Mechanical Engineering (Industrial)

Design the machines that power our world and build a smarter, cleaner future.
Whether designing sports equipment, hospital operating theatres, transport infrastructure or wind turbines, mechanical engineers play a crucial part in shaping how we live. A wide range of skills are needed to successfully design and manufacture the systems and machines we need in an efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable way, while meeting the demands and challenges of the modern world.
As the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery, mechanical engineers must be able to combine engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science.
Studying mechanical engineering at Leeds will open up a whole world of opportunities for your career. You’ll develop your abilities, knowledge and skills across the full range of this discipline, from the fundamentals of design and manufacture to fluid dynamics. You’ll also have scope to specialise in fields that interest you, such as vehicle design or biomedical engineering.

“In my final year, I joined the brand-new team LURA (Leeds University Rocketry Association) as Head of Recovery and helped formed the team while learning an entirely new set of skills that would enable us to build a rocket. This intense role has played a massive factor in proving my ability to myself."
Freya Segar, Mechanical Engineering MEng, BEng

Why study at  Leeds:

• A course shaped by an active Industrial Advisory Board: Keep your learning aligned with industry needs.

• Highly recognised: This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

• Hands-on project work: Design, manufacture, assemble and test your own mechanical devices.

• Access to specialist facilities: Make us of our extensive laboratory space, rapid prototyping workshops and a high-spec CAD and computational modelling cluster. Explore our specialist facilities.

• Develop programming skills in industry-standard tools: Understand how to use MATLAB and microprocessor systems.

• Learn from globally renowned research: Benefit from leading research that shapes your teaching.

• Benefit from strong inter-university links: The Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Robotics Leeds, the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

• Boost your career prospects: Take on an industrial placements and study abroad opportunities.

• Join MechEngSoc: Connect with like-minded students and make the most of your time at Leeds.

Rankings and awards
Top 100 in the world for Engineering and Technology, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Top 10 in the UK for Mechanical Engineering, Complete University Guide 2026

Where this degree could take you
Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Responsible Rail Engineer, AECOM

• Graduate Engineer at MINI Plant Oxford, BMW Group, MINI Plant Oxford

• Product Design Engineer, Caterpillar UK

• Project Manager, Coca-Cola

• Junior Systems Design Engineer, Red Bull Racing

• Offshore Wind Research Engineer, EDF Energy R&D UK Centre

• Chassis Brake Component Engineer, Ford Motor Company

• Research and development engineer, IB Bentley

• Support Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover

• Chassis Project Engineer, McLaren Automotive

• Mechanical Engineer, Rolls Royce

Career support
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Mechanical Engineers, Institution of