Course Summary
Our MEng Mechanical Engineering course extends your technical understanding of engineering while developing the knowledge of business processes to become a professional engineering manager.
You’ll learn the core skills offered by the BEng qualification and add a deeper level of technical knowledge for what is the highest award for undergraduate study in engineering.
This course teaches you to use your initiative and take active responsibility in a series of case studies, practical and laboratory work and problem-solving projects.
You’ll have the option to extend your study to five years by adding a one-year industrial placement between your second and third years.
During your third year of study you’ll undertake a Team Project, and in your final year you’ll complete a dissertation on an industrially relevant topic.
Throughout the course you’ll have regular contact with blue-chip companies and industry leaders in the sector who’ll host visits and work placements and provide regular guest speakers to UEL.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Mechanical engineers design, create and build mechanical devices that use mechanical motion. You’ll learn to apply the fundamentals of science and maths to create practical, useful solutions to relevant problems.
This course is built on a strong foundation of theory, reinforced by practical experience and innovation. It also features modules in new and emerging technologies.
Throughout your studies, you’ll acquire not only an understanding of general engineering principles but also a range of transferable skills, including the ability to contribute to team projects.
You’ll gain a knowledge and understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles, dynamics, solid mechanics, fluids, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermodynamics, heat transfer, control systems, computing techniques, mechatronics, manufacturing processes, material, energy technologies and sustainability.
You’ll also have the chance to undertake an advanced treatment of core mechanical engineering disciplines such as design analysis, dynamic systems, CFD, advanced materials, control systems and sustainable energy technologies.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You’ll be guided by an academic team with many years’ experience of working in or being closely connected to directly relevant industry.
These links are vital in organising student visits and guest speakers at the University of East London. They’re also hugely helpful when it comes to organising placement year options.
Regular contact with our industrial liaison advisory board maintains the currency of our courses and therefore the employment and career paths of our graduates.
You'll have access to superb laboratory facilities and computer suites that will allow you, among many other things, to use simulation and modelling application software for virtual design and manufacturing.
During the final year of the course you’ll be required to complete independent research and study of a technical subject in the form of a dissertation.
This dissertation will be supervised by a member of the academic staff with an interest in the subject and must have an industrial dimension. It will include laboratory work or the analysis of a specific engineering problem. And it often requires students to take an idea through to a working model.
Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, maths or IT, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes we offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Some of your work will be done individually, some within groups. All of it will boost your prospects of securing a rewarding career.
There is a strong management theme throughout this course that will prepare you for a career as someone who directs the process of mechanical engineering. It will enable you to interact with a broad range of clients and employers from small business to large multinationals and government authorities.
One of the many advantages of UEL’s links with local industry is that a number of visits from professionals in the field can also turn into informal interviews for full and part-time employment opportunities, as well as work placements.
The list of prime industry links includes Atkins, Vinci, Crossrail, Thames Water, WSP and Canary Wharf Contractors.
Key local engineering employers judge an annual showcase event involving student projects – offering what could be a crucial opportunity to impress.
Mechanical engineering is widely held to be one of the most diverse engineering disciplines as it deals with the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of any machinery. More disciplines – more jobs.
As well as having a huge choice of employment within manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and marine engineering, graduates also have opportunities in areas such as the aircraft industry and the energy sector.
How you'll be assessed
The way we assess you varies from module to module and meets UEL assessment criteria. It may include time-constrained assessments such as end-of-module exams or online tests, coursework, individual and group project work, laboratory reports and tests in theoretical and practical sessions.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL’s assessment and feedback policy
WITH THE PLACEMENT YEAR
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.

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