
General Engineering with a Year in Industry BEng (Hons)
Interdisciplinary Programmes in Engineering
You are viewing this course for 2021-22 entry.
Key details
- A Levels A*AA
Other entry requirements - UCAS code H102
- 4 years / Full-time
- Find out the course fee
- Industry placement
Course description

Taught by world-leading experts from our seven outstanding engineering departments, this four-year course will ensure you develop a broad knowledge and understanding of engineering, while developing skills in independent thinking and the professional skills necessary for a career in industry.
In an increasingly complex and challenging world, knowledge and expertise beyond a single discipline is valuable for 21st-century engineers.
During your first two years you'll study modules across all disciplines and look at engineering in an interdisciplinary context. At the end of year two, you'll choose a specialism from one of the following 11 streams:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy and Sustainability
- General Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technologies
- Software Engineering
- Systems and Control Engineering
You'll have the opportunity to spend the third year working in an engineering company. You'll be able to put your academic studies into context and improve your skills and employability. Most students are paid a salary during the placement. You will pay reduced tuition fees for that year.
While you are responsible for securing your placement, we have a dedicated Engineering Placement Team to help you. They will provide advice and support through the application process and beyond.
Being accepted onto the year in industry is subject to achieving a satisfactory performance. The year in industry is monitored and assessed by an academic member of staff and will appear on your final degree title.
We also offer a non-specialist stream, which allows you to continue studying a variety of disciplines. You'll spend your final year studying your chosen stream. The interdisciplinary ethos of your degree will be continued in an advanced research, or industry-led, final-year project.
Modules
The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department directly.
Choose a year to see modules for a level of study:
UCAS code: H102
Years: 2021
Core modules:
- Engineering Statics and Dynamics
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The course provides the fundamental concepts and techniques used in Engineering Statics and Dynamics. Two-dimensional statics are covered including force and moment systems, free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, and the application to typical aerospace engineering machines. An introduction to the essentials of three-dimensional statics is included. Two-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies are covered. An introduction to the use of the Work-Energy methods in dynamics is given. No prior knowledge of statics or dynamics is assumed; the treatment concentrates on physical understanding and applications in aerospace engineering, rather than using advanced mathematical treatments.
15 credits - General Engineering Mathematics
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A solid foundation in mathematics is essential to the development of a deep understanding of engineering. This module, for students starting the degree with strong mathematics abilities, will reinforce previous mathematical knowledge and further develop mathematical techniques and theory that are applicable across the full range of engineering disciplines. Techniques covered in this module will have wide applicability across numerous engineering modules, reinforcing the interdisciplinary nature of the underpinning mathematics of engineering. Students will gain an understanding of a range of mathematical techniques and confidence in applying these to solve various problems.
15 credits - Interdisciplinary Design I
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Effective interdisciplinary design lies at the heart of the engineering of complex products and systems. It is important that engineers can communicate and work effectively together and have a common language and processes to manage projects effectively. This module will introduce concepts in, and tools for, interdisciplinary design and systems engineering important for effective project management. Students will start to develop critical thinking and an interdisciplinary approach to solving engineering problems. A strong focus of the module will be the use of a wide range of case studies to motivate ideas and allow students to demonstrate their learning.
15 credits - Introduction to Electrical Engineering
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This unit presents an exciting introduction to electrical engineering. Students will learn about the core elements of circuits and how these are analogues of many other physical processes. Students will become adept at analysing fundamental passive and active circuits using a number of techniques. The fundamentals of engineering magnetics and large-scale power are also introduced. Electrical engineering is presented in the wider context of interdisciplinary engineering by identifying a number of crucial synergies. Students are encouraged to appreciate both the depth and fascination of electrical engineering as a distinct subject, and its broad application across the entire engineering discipline.
15 credits - Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
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Engineered materials are an integral part of our society, from being used in household objects and construction to nuclear reactors and spacecraft. Materials Science and Engineering bridges the gap between science and engineering, allowing us to improve the performance of existing materials, or produce new materials, to suit any application. This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of Materials Science and Engineering. Students will gain an understanding of how material properties are dependent on atomic structure and processing and an appreciation of how of Materials Science and Engineering underpins a wide range of engineering disciplines.
