Are you passionate about the physical sciences? Does the production of machines fascinate you? Are you considering an engineering career? If so, then mechanical engineering may be the perfect course of study for you.

It is important that students on this particular course of study are not only passionate about the subject matter, but are also capable of independent study and are time efficient. Those who are successful will be expected not only to attend compulsory lectures, but to also conduct critical research and submit assignments for assessment alongside gaining hands-on industry experience.

Similarly, mechanical engineering is a particularly vocational course of study and although there are many lectures based upon engineering theory, most of the learning will be done through practical workshops. Successful students on this course will be confident with both learning strategies.

The majority of graduates who study mechanical engineering do so because they are interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering. A mechanical engineer uses basic engineering principles to provide efficient solutions to the development of products and machines. Entry level roles in this particular field often pay graduates from £20,000 - £28,000 in the UK. However, this will depend upon geographical location.

Similarly, many graduates with qualifications in this particular field will also find work as a maintenance engineer with a starting salary of £20,000 – £24,000 per year, planning the maintenance of machinery and equipment.

There is also a number of career paths available to graduates in this particular field that aren’t specific to this particular industry. Many graduates go on to find that the IT and legal skills acquired throughout the course can be transferred to other industries such as patent law, construction, HR or within IT departments.

Undergraduate degree programmes in mechanical engineering last for a minimum of three years, although many will extend the programme to four years in order to allow students the chance to gain hands-on industry experience. Those wishing to study on this course, will be expected to have high grades in a minimum of 3 A-levels or equivalent and to be able to demonstrate a passion for the subject matter.

Post graduate programmes can last anywhere from 1 – 4 years and will already expect students to have achieved a minimum of 2:1 in their honours degree. Similarly, those who do not speak English as their first language will have to score 6.0 – 6.5 in an IELTS test in order to showcase that there are no language barriers preventing learning.

The majority of courses will expect students to attend lectures as well as work on their own independent projects that will be assessed to showcase their progression on the course. Undergraduate students will also have to complete a minimum of 2 work placements before graduating as part of their course in order to gain hands on experience working within the building and construction industry.

Irrespective of your course of study, you should attempt to study at a University that is both prestigious and has strong links within the manufacturing and production industry. Many top firms cultivate relationships with certain academic institutions which are beneficial for students wishing to find work placements as part of the course, or simply to network and increase your level of employability post-graduation.

Whatever you decide to study, the University’s location should play a crucial role in where you decide to study. You will receive a lot of information regarding potential courses, but don’t overlook your emotional requirements. Whether situated in the heart of a buzzing city or studying at a more rural campus with a communal focus – your happiness should always come first.

One of the most important things to consider when making a decision on where to study is whether you will be able to afford the cost of your qualification. If fees are going to be a problem, there are a number of bursaries and scholarships available for which you may be eligible. Similarly, is the opportunity for you to find part-time work?

If your academic grades are a little lower than the entry requirements, then why not take a gap year and gain some work experience? Although it is not compulsory to do so, many degree programmes and post-graduate courses will be flexible with the entry requirements for those with industry-related experience.