Course details
This top-up degree has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll start at Stage 3, choosing 90 credits from a range of modules and concluding with a 30-credit project module.
You’ll start by choosing 90 credits from a range of modules; however, we recommend you study no more than 60 credits per year. Your choice will be determined by your previous engineering study and experience. For guidance on which modules to choose, see our
advice sheet. In the final module, you’ll demonstrate your knowledge and skills by completing an individual project.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 10 September 2021.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Top-up Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes and remote experiments
- 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 or screenshots
- undertaking 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
- using specialist software (for example ANSYS simulation and design software)
- 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.
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
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 increases 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; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Classification of your degree
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stage 3.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
Entry requirements
You must have passed one of the following OU qualifications within the last eight years:
- Foundation Degree in Engineering (X11)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Engineering (W11)
- Foundation Degree in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (X12)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (W12)
If you have, email the Partnerships Team on partnerships-enquiries@open.ac.uk to register.
Alternatively, you must have a completed vocational qualification from somewhere else that meets the following criteria:
- in engineering or a closely related subject
- includes a total of 240 credits, 120 of which are at FHEQ level 5 or SCQF level 8 (e.g. DipHE, HND or foundation degree)
- passed within the last 8 years
- includes specific content as described in the advice sheet
Download, complete and return the Top-up Bachelor of Engineering application form with evidence of your previous study. Applications to start in October 2022 must be received by 11 August 2022. Applications will be reviewed by one of our academic assessors.
How much time do I need?
- Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
- This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner
Skills for career development
The areas of knowledge, competence and skills that this degree develops include: the ability to use specialist knowledge to solve problems creatively; collaborative working and communication skills; project management skills; the ability to turn concepts into reality.
Your study will give you the skills expected of an Incorporated Engineer, in providing solutions to engineering problems. These may involve using existing or developing new technologies, designs, refining production systems or developing new services.
On graduation this qualification, combined with the appropriate evidence of professional practice, will enable you to apply (via an appropriate engineering institution) to the Engineering Council for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.
If you wish to carry on with your studies, you can work towards our Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering (E22), leading to the MSc in Engineering (F46).
Career relevance
Our BEng (Hons) is a general engineering qualification that provides an entry into a wide range of more specialist engineering roles. Examples include:
- mechanical engineer
- electronic engineer
- structural engineer
- production engineer
- biomedical engineer
- environmental engineer
- materials engineer
- other roles within engineering management
- manufacturing engineer
Accreditation
This degree has been accredited by the professional institution(s) below under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
https://www.engc.org.uk/
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer when combined with an approved qualification such as our Foundation Degree in Engineering (X11).
https://www.institution-engineering-designers.co.uk/
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer when combined with our Foundation Degree in Engineering (X11).
https://www.theiet.org/
Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer when combined with our Foundation Degree in Engineering (X11).
https://www.iom3.org/
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Incorporated Engineer when combined with our Foundation Degree in Engineering (X11).
https://www.imeche.org/
Other careers
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. Opportunities exist in research, design and development, commissioning, project management, technical sales and marketing, technical journalism and patent work. With appropriate experience and qualifications it’s also possible to be a self-employed consultant.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.