Program Overview

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MEng Mechanical Engineering

Overview

The MEng Mechanical Engineering will give you an excellent grounding in the knowledge and experience of the most fundamental of all engineering disciplines, preparing you for a variety of careers in engineering, technology, business, and management.

We use a variety of teaching styles that reflect the diversity of topics covered in modern mechanical engineering, and you will develop the range of skills and expertise that a professional engineer must possess.

As in BEng, the third year features an individual project - you will undertake a major investigative project by yourself. This may require scientific experiments and investigations. The successful completion of this project is a necessary condition for eventual professional registration.

The fourth year of the MEng features a major design group project, as well as further opportunities of choosing specialist subjects, in addition to core units.

Aims

This course aims to provide you with an education that covers the breadth of this diverse subject, imparting the necessary knowledge, understanding, and skills so that you can operate effectively in your initial appointment and develop your career:

• Develop strong intellectual and practical skills to critically analyse, investigate, and solve mechanical engineering problems
• Develop a high degree of competence in the use and adaptation of existing methods, tools and techniques, and the application of engineering principles
• Instil creativity in addressing problems relating to engineering components and systems
• Develop a high degree of competence in engineering design, experimentation, technologies of manufacturing, and effective management of companies
• Develop skills in the use of computers, software packages, teamwork, communication, time management, and independent learning
• Provide an increased depth and breadth relative to BEng

Special Features

• Range of study options
• Foundation Year available

Teaching and Learning

At Manchester, you will be taught by academic staff who are leading experts in mechanical engineering, in a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

We use a combination of lectures, tutorial classes, practical laboratory sessions, and computer-based sessions.

There is a design project each year which involves teamwork in small groups and allows you to apply and develop your problem-solving and project management skills.

In the third year, you will undertake an individual project, allowing you to pursue a particular subject or application area in greater depth.

Coursework and Assessment

Most course units are assessed through an examination (at the end of the semester) and coursework which is undertaken throughout the year. Parts of the coursework are, in many instances, associated with practical laboratory sessions, whilst others may be based on problem sheets, reports, etc. A few subjects, for example Design, are assessed purely on coursework.

Course Unit Details

Key engineering knowledge and skills are taught in a core syllabus throughout all years of the course.

We view design as an especially important activity, as it integrates the engineering topics across the degree course. Years 1 and 2 also include compulsory workshop practice sessions.

Years 3 and 4 also offer a range of options, so that you can select subjects to suit your individual needs, interests and career aspirations. Optional units cover many theoretical and practical aspects of industrially relevant topics and include some of the latest developments in mechanical engineering.

An individual research project is completed in Year 3 and a group design project in Year 4.

Course Content for Year 1

Course Units for Year 1

• Fluid Mechanics for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineers
• Introduction to Computer Aided Engineering
• Structures 1 (Mech)
• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
• Mathematics 1M1
• Mathematics 1M2
• Workshop Practice (Mechanical)
• Design 1 (Mechanical)
• Manufacturing Engineering 1 (Mechanical)
• Mechanical Engineering Systems
• Mechanics (Mechanical)
• Materials 1 (Mechanical)
• Aerospace and Mechanical Thermodynamics
• Peer Assisted Study Scheme (Mechanical Engineering)

Course Content for Year 2

Course Units for Year 2

• Modelling & Simulation (Mech)
• Fluid Mechanics 2
• Project Management (Aero/Mech)
• Mathematics 2M1
• Workshop Practice (Mechanical)
• Numerical Methods & Computing (Mechanical)
• Manufacturing Engineering 2
• Design 2 (Mechanical)
• Applied Thermodynamics (Mechanical)
• Dynamics
• Structures 2 (Mechanical)
• Data Acquisition & Experimental Methods
• Materials 2

Course Content for Year 3

Course Units for Year 3

• Control Engineering (Mechanical)
• Vibrations (Mechanical)
• Operations Management
• Workshop Practice (Mechanical)
• Manufacturing Engineering 3
• Heat Transfer
• Individual Project (Mechanical)
• Design 3 (Mechanical)
• Structures 3 (Mechanical)
• Modelling & Simulation 3
• Nuclear Systems
• Fluid Mechanics
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Engineering Thermodynamics

Course Content for Year 4

Course Units for Year 4

• Engineering Foresight
• Workshop Practice (Aerospace)
• Mechanical Group Design Project
• Data-driven Methods for Engineers
• Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Advanced Heat Transfer
• Composites and Polymers
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes
• Additive Manufacturing & 3D Product Modelling
• Acoustics & Advanced Vibrations
• Advanced Power
• Robotics, Metrology and Bioengineering
• Manufacturing Systems
• Structural Integrity

Facilities

Come explore our Home of Engineering and Materials - a place like no other. This is where engineers, material scientists, and fashion students collaborate, innovate and make their mark on the world. Unleash your potential in our creative, academic playground that signals the evolution of a proud history of innovation spanning almost 200 years.

