathematics I | 20 |
Sustainable Design, Creativity, and Professionalism | 30 |
Electrical and Magnetic Systems | 15 |
Electronics and Sensors | 10 |
Thermofluid Mechanics | 15 |
Properties & Behaviour of Engineering Materials | 15 |
Mechanics I | 15 |
Stage 2 covers: mechanical, electrical and materials engineering sciences (50%) engineering design and manufacturing (20%) engineering mathematics (18%), and management and professional skills, such as computing and enterprise (12%).
Modules
In Stage 3, your studies continue to cover a broad range of topics, so you develop a wide set of skills and knowledge ready to take into the workplace alongside advanced specialist topics, such as:
- structural optimisation and crashworthiness
- energy sources and storage
- instrumentation and drive systems
Modules
In your final year you will study advanced specialist topics and complete another major project. You also complete a major project, and mechanical engineering team project designed to develop your project management and design methodology skills, relevant to your career as an engineer.
Recent examples of final-year projects include cellular manufacturing of automotive sub-assemblies and fire testing of composite materials.
Modules
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Energy sources and storage | 20 |
Vehicle Dynamics | 20 |
Human Centered Design and Engineering | 20 |
Design of Mechanical Power Transmissions | 20 |
Mechanical Engineering Team Project | 40 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Over the first two years you will have around 20 timetabled hours per week; typically half lectures, one quarter seminars and tutorials and one quarter practical and hands-on classes. There are also industrial visits, interviews, business games, management, and a variety of projects.
In years 3 and 4, your timetable will allow more time for your major project work.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Coursework
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Projects
Skills and experience
Research skills
The teaching of your mechanical engineering degree is informed by the research of our expert staff based in our research institutes, which specialise in bioengineering, design, manufacture and material and fluid dynamic and thermal systems.
These research groups allow you to draw on the expertise of staff and their connections with industry as well as providing access to specialist facilities.
Business skills
You'll build critical teamwork and leadership skills, which are valued by employers, through small team projects and individual engineering investigations.
Between Stage 3 and Stage 4, you'll have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the sector on a work placement.
Practical skills
You will have access to a wide range of facilities in the School of Engineering, including state-of-the-art CAD and CAE 3D design facilities, wind tunnels and manufacturing labs, among others. You'll also work with local industry throughout your degree through various projects, and learn about real-world engineering through guest lectures.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 3 and 4.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a mechanical engineering student you'll be based in the School of Engineering in the heart of our city-centre campus.
You'll have access to a wide range of industry-standard facilities and laboratories such as:
- labs for design-make-test projects: making and testing machines and structures
- strengths (testing) labs with machines up to 500kN and access to machines up to 8MN
- mechatronics/electronics labs for programming robots and automated devices
- bio-engineering lab for bio-materials manufacture and testing of components
- manufacturing lab with good selection of modern CNC machine tools
- composite materials lab with fire test facilities
We also provide high-quality, specialist facilities to support your studies:
- state-of-the-art CAD and CAE 3D design facilities
- HE-Ion and other microscopes with resolutions down to 0.3nm
- wide range of rapid prototyping facilities for projects and research
- engine test cells, wind-tunnel and water flow channels with laser flow management
- Formula Student car design, build and test facilities
- gear and drive system testing machines up to 8MW capacity
- our own 1750hp main-line diesel-electric locomotive
Support
To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive:
- a tablet so you can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable)
- a start-up pack containing essential personal protective equipment and textbooks
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
As well as the technical and practical expertise that you gain from studying mechanical engineering, our degrees are designed to provide you with opportunities to learn and develop a range of skills that are vital to the workplace, such as:
- analytical and problem-solving
- project-working both as part of a team and on your own
- communicating with others
- planning and time management
- computer literacy
The majority of mechanical engineering graduates wish to enter engineering-related careers in order to become professionally qualified. Popular areas are research and development, design, production, manufacturing, consultancy, contracting, purchasing and quality assurance.
Opportunities exist in a wide range of sectors, including transport and logistics, health, defence, manufacturing, automobile, renewable energy, amongst others.
Make a difference
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.
Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
This degree is approved by DTUS, a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme for students who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) as technical officers after graduation.
Find out more about the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2021 entry.
A Level
AAB
International Baccalaureate
34 points
Other UK qualifications (and PARTNERS)
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
PARTNERS
Through our PARTNERS programme, you could receive an offer up to three grades lower than the typical requirements, and get support throughout the application process. To apply through PARTNERS, you must be based in the UK and meet our eligibility criteria.
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University, including Newcastle University London. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Additional information
Advice on maths and science requirements
If you don’t think you will have the exact mathematics and science qualifications referred to in our entry requirements by the time you need them, you may not be sure what to do.
- If you have a maths qualification but will not have it at A Level (or equivalent) when you start your degree, you should apply for the relevant degree with Foundation Year. We may give you the opportunity to take the Newcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course* and the option to start in Year 1 if we think that this will be the best route for you.
- If you have A Level Maths (or equivalent) already but not at the required grade, you should contact us for advice. We may decide that you could be considered for Foundation Year entry, or it may be that this course is not the best option for you.
- If you will not have the equivalent of an A Level in the science subject (if any) required, you should apply for the relevant degree with Foundation Year.
If you are still not sure, don’t worry. Whatever you apply for, our Admissions Tutors will help you decide which is the best route for you. They may, therefore, make you an offer for a different course from the one you apply for (eg Foundation Year entry instead of Year 1 entry).
*The Newcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course aims to provide the requisite mathematical skills and concepts needed on our engineering, maths and physics degree courses and to prepare students for the modes of learning they will encounter. The materials for the course are delivered electronically and include opportunities to practise your skills. You study the materials in your own time and, when you are ready, you book your exam with the Engineering School to which you have applied. A fee of £150 is payable at the time of booking the exam or shortly before the date set for examination.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)
Home Fee Students
£9250
International Fee Students
£23400
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).
The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
The situation with Covid-19 means that we're unable to hold Open Days on campus. However, you don’t have to visit in person to experience Newcastle.
From the comfort of your sofa you'll be able to:
• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
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