How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Southampton: Aeronautics, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Chemical and Maritime Engineering as a 3-Year BEng or 4-Year MEng, Gaokao Not Accepted for Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Entry Requirements for Home, International (Including Chinese) and Year 2 Transfer Applicants

Engineering at the University of Southampton is taught in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences on the Highfield and Boldrewood campuses. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Southampton’s official information, for UK applicants, international applicants (including students at high schools in China) and students who want to join Year 2. Computer Science has its own guide on this site and is not covered here.

1. The courses and how you are admitted

Area	UCAS code (BEng / MEng)	Typical A-level offer
Aeronautics and Astronautics	H422 / H401	A*AA for both, including A in Mathematics and A in Physics
Mechanical Engineering	H300 / H301	BEng AAA (Mathematics and Physics); MEng A*AA (A in Mathematics and Physics)
Civil Engineering	H200 / H201	BEng AAA including Mathematics; MEng A*AA including A in Mathematics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering	H600 / H602	BEng AAA; MEng A*AA; including Mathematics and one of Physics, Further Mathematics, Electronics or Computer Science
Electrical / Electronic / Mechatronic / Aerospace Electronic Engineering	BEng H620 / H610 / HH36 / H403	AAA including Mathematics and Physics (or Electronics or Further Mathematics; Electronic Engineering also accepts Computer Science)
Chemical Engineering	H800 / H801	AAA including Mathematics and Chemistry (pass in the practical where separately endorsed)
Biomedical Engineering	BB95 / BB97	BEng AAA; MEng A*AA; including Mathematics and Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Computer Engineering	BEng I800	AAB including A in Mathematics
Maritime Engineering	BEng J640	AAB including A in Mathematics and Physics, Chemistry or Further Mathematics
Acoustical Engineering	BEng HH72	AAB including Mathematics and another accepted science
Robotics	BEng H671, MEng H672	BEng AAB including A in Mathematics and one further science; MEng AAA

• There are also joint Mechanical Engineering MEngs (with Aerospace HH34, Automotive H390, Biomedical 4R29, Manufacturing HH38, Mechatronics HH37 and Sustainable Energy Systems HH32), Civil Engineering with Architectural Design MEng, several Electronic Engineering specialist MEngs (artificial intelligence, computer systems, nanotechnology, photonics and wireless communications) and Biomedical Engineering (Mechanics and Materials). Check each course page for its requirements.
• Length: BEng three years, MEng four years. Most areas have a version with a paid industrial placement year, charged at 20% of the standard fee (study abroad years 15%). Examples: Mechanical Engineering BEng with placement H30P, Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng with placement H40P, Civil Engineering BEng with placement H20P, Chemical Engineering H802. Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng has an industrial studies year version (HH60). For Robotics the placement is between Years 2 and 3; you organise it with support from the university.
• How you are admitted: you apply through UCAS directly to a specific course; the course pages do not describe a general first-year engineering entry followed by allocation. In Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southampton says Year 1 modules are similar across its degrees so you can switch; in Mechanical Engineering the first two years cover fundamentals and Year 3 offers specialist modules. For other courses, whether you can change course and any grade conditions are not published; ask enquiries@southampton.ac.uk.
• Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme: the Mechanical Engineering page says Southampton is a designated university for the scheme (DTUS).

2. Accreditation

• Mechanical Engineering: the BEng is accredited by IMechE as meeting the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration in part; the MEng in full.
• Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng: accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and IMechE as meeting the requirement in part.
• Civil Engineering: accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM); the BEng partially meets the CEng requirement (a further accredited master’s or doctorate is needed) and the MEng fully meets it.
• Electrical and Electronic, Electrical, Electronic, Aerospace Electronic and Mechatronic Engineering: accredited by the IET on behalf of the Engineering Council; the Electrical and Electronic MEng fully meets the CEng educational requirement, and the BEng position is on the course page.
• Chemical Engineering: Southampton says this is a new course undergoing IChemE accreditation; the MEng page says that once granted it will meet the educational requirements for chartered engineer status.
• Maritime Engineering is accredited by RINA, IMechE and IMarEST and Acoustical Engineering by IMechE, both in part. The Biomedical, Computer Engineering and Robotics pages list no accreditation; not published.

