Mechanical engineers are innovators, building machines, structures, and devices of all sizes and for all uses. Study Mechanical Engineering at Aston and we’ll equip you with the tools you need to bring your ideas to life, helping to solve the world’s problems for generations to come. Our Mechanical Engineering degree course offers highly relevant modules in sought-after engineering and scientific subjects. It is driven by the demands of the industry to produce graduates with extremely strong engineering and scientific skills. We also support you to develop strong project management and teamwork skills, as well as commercial awareness.

Our degree courses are either three years full-time or four years if you choose to take a year in the industry, which will build your professional experience and employability skills.

What you’ll learn

In your first year, you’ll cover fundamental disciplines of mechanical engineering, through academic classes in engineering, science, and maths. You’ll also take on large, integrated projects in practical settings, and we’ll help you to understand new technology and concepts. The course reflects industry practice, as you work in groups to take products from initial concepts through to built and tested prototypes.

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 that can be tailored to suit your own interests or to suit your target vocation. 

If you choose to spend a year in industry during your degree, 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.

In the final year, you will study advanced-level science and applied maths and exploit this knowledge in a major project, involving design, experimental or analytical work. This allows you to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities to potential employers by independently tackling a significant engineering challenge.

Our teaching is innovative, with the curriculum based on a hands-on teaching framework called CDIO - Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate– supported by 150 of the world’s top technical institutions. This enables you to apply your skills as you learn, enabling you to maximize your learning and get ready for the world of work.

Our facilities are absolutely state-of-the-art with advanced 3D printing facilities 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 and confidence to lead and undertake complex engineering projects. Teaching isn’t just lectures, it’s workshops and practical sessions too.

You’ll be involved in individual and group project work throughout the course, designed to develop your individual skills as an engineer and the communication, organisational and leadership skills needed to work effectively in a business or organisation.

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.

The UK is a major contributor to the global engineering industry and our students have a strong record of finding suitable graduate positions.

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.