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What is Mechanical Engineering- Top Universities, Courses & Prospects

Updated on 11 February, 2024

Mechanical engineering involves applying the principles of motion, energy, and force to create safe and effective machines. Mechanical engineers manufacture a variety of objects, ranging from microsensors to airplanes. Usually, to embark on a career as a successful mechanical engineer, one must have completed a master’s in mechanical engineering. This is one of the best courses after  BSc/BEng in mechanical engineering. This article will explore the top universities and jobs for mechanical engineering in depth. 

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Why Pursue Mechanical Engineering 

  • Huge demand for qualified mechanical engineers across industries. 
  • Most courses provide practical and hands-on learning with industry visits and internships to gain experience.
  • Opportunities to improve communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills. 
  • Scope of working at laboratories and workshops while using cutting-edge equipment and machines. 
  • Opportunities in research and academics. 

What to do After Mechanical Engineering 

There are several courses after a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering that aspirants can pursue. Students usually opt for in-demand specializations in mechanical engineering, such as robotics and nanotechnology. MTech in Piping Design and Engineering, MTech in Mechatronics, and MTech in Advanced Robotics are some of the best courses for aspirants.  

Students can also pursue a career in academics, while some  opt to join the workforce immediately after their bachelor’s. 

Top Study Destinations for Mechanical Engineering

Some of the best countries for mechanical engineering are:

  • USA
  • UK
  • New Zealand 
  • Netherlands
  • Canada 

Top Universities for Mechanical Engineering 

Most universities around the world offer mechanical engineering courses for 3-4 years at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

Here are the top-ranked universities in the world for mechanical engineering: You can study BSc or BEng degrees at the undergraduate level and MSc or MEng at the master’s level. After that, you can pursue your PhD course. 

University Name

Ranking Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering

QS 2023

CountryCourseAverage Annual Fees
MIT 1USBachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

$82,730

(₹68,98,350) 

Stanford University 2USBachelor of Science- Mechanical Engineering 

$82,308

(₹68,63,162)

Delft University of Technology3NetherlandsBSc/MSc Mechanical Engineering

€29,155 - €33,965

(₹26,21,311 -
₹30,53,776)

ETH Zurich5SwitzerlandMSc Mechanical EngineeringNA
University of California, Berkeley(UCB)6USBS Mechanical Engineering 

$52,269

(₹43,58,447)


 

Politecnico di Milano

7ItalyBSc Mechanical Engineering 

€3,89,159 

(₹34,93,976)

Imperial College London8UKMEng

£40,940

(₹42,81,648)

National University of Singapore (NUS)10SingaporeBTech Mechanical Engineering, BEng( ME)

S$17,800

(₹11,05,044)

Source: Official University Websites

General Eligibility for UG & PG in Mechanical Engineering

To pursue some of the best courses in mechanical engineering, you should meet the eligibility criteria at various institutions worldwide. Here are some common pointers that you should keep in mind: 

For pursuing a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, you should have obtained minimum marks in 10+2 from a recognized university.

  • You will require a B.Tech or BE course to pursue postgraduate courses in mechanical engineering. Institutions usually insist on a minimum GPA of 3.0 or any equivalent. 
  • You will have to showcase your English vocabulary proficiency through tests like the TOEFL or IELTS
  • You may have to submit GRE scores for admission into postgraduate programs at several universities. 
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) are also important components of your application. 

General Course Structure Across UG & PG 

What is a mechanical engineering course? This is a common question in the minds of aspiring mechanical engineers. Most universities around the world use a blended teaching approach, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience to students in their mechanical engineering courses, thus contributing to the holistic development of students. The subjects covered in a bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering can vary. Most courses emphasize concepts such as thermodynamics, engineering mathematics, bioengineering, systems modeling, mechanics, structures, materials, and electrical and electronic systems. 

Here’s a list of mechanical engineering course details for both bachelor’s and master’s programs. 

