
Mechanical Engineering - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
By studying MSc Mechanical Engineering course you will engineer a better future. A highly-respected course, our course will enhance your strategic management and leadership capabilities....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City Centre
- Award MSc
- Start date January 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
- Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
By studying MSc Mechanical Engineering course you will engineer a better future. A highly-respected course, our course will enhance your strategic management and leadership capabilities. The course builds on sustainable futures and the Government's STEM agenda, helping you to gain the knowledge and attributes needed to thrive in this ever-changing industry, and you'll work on industry-standard complex analytical tools such as Matlab/Simulink, CATIA, Ansys and ADAMS Mechanisms.
You will work collaboratively with tutors, practitioners, theorists and designers, equipping you with everything you need launch your career. In the UK, companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Honda all require a constant supply of highly-skilled engineers, and our course will ensure you have a fully-rounded experience in mechanical engineering.
What's covered in this course?
Advance your knowledge and understanding, develop your critical thinking and prepare to work across a range of organisations with our MSc Mechanical Engineering course. Overall the course aims to produce skilled engineers capable of undertaking mechanical engineering tasks within and across organisations utilising the latest tools and technologies.
The course will encourage creative thinking and the development of engineering leadership skills. Building on a foundation of the generic skills required by tomorrow’s engineers, the courses explore the wider context of engineering, as well as the application of advanced engineering principles to solve problems through research. You will engage in independent study and systematic enquiry at an advanced level and take responsibility for the conclusions drawn from it.
There will be opportunity to integrate and differentiate a variety of traditions and bodies of knowledge and to continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills at an advanced level through research led modules. In addition to further academic research opportunities, career prospects are expected to keep pace with the rapid advances in computer aided methods and intelligent technologies, hence, there is expected to be continuing demand for competent, versatile postgraduates who can design and implement innovative solutions for industry. The course has achieved academic accreditation from the IMechE and IET. This accreditation has been maintained in recognition for demonstrating that key principles have been incorporated and integrated into the curriculum design and module development of the courses.
The teaching and learning on the courses focuses and emphasises the importance of the body of knowledge and ensures that we incorporate it within the guiding principles underpinning these courses. In addition to further academic research opportunities, career prospects are expected to keep pace with the rapid advances in computer aided methods and intelligent technologies, hence, there is expected to be continuing demand for competent, versatile postgraduates who can design and implement innovative solutions for industry.
Tailor your degree
The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Since gaining my master’s qualification and becoming a Chartered Mechanical Engineer I have been promoted to a management level within the business. This has allowed be to lead the team of engineers and coach them in the day-to-day activities, management is something I never thought I would enjoy but I have found it a rewarding and positive experience so far. BCU is a great place to study with engaging staff, I am very pleased to have been part of that institution and very proud of what achieved. By making the part-time course accessible to people working in industry meant I could achieve my goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer.
Jake Fletcher – Alumnus
Why Choose Us?
- Accredited course- This course is accredited by IMechE and IET. Students completing this degree will be in a strong position to pursue professional engineering status*.
- State-of-the-art facilities - Our contemporary laboratories enhance your educational experience, providing a bridge between theoretical learning and hands-on teaching to prepare you for a career in industry.
- Develop interpersonal skills - You will gain the interpersonal skills necessary to liaise and work in teams, structuring your work and meeting the varying demands of the workplace.
- Problem-based learning - You will be able to apply real-life problem-based learning to industry and commerce, while also learning new technologies and techniques to solve global engineering problems.
Important Course Accreditation Information*
Students completing an IMechE or IET accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme that do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their qualifications individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
OPEN DAY
Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to find out more about your course. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: 7 February 2024
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
We would normally expect you to hold at least a Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline. |
However, we can also consider your application without standard entry qualifications if you can provide evidence of the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the course. |
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Jan 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
-
TBC
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
- £11,000 in 2023/24
- Part Time
- 35 months
- Show fees
- £1028 per 20 credits
- Year 1 - 80 credits
- Year 2 - 100 credits
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Jan 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 12 months
-
TBC
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement (see below*)
- £18,557 in 2023/24
Professional Placement option*
The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Module
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module provides you with the opportunity to learn about the Fundamentals of Thermofluids: the conservation laws and their application, viscosity and the constitutive equations, boundary layers, turbulence and thermofluid properties. Computational Fluid Dynamics. Overview of discretisation methods: FD, FE, FV etc. The finite volume method of discretisation. Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows, boundary layers, turbulence, compressible flows, flows with heat transfer. Validation of CFD.
