Mechanical Engineering Degrees

What do mechanical engineering degrees cover?

Mechanical engineering degrees offer a wide range of specialisations, providing diverse opportunities to contribute to modern technology. Undergraduate students start with key topics such as statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, stress analysis, mechanical design, and technical drawing. As the course progresses, students can specialise in areas like vehicle design, robotics, nanotechnology, or energy. 

Mechanical engineering often overlaps with fields like civil, structural, electrical, and aeronautical engineering. A strong background in mathematics and physics is essential for all engineering degrees, as these subjects form the foundation for most mechanical engineering skills. 

Entry requirements for mechanical engineering degrees

Entry requirements for mechanical engineering degrees typically include a strong background in mathematics and physics, as these subjects are fundamental to the field. Prospective students often need to have completed advanced courses in these areas during high school or equivalent. Additionally, many programmes may require standardised test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Some universities also look for demonstrated problem-solving skills and a passion for engineering through extracurricular activities or relevant work experience. 

If you don’t have the necessary grades, some universities offer the option to take a foundation year, which aims to provide you with the knowledge you need in order to commence a bachelor’s degree. 

Course structure and assessment methods

Mechanical engineering degrees usually last for three or four years at undergraduate level and one or two at master’s level. Graduates receive a BEng or a MEng qualification upon completion of their studies.  

Teaching will typically consist of lectures and seminars, with compulsory introductory courses covered during the first part of the degree. As students progress, they have the opportunity to select specialisations in areas like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanical design.  

The curriculum often includes both theoretical lectures and practical lab sessions. Assessment methods vary, but typically includes written exams, lab reports, project work, and presentations. Many programmes also feature group projects and industry placements, providing hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply learned concepts to real-world challenges. 

Mechanical engineering topics

Mechanical engineering degrees will typically start by giving students an introduction to key mechanical engineering topics such as statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, stress analysis, mechanical design and technical drawing. Having covered the basics, you may choose one of the following areas in which to specialise. 

Transportation systems 

As a mechanical engineer, you will be heavily involved in designing and improving transportation systems on roads, railways, water, and in the air. You can specialise in a specific mode of transport while learning about current challenges, emerging technologies, environmental impacts, and transport planning strategies. You'll also explore smart transportation systems, sustainable practices, and innovations like electric and autonomous vehicles. 

Aerospace engineering 

Specialising in aerospace engineering involves studying the design, development, and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. You'll cover topics such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, avionics, and materials science. This specialisation prepares you for careers in aviation, space exploration, and defense, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to innovate and improve aerospace technology. 

Manufacturing 

This field focuses on the design, operation, and improvement of manufacturing processes and systems. You will study topics such as production planning, quality control, automation, materials science, and lean manufacturing. This specialisation prepares you for careers in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods, where you will work on optimising production efficiency and developing innovative manufacturing technologies. 

Biomechanics 

Specialising in biomechanics involves applying mechanical engineering principles to the human body and biological systems. You'll study areas like human movement, biomaterials, medical device design, and rehabilitation engineering. This specialisation prepares you for careers in healthcare, sports engineering, and biomedical research, focusing on improving medical devices, prosthetics, and understanding the mechanics of living organisms. 

Nanotechnology 

Nanotechnology focuses on the development of devices and structures at scales smaller than 1 micron. This field is experiencing significant investment across various sectors, driving research and development in areas such as nanoelectromechanical devices (NEMS), nanoscale materials, molecular manufacturing, quantum computing, nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and molecular biology. This specialisation equips you to work on cutting-edge technologies that are revolutionising industries ranging from electronics to medicine, pushing the boundaries of what is possible at the nanoscale. 

Robotics 

Robotics integrates electronics, mechatronics, and real-time simulation to advance the development of sophisticated robots guided by electronic and computer programming. Specialising in robotics opens doors to careers in mechanical engineering across sectors such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, defence, communications, imaging, and medical robotics.  

