Department Of Mechanical Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield. Undergraduate Study
Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
Why Mechanical Engineering? BECAUSE IT IS ALL AROUND YOU. It is in the way we travel. It is in the way we power and heat our homes. It is part of the way our towns and cities work and are kept safe. It is in the way we design products to do what we need them to do. And It is in the way we manufacture them. It is in the way we are improving healthcare and diagnosis. It is in the way we will make the most of our resources and limit waste. It is in the future of everything, and a sustainable one too. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest fields of engineering you can study, where you will explore core engineering science and how it can be applied to a wide range of different environments and industries. At Sheffield, you will have the chance to study from this wide range of subject and impact areas as part of your course, taking advantage of the diverse expertise and teaching on offer across the Department - going on to specialise in the areas that interest you.
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As a mechanical engineer you can make an impact in:
Manufacturing Product design Transport and aerospace Healthcare Energy and sustainability Sports engineering Built environment Safety Research and more...
The [engineering] science that you learn is everywhere, so you can actually correlate what you learn to the real world. Indraneel, current student
[It] allows you to make a change and difference in so many different fields and put your skills to great work, that’s why I love mechanical engineering. Jonny, recent Sheffield graduate
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
Be a mechanical engineer at Sheffield University of Sheffield. HESA 2019.
As a mechanical engineering student at Sheffield, you will be connected. Everything we do is focused on you, your experience here, and how it will help you into your future career. You will develop an interest in how things work and learn more about the science behind it - connecting it to the world around you to help solve engineering problems and improve lives. You will be taught by academics who are experts in their fields, with a wealth of experience and links with industry and research. You will also have an academic personal tutor who will support and guide your progress. You will take part in small group study and tutorial groups in your first and second years too, helping to reinforce your learning from lectures and giving you opportunities to work more closely with your course mates. You will also get involved in a number of group design projects throughout your course.
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You will be encouraged to take part in the many extra-curricular student led activities, societies and competitions on offer at Sheffield – another opportunity to connect with students across the Faculty of Engineering and from other universities, as well as bodies like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), industrial partners and sponsors.
Small group learning Personal tutoring Research-led teaching Links with industry World-class facilities Scholarships Student-led activities
I’m involved in biomechanics research - looking at the mechanics of how our bodies work. I am particularly interested in our musculoskeletal system and have created computer models based on medical images. Dr Xinshan Li, Lecturer
As a mechanical engineering student at Sheffield, the majority of your lectures and labs take place in the Diamond, which is purpose-built for undergraduate engineering teaching. It is home to specialist facilities such as our engineering applications workshop, structures and dynamics laboratory, and thermodynamics and mechanics laboratory. This all means that you will directly apply what you’ve learnt in lectures to lab sessions, helping you to put theory into practice. Alongside teaching and study spaces, the Diamond is also home to iForge - the UK’s first student-led makerspace.
My research is in the field of tribology, or the study of friction, wear and lubrication. Tribologists look at how different surfaces interact together, and can involve anything from investigating how bearings work in a wind turbine, to how train wheels and rail interact, and even how much grip your shoes have on different surfaces. Dr Matt Carré, Lecturer
Group and multidisciplinary projects 5
Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
On course for your future
IN YOUR FIRST YEAR, A TYPICAL 40 HOUR WEEK INCLUDES:
Lectures Independent Study
25%
52.5%
Note: This is an illustration of a typical week so your hours in each type of study could differ from week to week, semester to semester. Individual timetables are confirmed at the start of your academic year.
7.5%
Tutorials
7.5% 7.5%
Lab Sessions
Design Classes
At Sheffield, our students learn by doing - connecting theory to practice. This means our flexible courses will challenge and engage you, but also help you to develop the skills, knowledge and experience that employers look for. You will apply what you’ve learnt in the lecture theatre to engineering problems and experiments. You will have the chance to manufacture and prototype your designs. You will also develop transferable skills such as communication, project management and time management. You will have plenty of opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical engineering problems. Building on the way our courses have a strong focus on engineering design and modelling. You will also be introduced to business and management in an engineering context.
Explore all aspects of engineering Learn about fundamental scientific principles Gain hands-on, practical experience Specialise in your final year Develop your approach to problem-solving Build your communication and team-working skills Experience projects with industrial partners
I got the chance to try out lots of modules and decide which ones I enjoyed and then towards the end of my degree, used my favourite subjects in research projects. Roshni, Sheffield mechanical engineering alumna now working as a fire and CFD engineer
I became interested in mechanical engineering through my love of maths and problem-solving. It really combined those two things and allowed me to develop my maths skills further but apply it to practical situations.
I really liked the curriculum, and compared to the other UK universities I visited, Sheffield just felt right. I can definitely say I have never regretted my choice! Leonardo, current student
Esther, recent Sheffield graduate
All of our courses are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Tyler (pictured below) has been involved in research activity as an undergraduate through the SURE scheme.
