Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc (Eng)

Course overview

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

This course offers a broad range of advanced subjects to develop your knowledge across the mechanical engineering disciplines. If you’re a graduate engineer who wishes to pursue a career in industry using advanced engineering techniques or want to gain in-depth knowledge for a career in research or academia, this course will help you do that.

We emphasise the application of computational and experimental methods, and packages in mechanical engineering analysis, design and manufacture to solve complex engineering problems. You’ll be supported in developing advanced engineering skills, selecting particular modules based on your own background and will also choose from a wide variety of modules that allow you to tailor your studies to suit your own interests or career ambitions.

Our School’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) is actively engaged in ensuring this course meets the needs of industry and reflects trends in the sector. IAB members also contribute to talks that feed into our taught modules and project work, ensuring the curriculum is challenging and relevant.

This means that, once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the most up-to-date practices and industry-relevant knowledge to pursue an exciting career in this area.

Why study at Leeds:

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here on campus feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in key areas of mechanical engineering.
• Tailor the degree to suit your specific interests with a large selection of optional modules to choose from including design optimisation, aerospace systems engineering, biomaterials, energy systems, policy and economics – plus many more.
• Build industry experience by conducting both a team design project and an individual professional project, using multi-disciplinary approaches to achieve a solution to programme-specific and industry-relevant design problems.
• Access our School’s impressive range of specialist facilities including a well-equipped workshop, industry-standard software and CAD facilities.
• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of academics and researchers who specialise in a wide range of mechanical engineering areas.
• Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have secured jobs in many excellent organisations, including AECOM and PETRONAS.

Accreditation

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council.

This Masters degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning to Masters Level for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)*.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Course details

You’ll take core modules in advanced engineering skills such as experimental methods, advanced manufacturing and computational modelling, introducing you to a range of fundamental methods, and laying the groundwork for the rest of your studies including your individual research project. You’ll also have the opportunity to select optional modules which appeal to your interests or background.

You’ll also take part in a team design project, working with peers to a specific design brief and taking into consideration factors such as environmental impact, regulatory requirements, cost implications and more.

The specific skill-based modules that you chose (mostly in semester 1) will inform the rest of your studies where, depending on your background, you’ll select from a range of optional modules (mostly in semester 2). You’ll choose modules in areas that suit your interests and career aspirations such as fluid dynamics, tribology and lubrication, biomaterials, or aspects of automotive and aerospace engineering.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Professional Project – 60 credits

Throughout the course, you’ll undertake a professional project that will require you to make use of professional skills, including project planning, risks and management. This project allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research, focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

You’ll review the literature around your topic and plan the project, before completing the design, analysis, computation, experimentation and writing up in the summer months.

Past projects include:

• Turbulent Combustion (Experiment and Theory/Modelling)
• Machine learning-enabled Flow Optimisation
• Engineering Tribology of Additively Manufactured Polymer Based Materials
• Systematic Evaluation of Lubricants (especially greases) in Tribological Systems
• Magnetic Coupling for Fully Sealed Transmission of Robotic Drive Systems

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Team Design Project – 15 credits

Alongside your professional project, you’ll also participate in a group activity. You'll take a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a solution to a programme-specific, industrially-relevant design problem.

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

Engineering Computational Methods – 15 credits

The module introduces you to the basic computational methods used to solve engineering problems modelled by ordinary differential equations and parabolic or hyperbolic partial differential equations. You will also learn how to implement the learned methods in practice. Engineering simulation software packages rely on computational methods and a good understanding is crucial to knowledgeably use them.

Experimental Methods and Analysis – 15 credits

This module offers you theoretical and practical training required for design of experiments and data processing to address engineering problems.

Advanced Finite Element Analysis – 15 credits

Build advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to enable performance of complex Finite Element Methods (FEM) in structural mechanics using commercial software packages used in industry.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis – 15 credits

Learn how to competently perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with commercial software packages used in industry.

Advanced Manufacturing – 15 credits

Learn traditional and new innovative manufacturing processes and assembly techniques that are commercially available. The module will also cover the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field including elements of research.

Design Optimisation – 15 credits

Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of design optimisation that will give you the ability to arrive at an improved design for an engineering system that satisfies given requirements.

Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers – 15 credits

This module will introduce you with engineering backgrounds to some key issues in energy systems, including policy and economics.

Biomaterials – 15 credits

Develop a fundamental understanding of the properties and applications of biomaterials, both natural and synthetic that are used in contact with biological systems in the area of total joint replacement and to acquaint students with the interactions between biomaterials and the human body that lead to failure of devices.

Engineering Psychology and Human Factors – 15 credits

Explore the fields of engineering psychology and human factors i.e., of the capabilities, limitations and behaviours of humans as users and operators of engineered technology (with a special emphasis in this module on ground vehicles and aircraft) as well as the implications of these matters for design of such technology.