In this very special place, we’re ripping up the rule book, offering you a truly innovative teaching and learning experience. As well as our creative classrooms, you’ll also have access to world-leading sustainable research facilities in our new buildings.

Our variety of spaces allows for greater collaboration for all our students, and it is the place to connect and tackle real-life challenges together. So, a civil engineer designing futureproof buildings will bump into aerospace engineers researching satellites and drones, and a chemical engineer sat alongside a materials scientist working on clean water. It is a place like no other for interactions and one of the biggest communities of engineers and materials scientists in any University in the world.

Dive into a world of possibilities; whether you are interested in aerospace, robotics, or sustainable fashion, there’s a home for you here.

What's more, our strong, ever-growing links with industry not only help to inform our courses, but also boost our excellent teaching and research facilities. These include:

• National Instruments Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory
• Concrete Labs
• Hydraulic Labs
• High Voltage Lab
• Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre
• Oxford Instruments VG Semicon Molecular Beam Epitaxy facility
• National Graphene Institute
• Dalton Nuclear Institute
• Computer Clusters equipped with industry-leading software

The University of Manchester also offers an extensive library and online services, helping you get the most out of your studies.

Careers

Career Opportunities

From tackling humanitarian crises to protecting the environment, learn how you can make a global impact with MEng Mechanical Engineering at The University of Manchester. As one of the few Universities Most Targeted by Graduate Employers in 2021, here you will be equipped with sought-after skills, valuable industrial links, and a world-class education.

Partially satisfying the Educational Base for Chartered Engineer Status (CEng), you can enjoy a new world of opportunities upon graduation.

What industries do our graduates work in?

• Consultancy
• Construction
• Design
• Manufacturing
• Management
• And many more

Overall, 95% of graduates are employed or engaged in further study within 15 months, according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

We have strong links with a variety of companies across multiple industries - from automotive and biomechanics, to manufacturing and further study. Our Industrial Advisory Boards enable our courses to remain at the cutting-edge of industry needs.

Accrediting Organisations

This course is currently in the process of being re-accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council for the 2025 to 2030 intakes. The process of renewing accreditation takes place regularly, at intervals of no greater than 5 years, to assure continued compliance with the academic requirements of professional accreditation. This course has been consistently accredited since 2005, and the outcome of the current re-accreditation process for September 2025 entry is due to be confirmed in June after which we will be able to update you further.

Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.

The accredited BEng (Hons) meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, in part, for Chartered Engineer registration or in full, for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Associated Organisations

As a Mechanical Engineering student at The University of Manchester, we encourage you to become a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Entry Requirements

A-Level

• AAA in Mathematics, Physics, and one other subject.
• We are willing to consider applicants without Physics if they have studied Further Mathematics; applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
• A relevant science and technology subject is preferred as the third subject, but not essential.

International Baccalaureate

• 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at Higher Level including Mathematics and Physics.
• We accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

GCSE/IGCSE

• Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education.
• Typically, this is a minimum of five GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade A*/8 to B/6, including Mathematics and a science subject.
• English Language is required with a minimum grade of Grade C/4.

Other Entry Requirements

• Other entry requirements exist for this course.
• You may view these by selecting from the list below.

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set.
• For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Policy on Additional Costs

• All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.
• Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• The Institute of Mechanical Engineers also has a range of scholarships available to students who are about to commence their Institution-accredited degree.
• The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students.
• We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

Application and Selection

How to Apply

• Apply through UCAS.

Advice to Applicants

• Factors contributing to a successful application include:
  • Past academic performance
  • Predicted academic performance
  • Enthusiasm for, and realistic grasp of, chosen degree programme
  • Evidence of interpersonal skills and non-academic interests/achievements

Home-Schooled Applicants

• If you have followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course you are applying to.
• You will be required to demonstrate you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course.

Non-Standard Educational Routes

• Mature applicants returning to studies after a break from formal education will be considered on a case by case basis.
• If you require more clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold, please contact the Admissions Team directly.

Interview Requirements

• We do not hold interviews but UK-based applicants who receive an offer will be invited to a virtual webinar, or on-campus visit day, which generally take place on Wednesday afternoons from December to March.

Deferrals

• Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation.
• Deferred entry is granted at the discretion of admissions staff and for one year only.
• In exceptional circumstances, it may be granted for two years at the maximum.

Policy for Applicants Who Resit Their Qualifications

• If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process.
• If you are planning to re-sit your final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but may require further information in order to make an informed judgment.

Policy for Applicants Who Take Their Examinations in More Than One Sitting

• We are happy to consider applicants who are taking their examinations in different sittings, provided they were taken over the standard two-year period.

Re-Applications

• If you applied in the previous year and were not successful, you may apply again.
• Your application will be considered against the standard course criteria for the current year of entry.
• You should demonstrate how your application has improved.

Transfers

• Transfers from other institutions are considered on a case by case basis.
• Transfers into the second year are not usually considered for this course; transfers into the third year are not considered.
• If you wish to enquire about whether you may be eligible to apply for entry into the second year, please contact the Admissions Team with full details of your qualifications and copies of your transcripts to date.