15 credits - Introduction to Process Engineering
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Process analysis lies at the core of all Chemical Engineering design, from Oil refineries to wastewater treatment plants all begin with this first step. This module introduces methods used to carry out material balances over a range of equipment and processes encountered in industry. This is then extended to the development of energy balances as applied to a wide range of chemical processes such as mixers, distillation columns, evaporators and reactors. The elementary techniques for the analysis of vapour-liquid and liquid- liquid equilibria are described, these are then applied to the design of a basic unit operation - distillation.
15 credits - Programming for Engineers
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This module introduces basic concepts of computer programming, through an introduction to problem solving and the development of simple algorithms using Python and the programming language Java. The emphasis of the module will be on developing the ability to construct programs using existing components, rather than on creating new components from scratch. It will stress the importance of software being well-designed, maintainable and testable, and will show how the object-orientated features help to achieve these properties. It goes on to introduce some of the fundamental principles of object orientated programming and software engineering, demonstrated using Java. In particular, students are taught the principles that underlie the structuring of software and introduces models of real-world systems.
15 credits - Thermofluids
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The next generation of engineers will address the exciting challenges of commercial space flight, global water security, and sustainable energy generation, and many others. This module will develop the fundamental thermofluids basis and the necessary skills and interdisciplinary agility to address these global challenges. The module will give an introduction to the fundamental principles of thermodynamics required to analyse and design engineering processes, and the basic principles of fluid mechanics and their application to flow systems and devices. Real world examples will be used throughout, to highlight the importance of thermofluid systems and their integration with other areas of engineering.
15 credits - Global Engineering Challenge Week
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The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme, and the project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of six, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, ICT, Waste Management and Energy with scenarios set in a developing country. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Challenge* and other projects have been suggested by an academic at the University of Makerere in Uganda (who is involved in developing solutions using IT systems for health, agriculture and resource problems in developing countries). Students are assessed on a number of aspects of being a professional engineer both by Faculty alumni and a number of local industrial engineers.*The EWB Challenge is a design program coordinated internationally by Engineers Without Borders Australia and delivered in Australian, New Zealand, British and Irish universities. It provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects. By participating in the EWB Challenge students are presented with a fantastic opportunity to design creative solutions to problems identified by real EWB projects. Each year, the EWB Challenge design brief is based on a set of sustainable development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations. http://www.ewb-uk.org/ewbchallenge
Core modules:
- Electromechanical Energy Transformation
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Energy transformation, the conversion of energy from one form to another, is a core aspect of engineering. For example, motor vehicles take chemical energy and transform to mechanical energy. Building on students¿ knowledge of fundamental electrical engineering, this unit provides an introduction to the energy transformation that can be accomplished through electrical and magnetic means. Electrical machines, magnetic transformers and power electronic converters are the core topics. Important related topics are also explored including an overview of energy distribution. A successful student will also appreciate how electromechanical energy transformation can be relevant to many traditionally non-electrical disciplines.
15 credits - Further General Engineering Mathematics
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A solid foundation in mathematics is essential to the development of a deep understanding of engineering. This module reinforces mathematical concepts met at Level 1 and develops further mathematical techniques and theory applicable across the full range of engineering disciplines. Students will gain an understanding of a range of mathematical techniques and confidence in applying these to solve problems.
15 credits - Interdisciplinary Design II
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This module will further develop students interdisciplinary design skills placing more emphasis on applying their technical knowledge and the understanding gained across a range of modules to solving focussed engineering problems. Students will be expected to work more independently, demonstrating critical thinking, creativity and initiative in problem solving and evaluating design solutions. Students will further develop and apply systems engineering and project management approaches. The module will be based around two semester-long interdisciplinary classroom/laboratory design exercises conducted in multidisciplinary teams. Students will reinforce their group working skills and appreciation of wider issues and taking account of regulations.