World of Opportunity Studying mechanical engineering at Sheffield can open up a whole world of opportunity. Whether you are interested in work and research experience during your degree, spending a year in industry, or travelling abroad, there is a lot that our undergraduate students can explore.
I joined the Graduate Scheme at British Sugar after graduating from Sheffield. I secured this by completing my year in industry with its parent company, AB Sugar. Rasan, Sheffield mechanical engineering alumnus (pictured below)
It was a golden opportunity to experience how engineering is taught in another country that leads in technology, whilst studying for the same degree. I also wanted to gain an international perspective of my field and future career. Felicia, recent Sheffield graduate who spent a year in the USA
GLOBETROTTER If you are keen on travel and want to experience another culture as part of your time at university, take a look at our study abroad courses. You can spend up to a year living and studying in another country developing your chosen language*, confidence and international business skills.
Undergraduate Study
You will study at an equivalent level to students back in Sheffield, which means you will not have to extend the length of your course to spend time away from the UK, and you will also have a dedicated time abroad tutor to support you.
There was a lot I enjoyed about my year in industry. The work I was doing was research intensive, and a highlight of my year was that this gave me freedom to pursue my own ideas.
*We also have courses with time abroad where you learn in English too!
Samuele, recent Sheffield graduate
Interested in research experience? The University of Sheffield’s SURE: Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience scheme helps undergraduate students to get involved in research activity. This means you can take part in real-life research projects and experience what it is like to work in partnership with academic staff, or collaboratively in a research group.
EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY At Sheffield, you can work in industry for a year as part of your degree. Having industrial work experience can help put your academic studies into context, further develop your skills, and improve your employability. You can start to build a work profile, learn more about your own career interests, and start your journey towards being a professionally recognised engineer. You will be responsible for finding your own placement but the departmental and faculty year in industry teams will help you find the right position and get the most out of your time in industry. Salaries for placement students typically range between £11,000 and £21,000.
STAND OUT Having lots of experience under your belt to share at future interviews can help you stand out from other job applicants and get you to where you want to be. At Sheffield, we will help you build that experience up throughout your course - from multi-disciplinary project weeks and the chance to work on projects with our industrial partners, to taking up work experience and placements that you can complete alongside your academic studies.
Recent Sheffield graduate Jeena spent a year in Canada as part of her degree. 8
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
#Shefunilife Alongside your course studies, there is a number of different experiences and projects that you can get involved in as an engineering student at Sheffield. They are a great chance for you to develop, widen your learning, make friends and have some fun too. Here are some examples of the types of activities you can get involved in (you can find out more about our student led activities and societies over the page as well).
GLOBAL ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
SHEFFIELD ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (SELA)
This week-long, inter-disciplinary project for first year engineering students tackles realworld problems from a global perspective. It challenges you to think about the technical issues in engineering developments, but also the social, ethical and environmental implications of your decisions. It is the kind of thinking that will equip you for a career with impact - shaping and improving the world we live in.
SELA develops engineering undergraduate students to become future leaders who will create a positive impact in research and industry. Any interested MEng engineering students can apply to join, with successful applicants taking on SELA activities during their second and third years. Industry involvement is central to the programme with industrial partners providing motivational speakers, summer work placements, skills training, and mentoring opportunities.
ENGINEERING YOU’RE HIRED! This project week for second year engineering students is designed to give you experience of industry-style working - taking a brief and developing it from initial concept to project plan. Another opportunity for interdisciplinary working, you will also be guided by mentors from industry. Past projects have included designing a fuel-efficient autonomous road vehicle, and a sustainable swarm robot system to help monitor a precision agriculture system.
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I really did enjoy SELA, it was one of the major parts of my second and third years and was instrumental in me getting my year in industry [placement]. Sam, recent Sheffield graduate
iFORGE The UK’s first student-led makerspace, at the iForge you can collaborate, create and make - whether its for your own personal project or part of your academic studies. Based in the Diamond building, iForge is run by a team of student reps and there is a whole host of equipment available for you to access, from traditional hand tools, to state-of-the-art laser cutters and 3D printers.
The iForge is one of the highlights of my time here… it is a place where I can work on my personal projects and develop those, as well as work on my academic projects. Tyler, current student and iForge rep
CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS As an engineering student, there are lots of industry competitions, hackathons, and professional body challenges that you can take part in and we encourage our students to get stuck in where they can as additional learning opportunities. For example, our students have been involved in the IMechE Design Challenge, and Hackcessible, the UK’s first multi-disciplinary make-a-thon that puts users at the heart of the project.
