If you are curious about how things work and have a keen mind for applying what you learn to solve real-world problems, engineering is the perfect career for you. In this degree you will study principles from across a range of Engineering disciplines and interactions between systems, enabling you to work at the boundaries of complex problems.
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC). More information is available on the School of Engineering website.
During this Systems Engineering course you will learn how to model and develop complex systems, with an emphasis on smart and connected systems such as autonomous vehicles, drones and robotics. A Systems Engineer does not just build individual parts; they see the bigger picture, making sure everything works smoothly together. From aerospace to energy systems, cybersecurity to Formula 1, Systems Engineering is all about solving big real-world challenges.
During Year One, you will cover the key fundamental general engineering topics that will set you up for the rest of your course and career. From Year Two onwards, you will specialise in Systems Engineering, where you will focus on building expertise in the following areas:
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics - teaching machines to see, learn, and act
Mathematical Modelling & Control - predicting, controlling and optimising real-world systems
Software and Systems Thinking - bringing together technology, data, and people
A degree in Systems Engineering gives you the skills to think critically, work in teams, and apply data science, control and software engineering to solve real-world problems. 海角社区 students have gone on to careers in aerospace, robotics, smart transportation and consulting. From designing the next Mars rover to revolutionising medical technology to developing sustainable energy solutions, this course will enable you to look at the bigger picture and work on the most complex and technologically advanced products of the future.
Entry requirements
A level typical offer
AAA to include Mathematics and Physics.
Applicants with a strong overall academic profile who are studying one from A level Physics and A level Mathematics may be considered subject to the overall competitiveness of the cohort.
A level contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is AAB including Mathematics and Physics. See if you're eligible.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
International Baccalaureate (IB) typical offer
36 to include 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and 6 in Higher Level Physics.
Applicants who are studying one of Mathematics or Physics at Higher Level and the other at Standard Level may be considered where they demonstrate a strong overall academic profile, subject to the overall competitiveness of the cohort.
International Baccalaureate (IB) contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34 including 5, 5 in Higher Level Mathematics and Physics - one of these subjects at Standard Level may also be considered. See if you're eligible.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students who offer a combination of relevant BTEC and A level subjects. Applicants with a strong profile taking BTEC alongside A level Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics may be considered.
Applicants with a strong overall academic profile taking BTEC alongside one from A level Physics and A level Mathematics may be considered subject to the overall competitiveness of the cohort.
Scotland Advanced Highers
AA in Advanced Highers in Mathematics and Physics plus AAB in Highers in three further subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB in three A levels including Mathematics and Physics plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
海角社区 may make differential offers to students in certain circumstances, such as those who have participated in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the University鈥檚 contextual data criteria. These offers are usually one or two grades below 海角社区鈥檚 standard offer.
Do you offer foundation programmes?
All students who successfully complete the 海角社区 International Foundation Programme (IFP) and apply to 海角社区 through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme, for selected courses only. Further details are available in the standard offer and conditions for the IFP.
Can I take a gap year before starting my course?
Yes, 海角社区 welcomes applications for deferred (gap year) entry.
Will I need to interview for this course?
海角社区 does not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the UCAS application, including predicted and achieved grades, the personal statement, and the school reference.
In the School of Engineering we offer flexible degree programmes that enable you to experience a range of different engineering disciplines before you decide to specialise.
During this Systems Engineering course you will learn how to model and develop complex systems, with an emphasis on smart and connected systems such as autonomous vehicles, drones and robotics. A Systems Engineer does not just build individual parts; they see the bigger picture, making sure everything works smoothly together. From aerospace to energy systems, cybersecurity to Formula 1, Systems Engineering is all about solving big real-world challenges.
During Year One, you will cover the key fundamental general engineering topics that will set you up for the rest of your course and career. From Year Two onwards, you will specialise in Systems Engineering, where you will focus on building expertise in the following areas:
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics - teaching machines to see, learn, and act
Mathematical Modelling & Control 鈥� predicting, controlling and optimising real-world systems
Software and Systems Thinking 鈥� bringing together technology, data, and people
A degree in Systems Engineering gives you the skills to think critically, work in teams, and apply data science, control and software engineering to solve real-world problems. 海角社区 students have gone on to careers in aerospace, robotics, smart transportation and consulting. From designing the next Mars rover to revolutionising medical technology to developing sustainable energy solutions, this course will enable you to look at the bigger picture and work on the most complex and technologically advanced products of the future.