15 credits - Mechanical and Functional Behaviour of Materials
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Engineered materials are designed to perform in varying environments depending on their application. Applications such as aerospace and nuclear require materials to perform in extreme environments such as high stress and high temperature. This module will explore further the structure-processing-property relationship of materials and will introduce students to fracture mechanics, including cyclic fatigue, crack nucleation and propagation, and failure prediction. This unit will also introduce students to magnetic, electrical and optical materials and will describe how these properties are achieved. Students will develop a holistic approach to materials selection for engineering and industrial applications.
15 credits - Mechanics of Structures
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This module builds on a fundamental knowledge of engineering statics and dynamics to examine the macro scale mechanics and internal forces acting on solid structures. This will provide the knowledge required for further study in the design and analysis of structures from skyscrapers to spacecraft and wind turbines. Teaching is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of elastic structural analysis applied to trusses, frames and beams. Students will learn how to analyse stress, strain and elastic deflection, to conduct qualitative analysis of structures and to apply elastic and plastic methods to engineering structures in examples from across the engineering disciplines.
15 credits - Process and Product Design
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The unit covers the selection and design of process equipment found on a chemical plant, including aspects of control, scale-up methods and short cut design procedures. Students are introduced to product design including various techniques necessary for the selection of ideas and screening of alternatives, as well as the details of manufacturing and economic considerations. The unit also provides an introduction to process safety and loss prevention from industrial processes and will enable students, with further experience in industry, to carry out activities involved in the safety review of proposed and existing plants.
15 credits - Systems and Control
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Understanding the dynamics of systems and how to control the behaviour of these systems to meet stability and performance criteria is critical to a wide range of engineering disciplines. This module will show how the dynamics of many engineering systems can be modelled, analysed and controlled in a unified way. Using examples from across engineering, students will gain an understanding of how to unify these strategies in both continuous and discrete time. Students will learn how to design controllers to meet performance and stability criteria while appreciating the practical limitations and implications of these controllers.
15 credits - Thermal & Fluid Engineering
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A deep understanding of the flows of fluids and heat are fundamental to the design and operation of a wide range of engineering systems and equipment. This module will add to the basic tools of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics by introducing diffusive processes, thermodynamic cycles, compressibility, exotic fluids and the various modes of heat transfer. Using examples from various engineering disciplines, the module will show how heat and mass transfer systems and advanced thermodynamic and fluid mechanics principles can be modelled and understood. Students will develop an appreciation of the parallels between various important processes, and their application to engineering design.
15 credits - Engineering - You're Hired
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The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project.The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.
Core modules:
- Engineering Year in Industry
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The course enables students to spend, typically, their third year of a BEng or fourth year of an MEng working in a 'course relevant' role in industry. This provides them with wide ranging experiences and opportunities that put their academic studies into context and improve their skills and employability. Students will also benefit from experiencing the culture in industry, making contacts, and the placement will support them in their preparation for subsequent employment.
120 credits
In your fourth year you choose your specialism from:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy and Sustainability
- General Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technologies
- Software Engineering
- Systems and Control Engineering
Core modules:
- Individual Investigative Project
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Students will undertake an individual project under the guidance of a member of academic staff. Projects will typically be industrial or research focussed and will require students to demonstrate initiative, independence, and creative and critical thinking to solve an engineering problem. Students will be expected to apply and develop their technical knowledge and understanding to an unfamiliar problem, taking account of various constraints and wider issues as appropriate. Students will be expected to apply appropriate project management tools and to communicate their work effectively, both orally and in writing.
30 credits - Finance and Law for Engineers
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The module is designed to introduce engineering students to some of the key financial and legal issues that engineers are likely to encounter in their working environment. The module will draw directly on practical issues of budgeting, raising finance, assessing financial risks and making financial decisions in the context of engineering projects and/or product development. At the same time the module will develop students¿ understanding of the legal aspects of entering into contracts for the development and delivery of engineering projects and products and an awareness of environmental regulation, data protection and intellectual property rights. Through a series of parallel running lectures in the two disciplines, the module will provide a working knowledge of the two areas and how they impinge on engineering practice. There will be a heavy emphasis on group working, report writing and presentation as part of the assessment supplemented by online exercises and an individual portfolio.
