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Posted June 26, 2025
Top 10 Mechanical Engineering Masters Degree Courses In The UK
A Masters in Mechanical Engineering is often a general engineering program providing students with various engineering choices.
The masters degree will offer students an in-depth look at the processes involved in the design of every product, process and system in the world, giving them the chances to specialise during the course.Alternatively, students can opt to study an engineering course in the specific area of mechanical engineering that they are interested in.
Both options will have plenty of work placements and prepare students for independent research and development in the many fields of mechanical engineering.
Here are 10 of the best Mechanical Engineering Masters Degree Courses available to study in the UK.
MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering – Imperial College London
Tuition fees: Home students – £18,500 full time over one year; £9,250 per year, part time over two years; £6,167 per year, part time over three years / International students – £42,900 full time over one year; £21,450 per year, part time over two years; £14,300 per year, part time over three years.
What you will study: Students on the MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at Imperial will develop skills in various areas that are applicable to all types of mechanical engineering. Optional study modules include Aircraft Engine Technology; Future Clean Transport Technology; Metal Processing Technology; and Mechanical Transmissions Technology. A substantial research project is a key part of this masters – worth 50% of the course.
MSc in Mechanical Engineering Design – University of Manchester
Tuition fees: Home students – £15,500 / International students – £36,500. This course is studied full time over one year.
What you will study: Students on the MSc in Mechanical Engineering Design at the University of Manchester will gain the knowledge and technical skills to tackle complex systems. The course covers concept and detail design, specification development and prototype production. Study modules include Composites and Polymers; Robotics, Metrology and Bioengineering; and Structural Integrity. This course is currently in the process of being re-accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council for the 2025 to 2030 intakes.
MSc in Mechanical Engineering – UCL
Tuition fees: Home students – £20,500 / International students – £39,800. This course is studied full time over one year.
What you will study: The MSc in Mechanical Engineering at UCL is designed to provide students with excellent technical, analysis and design skills, enabling them to work in any sector of the mechanical engineering industry. The course also explores new and renewable energy systems and robotics. This masters degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
University of Birmingham – MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering
Tuition fees: Home students – £11,740 full time over one year; £5,870 per year, part time over two years / International students – £33,500 full time over one year. This course can be studied full time over one year or part time over two years.
What you will study: The MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham gives students the opportunity to tackle complex engineering challenges and study a diverse range of topics including intelligent automation and robotics. Optional modules include Intelligent Automation; Bio-medical and Micro Engineering; Advanced Vehicle Engineering; and Advanced Manufacturing. Students can benefit from the University of Birmingham’s close links with global companies including Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar Land Rover. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and offers a pathway towards Chartered Engineer status.
MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering – University of Sheffield
Tuition fees: Home students – £13,260 / International students – £31,190. This course is studied full time over one year.
What you will study: The MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield is designed to give students a deep understanding of the subject via a wide selection of topics. Optional study modules include Railway Engineering and Sustainable Transport; Additive Manufacturing; Advanced Dynamics; and Computational Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Systems. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
MSc by Research in Mechanical Engineering – University of Bristol
Tuition fees: Home students – £4,850 per year full time over two years; £2,425 per year part time over four years / International students – £26,700 per year full time over two years. This course can also be studied as a PhD for up to four years full time and up to eight years part time.
What you will study: The MRes in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol covers world-leading research in topics such as clean energy, advanced materials, manufacturing systems, healthcare and robotics. There are six research groups, and these specialise in: Dynamics and Control; Solid Mechanics; Engineering Systems, Design and Innovation; Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing; Fluid and Aerodynamics; and Robotics. 94% of the research at the University of Bristol has been assessed as being world leading or internationally excellent.
MSc in Mechanical Engineering – University of Nottingham
Tuition fees: Home students – £12,750 / International students – £30,750. This course is studied full time over one year or part time in up to 36 months.
What you will study: The MSc in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham has been designed for students with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering or in a related discipline such as aerospace engineering or automotive engineering. Optional study modules include Cognitive Ergonomics in Design; Advanced Powertrain Engineering; Computer Modelling Techniques; and Technologies for the Hydrogen Economy. This course is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Board, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). It is also accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council.
MSc in Mechatronics (Advanced Mechanical Engineering Science) – University of Southampton
Tuition fees: Home students – £9,250 / International students – £33,900. This course is studied full time over one year.
What you will study: The MSc in Mechatronics (Advanced Mechanical Engineering) combines electrical, mechanical and computer engineering. Students will learn to design and build using advanced electrical systems. Optional study modules include Automotive Propulsion; Robotic Systems; Advanced Photovoltaics, Fuel Cells and Batteries; and Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics. There are three other pathways on this Advanced Mechanical Engineering masters – Computational Engineering and Design; Engineering Materials; and Propulsion and Systems Engineering. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning, for Chartered Engineer registration.
MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering – Queen Mary, University of London
Tuition fees: Home students – £12,850 / International students £29,950. This course is studied full time over one year.
What you will study: The MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering is for engineering graduates who want to upskill and specialise in this area and it can be tailor-made to suit the student’s interest. It offers two pathways – Computational Design and Engineering; or Energy and Thermofluids – and both pathways require the student to undertake a large research project. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering and Royal Aeronautical Society, enabling students to pursue Chartered Engineer status.
MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering – Cranfield University
Tuition fees: Home students – £12,505 / International students – £27,910. This course is studied full time over one year or part time over two to three years.
What you will study: The MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at Cranfield University covers the in-depth and broad range of knowledge that any mechanical engineering professional will need along with management skills. Compulsory modules include Structural Integrity; Fluid Mechanics and Loading; Assessing Risk and Failure; and Computational Fluid Dynamics for Renewable Energy. This course is accredited by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for CEng. until August 2026 and The Energy Institute on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for CEng until August 2025.
Interested in studying a Postgraduate Program in Mechanical Engineering? Use our course search to find your perfect masters degree or PhD.
Editor’s note: this blog was originally published in November 2017. The tuition fees have been updated in June 2025 to reflect the latest tuition fees; and the rankings have been updated to reflect the rankings information in more recent sources.
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10 comments
Charlotte King March 21, 2019, 10:08 a.m.
Hi Alfonso - they are both great postgraduate programs taught at well respected universities. I think your decision could be based around whether you'd rather be based in Belgium or the UK. Maybe you should look at the funding available as I think both would lead to similar career opportunities - although the Cranfield course could potentially have more F1 connections. Good luck!
Afonso March 30, 2019, 2:57 a.m.
Thank you so much for the answer Charlotte! Also, do you think It would be better to wait and do a normal master degree in mechanical Engineering (in KU Leuven for example with specialisation in Robotics) and only after that a post grad(MSc) in such a specific subject in Cranfield? Or can I go straight away from bachelor to a very specific MSc?
Charlotte King April 3, 2019, 12:53 p.m.
Hi Alfonso - You should be able to go straight into a specific MSc if you already know what it is you want to specialise in. If you are still unsure you'd be better studying a more general program. I hope that helps - good luck - Charlotte
master of science in systems engineering July 2, 2019, 12:51 p.m.
Thanks for the information! The Master of Science in Systems Engineering provides a broad education and opportunities for students to design engineering systems, solve operational problems, and shape organizational structures. It includes courses in engineering management, the science and business of system thinking, management of innovation, leadership management, business risk analysis and assessment and analytical tools and techniques to lead.
sumit singh Sept. 24, 2019, 2:13 p.m.
Between these two Master Programmes: Cranfield(Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics) and KU Leuven(Mechanical Engineering-Track Mechatronics and Robotics, Track-Automotive Engineering)
I would like to have a career in F1.
However I alsowould like to have a degree that does not have any limit in terms of career opportunities( a broad course), also I would like to learn more
about Mechatronics that's why I chose the courses above.
Charlotte King Oct. 3, 2019, 1:25 p.m.
Hi Sumit – Both of these courses look ideal for the career path you want to follow. I think you should contact the leading academic of each course and explain to them your future goals and they will be hopefully be able to guide you as to what would be most suitable.
And don’t forget that once you have been offered a place on one of these postgraduate programs you will be eligible to apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck! Charlotte
Onoja Fred July 31, 2023, 11:44 a.m.
Sir, i have higher national diploma from the Nigeria polytechnic in mechanical engineering with upper credit, can i apply directly for masters degree in mechanical engineering in your school.
Charlotte King Aug. 13, 2023, 2:51 p.m.
Hi Fred – we are not a school, we are a portal to enable postgraduate students to find their perfect postgraduate program. If you check the mechanical engineering courses on this URL you should hopefully find a course to suit your needs >
https://www.postgrad.com/courses/mechanical-engineering/
Good luck!
Eugene July 24, 2025, 10:26 p.m.
Solid list! For those exploring even more learning paths in mechanical engineering, definitely check out https://wiredwhite.com/course-category/mechanical-engineering/ — a well-organized directory of courses that can complement or expand on what’s covered in these UK-based MSc programs.
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Afonso March 17, 2019, 11:35 a.m.
Between these two Master Programmes: Cranfield(Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics) and KU Leuven(Mechanical Engineering-Track Mechatronics and Robotics, Track-Automotive Engineering)
What do you think it's better? I would like to have a career in F1. However I alsowould like to have a degree that does not have any limit in terms of career opportunities( a broad course), also I would like to learn more about Mechatronics that's why I chose the courses above.