Bristol uni engineering study abroad question

[Talipesmum]

Does anyone know, for Bristol uni mechanical engineering, do you need to specifically apply to the “MEng mechanical engineering with study abroad”, or could you choose the “MEng mechanical engineering” and apply once you’re there for the year abroad option?

Most of the “year in industry” courses we’ve come across allow all engineering students to choose to apply for a year in industry, whether they had that selected or not, and we were trying to find out if it’s the same for year abroad options. And whether it’s all much of a muchness, or more competitive to apply for one or the other.

We’re going to email the “study abroad academic director” for mech eng at Bristol tomorrow, but assuming she is likely to be quite busy and may not be able to get back to us straight away - keen to know if anyone has any direct knowledge. Thanks!

One of my DC did a study abroad year when at Bristol (not engineering). They were advised to apply for the study abroad year because there are limited spaces on it. Easier to have a place and opt out rather than try and opt in, which some on the course tried to do and were disappointed

Was a fantastic experience - they went to the US

@Talipesmum My DDs former boyfriend did the Mechanical Engineering with study abroad course. He went to a Grande Ecole in France. I would apply for this course if he wants to go abroad.

Thanks both! He would be needing to study in English abroad as he doesn’t speak a foreign language to any decent level. Bristol run both “English abroad” and “modern language abroad” options. Grande ecole in France sounds amazing though!

We found in the end that there isn’t a separate UCAS code this year for the “with study abroad” or “year in industry” mech eng options - I think this must mean you choose to apply for the opportunity once you’ve arrived. We’ve emailed the relevant mech eng study abroad contact to confirm - will update the thread if we hear back.

@Talipesmum This might be due to lack of Turing funding. Bristol, I suspect, has nowhere near enough.

The engineers who learnt a MFL as well was obviously a small group! There’s probably far more wanting North America or Australia for example. So probably very competitive.

My view on placements is - be careful. Always stick to MEng with engineering due to requirements of Chartered Engineer status. Getting a placement is hugely time consuming. I would suggest most Bristol engineers can get jobs and stick with MEng, as it’s valuable.

I wouldn’t worry unnecessarily about BEng and MEng courses at the start. You can switch both ways mid-course. Subject to meeting academic requirements for progression at that level, or not. Some students prefer a separate master’s degree.

There is no direct entry for MEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry. You need to get a place on another mechanical engineering course and transfer once you are there.

Confirmation here.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/mechanical-engineering/meng-mechanical-engineering-with-a-year-in-industry/

Thanks all. Yes, fully aware and versed in the MEng requirement for working towards chartered status, he’s absolutely looking to be working in the engineering sector rather than using it as a springboard for something else and will definitely be doing the MEng. And he may well look at an additional year for industrial placement, or possibly the year abroad in eg Australia or US (though that’s def going to be limited numbers and US seems highly uncertain right now!). Main thing is applying to normal MEng and then once he’s on the course, he can think soon about next steps. Fully aware that placements need a lot of application and aren’t guaranteed buckets in any way. I also work with a lot of engineers and other science disciplines in a v large company and I know that we really like hiring from internships, either summer or full year. All worth considering.

I personally think internships are better than a full year. The year abroad is also part of the 4 year MEng. I think! For Bristol, I would also apply for what he really wants in terms of MEng. It’s much more convenient and you don’t have to worry about trading up.

Like I said, it looks like it’s only possible to apply for MEng or BEng, not MEng with year abroad, or industry. Seems sensible to me - students can consider their options once they’re on the course.

@Talipesmum I would assume that’s because they find not enough are getting placements and money is not nailed on for year abroad unless you are poor. So best not to promise anything. Sensible.

Or because there’s never any guarantee of a placement and they don’t want to be misleading. Not necessarily because it’s not going well.

Well dc not getting placements and not going well is splitting hairs really. Don’t forget Bristol is near Bath and that prides itself on placements. Bristol wasn’t really seen as a placement university. I do think over promising is an issue and best avoided. Negotiation is better.

Sorry, I was mentally thinking entirely of the year in industry part here, not the abroad placements. Head is all over the place with applications!

@Talipesmum Yes. No guarantee of any type - abroad or in industry. Get what you can! Abroad is more fun though.