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Introduction

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Location

Full time: 12 months
Part time: 24 months

Course Length

Full time: 12 months
Part time: 24 months

Why choose this course?

Course structure

You’ll study specialist mechanical engineering subjects, including Composite Design and Impact Modelling, Advanced Strength of Components and Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design. You’ll learn to improve component durability, predict fatigue and fractures, and apply the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Also you’ll gain and build knowledge of business management as you progress your own enterprise.

For your dissertation, you’ll get to study an area of mechanical engineering that fascinates you at a deep level. And you’ll develop research, planning and project management skills in doing so.

Previously there have been industry-sponsored projects from companies such as Far-Axon, Tranquillity Aerospace and Norbar. Or you can undertake your own project and work closely with the commercial or research organisation of your choice.

Overview

By combining theory and hands-on learning, our postgraduate Mechanical Engineering master’s degree helps you get ready for a career in the field. Our facilities, which include our High Voltage Energy Storage lab and Joining Technology Research Centre, double as teaching and research spaces.

Use your dissertation and extra-curricular activities to explore your passion and sharpen your skills. And let visiting professionals from the industry show you what a career in this discipline has to offer.

You’ll analyse and test your designs using industry standard CAD and simulation packages, before moving onto design implementation. Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their collective research spans design and simulation, sustainable engineering, materials and joining technology. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Engineering Business Management (20 credits)

This module provides you with an understanding of the management skills and knowledge that are important in engineering industries.

• Composite Design and Impact Modelling (20 credits)

This module will give you an understanding of materials, components and their structural behaviour when subjected to medium to high impact events. This includes the design, testing and modelling of motorsport components and vehicles.

• Advanced Strength of Components (20 credits)

This module develops knowledge and skills in fatigue and fracture analysis which are used to predict the conditions for fatigue failure and fracture and the life of mechanical components.

• Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design (20 credits)

This module consolidates and refines your ability to tackle advanced and complex interdisciplinary design projects based on the principle of "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving" or known as the TRIZ principle.

• Noise, Vibration and Harshness (20 credits)

This module looks at the analysis, quantification, characterization and diagnosis of the noise, vibration and harshness of automotive components and assemblies.

• Real-time Embedded Systems (20 credits)

This module addresses the low-level embedded systems aspects of robotic development. Embedded systems are based on small scale controller boards with a variety of input/output mechanisms. The integration of low-level control with actuators and sensors requires the specific understanding of the commonly used controllers and their interfaces.

Final project

Compulsory modules

• Msc Dissertation (60 credits)

The Dissertation (core, triple credit) is an individual project on a topic from mechanical engineering, offering an opportunity to specialise in a particular area of your choice. In addition to developing a high level of expertise in a particular area of mechanical engineering, including use of industry-standard software and/or experimental work, the module will also provide you with research skills, planning techniques, project management. Whilst a wide range of industry-sponsored projects are available (e.g. Far-Axon, Clayex/Dymola, Tranquillity Aerospace, Norbar, etc.), students are also able undertake their own projects in the UK and abroad, to work in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.

Research

Our research groups produce high-quality research for the real world. Staff have close links with industry through research projects and consultancies.

You can find out more on our department research pages.

The results of the most recent REF (2014) exercise showed that 96% of research in the department is internationally recognised. 57% was judged to be of world leading quality or internationally excellent, compared with 45% in 2008. More specifically, 50% of the impact case studies returned were judged to be internationally excellent, and 72% of the research outputs were judged to be internationally excellent or world leading.

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered.

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and teaching

Teaching methods include:

 lectures and seminars to provide a sound theoretical base
 practical work designed to demonstrate important aspects of theory or systems operation.

Most of our teaching staff are from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. However, we invite visiting speakers from business and industry to provide further input to your learning.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and includes:

 coursework exercise
 essays
 presentations
 laboratory exercises
 examinations.

Career Opportunities

Careers

You’ll find your mechanical engineering knowledge is useful for many other disciplines outside of engineering. We’ve seen students go to work across the aerospace, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and finance sectors.
Graduates work for companies such as:

 Lentus Composites,
 Dyson,
 Capgemini Engineering,
 Airbus,
 PRF Gas Solutions,
 MHI Vestas Offshore Wind,
 Caterpillar.

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