Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics

Mechanical engineering and mechatronics sit at the intersection of machines and intelligence. Mechanical engineering has long been concerned with the design and analysis of physical systems, from engines and turbines to robots and vehicles. Mechatronics extends this by integrating electrical engineering, electronics, computing and control systems, creating the interdisciplinary foundation needed to design truly smart machines: systems that sense their environment, process information and act accordingly.

The results of this integration are visible everywhere, from automated manufacturing lines and surgical robots to electric vehicles and autonomous drones.

At the University of Southampton, this four-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you direct professional experience in engineering or manufacturing before you graduate. You will develop knowledge across mechanical design, materials, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, alongside electrical systems, control theory, embedded computing and robotics. The combination of these disciplines is increasingly sought-after in a world where the boundary between physical and digital engineering is disappearing rapidly.

You will work on design projects and practical challenges throughout the programme, developing the ability to move from concept through analysis to a working system. Southampton's research strength in engineering science and its connections with industry in aerospace, automotive, marine and defence sectors enrich the environment in which you work and provide pathways into professional roles.

Graduates go on to careers in mechanical engineering, robotics, automotive and aerospace engineering, manufacturing, medical devices, defence, energy systems and technology consulting. The breadth of the combined discipline makes graduates versatile across sectors. Chartered engineering status through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or the Institution of Engineering and Technology is a common professional goal, and postgraduate study is available for those who want to specialise further in control, robotics or related areas.