10 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through lectures, labs, tutorials and problem classes. You'll develop transferable, industry-relevant skills and use equipment found in the workplace.
Our academics are leading experts in their fields with international reputations, and their research shapes and inspires what you are taught.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a combination of exams and tests, coursework and practical work. The proportions for each will vary depending on the modules you choose.
Programme specification
This tells you the aims and learning outcomes of this course and how these will be achieved and assessed.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
A*AA
including Maths and Physics
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAA
including Maths and Physics
A Levels + additional qualifications | AAA, including Maths and Physics + A in relevant EPQ; AAA, including Maths and Physics + A in AS Level or B in A Level Further Maths AAA, including Maths and Physics + A in relevant EPQ; AAA, including Maths and Physics + A in AS Level or B in A Level Further Maths
International Baccalaureate | 38, 6 in Higher Level Maths and Physics 36, 6 in Higher Level Maths and Physics
BTEC | D*DD in Engineering or Applied Science + A in A Level Maths DDD in Engineering or Applied Science + A in A Level Maths
Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAAAA + AA in Maths and Physics AAAAB + AA in Maths and Physics
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | A + A*A in Maths and Physics A + AA in Maths and Physics
Access to HE Diploma | 60 credits overall in a relevant subject , 45 credits at Level 3 with 42 at Distinction, to include Mathematics and Physics (or another relevant Science) and 3 Credits at Merit + Grade A in A-level Mathematics. Applicants are considered individually. 60 credits overall in a relevant subject , 45 credits at Level 3 with 39 at Distinction, to include Mathematics and Physics (or another relevant Science) and 6 Credits at Merit + Grade A in A-level Mathematics. Applicants are considered individually.
Mature students - explore other routes for mature students
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
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General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted
We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Interdisciplinary Programmes in Engineering

Sheffield is one of the UK's top engineering universities.
Gain a strong foundational knowledge of engineering disciplines from across our seven academic departments, before specialising in your area of interest in the final two years of your degree.
The majority of our engineering courses can be combined with a year in industry; this is a great way for you to boost your career prospects. You'll gain a wide range of hands-on experience and get the chance to apply what you've learnt in your studies.
The experience from a year in industry will be invaluable. It will improve your employability, you'll experience working in an industrial environment and you'll make crucial industry contacts. We'll support you in finding a year in industry or a summer placement.
When you become part of Engineering at Sheffield, you'll be taught in the best integrated engineering teaching space in the UK.
Facilities
Engineering students are mainly based in The Diamond, the University's dedicated engineering teaching facility. Here, you'll find state-of-the-art teaching and lab facilities which include cutting-edge, industry-standard equipment. You'll also have lectures and use laboratories in the Sir Robert Hadfield Building.
General EngineeringWhy choose Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield
A Top 100 university 2021
QS World University Rankings
Top 10% of all UK universities
Research Excellence Framework 2014
No 1 Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, 2018, 2017
Student profiles
Graduate careers
Interdisciplinary Programmes in Engineering
Our courses prepare you for a career where you'll apply your creative problem-solving skills and your understanding of engineering principles to the real world, while working in multidisciplinary teams. These transferable skills can be applied in many sectors across the breadth of engineering and beyond.
Graduates from all of our courses are highly employable and work all over the world for companies such as Arup, Rolls-Royce, Boeing and IBM.
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Visit us
University open days
There are four open days every year, usually in June, July, September and October. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Taster days
At various times in the year we run online taster sessions to help Year 12 students experience what it is like to study at the University of Sheffield.
Applicant days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant days, which take place between November and April. These applicant days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Apply for this course
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply.
How to apply When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
www.ucas.com
Contact us
Telephone: +44 114 222 7882
Email: gen-eng-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.