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Mechanical Engineering

These statistics relate to graduates from a number of different pathways – Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (MEng), Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics, Mechanical Engineering with Automotive Design, Motorsport Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Engineering and Aviation Engineering with Pilot Studies.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

76.4% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

10.4% were in full-time further study

3.8% were combining work and study

Graduates from Mechanical Engineering gain knowledge of all the fundamental elements of mechanical engineering and design as well as a thorough grounding in other related disciplines such as computing, electronics, environment and energy systems. Emphasis in all courses is on gaining industrial and commercial insight and awareness. The sandwich placement option can provide a fast track route to chartered engineering status. Due to the very vocational nature of this course, the majority of 2010/11 graduates from these subjects progressed into careers directly related to the subject studied and 78.8% of those who entered employment were working in Engineering roles classified as ’professional’ occupations.

In 2010/11 Mechanical Engineering graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Aerodynamic Engineer
• CAD Designer
• Calibration Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Diagnostic Engineer
• Diesel Development Engineer
• Finite Element Engineer
• Junior Model Designer (Formula One)
• Mechanical Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Systems Engineer

In 2010/11 Mechanical Engineering graduates entered further study courses such as:

• MEng Engineering Management
• MSc Advanced Engineering Design
• MSc Automotive Engineering
• PhD Heat Transfer
• PhD Material Engineering

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Mechanical Engineering experienced the following outcomes:

• 94.1% progressed into employment or further study
• 89.6% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 89.1% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £26,935. 

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result a small number of Mechanical Engineering graduates were working in non-graduate level positions in sales and customer service.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.