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LOCATION
Docklands Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
Rail and rail systems engineering at the University of East London is designed to meet the increasing demand (national and international) for transport engineering professionals requiring technical skills in sustainable, integrated and intelligent rail infrastructure and rail systems.
Graduates of the programme will be able to design, build, operate and manage the sophisticated and complex interfaces characterising existing and new railways and infrastructure. The programme will also enable you to gain strong theoretical knowledge and practical skills in civil and systems engineering with a core focus on the railway industry and its operations. You will be actively involved in developing the specific design and professional skills required by professional engineers and will tackle numerous design problems to develop your interpersonal, enterprise and employability skillset (aka mental wealth) along with analytical, technical and industrial decision-making abilities.
Whilst studying all the major civil, mechanical and systems engineering subjects, you will also gain experience in a range of current railway system issues and disciplines. The programme will benefit from the opportunities to get involved in cutting edge research projects on built environment of infrastructure, geotechnics, coastal and transportation engineering.
The programme also offers an optional placement year to all students, enabling you to experience the real world and effectively connect your UEL experience with the industry.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The programme is aimed at both the home and overseas learners, and in particular professionals working in the highways, railway and the wider transportation infrastructure and systems sector or learners who would wish to work in these sectors. Whilst studying all the major civil, mechanical and systems engineering subjects, you will also gain experience in a range of current railway system issues and disciplines.
The programme will benefit from the opportunities to get involved in cutting edge research projects on built environment of infrastructure, geotechnics, coastal and transportation engineering.
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up to date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
COURSE SPECIFICATION - BEng (Hons) Railway Engineering
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Course Specification - BEng (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering
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MODULES
- Core Modules
Mental wealth; Professional Life CloseMental wealth; Professional Life
The module will introduce key knowledge and skills required for your success in higher education, communication and interpersonal life skills for academic and professional purposes. The module is designed to provide guidance in order to become independent learner, effectively reflect and take necessary actions for professional success. The module will also aid you to build your confidence as a learner, enabling you to identify where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and how you can build their skills for the future.
Analytical Mathematics CloseAnalytical Mathematics
The main aims of this module are to prepare you for L4 study by developing the mathematical abilities required for understanding engineering and be able to apply mathematical techniques to solve engineering problems.
Engineering Sciences CloseEngineering Sciences
The aim of this module is to provide you with an elementary knowledge and understanding of the physical concepts relating to materials, electricity and simple structures used in engineering.
Mathematical Applications CloseMathematical Applications
The main aims of this module are to prepare you for L4 study by developing the mathematical abilities required for understanding engineering and be able to apply mathematical techniques to solve engineering problems.
Physical Sciences ClosePhysical Sciences
The aim of this module is to provide you with an elementary knowledge and understanding of the physical concepts relating to second moment of area, sound, light, thermodynamics and work and energy systems used in engineering.
Introduction to Computing CloseIntroduction to Computing
The module equips you with an understanding of computing principles and an understanding of the fundamentals of hardware and software, which can provide an opportunity for you to gain appreciation of the practical skills involved in computer systems. It helps you develop a better understanding of computations to solve problems, analysing problems and procedures, and a better understanding of algorithms, languages and programming. It provides an opportunity to you to understand the connections between the different areas of computing.
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Professional Life CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life
This module aims to develop students' core competencies to form the basis of future competencies development throughout the programme of study. In this module, the students would consolidate their Construction / Engineering knowledge and skills for practical applications, and develop their awareness of impacts on the environment, commerce, society and individual brought about by various construction and engineering activities.
Engineering Materials CloseEngineering Materials
The main aim of this module is to provide you with a basic understanding of the properties and behaviour of wide range of engineering materials and to enable you to appreciate essential facts and principles required to make good choices in selection of materials.
Engineering Principles CloseEngineering Principles
- To provide you with the fundamental principles and concepts involved with dynamics, machine elements and electrical and electronic engineering.
- To enable you to select appropriate electromechanical systems to solve real-life engineering problems.
Applied Mathematics & Computing CloseApplied Mathematics & Computing
The main aims of this module are to prepare you for level 5 study by developing the mathematical abilities required for understanding engineering and be able to apply mathematical techniques to solve engineering problems; to develop both the knowledge and understanding of mathematical principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline.
Thermofluids CloseThermofluids
The main aim of this module is to introduce the basic theories of thermo fluid mechanics. You will learn about the fundamentals of fluid behaviour, the interaction of fluids with solid bodies and fluid flow in pipes.
Engineering Mechanics CloseEngineering Mechanics
This module aims to develop your understanding of the fundamental structural characteristics governing the properties of engineering materials; and to introduce you to the fundamental concepts and principles of engineering mechanics.
The module would provide you with an appreciation of the relationship between conceptual models and real engineering systems; and enable you to develop an analytical and practical approach to the solution of basic engineering problems based on the use of the fundamental principles of mechanics.
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Professional Life CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life
This module builds on the L4 Mental Wealth: Professional Life module to further develop students' competencies to form the basis of their future careers. In this module, the students will undertake feasibility studies with reference to human, financial, logistical resources to realise a product/service. The module will further develop the students' self-awareness, interpersonal and negotiation skills through team work and mentoring.
Engineering Design and Analysis CloseEngineering Design and Analysis
This module provides the students with the knowledge of the main modes of failure that occur under various loading conditions, to enable the students to develop their understanding of the fundamental principles of the mechanics of materials and their application. The students’ skill in solving analytical and practical design problems relating to complex stress system will be extended through project work using various commercial and/or non-proprietary engineering analysis software tools.
