Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc

Apply as Home Student Apply as International Student
Request a Prospectus Visit Us
Female electronics engineer runs vehicle tests Female electronics engineer runs vehicle tests

This MSc course offers an opportunity to explore advanced concepts in mechanical engineering and mechatronics, covering key areas such as energy systems, rigid and deformable body mechanics (including Finite Element Analysis), manufacturing, and design, with additional exposure to mechatronics. These concepts come together in a group design project focused on industry-scale mechatronic systems, such as autonomous vehicles.

Learning takes place in our newly developed Design & Manufacturing suite at the Exton campus, providing you with hands-on experience in industry-scale engineering challenges, manufacturing equipment, material testing, and microscopy. The course encourages an ethos of socially responsible engineering, thus cultivating a mindset of global citizenship, and empowering graduates to contribute to global challenges in the AI era.

A supportive academic and professional team fosters a welcoming and enriching learning environment, ensuring you thrive academically and personally.

There is also an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.

What You'll Study

Modules

This module is based on the practice of finite element methods with the use of commercial FEA softwares to provide students more realistic FEA experience in relation to real world practical engineering problems. This module will allow students to gain an understanding of modern concepts of Structural Integrity and Dynamics of engineering components using analytical, numerical and experimental technique with practical examples of using FEA.

The Robotics module provides an introduction to the foundational principles of robotics, exploring the theoretical aspects that underpin the design, application, and ethical considerations of robotic systems.

You will begin by examining the fundamental question: What is a robot? This includes understanding the diverse applications of robots across industries and their role in society. The module also delves into the ethical implications of robotics, such as their impact on employment, privacy, and safety.

Key technical topics include an overview of mechatronics, which integrates mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering; sensors, which enable robots to perceive their environment; and control systems, which ensure robots can perform tasks accurately and autonomously.

This module provides a learning environment for students to apply critically-appraised engineering knowledge in developing innovative solutions to industry-scale engineering problems while working in a collaborative team.

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills required to select and develop appropriate manufacturing processes and systems for components and products while being informed by critically appraised existing and emerging knowledge.

Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources
This module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in energy provision and the resultant environmental implications of different energy-sourcing decisions. Particular emphasis is placed on design considerations related to conventional renewable energy systems and strategies for integrating renewable energy technologies into existing electrical power infrastructures.

Sustainability and Energy Systems
In this module, students will examine the future trajectory of energy technologies, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding the generation, conversion, transportation, and utilization of energy. They will also critically evaluate the environmental and socio-economic challenges arising from global energy consumption, and investigate policy frameworks and strategic mechanisms intended to mitigate adverse effects on both ecological and societal systems.

Embedded Systems and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Technology

  • Concurrent assignment statements and unintended memory
  • Adopting proper hardware description language (HDL) coding style and taking a divide and conquer approach for code development
  • The need for design simplification.
  • Regular sequential circuit block system and registers 
  • Building test-benches for sequential circuits
  • Timing, clocking, operating frequency and clock tree considerations
  • The Finite-state machine (FSM), its representation and FSM HDL code development
  • The Finite-state machine with data path (FSMD), its representation and FSM HDL code development

Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Automatic Identification Technology and Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
  • Wireless Sensor Network
  • Location System
  • Internet and Mobile Internet
  • Wireless Access Technology
  • Big Data, IoT & Cloud Computing
  • Information Security for IoT
  • IoT Application Case Studies
  • Arduino Opla, Espressif System on Chip (SoC) & Raspberry Pi IoT technologies

In this module, students undertake an individual project to solve a problem requiring critically-appraised new and emerging knowledge of the engineering discipline.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

If chosen, your second year of study will consist of your Project or Professional Placement

 

Modules

This module covers a range of topics and learning opportunities to prepare and support students for a professional placement or project.

The delivered sessions run at regular intervals during year 1 of your study this enables you to research, prepare and plan (and get approval for), your project or placement in advance before you start your project / placement at the start of year 2.

Students participating in this module are required to proactively prepare, seek and secure a professional placement or project to complete their final 100 credit module 'Professional Placement / Project', which forms part of their Masters programme. The university will provide a variety of support and guidance and share any opportunities as and when they arise but the emphasis is on students to obtain relevant and suitable placement / projects within the given timescales.  

All placements and projects and must be approved by the Faculty in advance.

The module concludes with an end of module assessment.

This module provides the opportunity to undertake an extended professional placement (min 30 weeks, over 3 terms starting at then beginning of year 2), with a view to developing practical knowledge and skills to enhance employability. Students will undertake a placement in collaboration with an appropriate organisation relevant to their programme of study. This module will support the development of relevant solutions to real-world organisational challenges. Students will be supported in researching and securing an appropriate project opportunity and this will be approved by the Faculty in advance. Students will have a dedicated tutor to support their professional learning.

For students in suitable employment, it may be possible to use this organisation as the placement setting subject to approval by both the employer and the Faculty.

This professional placement will be completed in the second year of study following the relevant taught modules of their Masters programme. Students will apply their learning whilst working on their project and at the end of their project, present their work and showcase their achievements at a Faculty Professional Conference. 

This module provides the opportunity to undertake an extended professional project, with a view to developing practical knowledge and skills to enhance employability. Students will undertake a project which is relevant to their programme of study and future careers aspirations. Students will demonstrate their work helping them to build their CVs, grow their networks and showcase their professionalism and employability.

This module will support the development of relevant, feasible, realistic and well informed solutions to real-world organisational challenges. Students will be supported to prepare, research and secure an appropriate project opportunity, which will be approved by the Faculty in advance of commencing. Students will have a dedicated tutor to support their professional learning.

For students in suitable employment, it may be possible to use this organisation as the project setting subject to approval by both the employer and the Faculty.

This professional project will be completed in the second year of study following the relevant taught modules of their Masters programme. Students will apply their learning whilst working on their project and at the end of their project, as part of the assessment present their work and their achievements at a Faculty Conference. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

Teaching is via lectures, workshops, laboratory/design sessions and more

Assessment is via exams and coursework

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

Your Future Career

Job prospects

Automotive, aerospace, R&D, consultancy and manufacturing sectors. Transferable skills allow graduates to explore careers in management, finance, IT and the armed forces. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of second class lower degree in a discipline related to Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical/Electronics Engineering or Computer Engineering.

2:2honours degree

A minimum of a second-class lower degree in a discipline related to Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or Computer Engineering.

International students coming to study MSc Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, will be required to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before submitting an application for a student visa and/or enrolling on this course. The code for this course is CAH10-01-02. A copy of your ATAS certificate must be submitted to the International Admissions Team before a CAS is issued.

English Language Requirements

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements. 

Switch combined course content

Optional 2-year master's to suit your needs

Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.

In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing your university-acquired knowledge and insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.

Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.

Please note, this course is available as a one-year master degree course, or as a Two-Year Master's Course with a Professional Placement or Project. Please carefully consider your options when applying for our one year or Two-year routes as successful international applicants will not be able to change between courses after a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter has been issued or after arriving in the UK.

Fees and Funding

£8,775for a full-time course (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.

The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,750, due at the start of the second year of the course.

£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.

Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

Who You’ll Learn From

Dr Dele Owodunni

Senior Lecturer
Dr Oladele Owodunni

Dr Simon Hodgson

Senior Lecturer
Dr Simon Hodgson

Dr Yunhao Liang

Lecturer
Yunhao Liang

Dr David Ward

Programme Leader for Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons)
profile picture of david ward

Dr Richard Stocker

Senior Lecturer
Dr Richard Stocker

Professor Bin Yang

Professor
Prof Bin Yang

Enquire about a course