MSc
Mechanical Engineering
Thrive in our exciting research environment
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Mechanical engineering is at the heart of modern technology. This course will enable you to undertake an advanced treatment of core mechanical engineering disciplines, numerical modelling and simulation of engineering systems using finite element analysis.
Overall we aim to provide you with an appreciation of the national and international environment in which you are likely to work.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use simulation and modelling application software for virtual design and manufacturing
- Utilise our strong links with companies and investigate real industrial problems to enhance your understanding of the profession
- Tie in the topic of your individual project with one of our research groups and benefit from the expertise of our actively researching academics
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course has been accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). It will provide you with some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- design
- research and development
- product manufacture
- project management
The lecturers here are world class engineers – leaders in their field – so deciding to stay on and do my MSc here was the best decision I ever made.
David Hume, MSc Mechanical Engineering student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time or 3 years part time (September intake), 16 months full time (January intake)
- Entry
A second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in relevant subject. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements but have extensive relative work experience may also be considered.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £6,000, part-time students: £2,000 p/a* (3 years)
International full-time students: £11,900, part-time students: £3,970 p/a* (3 years)
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Engineering
Structure & Teaching
You will study several key topics that will help equip you to work as a mechanical engineer in a broad spectrum of mechanical engineering business activity management, research, design and development roles. You will also complete a four-month individual project tailored to your individual interests that can take place in our own laboratories or, by agreement, in industry.
Here are the units you will study:
- Structural Integrity: Contemporary approaches are applied to the evaluation of mixed mode fracture and fatigue failure. Dynamic plastic responses of structures and the performance of composite structures are evaluated.
- Industrial Control Systems: This unit covers mathematical representation of control system models is developed principally using Laplace transforms. System behaviour and simulation is analysed with practical case studies, leading to control system specifications.
- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes: A unit where modern processes and techniques are evaluated, including rapid prototyping/manufacture. Material selection is incorporated with particular emphasis on modern composite materials including eco-friendly options using natural fibres.
- Energy Management: This unit incorporates energy conservation practice, thermal plant analysis, including combined heat and power systems and the study of biomass combustion.
- Structural Application of Finite Elements: The use of finite element analysis techniques and software applied to structural problems is developed. Modelling with both isotropic and orthotropic materials is investigated, as well as such topics as cracking in dissimilar materials and composite laminates.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics: A practical case study analysis approach is used for model formulation and CFD simulation. Fundamental principles are used to appraise the results of CFD analysis of problems with industrial applications.
- Individual Project: A strong feature of the course is the individual project, which comprises a third of the course. We encourage students to undertake projects in industrial companies, but we can also use our extensive resources and staff skills to undertake projects within the University.
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials (personal and academic), laboratory sessions and project work. The course has a strong practical emphasis with a significant amount of your time spent our laboratories. We pride ourselves on working at the leading-edge of technology and learning practices.
How are you assessed?
A range of assessment methods encourages a deeper understanding of engineering and allows you to develop your skills. Here’s how we assess your work:
- written examinations
- coursework
- laboratory-based project work
- a major individual project/dissertation
Facilities & Features
Laboratories
We offer you a range of well-equipped labs
Research Groups
You will thrive in our exciting research environment
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Laboratories
We offer you a range of labs such as the Analogue Electronics and Control Engineering Laboratory and the Telecommunications and Signal Processing Laboratory. From Digital Signal Processing (DSP) kits to walking robots, all are well-equipped with industry-standard experimental and computational facilities.
Research Groups
You will thrive in our exciting research environment, conducting research in close collaborations with academic and industrial partners, both in the UK and abroad. Perhaps you would like to base the topic of your individual project on one of the interest areas of our research groups. Current research groups cover:
- aerospace materials
- biomechanical engineering
- design engineering
- manufacturing engineering
- polymers and composites
- thermo-fluid, petroleum and energy engineering
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
The demand for more highly skilled mechanical engineers is always present and it is generally accepted that there is a current shortage of engineers.
When you graduate from this course you could find employment in a wide range of mechanical engineering-based careers, such as design, research and development and manufacturing. You could work for a large company, in the Armed Forces or in one of the many small companies within this sector. You could even start your own specialist company.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- mechanical engineer
- product design engineer
- aerospace engineer
- application engineer
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.