3. Entry requirements: A-levels and other UK qualifications

• Entry year: the course page entry requirements are labelled for the 2027/28 academic year.
• EPQ offers: applicants with an EPQ on top of three A-levels receive a lower additional offer, for example Mechanical Engineering BEng: AAB (A in Mathematics and Physics) plus an A in the EPQ.
• Contextual offers: Southampton says flagged applicants receive an offer lower than the typical one, for example ABB including A in Mathematics for Mechanical Engineering BEng; check each course page for the exact reduction.
• Practicals: where Physics or Chemistry is required and the practical is separately endorsed, you must pass it.
• GCSE: English language (or English) and Mathematics at minimum grade 4/C.
• BTEC: for Mechanical Engineering, a D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA in A-level Mathematics and Physics; the BTEC National Diploma must be studied alongside A-level Mathematics and Physics, and the Engineering Extended Diploma alongside A-level Mathematics. T Levels are not accepted for Mechanical Engineering; applicants with a relevant T Level Technical Qualification can apply for the foundation year.
• Welsh and other UK qualifications: Welsh Baccalaureate AAA including Mathematics and Physics, or AA from two A-levels including them plus an A in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. Scottish offers are based on S6 exams, see Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement. Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017): H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 for Mechanical Engineering, including Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Physics. Southampton does not differentiate A-level offers between England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Access to HE: Mechanical Engineering does not accept direct applications from Access diploma holders in a relevant subject, who should apply for the foundation year.
• Interviews and maths tests: the course pages do not describe an admissions interview or maths test; not published, ask the enquiries team. The foundation year uses a maths diagnostic test for applicants without recent study.

4. IB requirements

• Mechanical Engineering BEng: 36 points with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 in HL Physics and 6 in HL Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 in HL Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation). Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng/MEng and Mechanical Engineering MEng: 38 points with 19 at Higher Level, with the same Mathematics and Physics requirements.
• Civil Engineering BEng: 36 points with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 in HL Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 (Applications and Interpretation); MEng 38 points with 19 at Higher Level.
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng: 36 points with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 or 7 in HL Mathematics as above and 6 in HL Physics or Computer Science; MEng 38 points with 19 at Higher Level. Electrical, Mechatronic and Aerospace Electronic BEng: 36 points with 18 at Higher Level including 6 in HL Physics.
• Chemical Engineering: 36 points with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 in HL Chemistry and 6 or 7 in HL Mathematics as above. Biomedical Engineering BEng 36 points and MEng 38 points, with 6 in HL Physics, Biology or Chemistry.
• Computer Engineering: 34 points with 17 at Higher Level including HL Mathematics. Maritime Engineering: 34 points with 17 at Higher Level including HL Mathematics and 5 in HL Chemistry or Physics. Robotics: 34 points with 17 at Higher Level including HL Mathematics and 5 in one further science. Acoustical Engineering: 34 points with 17 at Higher Level, at least 5 (Analysis and Approaches) or 6 (Applications and Interpretation) in Mathematics and at least 5 in another accepted science.
• Applicants who have not studied the required subjects are pointed to the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.

5. International applicants

• How to apply: through UCAS, institution code S27. Southampton aims to process applications in 2 to 6 weeks, and those near the January equal consideration deadline take substantially longer. It assesses predicted grades, academic achievements, the personal statement and the academic reference.
• English: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening; other accepted tests or academic qualifications may be used, or you can complete a pre-sessional English programme before the course.
• Grades: you need a grade equivalent to the course’s A-level requirement; Southampton has country pages of equivalent qualifications.
• Credential evaluation, funds and ATAS: not on the course pages. Not published; check the UKVI student visa pages and the UK government ATAS pages.
• Foundation programmes for international students: applicants who do not qualify for direct entry can take an OnCampus undergraduate foundation programme (including Engineering and physical sciences), with progression to the chosen course on successful completion. See the foundation programme page.