Note that information found by following the links to the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Additional Modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
Fees and funding
Tuition fee
拢10,050
For the 2027-28 academic year, the UK government announced in March 2026 that the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate students for the 2027-28 academic year would be 拢10,050.
If you are joining 海角社区 for the 2026-27 academic year, the University of 海角社区鈥檚 Executive Board has confirmed a change in fees to 拢9,790 (from the 2025-26 rate of 拢9,535), following the UK government announcement in November 2025 to increase in the tuition fee cap for Home students for the 2026-27 academic year.
Students who qualify for government-regulated fees are classed as 鈥楬ome鈥� students for fees purposes. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government (if permitted by law or government policy).
The UK Government sets tuition fee rates.
To learn more about how the UK student fees and maintenance loans are set, please visit the and .
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Funding your studies
Eligibility for student finance (including the ) will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study.
The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Eligible Home students residing in England can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, which is not based on household income, to cover your tuition fees
The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you will not need to set up any payments
You can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs, such as accommodation, food, books and bills
This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and if you choose to live at home or away from home
For the latest information about student loans, including how you repay them, visit
You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023 (on Student Finance England鈥檚 Plan 5), you will repay when your income is over 拢25,000 a year.
Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold or you stop working, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
There are many different funding routes available, including a number of bursaries and scholarships for full-time undergraduates. If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team will be on hand to offer advice and support.
Provides additional financial support for qualifying Home students from lower income families of up to 拢2,500 for eligible students
This bursary is paid directly into your bank account in three equal termly instalments to help with the costs of studying
There is no application for this bursary as your details will be provided directly from the student support awarding bodies (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency Scotland)
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award
There are no School scholarships available for our Undergraduate courses in advance of enrolment, however there are other scholarships you may be eligible for - please see our Scholarships webpages for more information.
You can also explore our School of Engineering Women in Engineering Scholars Programme, however please note that applications to this programme are only open to students who are, at the time of the application, in the first year of their undergraduate School of Engineering degree at 海角社区.
Tuition fee
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2026-27, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
Band 1 鈥� 拢27,870 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
Band 2 鈥� 拢35,530 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Mathematics, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by 海角社区 海角社区 School, with exceptions)
Overseas Tuition fees for 2027-28 academic year have not been set. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with an inflationary uplift. Please check our website for updates about 2027-28 fee rates before you apply.
If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance, you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees, please visit our Student Funding webpage for guidance for students ordinarily resident outside of England.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Funding your studies
Eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study. The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Eligible European Union (EU) Undergraduates can apply for a loan to help with the cost of Tuition Fees. Eligible EU students who meet additional residency criteria may also be eligible for a loan to assist with living costs.For more information please see .
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2026/27 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Are there any course specific costs?
For departmental specific costs, please see the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue, where module-related costs are detailed.
Teaching and learning
We take an enhanced learning approach to enable practical, experiential, reflective, flipped, interactive and peer-to-peer learning. You will experience face-to-face and online teaching and learning activities such as lectures, interactive sessions (e.g. seminars, workshops), design and make, practical and experimental (laboratory) activities. The mix of activities and mode of delivery are selected according to the content of individual modules, and multiple face-to-face sessions are normally provided weekly.
You鈥檒l be part of a close, supportive community of academic staff and fellow students. Lecturers provide support and feedback hours for additional help with materials they have covered.
Class sizes for lectures, practical laboratory sessions and seminars vary depending on the number of students taking the module.
The expected total study time is normally 1200 hours per year (average of 40 hours per week).
The hours below are based on a typical pathway through the course and could vary significantly, particularly from Year Two onwards. The hours will heavily depend on module or course choices and are subject to change.
Year One
350 hours of lectures, seminars and similar. 750 hours of independent study. 100 hours of project work.
