Master's in Mechanical Engineering
A postgraduate degree, usually one or two years after a bachelor's, that takes you deeper into one area of a field and often ends with a research project or thesis.
Overview
Why study a Master's in Mechanical Engineering?
A master's in Mechanical Engineering builds on a first degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related branch. It lets you go deeper into analysis and design, or specialise in an area such as thermofluids, solid mechanics, robotics, automotive engineering, energy systems or advanced manufacturing. Degree titles include MSc, MS, MEng, MASc and Master of Engineering, and length runs from one year in the UK to one and a half or two years in most other destinations.
Programmes fall into two broad types. Taught or course-based master's degrees centre on advanced modules, design and simulation projects and a dissertation, and are aimed mainly at students going into industry. Research master's degrees, such as a thesis-based MS in the United States or an MASc in Canada, revolve around a project supervised by a faculty member and often lead on to a PhD. Research routes attract assistantship funding more often, whereas course-based students usually pay their own way.
Expect heavier use of simulation and modelling than at bachelor's level, including nonlinear finite element analysis, advanced CFD, multibody dynamics and optimisation, often with a substantial project using commercial or open-source codes. Many programmes offer industry-linked projects or internships, and in Germany writing the master's thesis with a company is common. UK BEng graduates aiming for Chartered Engineer status often use an accredited master's to complete the academic part of the requirement, so check accreditation if registration matters to you.
Curriculum
What you may study
Master's programmes in Mechanical Engineering commonly offer modules such as these.
- Advanced solid mechanics and fracture
- Advanced thermodynamics and heat transfer
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Nonlinear finite element analysis
- Vibration, acoustics and structural dynamics
- Control of mechanical systems and robotics
- Advanced and additive manufacturing
- Composite and lightweight materials
- Energy systems and renewable technologies
- Design optimisation and research methods
Published programmes for Mechanical Engineering at Master's
No programmes for Mechanical Engineering at Master's are published yet.
Not in our catalogue yet: that reflects what Universta lists, not what universities teach.
Programmes show each university’s published offering. Course guides describe the course across universities.
Admission
Getting into Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Most programmes ask for a bachelor's in mechanical engineering or a related branch such as production, automobile, aerospace, industrial or manufacturing engineering, and Indian BE and BTech degrees are generally accepted, with each university setting the percentage or CGPA it expects. The GRE is no longer compulsory at many US universities for engineering master's programmes, though some still request it. A statement of purpose, CV, academic references and an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE score complete a typical application.
German universities often check your transcript credit by credit, expecting set amounts of mathematics, mechanics and thermodynamics, and Indian applicants generally need an APS certificate before applying, often through uni-assist. Some programmes ask for work experience or hold a short interview. Applicants from other branches, such as electrical or civil engineering, may be admitted with bridging modules. Popular courses and scholarships often close many months ahead of the intake, so plan early.
Careers
Career pathways
A master's often leads to specialist analysis, design and development roles such as the following.
- Simulation Engineer
- CAE Analyst
- Stress Engineer
- Thermal Engineer
- Powertrain Engineer
- Battery Systems Engineer
- Robotics Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Research and Development Engineer
- Reliability Engineer
- Energy Systems Engineer
- Engineering Project Manager
Sectors
Industries
Automotive and Electric Vehicles
Master's graduates work on powertrain and battery thermal design, vehicle dynamics, lightweight structures and crash simulation.
Aerospace and Defence
Specialists handle stress analysis, propulsion, thermal management and certification testing for aircraft, engines and satellites.
Energy and Power Generation
Graduates design and analyse turbines, heat exchangers, heat pumps, and wind and hydrogen systems for utilities and equipment makers.
Robotics and Automation
Engineers with control and dynamics training design robotic arms, automated production cells and precision motion systems.
Engineering Simulation and Software
Simulation software firms and engineering service providers hire master's graduates as analysts and application engineers.
Engineering Consultancy
Consultancies use specialists for building services, energy studies, failure investigation and design verification for clients.
Who hires
Employers
- BMW Group
- Airbus
- Rolls-Royce
- Siemens Energy
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Volvo Group
- Dassault Systèmes
- Tata Technologies
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Named for illustration only; not a ranking, endorsement or partnership.
Outlook
Looking ahead
Electrification and decarbonisation are opening specialist roles for master's graduates. Battery thermal management, electric machines, hydrogen combustion and fuel cells, heat pumps and carbon capture equipment all need mechanical expertise, and programmes are adding modules and projects in these areas. Choosing a specialism with long-term demand, and building project evidence in it, can matter more than the exact programme title.
Simulation-led design is becoming the norm. Engineers are expected to build digital twins, run optimisation studies and use machine learning to speed up analysis, while still judging whether results are physically sensible. Additive manufacturing and new lightweight materials are changing what shapes can be made, and graduates who combine a firm grounding in mechanics with programming and data skills are likely to have the widest choice of roles.
Specializations
Other Engineering specializations at Master's
Subject
Engineering at Master's
Questions
Questions about Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Can I apply with a degree in Production or Automobile Engineering?
Often yes. Many universities accept closely related branches such as production, automobile, industrial, manufacturing or aerospace engineering, provided your transcript shows enough mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and mathematics. German universities in particular compare credits module by module, so read the stated prerequisites and be ready to explain any gaps in your statement of purpose.
Should I choose a thesis or a course-based master's?
Choose a thesis route if you are considering a PhD or research and development work, as it gives you research experience and a supervisor who can write a strong reference. A course-based route is usually shorter, covers more modules and suits students heading directly into industry. In the United States and Canada, thesis students are more likely to receive assistantship funding.
Do I need the GRE for a mechanical engineering master's?
It depends on the country and university. The GRE is mainly a US requirement, and a large number of US universities now treat it as optional for engineering master's study, although some still ask for it or recommend it for funding. Universities in the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Japan rarely require it. Check each programme's page for the current position.
Can I move into robotics or energy through a mechanical master's?
Yes, and this is a common reason to take one. Many mechanical engineering master's degrees offer pathways or electives in robotics, control, renewable energy or electric vehicles, and some universities run separate specialist programmes. Choose your project in the area you want to work in, since a strong project often counts for more with employers than the degree title.
Plan
Plan your Master's
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