Engineering has shaped modern society and personal lives in a way that no other discipline has ever done. Studying Mechanical Engineering at Kent will allow you to be part of this revolution, and to gain the knowledge and skills to make your own mark in this exciting field.

The Foundation Year aims to extend access to university education to students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and age groups and prepares these students for our three-year Engineering degrees. 

This programme is for students who do not have the grades they need for direct entry on to our BEng programmes. On successful completion of your Foundation Year, you can go to the Mechanical Engineering degree or the Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry degree. 

Mechanical Engineering is a fundamental discipline that is responsible for the design and the development of mechanical systems and it is vital in many tech industries. At the University of Kent, we focus in the modern applications of Mechanical Engineering, e.g. robotics, assistive technology, smart materials and autonomous vehicles. 

Our research led degrees mean our graduates can work at the forefront of the major areas of mechanical engineering, combining theory with practical and project work, turning ideas into real systems.

We have strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and with institutions that provide accreditation to university degrees (Institution of Engineering and Technology and Institution of Mechanical Engineers). Our engineering students' work has won international prizes and our visiting industrial professors contribute to a strong industrial relevance of our courses.

Applicants for September 2020 entry can apply for a scholarship of a £2,000 one-off payment. For more information and to apply, see DA VINCI Academic scholarship. 

Our degree programme

This programme covers all aspects of mechanical engineering, from robotics to manufacturing, from fluid dynamics to materials. This will allow you to enter any branch of mechanical engineering following graduation.

The first year of our course lays the foundation for the rest of your studies and includes modules on mechanics, CAD, introduction to mechatronics, engineering analysis and mathematics. In the first year project you will engineer a system to solve a problem using mechanics, sensors and actuators.  

In the second year, you further develop your understanding of the field, gaining advanced practical experience, specifically in mechanisms, mechatronics, fluid dynamics, manufacturing and design. As your knowledge of mechanical engineering grows, you discover which areas particularly interest you, so that in your final year you can begin to specialise in preparation for your final-year project.

Foundation Year

For students (Home/EU) wishing to apply for BEng Mechancial Engineering for 2020 entry, it is possible to be considered for stage 1 entry by undertaking one of our Foundation Year courses. Please contact us for further information about this route. 

Year in industry

It is possible to take this programme with a year in industry, see Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry.

Study resources

We provide first-class facilities to support your studies, including:

• mechanical workshop staffed with skilled mechanical engineers
• 120-seat engineering laboratory
• open access to high-end computers
• CAD and development software
• robotics/wheelchair laboratory
• 3D printing and laser cutting facilities.

Kent School of Engineering and Digital Arts is undergoing a £3 million redevelopment and modernisation which is due for completion in July 2020. You gain state-of-the-art engineering and design facilities which include

• a virtual reality suite
• a production studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities)
• a large teaching and design studio
• engineering workshop and fabrication facilities
• a dedicated makerspace. 

Extra activities

There are many ways to get involved in School life. You could become a student representative, giving students a voice on School committees or become a student ambassador and work with us in secondary schools to promote engineering and technology.

We also host events where you can meet industry experts and former students.

In addition, you can take part in student-led societies including:

• UKC Digital Media
• Kent Engineering Society
• TinkerSoc – Kent’s Maker Society. 

Professional network

The School has strong links with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). We have several visiting industrial professors who contribute to the strong industrial relevance of our programmes.