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the China equivalency page says Southampton accepts the Gaokao for many undergraduate degrees but that all Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences undergraduate degrees do not accept it (as do its 3 undergraduate medicine degrees). So you cannot apply for engineering on Gaokao results alone. The Gaokao conversion table on that page (for example AAA equals 80%) applies to degrees that accept the Gaokao, not to engineering.
• Routes that work: the page lists UK A-levels studied in China, an IB score, or a foundation programme. Course requirements are on each course page.
• Engineering/Physics/Maths Foundation Year: a one-year foundation run by Southampton, with a guaranteed place in Year 1 of one of 19 related degrees after successful completion. It is for students changing direction or from countries that do not offer A-levels or an equivalent; if you have already studied A-level Mathematics and any other subject your chosen course needs, you cannot use it. For Chinese students: a Senior High School Certificate (for both 2 and 3 years) with at least 85% overall and 85% or more in maths and physics. Other requirements: A-levels ABB or IB 32 points including 5 in Mathematics; GCSE Mathematics B/6 and English C/4; IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component; a maths diagnostic test and possibly an interview for those without recent study.
• OnCampus foundation: prepares international students for Engineering and physical sciences degrees. The China page asks for completed senior secondary education and “English language skills from 4 IELTS or equivalent (with no single element less than 4.5)”, which contradicts itself between 4 and 4.5; check with Southampton before applying.
• International school students: apply with A-levels or the IB per the course page.
• Other advice for Chinese applicants (interviews, recognised agencies) is not published on the course pages.

7. Joining Year 2

• The course pages do not describe conditions for joining Year 2 from another university; not published. Contact enquiries@southampton.ac.uk (+44 23 8059 5000) before applying.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Course page fees: UK students £10,050 a year; EU and international students £33,500 a year, with Biomedical Engineering MEng at £31,000. The course pages do not state which year these apply to. Southampton’s fees page adds that overseas fees rise each year for students starting from 1 August 2026, a full year in industry is charged at 20% of the tuition fee, a full study abroad year at 15%, and the foundation year fee is separate.
• Bursary for UK students: the course pages say UK or EU students with household income under £36,200 may get a University of Southampton bursary for living costs.
• 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships: for permanent residents of Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, USA and Vietnam who are self-funded and paying overseas fees and hold an offer for any full-time on-campus undergraduate programme except Medicine. It gives £3,000 off tuition each year for up to 4 years (up to £12,000). No separate application is needed: eligible students are awarded it automatically and told by email. Residency means living there for three or more years before the course starts. The page does not state which entry year it applies to, so check before applying.
• Other funding: the course pages also mention scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence and under-represented backgrounds; see Southampton’s scholarship pages.

9. UCAS application and timeline

• Institution code S27; course codes are in the table above and on each course page.
• January equal consideration deadline: the course page only refers to the UCAS equal consideration deadline in January; the date is not on the course pages, so check the UCAS website.
• The application fee, reference and personal statement format are not on the course pages; check the UCAS website.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• BEng AAA for Mechanical, Civil and Electrical and Electronic; MEng and Aeronautics A*AA; Computer Engineering, Maritime and Robotics AAB; with the listed subjects
• GCSE English and Mathematics at 4/C
• Check the January equal consideration deadline on the UCAS website; institution code S27

International applicants (including China):

• The Gaokao cannot be used for engineering: apply with A-levels or the IB, or via the Engineering/Physics/Maths Foundation Year (85% overall, 85% in maths and physics for Chinese applicants)
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component); eligible Chinese residents are awarded the 75th Anniversary scholarship (£3,000 a year) automatically

Students who want to join Year 2:

• No conditions are published; contact the enquiries team before applying

Sources: University of Southampton, Mechanical Engineering BEng; Mechanical Engineering MEng; Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng; Civil Engineering BEng; Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng; Chemical Engineering BEng; Biomedical Engineering BEng; Maritime Engineering BEng; Engineering / Physics / Maths Foundation Year; Entry equivalencies: China; Undergraduate tuition fees; 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships; UCAS 2027 entry dates and deadlines. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Southampton and UCAS for the latest details, and each course page for its own requirements.