Why study Mechanical Engineering at Kent?

Many of the products, systems and technologies that we see around us rely on Mechanical Engineering. This is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It also involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools.

Mechanical Engineers play an important role across a wide range of industries including space and aerospace, defence and security, manufacturing, automotive, rail and road transport, ship building, renewable energy, oil and gas, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, etc. They are responsible for the design and manufacture of an enormous range of industrial products, from the tiniest nanotechnology-based devices to large-scale complex systems such as airplanes, Formula 1 race cars, wind turbines, nuclear reactors, space exploration robots and driverless vehicles.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts’ new course in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kent is designed in response to the needs of a rapidly changing world and workplace in a real and hands-on way. At Kent, we focus on the modern applications of mechanical engineering including:

  • CAD/CAM
  • smart materials
  • fluid mechanics and dynamics
  • digital manufacturing
  • mechanical instrumentation
  • fault diagnosis and prognostics
  • artificial intelligence and robots
  • assistive technologies
  • driverless cars

Our Mechanical Engineering course combines a range of technical, creative, and management skills to design and manufacture machines, technologies and systems. The course provides a solid grounding in all aspects of Mechanical Engineering, both theoretical and experimental, including:

  • computer-aided engineering
  • statics and dynamics of machines
  • strength of materials
  • design and manufacturing
  • thermofluids and energy technologies
  • mechanics of structures
  • risk and reliability
  • control and instrumentation
  • robotic and mechatronics

Students also work on a variety of hands-on projects ranging from product design, non-destructive testing (NDT) of materials and structures, prototyping and manufacturing using 3D printing, aerodynamic testing using wind tunnel, process design and fluid flow measurement, robotic manipulation and programming, etc.

Careers

The course is a smart choice for career-minded students who are interested in preparing themselves to enter the work force. We provide you a wide exposure of industry through various industrial visits and guest speakers who come from Airbus, BAE Systems, Babcock International, Jaguar Landrover, Rolls-Royce, SubseaUK, BP, Shell, Chevron, Schlumberger, Siemens, Vattenfall, EON, EDF, Network Rail, Southeastern, Anglian Water, United Utility, etc. You can also choose to spend a Year In Industry between Stages 2 and 3 as part of your degree. Completing a year in industry provides you with the soft skills needed to be successful in the workplace, as well as more technical skills required by your chosen industry.

At the University of Kent, there is a focus on employability and career development including industrial interaction and placement opportunities. When you graduate, you’ll have the technical leadership, initiative and interpersonal skills to pursue a professional career in Mechanical Engineering. Our graduates find employment in a huge range of sectors including:

  • aerospace
  • rail and road transport
  • ship building
  • automobile manufacturing
  • process, petrochemical and petroleum
  • oil and gas
  • construction
  • manufacturing
  • renewable energy (e.g. wind, solar)
  • pulp and paper
  • mining
  • textile
  • food
  • water
  • healthcare

Staff

The academic professionals involved in the Mechanical Engineering programme at University of Kent include:

Professional recognition

Our Mechanical Engineering programme has been designed to satisfy the accreditation requirements for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and accreditation will be sought at the earliest opportunity. IMechE is the only UK professional institution for all mechanical engineers.  This will complement the existing accreditation of our BEng and MEng courses in Electronic and Communications Engineering by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer. A number of modules offered in our Mechanical Engineering degree course have already been accredited by the IET.

For further enquiries, please email eda-admissions@kent.ac.uk or apply now.