Mechanical Engineering (Hons)

Overview

To meet the challenges of the engineering world, you'll study the design, development, manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of engineered products. You'll get to specialise in advanced subjects such as sustainable development and computer-aided engineering and have the option to get involved in UP Racing - the University's Formula Student team. Join Mechanical Engineering (Hons) at University of Portsmouth.

BEng or MEng?The 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) and 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng) share many of the same modules in years 1–3.The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with an extra year of undergraduate study, which can further enhance your career prospects. In the final year of your MEng, you'll complete an interdisciplinary project to get practical experience in the field, normally linked to the University's research and commercial activities, and explore complex topics such as energy systems, application of finite elements in solid modelling and structural integrity.

What you’ll experience

• Learn about the underlying elements of successful engineering and manufacturing projects, including engineering analysis, optimisation and design

• Work on a project proposal sponsored by an external company – previous students have worked on a heat loss optimisation with Rolls Royce, fire alarms with Apollo Fire Detectors and wind turbine blade production with Vestas

• Get the chance to be involved in Formula Student, where you'll design, construct and test a competitive race car with fellow students to be judged and raced at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix

Work experience and career planning

This mechanical engineering degree course will give you the skills and experience you need to work in any industry that depends on mechanical systems, from transport and construction to the armed forces and energy. 

And your skills will be in demand when you graduate – all mechanical engineering roles are listed in the UK Government’s 'skills shortage list'. This is backed up by the fact that 90% of our MEng graduates are in work and/or further study 15 months after they graduate, with 80% of those in highly skilled work. 5 years after graduation, students on our mechanical engineering courses are earning an average of £35,000 a year.

Our graduates have worked for national and global companies such as:

• Babcock International
• Pall Corporation
• Rolls-Royce
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• Bosch Thermotechnology
• Wärtsilä
• Mercedes-AMG

Roles you could go onto include:

• mechanical engineer 
• design engineer
• test engineer
• project manager
• energy storage analyst
• mechanical design engineer

Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.

You’ll be assessed through:

• Written examinations
• Coursework
• Practical tests
• Project work
• Presentations

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

• Year one students: 84% by written exams and 16% by coursework
• Year two students: 56% by written exams, 13% by practical exams and 31% by coursework
• Year three students: 60% by written exams and 40% by coursework

Teaching methods on this course include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials (personal and academic)
• Laboratory and project work
• Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) system activity
• Open access study