Mechanical Engineering

Program Overview

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Mechanical Engineering

Overview

Our mechanical engineering research is varied and world-leading, covering topics from clean energy and advanced materials to manufacturing systems, robotics and healthcare. Advancements in this area are pursued by six research groups specialising in:

• Dynamics and Control
• Solid Mechanics
• Engineering Systems, Design and Innovation
• Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing
• Robotics
• Fluid and Aerodynamics

Our students collaborate worldwide with industrial partners, other universities, public-sector organisations, research institutes and NGOs, producing novel and multidisciplinary research which addresses technical, societal and environmental challenges. They also make use of extensive and modern laboratory facilities at Queens Building in central Bristol, and at collaborating centres. With a large, diverse and active cohort of PhD, EngD and MScR students, Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol is a close-knit and supportive community. Its success is evidenced by consistently high performance in national rankings for research and teaching quality.

Key Information

Programme Duration

• MScR: up to two years full-time; up to four years part-time
• PhD: up to four years full-time; up to eight years part-time

Start Date

• From September 2025

Application Deadline

• For September 2025 entry:
  • Overseas applicants: 31 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 18 August 2025

Delivery Method

• On-Campus

Location

• Clifton

Awards Available

• PhD, MSc by research

World-Leading Research

• 5th: The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94%: 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• PhD applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master's degree level (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first class undergraduate degree.
• MSc by Research applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of an upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline and demonstrate readiness to pursue a research degree.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time - £4,850 per year
• Home: part-time - £2,425 per year
• Overseas: full-time - £26,700 per year

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.

Funding and Scholarships

• A number of funded studentships are available each year, supported by research council, industry, University or other funds.

Career Prospects

• Graduates from mechanical engineering research programmes pursue a wide range of careers throughout the UK and worldwide. Common destinations of recent graduates include research and academia, large engineering companies, engineering consultancies and startups (including successful spin-out companies).

Meet Our Supervisors

• [List of supervisors with their profiles and research expertise]

Research Groups

Dynamics and Control

• The Dynamics and Control group's research activities span fundamental engineering science, where new insights are developed and experimentally tested, and applied research.

Solid Mechanics

• Solid Mechanics is about understanding the way engineering materials respond to loading to improve the efficiency and safety of structures.

Engineering Systems, Design and Innovation

• The Engineering Systems, Design and Innovation group is concerned with researching and creating tools, methods, models and strategies to improve the engineering and operation of our future infrastructure and industrial systems.

Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing

• The Ultrasonics and Non-destructive Testing group undertakes research into the fundamentals and applications of ultrasonics.

Robotics

• Robots are set to impact all aspects of our lives, from robotic exoskeletons that enhance our strength and mobility to robots that search for life in the solar system and beyond.

Fluid and Aerodynamics

• The Fluid and Aerodynamics group undertakes computational research (using numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyse problems that involve fluid flows) and experimental research.

How to Apply

• Please review the list of proposed supervisors above to identify a supervisor who may be suited to your proposed topic and approach.
• Contact a potential supervisor to discuss available projects, and complete a Supervisor Suitability Form.
• Apply using our online application system.

Program Outline

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Careers:

Graduates from mechanical engineering research programmes pursue a wide range of careers throughout the UK and worldwide. Common destinations of recent graduates include research and academia, large engineering companies, engineering consultancies and startups (including successful spin-out companies).

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Other:

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education). 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

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UK:

full-time: £4,758 per year For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.