Mechanical engineers help to solve some of the world’s trickiest problems and we’ll equip you with the tools you need to craft fantastic work and transform your ideas into reality in a wide array of industries. This Mechanical Engineering masters course aims to develop the performance prediction skills that are required in modern engineering environments, especially design, estimation and optimisation processes. This course takes the BEng and develops it to a full masters programme, meeting all the academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status. 

Our programmes introduce a full range of core engineering science modules coupled to practical projects, ensuring a highly integrated and industry-relevant degree programme.

This masters degree is either four years full-time, or five years if you choose to take a year in industry, building your employability skills and establishing a professional network as you progress.

What you’ll learn

In your first year you’ll develop a fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering, through classes in engineering, science and maths. You’ll also be working on major projects, partnering with colleagues, staff and engineers from industry to develop real solutions to live problems.

During your second year you’ll begin to develop the skills and technical knowledge you need to become a professional engineer. Then, in your third year, you’ll undertake a major project, involving design, experimental or analytical work which can be tailored to suit your own interests, or aligned to your target vocation. 

If you choose to take a year in industry in year three, we’ll support you to find a paid, professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and will further enhance your career prospects.

You will then study advanced-level science and applied maths and exploit this knowledge in a major project that involves design, experimental or analytical work. This allows you to demonstrate your skills, knowledge and abilities to potential employers through independently tackling a significant engineering challenge.

The final year of study also includes a substantial group project working on a live challenge from research or industry and provides commercial management skills and knowledge, setting you apart from other engineering graduates and showing that you are primed for higher levels of responsibility within your first graduate position.

Our teaching is innovative, with the curriculum based on a hands-on teaching framework called CDIO - Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate – supported by 50 of the world’s top technical institutions. This enables you to apply real-world skills as you learn, enabling you to maximise your learning.

Facilities within the school of Engineering and Applied Science are absolutely state-of-the-art with advanced 3D printing facilitates and engine test laboratories with specialist equipment designed for engineering students. We have lots of exciting engineering activities you can get involved with at Aston, including the IMechE sponsored Formula Student, where you can work with the Aston Racing Team to design, build and race a single-seat racing car.

You can also network with employers and showcase your work as part of the Mechanical Engineering and Design Industry Club. Here you’ll be given opportunities to meet employers, which can help you to secure a placement or employment and you’ll learn by working on live industrial projects and interacting with industry professionals.

Modules

Our courses put you in control, giving you the skills to lead and undertake complex engineering projects and providing you with the experiences you need to succeed in the industry. Teaching isn’t just lectured, it’s workshops and practical sessions too.

You will be involved in individual and group project work throughout the course, designed to develop individual skills as an engineer and the communication, organisational and leadership skills needed to work effectively in a business or organisation. You will also have the opportunity to visit plants to see engineering in action and receive specialist supervision from consultants working in the industry.

Assessment is by a combination of exams, project, lab and coursework. Your final degree classification is determined by your performance in all years after the first year.

Our graduates have a strong record of finding suitable positions, reflecting the fact that the UK is a major contributor to the global engineering industry.

Potential employers include: Corus, IMI Plc, the armed services, BAE Systems and EDF Energy. There are a wide range of roles you’ll be qualified for including power generation research, manufacturing systems engineering and roles in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.