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Mechanical Engineering

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,A

A level Mathematics and a Physical Science, for example, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Design & Technology or Further Mathematics

Access to HE Diploma

D:45

in a relevant subject, including sufficient Mathematics content

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

36

with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including either: Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in a HL Physical Science Mathematics HL grade 6 (either pathway) plus grade 6 in two SL Physical Sciences Mathematics SL grade 7 (Analysis and Approaches) plus HL grade 6 in a Physical Science Acceptable physical science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Design Technology

BTEC (Pre-2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in Mathematics for Engineering Technicians and Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians units. BTEC (2016 specifications): Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in an Engineering related subject to include Distinctions in the following units – Unit 1 Engineering Principles, Unit 7 Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems. Unit 8 Further Engineering Mathematics is highly recommended.

UCAS Tariff

144

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Mechanical engineering

Our Master's-level degree adopts a practical approach that will develop your skills and knowledge for a career involving innovation and leadership. The IMechE accreditation will qualify you as a Chartered Engineer, a professional title carrying considerable prestige with employers.

Mechanical engineering is concerned with anything that moves and many things that don’t. From a simple nut and bolt, through to the complex multi-physics of aerodynamics in Formula One, mechanical engineering solves the broadest range of challenges and leads to a multitude of different and exciting careers.

Our approach reinforces your learning from lectures through practical activities, and allows you to fully assess your assumptions while building teamwork and project management skills essential to your future career.

**Year 1**
In the modern world, Mechanical Engineers are part of small or large teams developing complex systems. Our common first year is tailored to equip you with the required broad fundamental knowledge. You will study themes from within mechanical engineering, but also the fundamentals behind electrical, electronics and chemical processes, along with a solid foundation in engineering mathematics.

**Year 2**
Specialist modules in mechanical engineering will begin in the second year, where you will cover main themes of materials, statics and dynamics, fluids and thermodynamics, complemented by design and laboratory activities. You have the opportunity to undertake a business development project, to introduce you to Industry 4.0 concepts.

**Year 3**
In year three, you will work on an engaging individual project shaped over your interests and ambitions. Your supervisor, a leading specialist in the subject area, will guide you to gain an in-depth knowledge of the topic for successful project completion.

Previous examples include:
- Wind turbine blade icing study

- Microstructural design of steels for improving strength and toughness

- Graphene-based coating systems for corrosion protection

- Lightweight pipe inspection robot

- Revolutionary flywheel energy storage (FES) solution

**Year 4**
In year four, our programme provides advanced skills, knowledge and experience, with a focus on leadership and management, and offers the following three distinctive pathways to support your career ambitions:
- Design

- Energy and Resources

- Materials and Manufacturing

Fourth year project

You will undertake a significant team-based project. The project is a culmination of the four years of studying at Lancaster and allows you to apply your specialist knowledge to an engineering challenge.

Successful projects include:

- Waste water energy generation with Yorkshire Water

- A novel prototype tidal turbine with WASP Cumbria Ltd in the field of renewable energy

- Performance improvement of the Sinterstation 2000 with 3D Systems Europe

- Surface finish of metallic powder bed additive manufactured in partnership with BAE Systems and Formula Student

During this programme, you will also undertake two short industry linked projects, giving you the opportunity to develop your leadership, entrepreneurial and management potential.

The Uni


Course location:

Lancaster University

Department:

Engineering

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

80%
Mechanical engineering

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Mechanical engineering

Teaching and learning

65%
Staff make the subject interesting
77%
Staff are good at explaining things
73%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
86%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

82%
Library resources
81%
IT resources
85%
Course specific equipment and facilities
64%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

84%
UK students
16%
International students
88%
Male students
12%
Female students
90%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Mechanical engineering

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£26,500
med
Average annual salary
87%
low
Employed or in further education
85%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

70%
Engineering professionals
7%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
5%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

We're short of engineers in a lot of areas and mechanical engineering is no exception. Mechanical engineers are in demand across multiple industries, with vehicle manufacturing most popular, with roles especially common in design and manufacturing. Other important sectors include aerospace, the oil and gas industry, consultancy and defence. Jobs are all around the country, with London, the Midlands, Scotland and the South East the most likely places for a new mechanical engineer to find work at the moment, and starting salaries are good. Although large employers are much the most likely place to get work, some of the most challenging, cutting edge jobs are with small niche engineering firms, so keep your eyes peeled if you want something a little different. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Mechanical engineering

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£26k

£26k

£32k

£32k

£37k

£37k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here