Department of Engineering

School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction

Welcome to our Department of Engineering

Thank you for taking the time to check out what we offer at University College Birmingham, the highest-ranking university in the region as voted by students at the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Our student support is the best in the region too, according to students, as is our provision for international students and postgraduates.

If you are looking at joining us to carve out a career in engineering, here is a glimpse into our student and staff community - with insight into the placements and enrichment we offer - to see if we are right for you.

Welcome from Neil Davies

Engineering is constantly changing as new technologies come on stream and it’s a fast-paced and demanding professional environment.

Our courses focus on the application of maths, science and digital technologies, and using industry-standard software and exceptional resources, we create successful technicians and engineers heading into careers in design, product development and manufacture for the 21st century.

Engineering is a theoretical profession, so maths and science are fundamental to our courses. Engineers also need to communicate with a wide variety of people – managers, funders and customers. The courses are intensive and challenging, but the support available for our students is excellent – we maximise your chances for success and look forward to welcoming you to our department.

*Neil started out in manufacturing engineering for BAE Systems before moving into higher education, clocking up 20 years' experience in lecturing and senior-level roles.

“If you're anything like me, you'll have always been fascinated by how things work and are built, and if you are joining our university, you really will get the very best, most advanced training, with access to incredible networks and opportunities."

Rosa Wells Dean, School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction

What’s happening

Dean for STEM at university makes Top 100 Women in Engineering list

Rosa Wells is a Highly Commended Finalist of the Women's Engineering Society's Top 50 Women in Engineering awards as part o…

Education providers join forces to launch new one stop shop for employers

University College Birmingham has joined forces with other colleges and training providers across the West Midlands t…

New centres for innovation offer support for small businesses to upskill

A £100 million investment from the Innovation Accelerator programme will see a new innovation hub launched at Universi…

Skills funding awarded to University will boost technical qualifications

The new qualifications are high-quality, job-focused qualifications. These new programmes are a part of University Col…

Innovate UK awards £1.2m to University-led partnership to grow battery manufacturing

University College Birmingham will lead a regional partnership delivering a new project growing new skills…

Development continues at pace on University’s Sustainable Construction Skills Centre

Work on the new Sustainable Construction Skills Centre for University College Birmingham is making excelle…

University collaboration opens new training hub for engineering and manufacturing

A brand new hub dedicated to developing the next generation of engineering and manufacturing workers has been…

Budding technician flies flag for female engineers at opening of new facilities

A college student whose goal is to become an air technician with the Royal Navy flew the flag for female engine…

Partnership with Warwick enters new phase to support regional development

The partnership aims to provide a new approach to social mobility by opening up access to education for people in som…

Regeneration of former print works to create new sustainable construction centre

A sustainable construction skills centre is to be created by University College Birmingham as part of the rege…

Edward Bird
Deputy Dean (Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction)

Meet Edward Bird

My role across the School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction is quite broad, with responsibilities for quality, teaching and learning as well as curriculum development and innovation, ensuring that we are at the cutting edge of our subject sectors.

The school is developing rapidly and there has been a huge amount of interest in our courses both at college and university level.

We have worked closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Institute of Technology and employers to ensure that all of our courses offer excellent opportunities for students to progress into fulfilling careers in STEM or further study.

Edward has a background in software and web development.

Our teaching and learning

If you are studying to be an engineer, our aim is simple - to turn you into a stand-out professional. We have an award-winning reputation for the highest quality courses and a learning experience that sets us apart from bigger universities.

Our degrees are designed to develop you personally and professionally, with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions threaded throughout the curriculum, sitting alongside really interesting theory modules. Our partnership with the University of Warwick, a top-ranking Russell Group university, also brings extra opportunities including access to guest speakers and additional resources.

Theory

Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturing staff, meaning they can draw on their industry expertise and years of experience to make scenario-based discussions, debates and concepts come to life, supporting the linking of theory to practice.

You will learn so much from our lecturing teams, who are passionate about their profession and eager to inspire and nurture the next generation of engineering professionals.

We also have many invited guest lecturers from industry participate in our courses, sharing their knowledge and experiences to enhance your learning.

Students also have a lot to bring and as a team, we will also learn a lot from you. We encourage you to share your perspectives and viewpoints, especially when reflecting on your own life and placement experiences.

Practical

Placements are key to success as employers want you to have real experience. We have excellent links with organisations such as the GBSIoT, so we can allocate you to a diverse range of placements.

This exposure to different learning environments opens opportunities for you when you qualify. And you will receive real-life training in our engineering suite complete with robotics labs at Camden House.

Support

Our support is exceptional, so much so, our students voted to make us the winner of the Student Support award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022 and we came a close second in 2023. In 2024, we were voted the best for student support in the West Midlands.

Throughout your studies, you will not only have a personal tutor, but a link tutor during placements and module leaders to support you through academic modules. And we have a whole range of additional support services available, providing you with as much or as little support as you need to succeed in your degree. Our smaller teaching groups enable all students to grow and flourish, with strong peer support and friendship.

Our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2021-24 is key to how we approach the educational journey, focusing on three main pillars that set out our commitment to your learning and teaching experience while you are studying with us.

Pillar 1 – Provide accessible and inclusive teaching and learning across a wide range of vocationally-led courses
Pillar 2 – Develop next generation opportunities and skills through innovative, future-focused curriculum and pedagogy
Pillar 3 – Shape local and global sectors, promoting sustainable futures and global citizenship

Read our Learning and Teaching Strategy

Engineering facilities

We have invested £200 million into our university facilities so you can learn in outstanding training environments approved by industry.

Students on our engineering courses study in our real-world training facilities at our Camden House campus building. Our facilities include equipment for process manufacturing, electronics and materials testing, as well as Industry 4.0 equipment.

You will also have access to the Learning Factory at GBSIoT with facilities to support your research and projects

Find out more about our facilities

Our courses

Engineering HNC

If you want to work in engineering and are looking to boost your skills through part-time study, our Higher National Certificate course lets you explore core subjects such as…

Electromechanical Engineering BEng

The world is crying out for skilled engineers and our Electromechanical Engineering BEng degree will give you all the key disciplines – essential math's, me…

Engineering Management MSc

Want to play a leading role in the technological progress and sustainable future of the engineering sector? This course combines developing your business and manage…

We look forward to seeing you on campus

As you prepare to join us, here's a refresher on some of the essentials: