The one-year BSc (Hons) Mechatronics (Top-up) is ideal if you already have an HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation Degree in a related subject, and want to expand and enhance your understanding of mechatronics and its applications.

Key information

Award:

BSc (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

1 year

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS code:

HH36

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

Interested in developing your knowledge and skills in mechatronics systems? Want to explore mechanical systems, robotics, smart machines, manufacturing automation, medical equipment, process control, and artificial intelligence in more depth? This course could be for you.

This popular top-up programme takes you on a journey through mechanical and electronic engineering, control systems, computers and information systems – and how they support the design of all kinds of products, processes and systems. You’ll get to further investigate and appreciate how mechatronics combines the design of physical systems with the application of computer software.

You’ll do this through case studies, practical laboratory-based work, and problem-solving projects – and have access to our excellent mechatronic facilities and engineering laboratories. Plus, you’ll be able to use our state-of-the-art design studio and the latest software and hardware.

The course teaching staff comprise active researchers in a range of sectors, including motorsports, smart materials, biosensors and artificial intelligence, so you’ll be guided and supported by enthusiastic, hands-on subject experts. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to benefit from our close links with leading manufacturers in the field of mechatronics.

Highlights

You’ll have access to our dedicated mechatronic facilities, engineering laboratories, and high-spec design studio with design, analysis and simulation software.
Our experienced and mechatronics-mad teaching staff are also active researchers and respected industry figures.
We offer a multidisciplinary and internationally renowned course that can support your progress into careers, further training or research positions associated with mechatronics and related disciplines.
You’ll benefit from highly attentive academic support, dedicated pastoral assistance and a friendly, welcoming learning environment.

Key Features

You’ll be able to develop and demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of the concepts, theories and principles of mechatronics, along with the science and mathematics that underpin them.
We’ll introduce you to the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
You’ll also get the chance to explore some of the key social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations in engineering contexts.
We’ll encourage and support you as you learn to apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to problem solving.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.

Professional recognition

As a top-up student you can apply for Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) student Affiliate membership.

You’ll have successfully completed a Foundation Degree (FdEng/FdSc) in Mechatronics, or a similar mechanical, electrical, electronic or control systems engineering-related qualification comprising at least 120 credits at HE4 and 120 credits at HE5, such as a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The BSc (Hons) Mechatronics (Top-up) programme integrates mechanical and electronic engineering and is a one-year course for students who already have a HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation Degree in a related subject.

This course is for you if you are interested in developing your knowledge and skills in the field of mechatronics systems including mechanical systems, robotics, smart machines, manufacturing automation, medical equipment, process control, and artificial intelligence. As a graduate you can use your multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in mechanical, electronic, control, computing, IT and product and system design and development. The course is also designed to help improve your critical thinking, problem solving, team work, attention to detail, research, data analysis and data evaluation skills.

You should find many opportunities available after graduation, since mechatronic products and systems are very much demanded by the highly competitive international marketplace.

What can I do with this qualification?

Mechatronics graduates find employment working with the electronic instrumentation and computer control systems that nearly all machinery relies on for efficient and reliable operation. Mechatronic engineers also have roles in project engineering, reliability engineering and power engineering where their cross-disciplinary knowledge gives them an edge on mechanical or electrical engineers.

A Mechatronics degree also provides a platform into a range of diverse sectors such as banking, finance and accountancy, energy and utilities, engineering, environment and agriculture, IT and technology, defence, science and manufacturing and production.

After graduation you may also choose to continue your formal education in the form of a Master’s or research degree.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

Financial analysis and management
IT sales and consultancy
Law
Marketing
Teaching and education
Research and development
Project management
Manufacturing
Automotive engineering
Construction
Utilities
Telecommunications
Product design
Risk management
Systems analysis
Materials engineering
Logistics and distribution
Insurance claims and risk

Course fees

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Course application details are unavailable at present

Mechatronics is a truly diverse subject, so we’ll apply a range of teaching methods and encourage you to use a variety of learning approaches. This means you’ll have lectures, tutorials, case-study sessions, practical workshops, laboratory experiences and guided investigations, and a mix of individual and group learning.

On top of timetabled sessions, we’ll offer a range of other ways to develop your creativity and skill – for example, through an open-ended project where you’ll have the chance to put your learning into practice. To support this, we recommend you dedicate significant time to independent, self-directed study such as background reading and research – for which we’ll gladly offer guidance and support to help you get the most from this course.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Project
Advanced Mechatronic Systems
Computer Aided Analysis and Simulation
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Electronic Engineering for Mechatronics
Management and Enterprise in Engineering

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 71%, Practical exams 12%, Written exams 17%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 70%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.