Frequently Asked Questions

What are the entry requirements?

The entry requirements for each programme are available on the course page. 

Degree Programmes

What is the difference between the BEng and MEng Programmes?

A BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) programme is a 3 year programme and an MEng (Master of Engineering) programme is a 4 year programme. As an MEng is a year longer study it provides students with a higher qualification. You can see the programme structures here.

Should I apply to the BEng or the MEng?

Of course this is a personal choice and each student will have to think about their own requirements from the course. If you intend to achieve professional status, for instance becoming a Chartered Engineer, then you will need 4 years of study. This could be doing a BEng and an MSc or by doing an integrated MEng. An MEng programme at Queen Mary offers students the chance to take part in our industry led design projects and to study advanced and engaging courses in their subject area.

However, students should be realistic about their academic qualifications. The entry requirement for our MEng programmes is AAA. If you are concerned that you might not achieve these grades you may be safer to apply to the BEng programme which has an entry requirement of  AAB or ABB, depending on the subject.

If I apply to the BEng can I move to the MEng later?

Yes, once you are studying on a BEng programme in SEMS if you keep your grade average at over 60% you will be given the option of transferring onto the MEng programme in the same subject. As the first and second years of the BEng and MEng programmes are the same you can transfer in the same discipline without having to repeat any courses.

What are the contact hours like on the degree programmes?

This does vary slightly from programme to programme. Students must consider their study to be from 9am to 5pm on Monday through to Friday because even when not in classes, students will be working on group projects etc. In the School of Engineering and Materials Science students take four modules each semester and each module will have at least two hours of lectures, two hours of lab practicals and two hours of problem solving classes.  Students will also have an hour a week with their tutor. So it is a minimum of 21 hours a week, however there will often be other activities such as Personal-Based Learning (PBL) sessions.

How many students are there in SEMS?

The School of Engineering and Materials Science has Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Design, Innovation and Creative Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering. Each year we take approximately 400 new undergraduate students and 150 postgraduate students. 

Do you accept 2nd year entry students?

We do consider applicants who have successfully completed their first year at another institution and are progressing at a 2:1 level, but entry into the second year is not always possible as courses often differ. We would need to see a full transcript and the student would have to meet the current A-level (or equivalent) entry requirements for the programme.

Do you accept students who are re-taking their A-levels?

Yes, we will consider applications from students who are re-taking their A-levels, but we would expect to see evidence of this in your personal statement and/or reference.

How do you make decisions on applications?

First we will look at the applicant's qualifications to see that they match our Entry Requirements. We look at the predicted A-level grades, AS grades and GCSE grades all together to give us an overall academic picture of the candidate. We will then look at the reference and personal statement to ensure that the applicant is well-suited to the subject at Queen Mary.

How are the degrees taught?

Course materials are delivered through a combination of lectures, problem solving classes, laboratory practicals, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions and a variety of coursework. In addition, students undertake two major projects; an individual research project in year 3 and a group design project in the fourth year of the MEng programmes.

How are the degrees assessed?

All our degree programmes are structured with eight modules per year split over two semesters. Some modules, such as the research and design projects, count for two and four modules, respectively. In the third and fourth years, you select from a range of module options allowing you to tailor your degree to specific areas of interest within your specialist degree programme. Assessment is continuous throughout your degree with written reports, projects, presentations, group work and exams (Assessments take place at the end of each semester). There is an individual research project in the third year of all programmes, where students participate in the specialist internationally-recognised research taking place within the School of Engineering and Materials Science. In the fourth and final year of the MEng degree, students take part in a group design project worth 50% of the final year. These exciting student-led projects are frequently sponsored by industry and provide a valuable insight into real life engineering design and project management.

What support do SEMS students receive?

When students arrive in the School of Engineering and Materials Science they are assigned an academic advisor from within the department. Tutees have a timetabled slot to meet their tutors once a week, although tutees can make appointments to see their tutors at other times. Tutors are normally the first person that students will go to for support. The School of Engineering and Materials Science also have a team of Teaching Assistants who support the learning of undergraduate students. Also available to students is the Peer Assisted Study Support scheme (PASS) and the  Advice and Counselling service.

Can I get work experience while I study at Queen Mary?

The majority of our programmes are available with industrial experience. Students will normally spend one year in industry after the second or third year of their study. The year in industry will significantly help to develop the communication, problem solving and team working skills of each student. It will also give students invaluable experiences to refer to when applying for professional positions following graduation.

The School has excellent links with industry which are essential for all our "with industrial experience" programmes. However, students are not guaranteed an industrial placement and will have to be proactive in finding a suitable placement although we do have a dedicated member of staff who will provide support in arranging suitable placements with our extensive industrial links. There is an active Industrial Liaison forum which has a direct impact on our programmes as employers are encouraged to sponsor and support both the students and to provide real design case studies which will engage students throughout the curriculum. Recent case studies that have been taught and assessed were delivered by Bridgestone, DuPuy, Apatech, Artis, Corus, BAe, DSTL and Rolls Royce.

Are the degrees in SEMS accredited?

Many of our BEng and MEng Engineering programmes are accredited; the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering programmes by the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Materials and Biomedical Engineering programmes by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Chemical Engineering programme by the IChemE.

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Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation means that an external professional body inspects the university regularly. They will check that the facilities, modules and staff are of a standard suitable to prepare students to work in industry. This is of great benefit to the student once they have graduated because accreditation will allow them to join a professional body and therefore achieve professional status themselves.  Read more...