Participating in different engineering projects expanded my understanding of other fields and led me to new experiences too. Yun-Hang, Sheffield mechanical engineering alumnus
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
Team Sheffield Alongside different engineering project weeks and development programmes, there are a range of student-led activities, societies and challenge teams you can get involved in at Sheffield. During intro week, we bring many of these groups together for you to meet, so you can find out more about them and how to apply.
SHEFFIELD FORMULA RACING
SUNRIDE
This student team designs and builds a single seat racing car to compete in the annual IMechE Formula Student competition - the biggest student motorsport competition in Europe. The Sheffield team was established in 2009 and has gone from strength to strength, moving from overall 62nd place in their first competition to 5th (2nd in the UK) in 2018.
First established in 2017, SunrIde wanted to bring rocket engineering to Sheffield and as a result, became the first team from the UK to take part in the Spaceport America Cup - the world’s largest rocket engineering competition and conference involving over 1000 students. In 2019, the team reached an apogee of 36762ft and beat an altitude record held since 2000.
Being part of a team that works so well together, always willing to help you out and teach you what they know and being able to return that, is an incredible experience. Naomi, recent Sheffield graduate and former member of Sheffield Formula Racing
The idea for SunrIde came from seeing the success of another student activity… we realised that rocket engineering could be a great project to get involved in too, using the skills we were developing as student engineers. Georgios, current student and member of SunrIde
RAILWAY CHALLENGE AT SHEFFIELD (RCAS) Taking part in the IMechE Railway Challenge competition every summer, the Sheffield team is the only competing group that is purely extracurricular. The team is tasked with designing and manufacturing a miniature (10¼” gauge) railway locomotive, following a set of rules and technical specifications.
As a first year, I found RCAS extremely welcoming. The more experienced members are always willing to help and I can learn from their knowledge and guidance. Isobel, current student and member of RCAS
MechSoc (Mechanical Engineering Society) Engineers Without Borders Women in Engineering Student Society IMechE UAS Challenge Underwater robotics team, Avalon ROV
SHEFFIELD ECO MOTORSPORTS This student team designs, builds and tests an energy-efficient vehicle, pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible to see how far their design can go on the least amount of fuel. Their design is put through its paces at an annual race in London.
Project SunbYte, a nova balloon telescope development team ...and many more!* *This includes loads of other societies, special interest and sports groups both inside and outside of engineering that you can find out about via Sheffield Students’ Union.
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Undergraduate Study
Our Special City There are not many cities in the UK that can surprise you like Sheffield. For a big city to have such a strong sense of community is unusual. Then there is the fact that this is one of Europe’s greenest cities, with over 250 parks and woodlands – great for our general wellbeing. A third of this famously friendly city is in the Peak District National Park, one of Britain’s most celebrated areas of outstanding natural beauty. It blends urban and rural. And it is a major cultural centre – music, theatre, creative arts – that attracts students from all over the world. • An abundance of craft coffee, street food markets and international restaurants • A thriving night life, with live music venues, bars and clubs across the city
Sheffield’s got everything - great football, great music, a great University, and a great nightlife. There’s nothing you can’t do in Sheffield. Jack, current student
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We are international For our international students, we know that leaving your home country to study can be a big step, so at the University of Sheffield, we do everything we can to help you settle in.
• A busy city centre with many high street and independent shops. Meadowhall, one of the UK’s leading shopping and leisure destinations, is just a tram ride away • Sports galore with football, snooker, ice hockey, swimming and athletics to name a few. With the Peak District so close, climbing, hiking and cycling are on many students’ agendas too
Sheffield has some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I have so many fantastic memories. Tsing Yu Ng, Sheffield mechanical engineering alumna now working as a graduate engineer in building services
• Home to a number of art galleries and museums, as well as an acclaimed community of street artists • Sheffield Students’ Union has won multiple awards, with its own bank branch, travel agent, jobshop, cinema, live music venue and more • A whole range of accommodation options available to students, including awardwinning, purpose built student villages • Sheffield is around 2.5 hours from London and 1 hour from Manchester by train
Access to facilities such as the student health centre Guaranteed accommodation for your first year The University of Sheffield is an international university with students joining our community from across the globe - and that goes for the Department of Mechanical Engineering too, with approximately 150 international students studying their mechanical engineering undergraduate degree with us. This creates a collaborative, inclusive community for all of our mechanical engineering students, and is a great opportunity to prepare for a global workplace. You will also make friends and contacts from all over the world.
Dedicated international student support office Multi-faith chaplaincy ide variety of student W societies and activities English Language Teaching Centre
The University is very focused on helping international students to integrate, and there is a large international community here.
My favourite thing about Sheffield is its multi-national and multi-cultural community. Eldar, Sheffield graduate and current PhD student
Yannick, current student
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Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.