Spacecraft Dynamics and Control – 15 credits

In this module, you will cover spacecraft control system design and analysis. The main contents are mathematical modelling of spacecraft control system and its computational implementation using MATLAB. It is not required to have a priori experience in MATLAB but basic undergraduate level programming skill is required.

Aerospace Systems Engineering – 15 credits

Through this module, you’ll be introduced to key aircraft systems, their design requirements and considerations. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the development of aerospace and aircraft systems and their design, including;

• Flight control. hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, avionics, and safety systems.
• Design approach of an aerospace system using a systems engineering approach that will focus on the Model Based System Engineering.

Fundamentals of Tribology – 15 credits

Tribology is the study of Friction, Lubrication, and Wear. But more importantly it is the study of how engineering materials interact at the surface. The success of engineered systems will often depend on these interactions. With a strong foundation delivered through in-person lectures and guest seminars, the application of tribology and its current challenges will be introduced across the mechanical, medical (biotribology), automotive and aeronautical engineering disciplines.

Rotary Wing Aircraft – 15 credits

You will develop the theory of vertical flight, design and analysis of helicopters, autogyros and other rotary wing aircraft, and gain an appreciation of the extra difficulties involved when the vehicle flow is cyclic in nature.

Surface Engineering and Coatings – 15 credits

The development of Surface Engineering and Advanced Coatings is a National Competency according to the Technology Strategy Board. This module will introduce surface technologies across different manufacturing sectors from mechanical, automotive, medical, space and aerospace applications. Surface engineering methods and the surface characterisation techniques will be introduced.

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have the opportunity to be taught by academics who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with teaching staff through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Active research environment

Specialising in engineering systems and design, robotics, thermofluids, surfaces and interfaces, medical devices and regenerative medicine, our School is at the heart of solving real world problems through high-quality research.

Throughout your degree you will be taught by experts who are leaders in their fields and be directly engaged with their cutting-edge research.

Specialist facilities

We have an impressive range of world-class facilities to support your studies. In addition to our advanced CAD facilities for design work, we have the latest industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics and finite element modelling, programming and structural and multidisciplinary optimisation. You may also make use of the School's wind tunnels and other laboratories as well as manufacturing facilities including 3D printing and machine tools such as lathes and CNC machines in our new integrated workshop for students taking the Advanced Manufacturing module. These facilities are also available for those students that have selected a lab based project, or need to manufacture components for their project.

There’s also a well-equipped workshop with CNC machinery, 3D printing facilities and wire EDM for building parts and extensive lab facilities for solid and fluid dynamics, erosion, corrosion, tribology, combustion, control and dynamics, robotics and optical measurement.

Programme team

The wider programme team is made up of academics and researchers from across the School of Mechanical Engineering, who work within the School’s research institutes and groups, allowing you to benefit from the expertise across a range of our research specialisms.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a variety of assessment approaches to test different knowledge and skills. Assessments will enable you to demonstrate your competency in a particular skill, as well as measuring the extent of your knowledge and understanding. They are designed to be fair and inclusive.

We will use different forms of assessment including written examinations (held at the end of each semester) and coursework that also develops key transferable skills that will be relevant to your future professional practice, such as project reports, teamworking and presentations.

Assessments will develop your ability to bring together evidence from a variety of sources, and to critically understand and evaluate. You will also have frequent opportunities to develop your understanding of assessment and to improve your performance, for example through formative assessments with feedback, guided marking, peer review and opportunities to practise key assessment methods.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related engineering discipline. Applicants should have strong grades in relevant modules including advanced mathematics, fluid mechanics, strength of materials and dynamics.

We may ask for further detailed module information if these are not clear on your transcript. Some optional modules will also require studies covering thermodynamics but this is not essential to gain entry onto the course.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.

To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH10-01-02 and the descriptor is Mechanical Engineering. Your supervisor will be Ali Alazmani.

More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Mechanical Engineering

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: pgmech@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £14,500 (Total)

International: £33,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

This course will give you the opportunity to not only study advanced engineering skills but specialise in an area that suits your interests through optional modules from across the different areas of the discipline.

This will open up career opportunities across different sectors of mechanical engineering such as robotics, aerospace, automotive, design and manufacture, biomedical or even academia.

By the time you graduate from this MSc, you will be an all-rounded mechanical engineer with a specialist skill set and the in-depth knowledge sought after by many employers in industry.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.

Here’s an insight into some of the job positions and organisations previous graduates in advanced mechanical engineering have secured:

• Mechanical Engineer, ACSSB
• Senior Project Manager, AECOM
• Project Engineer, Translift Sdn. Bhd.
• Design Engineer, Hinduja Tech Limited
• Mechanical Project Engineer, Firth Rixson
• Lead Engineer, Bentley Motors Ltd
• EMEA Project Manager, IMI Norgren
• Engineering Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)
• Product Design Engineer, Cameron Engineering & Motorsport
• Control Systems Engineer, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc.
• Scientist/Engineer, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Mechanical Static Engineer, PETRONAS

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

Find out more about career support.