The module utilises the mathematical concepts such as transform calculus and matrix theory used to model systems using both the transfer function and state-space paradigms. You will then be able to design controllers for linear systems using time and frequency response methods, in particular, pole placement techniques will be applied using both input-output and state-feedback approaches. These will then be extended to observer design and LQR optimization.
Teaching and assessment will comprise not only of traditional lectures and tutorials, but also the use of industry standard software for problem solving.
This module provides you with an awareness of advanced structural techniques used for study of deformable solids, a general knowledge of the techniques employed and skills to perform analysis for selected solid components and structures. It aims to provide you with the following: the skills and confidence to perform advanced analysis of solid components and structures; the knowledge of selected advanced analysis techniques employed on the more common components and structures; and an understanding of the behaviour of solids under two or three dimensional stress fields, and the limitations imposed by assumptions and boundary conditions.
The Automotive and Mechanical Engineering programmes share the common philosophy of one which aims to provide engineers with a rigorous grounding in industrial standard design, analysis and simulation capability. This module is consistent with this approach since it directly includes content and resources that specifically help you meet these needs.
A principal aim of both programmes is to respond to the market need for engineers who are competent and skilled in the use of advanced computer modelling and simulation techniques. This module delivers against this aim, providing you with a thorough technology grounding supported by directly relevant design, simulation and analysis experiences.
This module provides an opportunity for you to investigate the world of new materials and to develop an understanding of the techniques used in Computer Aided Manufacture. This will be set in the context of industrial applications and delivered through a combination of taught content and both practical and theoretical research project work.
The module aims to provide you with a foundation for academic research skills employed in all modules, but particularly the master’s dissertation. This will enhance your learning experience providing a research output which is both industrially relevant, and contributes academic value to the research base of your chosen industry.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed Level 7 project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying and informed by the research strategy of your school, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
Professional Placement
In order to qualify for the award of MSc Mechanical Engineering with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above as well as the following Level 6 module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Download course specification
Download nowYou will acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject through formal lectures, tutor-led seminars and practical activities, as well as a range of independent learning activities. The course structure emphasises guided, self-directed and student-centred learning with a progressively increasing independence of approach, thought and process.
Lectures will introduce themes, theories and concepts, which are further explored in seminars. You will benefit from technology-enhanced learning, where appropriate, through online resources, discussion forums and other activities. You will consult advanced textbooks, together with professional material and journal articles, in order to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of work at the forefront of your discipline.
A range of assessment methods are employed with associated assessment criteria. Knowledge and skills are assessed, formatively and summatively, by a number of methods such as coursework, examinations (seen and unseen, open and closed-book), presentations, practical assignments, vivas, online forums, podcasts, and project work.
Professional Placement option
The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
The course is accredited by IMechE, ensuring our content remains fresh, relevant and replete with key industry information.
- The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.
- The accredited MSc will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
- The accredited MSc full meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
CEng accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer when presented with an accredited MSc. In addition, the programme meets the educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
There are many challenging and rewarding career opportunities for practitioners able to operate at a senior level in the mechanical, automotive, aeronautical and offshore engineering industries. Never has the need been greater for highly skilled, innovative engineers.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
The Department of Engineering provides the perfect setting for practical work with modern-day teaching and learning facilities. We pride ourselves on equipping our students with the skill set that they need not only working on industry standard equipment, but having industrial links, which set them up perfectly for a career in engineering.
We are currently undertaking a £340 million investment programme in our facilities, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. As part of this, our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5 million investment to include a new maker area, engineering labs and equipment.
We have invested in industry-standard facilities to support the practice-based elements of our Engineering courses and give students as much practical learning as possible, to prepare for industry placements and job opportunities after graduation. Students have access to our facilities during classes, and can book out of class sessions with our specialist technicians.
We are a partner of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and have secured £1.1 million of government funding for investment in brand-new equipment and facilities. Funding of £808,000 from the Department for Education has supported our development of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Rig, an Additive Manufacturing Machine (3D printer) and a material testing-split zone furnace.
The IoT has enabled procurement of new technologies for material testing, electronics prototyping and production and 3D scanning to compliment computer aided design for manufacture




Our staff
Man-Fai Yau
Senior Lecturer
Man-Fai has 10 years' experience in private sector industry, two years' with a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and 12 years' university lecturing.
More about Man-FaiFlorimond Gueniat
Senior Lecturer in Automotive Engineering and Course Leader for MSc Automotive Engineering
Florimond Guéniat has a PhD in fluid mechanics and computer science from Univ. Paris Sud. He then spent two years in the Department of Mathematics, at Florida State University researching on the control of fluid flows.
More about FlorimondTony Hayward
Course Leader for Mechanical Engineering.
Tony Hayward is the Course Leader for MSc Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham City University.
More about Tony