Mechanical Engineering [with Foundation Year]

Develop the skills to address 21st century engineering design challenges and contribute to the achievement of net zero by 2050, with our Mechanical Engineering degree at ARU Peterborough.

Why study at ARU Peterborough


• Focus on sustainability, decarbonisation and net zero



• Enhanced employability with industry defined skills development



• Emphasis on engineering design



As a graduate engineer, you'll spend your career involved in the challenge to achieve net zero by 2050. This course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to competently contribute to the realisation of this goal.

From day one of the course, you'll work on real-world engineering projects. During your first year you will study Literacies in Higher Education, Introduction to Life Sciences, Contemporary Issues and Into ARU, to prepare you for studying at degree level. Then in year 2 you'll look at technical problems through environmental, ethical, social and financial lenses, and use the maths and science knowledge and skills you've gained to solve them – the same approach you'll take in the workplace.

You'll learn to address engineering design problems creatively and innovatively using the wide range of the digital tools that engineers use to simulate and analyse physical phenomena, as well as those used to support the design and manufacturing process.

You'll become adept at communicating though a variety of media with fellow engineers and a range of stakeholders from technical and non-technical backgrounds, and develop team-working skills throughout your course.

By the time you graduate, you'll be a well-rounded engineer with plenty of experience and expertise to offer potential employers.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after gradudation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.