Subjects taught in BSc/BEng Mechanical Engineering Subjects taught in MSc/MEng/MTech Mechanical Engineering 
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Materials and Electrical Science
  • Mechanical Science
  • Introduction to Manufacturing Technology
  • Introduction to Design
  • Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
  • Structural Mechanics
  • Design for Complex Environmental Issues
  • Numeral Computation for Mechanical Engineers
  • Sustainable Design
  • Applied Thermodynamics (Mechanical)
  • Numerical Methods and Computing (Mechanical)
  • Mechanical Engineering Systems
  • Vibrations and Aeroelasticity (Mechanical)
  • Operations Management
  • Modeling and Simulation (Mechanical)
  • Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Advanced Manufacturing Processes
  • Advanced Heat Transfer
  • Acoustics and  Advanced Vibrations 

As part of the course, students will be working in the laboratory or workshop, undergoing practical training, and participating in seminars, lectures, tutorials, and design classes. They will have to take examinations and deliver essays and project reports. 

Some courses also come with placement years for students. Usually, in the last year of their BEng or MEng, students will have to complete major design projects independently. These require scientific investigations and experimentation, thereby preparing students for jobs in the real world. 

Jobs After Mechanical Engineering

After completing some of the best courses for mechanical engineers, graduates can look forward to thriving opportunities in a number of industries. Some of the sectors in which mechanical engineers can find lucrative employment include construction, manufacturing, energy, railway engineering, automotive engineering, and aerospace engineering. 

Here are the top positions in mechanical engineering with their respective salaries in the US -

Job Role Average Annual Salary (in USD)
Automation Engineer$90,024 
Research and Development Engineer$92,781
Senior Mechanical Engineer$99,376
Senior Design Engineer$100,882
Powertrain Engineer$102,363 
Instrumentation Engineer$107,881
CAD Technician$59,933
Maintenance Engineer$77,577
Nuclear Engineer$102,005
Mining Engineer$94,805

Source: Indeed (as of December 2023)

Top Companies and Salaries 

A degree in mechanical engineering is valued by various employers, leading to exciting job profiles and competitive salaries. For many employers, pre-entry work experience is a big positive. Some courses in mechanical engineering do offer a 1-year industry internship. This is highly valuable as it helps to develop your skills and make worthy professional contacts. In the US, the average annual salary for a mechanical engineer peaked at  $133,796 in 2023. Usually, entry-level mechanical engineers may start at $68,000, but with work experience, their salaries tend to rise. 

Salaries of mechanical engineers in the US based on level of experience

Years of ExperienceAverage Annual Salary (in USD)
<1 year$68,000
1-4 years$75,000
5-9 years$86,000
10-19 years$1,00,000
20+ years$1,13,000

Source: PayScale (as of December 2023)

Mechanical engineering is a competitive industry, and many employers offer top compensation packages along with a number of benefits to graduates. Some of the leading employers in the US include:

Companies Average Annual Salary (in USD)
Lockheed Martin$104,818
Norththrop Grumann$97,667
Engineering Resource Group$97,383
Raytheon$96,961
Boeing$92,541
Honeywell$90,112
L3Harris$88,720
Wyzant$79,266
Applied Materials$125,441

Source: Indeed (as of December 2023)

Conclusion

Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile and diverse engineering disciplines. By pursuing the best courses after mechanical engineering, graduates can gain the requisite skills and knowledge to earn competitive compensation in diverse industries. Get in touch with us to pursue mechanical engineering degrees from abroad. 

 

Disclaimer: All salaries and course fees mentioned above are subject to change

FAQs

What does a mechanical engineer do?

A mechanical engineer is responsible for designing and manufacturing machines that generate power and conduct various functions. These include gas and steam turbines, internal combustion engines, electric generators, and other systems like air conditioning and refrigeration. They also design machines like escalators or elevators. 

What are the seven types of mechanical engineering?

The seven types of mechanical engineering are usually regarded as aerospace, autonomous systems, acoustics, robotics, automotive, mechatronics, and CAD (computer-aided design).

Is mechanical engineering a promising career?

Mechanical engineering is one of the best careers for those with an aptitude for the field. It leads to attractive employment opportunities in diverse segments like aerospace and production. Mechanical engineers earn handsome salaries across global corporations and the public and private sectors. 

How difficult is mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering is one of the toughest programs for students. It has several technical aspects and other requirements. Learners also have to study advanced science and mathematics programs within the aegis of their courses. 

Urvi Agrawal

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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