Mechanical Engineers: INNOVATORS INVESTIGATORS INVENTORS As a mechanical engineering student at Sheffield, you will continually develop the engineering and design skills you will need for your future career as a professional engineer. You will build a firm understanding of engineering science and gain practical, hands on experience of applying that knowledge. You will have the chance to work on real-life projects with our industrial partners - such as Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Network Rail giving you experience that will support your employability and like many of our graduates, you may find yourself working for them in the future too. You will also develop additional experience that will be of interest to employers, such as project management, communication and teamwork. As a Sheffield graduate, you could enter a number of different industries and sectors including manufacturing, transport, power, research, design, consultancy and more. Outside of engineering, some of our graduates have transferred their skills and become teachers, charity workers or started their own businesses. However, if you do have a particular career path in mind, you can specialise. For example, you have a wide variety of module and project options available to you in your final year if you are keen to focus on a specific field.
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Undergraduate Study
We can help you to secure that graduate job too. We have strong links with industry, key employers know the experience that Sheffield graduates can bring. These organisations will actively seek you out. For example, we host a careers event for our final year students where they can meet prospective employers.
Continual development of skills and experience Strong links with industry Dedicated engineering placement and employability team Opportunities to undertake placements and a year in industry Wide variety of career paths open to mechanical engineers
%
of our mechanical engineering graduates secure employment or further study*
the average salary of mechanical engineering graduates*
of our graduates go on to graduate level work or further study*
Choosing my final year project and having the opportunity to choose my modules in fourth year, I figured out that the railway industry is something I want to be part of and I have my time in Sheffield to thank for that. Jeena, recent Sheffield graduate now working in the railway industry
Mechanical Engineering is a tough degree. However, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. You will ultimately achieve one of the most employable and highly regarded degrees, that provides you with tremendous career opportunities. Oliver, recent Sheffield graduate
*Within 6 months of finishing their degree (DLHE Survey 2016/17)
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Mechanical Engineering: PAST, PRESENT AND YOUR FUTURE An image of a wheeled-vehicle is made on a pot from Southern Poland.
6000 BCE
The first depictions of canoes, dugouts and rafts were made in Egyptian rock paintings.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Sheffield is established.
1917
1903
1919
1929
Jet propulsion invented. It was patented the following year.
BCE
BCE
A wind-power machine is developed by the Persians.
The first dam designed specifically for generating hydroelectricity is built across the Colorado River.
The Wright Brothers achieve sustained controlled powered flight at Kitty Hawk.
Alice Parker patents a gas fuelled home heating system.
4000
1893
The æolipile, a simple steam engine, invented by Hero of Alexandria.
644
62
Josephine Cohrane patents the automatic dishwasher.
1889
1951
1830
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is created.
1885
The world’s first purpose-built automobile and first motorbike launched.
1886
1847
Find out more about mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield:
Sputnik 1, the first satellite to be launched into space, is sent into orbit by the Soviet Union.
The first usable electricity from nuclear fission is produced.
1947
Leonardo da Vinci conceives of flying machines.
BCE
Prof. William Ripper becomes first professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Sheffield.
The first female mechanical engineering student is welcomed to The University of Sheffield.
1493
The Liverpool & Manchester Railway opens - the first purpose built passenger railway in the world.
1957
Charles W. Hull patents term ‘stereolithography’.
1979
Visit us at our summer and applicant open days Read more about our course options in the enclosed leaflets Get in touch to talk in more depth about studying at Sheffield*
The first human implant of a mechanical heart valve, the Bileaflet heart valve, is introduced.
Find out more about us at www.sheffield.ac.uk/mecheng 1984
Follow us on social media for the latest news *You will find all of our contact details on the back cover.
FUTURE What will you be a part of?
Sheffield named top university in the UK for engineering research income and investment.
2019
2018
The Diamond building at The University of Sheffield opens.
The Laboratory for Verification and Validation (LVV) opens at The University of Sheffield.
2015
1991
Delabole wind farm opens, the first in the UK.
The Hubble Space Telescope begins to orbit, returning detailed images of deep space.
1990
Ref: IMechE, University of Sheffield, HESA. 18
Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Sheffield T: +44 (0) 114 222 7801 E: admit.mech@sheffield.ac.uk www.sheffield.ac.uk/mecheng /SheffMechEng /shefunimecheng @SheffMechEng /department-of-mechanical engineering-university-of-sheffield Book your open day place at www.sheffield.ac.uk
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is up to date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change, we will consult and inform students in good time and make reasonable steps to minimise disruption. Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate. However, as mentioned above courses, modules and course requirements are subject to review. There may be changes made between the date of this publication and the start of your course. For the latest information, please see www.sheffield.ac.uk/mecheng or contact the Department of Mechanical Engineering directly. This document was last updated October 2019. © The University of Sheffield Printed on Revive™. FSC ® recycled and Carbon Balanced through the World Land Trust.