Mechanical Engineering
Work towards Incorporated Engineer status with our project-based curriculum, getting hands on engineering experience.
If you're a UK student (including students from Ireland, and EU, EEA and Swiss students who have citizens' rights after Brexit), you can only start this course in September. If you're an international student, you can start in September or January.
If you're a UK student (including students from Ireland, and EU, EEA and Swiss students who have citizens' rights after Brexit), you can only start this course in September. If you're an international student, you can start in September or January.
If you're a UK student (including students from Ireland, and EU, EEA and Swiss students who have citizens' rights after Brexit), you can only start this course in September. If you're an international student, you can start in September or January.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS
Get involved in hands-on projects with other engineering students, developing your teamwork and leadership skills while learning how to analyse and solve problems creatively. This course gives you real world experience, preparing you for employment.
We offer a unique project-based curriculum with industry-led “Live Briefs”, where you’ll apply science and engineering principles to propose solutions to problems from companies such as BAE systems, Ford Motor Company, New Hollands, Antobot and Tecosim.
This innovative approach allows you to spend 50% of your time in the classroom and 50% in the engineering workshops and specialist laboratories.
-
Discover our project-based course and some of the specialist modules available.
-
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to resolve practical, real-world challenges, and practice the ‘art of precision guesswork’ and problem solving.
-
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
-
Explore modules in areas including materials, design and modelling, manufacturing, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, as well as project-based learning.
-
Study in our state-of-the-art facilities including 3D printing, CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing) laboratories, and CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machining.
-
A diverse breadth of expert staff with a wide range of industrial and academic backgrounds make learning more real, hands-on and relevant.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Qualified mechanical engineers are in high demand nationally and internationally, commanding an impressive average salary. The average salary for UK engineering graduates after 15 months of graduating is £28,000. In comparison, ARU engineering graduates earn £30,000 on average. With experience, you could further increase your earning power by progressing to senior design or project management roles.
You'll be able to apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
From the very start of your degree, you’ll meet established engineers from across the industry, learn what it’s like to work in engineering, and be encouraged to join professional bodies, building valuable contacts and knowledge to help you gain employment in your preferred area. You’ll build your CV not only by learning manufacturing and testing methods and using industry-standard equipment, but by working individually and as part of a team, solving problems and carrying out research.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies we offer a range of postgraduate courses including MSc Mechanical Engineering and MSc Engineering Management. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Teaching and modules
During my undergraduate degree course, the faculty have helped me a lot. This course covers the entire development process of products from an engineering point of view. It gives you exposure to marketing analysis, brand and product placement, concept development, engineering and building it in-house on campus. There are top research facilities, and the department offers a friendly atmosphere.
While studying Mechanical Engineering at ARU, you'll develop both your academic and practical skills, becoming an analytical and creative problem-solver, exploring how engineering works and how to achieve results within financial constraints. You’ll use testing and measurement equipment, learn how to specify and design electronics subsystems and use computer-based and mathematical methods to model and analyse mechanical engineering problems.
You will be taught using Vertical Integrated Learning which is typically how medical education is taught - where classroom-based knowledge is gradually replaced with more hands-on practical skills learned by working with real-life challenges and clients.
Student experience
-
Forces at work: Mechanical Engineers and the world we live in. Hear from ARU Senior Lecturer Dr Shabnam Sadeghi Esfanhlani in this Springpod Subject Spotlight. Watch the full lecture on Springpod.
-
Mechanical Engineering graduate Theo reflects on their university journey and offers advice for future students.
-
Meet Mechanical Engineering student Jack Sullivan, who we caught up with to ask some questions about his experience studying at ARU.
-
Develop your skills - work with other engineering students and build up your teamwork, management, leadership and problem-solving skills.
-
Gain experience - explore all aspects and stages of the engineering process and discover where your passion and talents lie.
-
-
To experience the practical nature of the industry, you will have the opportunity to work with organisations and companies on a Life Brief. Our students have worked with BAE Systems, a multinational defence, security and aerospace company, on a brief to re-engineer a small drone to new specifications.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Manufacturing and Materials Project (30 credits)
- Applied Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
- Introduction to Engineering (15 credits)
- Structural Mechanics (15 credits)
- Engineering Dynamics (15 credits)
- Mechatronic Design Project (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Materials Science, Solid Mechanics, and Vibration Project (30 credits)
- Design Project Management and Quality Engineering Project (30 credits)
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer (15 credits)
- Advanced Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
- Engineering Thermodynamics (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Engineering Simulation and Optimisation Project (60 credits)
- Automation and Control (15 credits)
- Research Methods and Individual Project (30 credits)
- Advanced Structural Analysis and Design (15 credits)
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Information and Communication Technology
- Critical Thinking
- Maths for Scientists
- Maths for Engineers
- Physics for Engineers
- Fundamentals of Computing
- Engineering Design
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work placement
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
-
Dr Hossein BishehAssistant Professor
-
Dr Ahad RamezanpourAssociate Professor
-
Professor Hassan ShirvaniDirector, Engineering and Tribology Research Group
-
Dr Shabnam Sadeghi EsfahlaniAssociate Professor in Robotics
-
Dr Sufian YousefAssociate Professor
-
Alireza SanaeiLecturer
Facilities
All our engineering students will use our specialist labs and equipment, including:
- CAD/CAM and engineering computer modelling centre
- industrial-scale CNC milling and lathe machines
- metal and plastic rapid prototyping machines
- welding equipment
- electronic testing and measuring equipment
- 3D printers
- tensile and compressive testing machines
- hardness testing equipment.
You can also make full use of other facilities including our extensive library and IT resources, and get support with careers and employability, study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a guided tour and meet our students.
Speakers, societies and events
ARU works closely with local IMechE, IET, and Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society organising over 20 events on cutting-edge technologies with expert speakers from the UK and worldwide.
We also have a very active Engineering Society which runs engineering events at the university and across the UK where you can meet like passionate and like-minded peers.
-
3D printing - plastic or polymer-based
-
CNC cutting machine
-
CNC machine
-
Drilling machines
-
Laser machine
-
Material testing
-
Metal 3D printing machine
-
Milling machine
-
Robot manipulator
-
Vibration testing
-
Wire EDM machine
-
Workshop
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Mechanical Engineering
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
UK students
Call our Clearing line