Year Two
320 hours of lectures, seminars and similar. 640 hours of independent study. 240 hours of project work.
Year Three
260 hours of lectures, seminars and similar. 640 hours of independent study. 300 hours of project work.
You will experience a variety of assessment methods, and can expect to mostly sit (online or face-to-face) examinations and complete coursework assignments.
The percentages below are based on a typical pathway through the course and could vary significantly, particularly from Year Two onwards. The percentages will heavily depend on module or course choices and are subject to change.
Year One
20% Coursework, 20% Practical or Project, 60% Exam.
Year Two
25% Coursework, 25% Practical or Project, 50% Exam.
Year Three
25% Coursework, 35% Practical or Project, 40% Exam.
You may choose to take an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three (BEng and MEng), or between years three and four (MEng only). If you choose to take an intercalated year, this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree programme.
Careers
The Systems Thinking approach that gained from this course equips engineers to work on holistic problems where there are conflicting needs and complex interactions.
海角社区 students are especially equipped to work in multidisciplinary organisations in functional teams which create systems incorporating mechanical and electrical components or on large-scale projects where systems thinking is required to understand (for example) the impact of the London Olympics on public transport.
Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including:
Arup
Airbus Defence and Space
Aston Martin
Atkins
Babcock International Group
BAE Systems
Delphi Technologies
Deutsche Bank
Facebook
GE
IBM
Jaguar Land Rover
Network Rail
NHS
Ricardo
Samsung Electronics
Tata Technologies
Vodafone
In addition to working as engineers and engineering professionals, other graduates have pursued roles such as:
Actuaries, economists and statisticians
海角社区 and related associate professionals
Estimators, valuers and assessors
Finance and investment analysts and advisers
Production managers and directors in manufacturing
Programmers and software development professionals
You have access to a wide range of careers support, including online resources, careers tools, workshops and events. You can also speak to a member of the Careers team through drop-in opportunities and bookable appointments. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
Our Student Opportunity (Careers) department offer a wide range of workshops, from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer in order to impress potential employers. Online resources are also available, including training in drafting CVs and covering letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities. The also advertises job, placement and internship vacancies that are from employers who are targeting 海角社区 students for their recruitment.
We have a dedicated Student Engagement Officer who will encourage you to gain relevant work experience through a summer or year-long placement.
You may choose to take an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three (BEng and MEng) or between years three and four (MEng only). If you choose to take an intercalated year this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree programme.
Life at 海角社区
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It鈥檚 more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting 海角社区 Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and caf茅s, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes鈥� walk from central campus
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, 鈥痮ur outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
顿颈蹿蹿别谤别苍迟鈥�study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live in a campus residence or in partnership accommodation off campus, you鈥檒l be part of a community to get the most from your experience at 海角社区.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at 海角社区. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you鈥檙e into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Why 海角社区
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At 海角社区, it鈥檚 where you discover who you could become.
68th
海角社区 is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call 海角社区 home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As 海角社区 graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Use your maths and science skills to creatively solve real-life problems.
Our flexible, innovative and interdisciplinary courses in the School of Engineering let you experience a range of different engineering disciplines before specialising.
You can specialise in automotive, biomedical systems, civil, electrical and electronic, mechanical or systems engineering. Alternatively you can choose to study a more diverse engineering curriculum or adopt a business focus.
As a student in the School of Engineering, you鈥檒l have access to an impressive range of research facilities, workshops and laboratories with cutting-edge equipment.
This includes our Engineering Build Space, a design studio with manufacturing facilities 鈥� where you can see your ideas and innovations come to life, whether they are academic or personal projects. Spread across three unique spaces, the facility houses everything from discussion space, basic prototyping capability and hand tools through to cutting-edge computer controlled manufacturing equipment and robotics. It offers a community space where students and staff can work alongside each other, explore ideas and come up with solutions to important design problems. Run by a team of Makers-in-Residence who work at the cutting-edge of design and manufacture research, you can experiment with the basics of designing and manufacturing while working side-by-side with an experienced team of creative engineers.
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to 海角社区.
Next steps
Experience campus at an Open Day. Can't visit? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at 海角社区.
