University Course Information - Engineering and Design - Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a subject specifically concerning the design, development, operation and maintenance of anything that has moveable parts. A mechanical engineering degree is a combination of maths, science, technology, business and management. This type of course can vary widely in content; assessment and teaching which of course will also vary at all universities. A basic undergraduate mechanical engineering degree course includes fundamental subjects such as:

• Communication
• Computer aided design (CAD)
• Materials
• Thermodynamics and heat transfer
• Fluid mechanics
• Hydraulics
• Statics and dynamics
• Stress analysis

Many students choose to enrol onto a MEng programme for their first degree, which is basically a four-year masters course, Many graduates choose to continue in full- time study after graduating to take up possible courses including an MSc or PhD in a specialist area.

Skills gained

Throughout your studies, you will not only gain thorough understanding of general engineering principles, but you will also gain a series of transferable skills. The skills you will gain from doing a mechanical engineering degree will ensure you are:

• Able to communicate with others and work in teams
• Numerate and computer literate with good analytical skills
• Good at problem solving
• Able to pay attention to detail

Mechanical engineering is a balanced and well- rounded degree, which provides you with an extensive amount of skills which are required for an engineering profession but also transferable to other careers in finance, consultancy and public services.

Career options

As mechanical engineering involves maintaining anything that has moveable parts, the job opportunities for mechanical engineers are endless. Mechanical engineering is widely reputed to be one of the most diverse engineering disciplines and jobs are available in pretty much every field of work including transport, manufacturing, building, design, health and research to name but a few. In a recent study by the Engineering Council, engineering graduates were found to be earning an average of £24,000 per annum which is 19% more than the average for all graduates three and a half years after graduation.