Dynamics and Control CloseDynamics and Control
This module covers dynamics and classical control theory, to enable the students to extend their treatment of dynamics from point masses to rigid bodies and cover a broad range of application of the principles of mechanics. The students will apply a variety of mathematical and modelling techniques to the study of dynamics and feedback control problems.
Applied Mechanics CloseApplied Mechanics
This module provides new concepts in the deformation of materials under various loading conditions and extend the application of fundamental principles of mechanics of static systems to more advanced systems.This module introduces basic concepts and the principles of the finite element analysis (FEA) techniques and the application of FEA in structural and stress analysis.
Digital Communications & Telecommunication Networks CloseDigital Communications & Telecommunication Networks
The module aims to provide a basic understanding of fundamental principles of digital communications employed in telecommunication networks terms of theory, analysis, design and application. This will include techniques of baseband transmission, design of transmitters and receivers and various digital modulation techniques employed in telecommunication networks
Quality Engineering CloseQuality Engineering
The module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of quality control and engineering techniques; the essential management systems and concepts for their successful implementation within contemporary industrial environments; to develop a critical appreciation of common quality issues and a range of quality control tools and techniques; to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and methodologies used in reliability engineering.
- Core Modules
Capstone Project CloseCapstone Project
The main aim of this module is to equip you with the necessary skills to carry out and report research in order to consolidate the knowledge gained in other modules in a chosen field of study, combine it with the published knowledge of others, investigate it practically and report your findings.
Mental Wealth: Professional Life CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life
The aim of this module is to develop students' awareness of the importance of linking Project management with professional life practice. It will prepare students to be ready for the challenges and opportunities of the 4th industrial revolution by further developing the skills and knowledge. The key areas are as digital environment, ethics, and sustainability; preparing them to become world-class professional managers who are able to support their practice with theoretical understanding, so that they can be innovative and push the barriers of technical excellence safely and sustainably.
The module is designed around the construction and surveying knowledge and skills and professional practice modules at L4 and L5 by integrating theory with practice through industry-relevant live projects.
This will be accomplished by placing students in a multi-disciplinary project group (to reflect the range of disciplines.
It will explore the feasibility and design development of practical scheme(s) in terms of technical, ethical, legal, financial and quality matters. The module will build upon the core mental wealth/professional practice-based modules offered at L4 and L5 that introduce students to among others, digital proficiency, industry connections and intelligent development (emotional, social & physical) and in doing so helps equip them with the fundamental techniques necessary to work in inter-disciplinary teams.
Turbomachinery and Energy Systems CloseTurbomachinery and Energy Systems
This module introduces the students to the latest renewable energy technologies and provides an advanced study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics exploring in-depth internal combustion engines, fluid-mechanics governing equations, performance of various types of pumps and turbines, and application of heat transfer to extended surfaces and heat exchangers.
Transport Infrastructure Engineering CloseTransport Infrastructure Engineering
To provide an optional module in the final year of the course which will provide broad grounding in transport infrastructure and systems engineering principles. The module will give you the knowledge and analytical skills that will enable them to become competent in the analysis, design and operation of transport infrastructure systems.
Systems Integration CloseSystems Integration
This module introduces the students to the concepts of Systems Integration. It is designed to develop system integration skills and student’s ability to work in focused project teams; understand how systems integration principles and practices are applied to the formation, development, production, deployment and life-cycle support of complex systems, families of systems and systems of systems.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
Your academic team includes a dynamic mix of research-active industrial practitioners, renowned researchers, chartered professionals and technologists, whose combined knowledge ensures you leave with a comprehensive understanding of railway engineering practice and research.
You will be setting your own hands-on and research–based learning where you will evaluate and critique recent data, literature and case studies as well. You will be delivered guest sessions by industry specialists (e.g. Atkins, Costain Skanska, Siemens, Laing O'Rourke, HS2 project etc.) to strengthen your knowledge of real-world issues and how they link to the concepts, theories, principles and hands-on practical elements taught during the course.
Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the University from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
All assessments are designed to ensure that our railway engineering course is equipping you with all of the skills required to get into the engineering sector giving you a major competitive edge. Apart from the coursework and exams, you will be assessed by using technology and other diverse modes. Your learning journey will be further supported by using technology enhanced learning as you will also participate in learning latest industry-standard software.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Docklands Campus, Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
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What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.

Global engineering including UK based companies are in desperate need for qualified technology specialists and problem solvers. As a chartered engineer and department lead, we have ensured that the curriculum is designed to integrate you into managing and further revolutionising Industry 4.0. This qualification has a significant focus on employability and professional skills and it will aid you to catalyse your professional career progression!"
Prof Fawad Inam
Head of Engineering and Computing (Fellow of Institute of Mechanical Engineers)
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Engineering is a growth industry and currently there is a shortage of quality engineers in the UK. Our railway engineering programme is unique, as there is a strong emphasis on professional life and employability skills, embedded throughout all aspects of your technical course focusing on your enhanced key skills such as communication, digital proficiency, intelligence (like emotional and social) and teamwork.
Offering a placement year as well, you will be based at the waterfront Docklands campus, a dynamic part of London within close proximity of the government and policy-making institutions and knowledge-based professions. There are 32 London boroughs, the nearby district and county councils, HS2 projects, Transport for London and consulting engineering firms who all have highway and transportation responsibilities. In addition, there are design engineering firms who have sections dealing with highway design and transportation.
The programme is designed to meet the increasing demand (national and international) for transport engineering professionals requiring technical skills in sustainable, integrated and intelligent rail infrastructure and rail systems.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.