There are many other possible mechanical engineering specialisations, many involving cross-over with a related field of study. Examples include computational engineering, materials sciences, energy conversion and welding and joining. Other mechanical engineering topics commonly included in university courses include risk assessment and quality control, product development and project management, to further prepare students for professional roles. 

Mechanical engineering careers

Mechanical engineering jobs span across many different sectors, including transport, manufacturing and industry, healthcare, food processing, communications and media, energy production and defence. Within each of these sectors, different types of roles are available not only in technical and engineering domains but also in business areas such as project management, operations, sales and marketing, procurement, and strategic planning.  

Mechanical engineering careers in aeronautics

Mechanical engineering graduates who pursue careers in aeronautics may become aerospace engineers, contributing to the creation of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and rockets. As an aerospace engineer, your responsibilities will typically include designing aerodynamic structures, developing propulsion systems, conducting simulations and tests, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Promising career prospects can be anticipated due to significant investment growth in areas such as space exploration and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

Mechanical engineering careers in rail travel

Specialising in rail travel, you might work as a rail engineering technician, designing, building, and servicing mechanical and electrical systems in train engines and rolling stock. Responsibilities mechanical engineering jobs in this sector include maintenance checks, system testing, and designing new engines and carriages. Growing career prospects can be anticipated with advancements in high-speed rail and sustainable transportation.  

Mechanical engineering careers in the automotive sector

The automotive sector encompasses the design and manufacturing of new road vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and buses. As an automotive engineer, your responsibilities will span across research and development, design, production processes and testing. You’re also likely to specialise in a particular part of automotive engineering, such as exhaust systems or structural design. With the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, the industry is rapidly evolving, offering exciting opportunities to innovate and shape the future of transportation. 

Mechanical engineering careers in healthcare technologies

Healthcare is another popular sector for many graduates seeking mechanical engineering jobs. Pursuing a career in this industry offers the opportunity to develop and improve cutting-edge healthcare technologies. Roles in this field can focus on research and development, design, testing, or maintenance of medical devices, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic equipment. Additionally, you may work on innovations such as prosthetics, robotics for surgery, and advanced imaging systems. With the increasing integration of technology in healthcare, mechanical engineers play a crucial role in enhancing patient care and medical outcomes. 

Mechanical engineering careers in defence

With a mechanical engineering degree, you’ll also be in high demand within the military, contributing to the design, construction and repair of military vehicles and equipment. As an incorporated engineer, you would manage the day-to-day engineering operations, ensuring that all systems and machinery function optimally. At the chartered level, your role becomes more strategic, involving planning, researching, and developing innovative technologies, as well as streamlining management methods. 

Mechanical engineering careers in robotics

As a robotics engineer, your responsibilities may include creating new applications for robots, designing improved robotic systems, and repairing and maintaining industrial robots. Hands-on technical mechanical engineering jobs are abundant in this field, allowing you to directly engage with the machinery and systems. Additionally, there are ample of inventive mechanical engineering jobs in experimental arenas, pushing the boundaries of robotics technology. You might also find yourself working on cutting-edge projects such as autonomous vehicles, advanced prosthetics, and smart manufacturing systems, all of which have the potential to revolutionise their respective fields. 

Mechanical engineering careers in consulting

More experienced mechanical engineers seeking mechanical engineering jobs may choose to pursue consulting roles, working either as part of a consultancy or as an independent contractor. This could open up the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects at different types of organisations, providing expert advice, and perhaps also taking on project management duties. 

Other sectors offering lots of mechanical engineering jobs include pharmaceuticals, marine transportation, electronics, construction, new materials development, energy, chemicals and a wide range of manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile some mechanical engineering graduates will choose to apply their mechanical engineering skills within less closely related careers. The strong mathematics, technical, analytical and problem-solving skills acquired during a mechanical engineering degree are good preparation for roles in everything from IT support to financial consultancy.