Mechanical Engineering MEng

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.

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. Find out more about Formula Student from one of the current team members. 

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

Year 1

•    Introduction to Engineering and Design
•    Prototyping and Development 
•    Electronic Engineering Fundamentals
•    Engineering Science 1
•    Mathematical Modelling for Engineers
•    Materials and Manufacturing 1

Year 2

• Advanced Mathematical Modelling
• Materials and Manufacturing 2
• Engineering Science 2
• Thermal Fluid Science 1
• Design and Engineering for the User
• Engineering for Industry

Optional placement year

 Find out more about the Aston placement year. 

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year
•    EPS Study/Work Placement Year 

Year 3

• Thermal Fluid Science 2
• Advanced Dynamics and Control
• Advanced Solid Mechanics and FEA
• Engineering Design & the Environment
• Individual Major Project
• Professional Engineering Practice
• Advanced System Design
• Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

Final year

Core modules:

• Project Management 
• Computational Fluid Dynamics and Applications 
• Practical Numerical Methods 
• MEng Group Project 
• Product Introduction Processes

You will also be able to select one of the following options:

• Sustainable Energy
• Advanced CAD
• CAD Principles and Materials Selection
• MEMS Applications and Design

Accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), this challenging and demanding course fulfils the educational requirements of Chartered Engineer (CEng).

This course enables you to progress more quickly to CEng status after graduation and equips you to aim for the highest levels in industry.
 

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey.

We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes. 

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Typical offers:

A Levels

• BBB to include Maths and a Physical Science or Technology subject
• BBC to include Maths, a Physical Science or Technology subject and grade B at EPQ or Core Maths
• BCC to include Maths and a Physical Science or Technology subject for contextual offer students.

Physical Science or Technology subject accepted: Physics, Further Maths, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering science, Biology or Electronics.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

IB

31 overall points with 5, 5, 5 in higher level subjects including Maths and Physics at higher level grade 5.

BTEC, Access & other

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering types): DDM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• National Diploma and Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering types): DM including the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project. This BTEC requires 1 A-level at a minimum Grade B.

• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (Science/Technical/Engineering type): DM plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B. Diploma should include the following units at Distinction if A level is not in Mathematics: (QCF) Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B in Mathematics and Physics or similar physical science A level subject. 

• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (science/ technical/ engineering type): M plus 2 A-levels at a minimum Grade B. Diploma should include the following units at Distinction (QCF): Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Mechanical/Electrical Principles, Further Mechanical/Electrical Principles. OR (RQF): Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics, Specialist Engineering Project.

• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-levels at a minimum grade B in Mathematics and Physics or similar physical science A level subject. 

• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

Access to Higher Education

Subject related Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at level 3 including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics and at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Physical Science.

Non-standard qualifications
Degree: 

• Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme.
  Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits  on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3. 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

T Levels

T Levels are not currently accepted as an entry requirement for this course.

Students completing T levels in 2022
T levels in the following subjects are not accepted for entry to this course: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare.  Please note that where a T level is listed as 'Not acceptable' this is because the T level does not cover subject specific knowledge that we normally require at A level.  If you have taken both a T level and an additional A level or A levels please consult the admissions team for advice in relation to any degrees where T levels are listed as 'not accepted.'

Students completing T levels in 2023 and beyond
There are now an additional seven T Level qualifications in: building services; engineering for construction; digital business services; digital support and services; health; healthcare science; onsite construction and science. The first student cohorts from these subjects will complete their courses in the summer of 2023. We will publish details of the progression opportunities to our degree programmes from these T Levels by September 2022.

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE English Grade C/4 and Maths Grade C/4

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

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 lectures, 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 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.

Learn in our state-of-the-art facilities. You will gain hands-on experience in our high-spec workspaces, meaning you will be industry-ready once you graduate. Here are just a few of the exciting hands-on projects you will get involved in throughout our Design Engineering course:

• Design and build towers, wind turbines and cars...
• ...and then race your cars in our Formula Student and Shell Eco Marathon competitions
• Learn about thermodynamics, solid mechanics, power systems and energy efficiency
• Explore our facilities –machine and model shops, an engine test lab and two professional garages
• Take advantage of clay modelling facilities, a solar array simulator, dynamometers, and a load of 3D printers.

More information

*Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Why study Mechanical Engineering at Aston? 

If you’re interested in a career in industry or commerce, using your engineering skills, this course will give you the necessary academic knowledge and understanding. 

What will I be doing on the Mechanical Engineering masters at Aston? 

You will be learning through a variety of means from conventional lectures and tutorials, to project team and individual work, plant visits, lab work and specialist supervision from consultants working in industry. 

Why should I take a year out in industry? 

The optional placement year is available with all engineering courses, giving you invaluable practical experience and enhancing your career prospects through a paid professional placement in the UK or abroad.  
We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you. 

Does accreditation matter? 

Yes. Working towards accreditation with your professional body means that you are among the best in your field. The MEng Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for the purpose of meeting the educational requirements of Chartered Engineer (CEng). 

Why should international students choose Aston University? 

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.