Options with mechanical engineering
A mechanical engineering degree is a combination of maths, science, technology, business and management. Throughout your studies you acquire not only an understanding of general engineering principles but also a range of transferable skills. Mechanical engineering courses are designed to ensure graduates are:
Most courses have a strong focus on preparation for professional practice, including projects with direct industrial relevance and actual experience in industry (via placements). You also acquire an understanding of the commercial dimension of mechanical engineering, as well as its ethical and environmental implications.
Many degrees are accredited by professional engineering bodies in recognition of the fact that they provide the knowledge and training deemed necessary to succeed in a career in this sector.
Mechanical engineering is, however, a balanced and well-rounded degree, which provides you with the skills required for a professional career in a wide range of sectors. You will be equally attractive to employers in finance, industry, consultancy and public services.
Any mechanical engineer with enough on-the-job experience and expertise can work as a consultant or independent contractor. While this type of employment may not be as secure as working for a company or organisation, it can expand your career options and allow you to choose the clients you work with.
Due to the highly numerical content of your course, you will be well placed to enter a range of careers in finance or management consultancy. You could consider, for example, becoming an accountant, actuary, investment banker or trader. You will also have a good grounding in general business, so management and business consultancy roles are also open to you.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 65% of mechanical engineering graduates were in employment in the UK or overseas. Of these, around 66% secured professional engineering roles, while 6.2% were working in the commercial, industrial and public sectors.
Many employers in the engineering sector offer graduate training schemes, which usually support progression to chartered engineer status with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) .
The engineering sector is currently experiencing a skills shortage and opportunities are readily available for new graduates. Generally speaking, as a mechanical engineer, you will also have plenty of opportunities to work abroad if you wish.
Mechanical engineering is widely reputed to be one of the most diverse engineering disciplines and deals with the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of anything that has moving parts.
Because of its wide subject area, you will find mechanical engineering opportunities in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, aerospace, automotive, energy, railway, sport and medicine.
You will also have the skills required for careers in business and management, IT, finance and law.
For an insight into employment areas open to mechanical engineers, see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
Many students enrol onto MEng programmes for their first degree. These are integrated four-year Masters courses, recognised as offering extended and enhanced programmes of study.
Even so, a 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, 12% of mechanical engineering graduates chose to continue in full-time study, with a further 5% studying part time while working. Possible courses include an MSc or PhD, in a specialist area such as space and astronautics, nuclear, or offshore engineering.
An EngD is essentially an industry-based PhD, combining Doctoral-level research with training in practical skills, and is intended for graduates who wish to progress to leading roles in industry. Research engineers are usually placed with industrial (or sometimes academic) sponsors, and there is a possibility that you may be employed by your sponsor at the end of the programme. The EngD is also suitable for those who are already employed and wish to carry out research for their company.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
