Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering as a subject is valued by employers in many sectors and the University of Nottingham graduates do especially well in securing employment in engineering and technical fields as well as professional roles in non-engineering sectors.
99% of graduates* leaving mechanical engineering courses in the 2016/17 academic year secured work or further study within six months of graduating.
Continuing to a higher degree is a popular option and one which can add value in a competitive labour market. Our graduates are very successful in accessing taught and research opportunities, related to their engineering studies and interests.
Alexander Stephens - UoN alumnus
Alexander works for Bouygues, a UK construction company.
In this short video he talks about:
- his role
- why he moved into the construction sector
- the knowledge and skills he developed during his mechanical engineering degree that he uses every day in his job.
What skills will I develop during my degree?
In addition to your subject knowledge, the degree equips you with key employability skills, which are relevant to all sectors, such as:
- problem solving and analytical abilities including statistical analysis
- reflection, critical judgement and decision-making
- creative and innovative thinking
- professional communication skills
- numerate and highly computer literate
- time management, and the ability to plan and prioritise
- team working
- digital skills, presenting information and data
- co-ordinating with others
- research techniques
Becoming a chartered engineer
Working towards becoming a chartered engineer can be a good way to demonstrate and accredit your professional competence as an engineer once you start in the workplace.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) requires a masters degree level of knowledge, which may be from a four-year accredited MEng degree, or a bachelor degree plus a masters qualification.
Where and who could I work for?
Graduates from Nottingham who have gone on to work as graduate mechanical engineers over the last few years have worked for a range of employers from large multi-national companies to small local employers. High quality graduate roles are available in companies of all sizes and types, so it’s important to think about which type of organisation and opportunity you feel you would be best suited to.
Our mechanical engineering graduates secure professional positions across a diverse range of employment sectors, but the key sectors of employment for our graduates are: aviation; automotive; energy; construction; and rail.
A sample of the employers who recruited our graduates:
- BP
- BAE Systems
- Costain
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Ford
- General Electric
- Interfleet
Some of the roles undertaken include:
- mechanical engineer
- design and development engineer
- engineering technician
- production and process engineer
- chartered accountant
- researcher
- quality assurance technician
Non-engineering roles
Not all engineering graduates become engineers. Many Faculty of Engineering graduates find alternative opportunities where they are able to use their transferable skills such as:
- data analysis roles
- finance and accounting
- project management
- risk management
- supply chain
- technical and business consulting
- technology and software development
What are my further study options?
Some students will progress into further study at postgraduate level in both engineering and non-engineering related areas.
Postgraduate study can be a way to develop a further specialism in a particular area of interest, either through carrying out research or undertaking specialist taught modules. It can also be a way to gain skills and qualifications in areas outside engineering in order to progress into alternative careers.
For students doing a BEng qualification, undertaking an accredited MSc will give you the level of qualification necessary to progress on to become a chartered engineer and to meet the entry requirements of some graduate engineering employers who ask for a masters level qualification.
For students doing an MEng degree, undertaking an MSc won’t give you a higher level qualification, but it can be a way of specialising in a particular area.
Explore your further study options - finding courses, funding and making applications
How can I develop my skills and gain experience?
Regardless of whether you are a first year or final year, developing skills outside your degree will enhance your CV and allow you to provide evidence of these in applications and at interviews. We have a wide range of opportunities at the university for you to explore:
Faculty of Engineering Placement Scheme
An industrial placement will enable you to gain industry experience, crucial for your career development.
Work experience and volunteering
You can broaden your experience and develop your technical and professional skills, by taking part in short term work experience, internships and volunteering activities.
Nottingham Internship Scheme
We work closely with a huge variety of local and national businesses to bring you an exciting range of internship opportunities, for both current students and recent graduates.
Nottingham Consultancy Challenge
The Nottingham Consultancy Challenge offers the chance for you to gain hands-on experience of managing a short term project for a local business or charity as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Nottingham Advantage Award
The Nottingham Advantage Award offers interesting extracurricular modules to develop and reflect on your employability. With over more than 200 modules across our three campus in the UK, China and Malaysia.
Students' Union
The Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering options both locally and internationally which you can fit around your studies.
Alternatively you could get involved in a society or sports club - there's so many, you're bound to find one that interests you!
Careers events
We offer a range of events to develop your skills and meet employers throughout the year. Check out:
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
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* UK full-time first degree graduates seeking employment and further study.