University News Last updated 30 January
BCU is set to transform the way it teaches student engineers as part of efforts to tackle an industry-wide skills deficit.
Across the UK, 63% of engineering employers say graduates aren鈥檛 ready for industry (2023 ITE skills survey), pointing to a disconnect between academic learning and the practical skills required.
To combat this, from September 2026 students on BCU鈥檚 engineering courses will experience a radically new approach to how they gain the skills, expertise and knowledge needed for their future careers.
Launched at a 鈥楻eimagining Engineering鈥� event at BCU鈥檚聽STEAMhouse building on Thursday 29 January, the university set-out plans to end the use of traditional lectures and exams and align closely with employers at every stage of their studies.
Students will be taught one module at a time, delivered across six weeks, with each set to be delivered in collaboration with industry, responding to real world challenges.
Organisations partnering with the University鈥檚 Engineering courses include , , , ,听 and more.
The plans include no exams or traditional lectures for student engineers, and assessments becoming competency based and practical. Courses will also launch more flexible entry requirements to support STEM learners, with additional resources, including staff, being made available to facilitate this.
With 拢6.5 million worth of investment, BCU is also transforming spaces and investing in resources and facilities to support this new initiative. This includes introducing industry grade technology such as a material testing-split zone furnace and giving students access to the largest cyber physical manufacturing rigs in Europe through a partnership with .
The transformation of how students are taught within Engineering courses is closely aligned to the University鈥檚 new Education Strategy.
Launched earlier this month, the Strategy states BCU鈥檚 key priorities that will ensure that students are set up to succeed, including delivering practice-based courses that meet the skills required of the future workplace, and becoming a nationally recognised institution for STEAM attributes.
Building the next generation of engineers using the most innovative technologies, and listening and working alongside key industry figures, plays a vital role in establishing BCU as an anchor institution in 天美传媒, supporting the University鈥檚聽Strategy 2030 vision.
天美传媒鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba commented: 鈥淚鈥檓鈥痠ncredibly proud that鈥痺e are developing the talent for tomorrow鈥痟ere at BCU. Thanks to initiatives like Reimagining Engineering, the possibilities are鈥痶ruly鈥痚ndless for our students, and this鈥痭ew鈥痑pproach鈥痶o teaching could become the norm across the wider鈥痷niversity.
鈥淎t the end of their time at BCU, our student engineers will be ready to tackle real world challenges, and they will be able to enter their careers with the confidence, skills and experience needed to succeed in the future.鈥