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1 Years On Campus Masters Program
University of KentThe University of Kent offers a one-year Mechanical Engineering (by Research and Thesis) MSc, ideal for students who want to focus in detail on a specific subject in mechanical engineering through independent research. Rather than the traditional taught format, this course enables you to carry out original, supervised research, which will enable you to make a new contribution to the field. It's particularly appropriate if you're intending to do a PhD or pursue a research-based industry career.
Curriculum Structure
Unlike taught courses, this MSc is research-based, so you'll spend the majority of your time on a major thesis, guided by an academic supervisor who's a specialist in your research interest. You'll also be able to tap into training in research techniques, technical writing, and data analysis, so you're properly equipped to carry out and communicate great research.
Key features include:
Year-round full-time research project
One-to-one supervision by academic specialists
Access to cutting-edge laboratory and computing facilities
Emphasis on independent critical thinking and innovation
Accreditation
While this research-led MSc does not carry formal engineering accreditation (as with many research degrees), the University of Kent is a UK recognised body, and its School of Engineering has a good reputation for its academic standards and research output.
Campus Location
Located in Canterbury, a historic city with a vibrant student population, the University of Kent has a scenic, well-equipped campus. The School of Engineering and Digital Arts features modern laboratories, specialist research spaces, and regular contact with academics involved in global research collaborations.
Although there is an academic research focus, a number of opportunities for practical and experiential learning are available through:
Supervised Research Projects: Work in collaboration with the faculty on real-world problems in areas like thermodynamics, robotics, or advanced manufacturing.
Workshops and Seminars: Regular sessions to enhance your technical communication, project management, and engineering software capabilities.
Industry Connections: You'll get a chance to work on projects co-developed with industry partners, giving you excellent exposure.
Conferences and Journals: Students are typically encouraged to present research at conferences or publish in academic journals, a great platform for individuals interested in PhD routes.
The University's Careers and Employability Service helps students with:
One-to-one career guidance and mentoring
CV, personal statement, and interview preparation
Access to careers fairs and graduate job opportunities exclusively
Employability
MSc graduates usually proceed to work as research and development engineers, mechanical designers, or technical consultants in the aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, and manufacturing sectors. The independent thought and problem-solving facilitated by the program are well appreciated by employers in a world that is ever more reliant on innovation.
Further Academic Progression
This course gives a suitable preparation for PhD research at Kent or other leading universities. Some graduates also proceed into fields such as data science, AI applications in engineering, or even management pathways with a technical focus, leveraging their analytical and project-based competencies.
IELTS - 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each componentTOEFL - 87 overall (with a minimum of 20 in R; 19 in L&W; 22 in S)Students can collaborate with the Embedded Systems and Instrumentation Research Group or Biometrics and Biomedical Systems Group, allowing for cross-pollination between mechanical engineering, electronics, and digital arts—a rare blend in UK universities.The University of Kent offers a flexible, student-driven research structure, where you can tailor your thesis direction from a broad pool of active faculty interests—ranging from fluid dynamics to robotic control systems—rather than being limited to preset project themes.Students may get the opportunity to participate in live, industry-sponsored research contracts with local and national partners. This can provide not just funding but also real-world data and a chance to co-author patent-driven innovations.Unlike many universities where shared lab time is the norm, Kent provides dedicated lab technicians and workshop support for individual MSc researchers, allowing for quicker prototyping and custom apparatus fabrication.Your work can align with Kent’s broader strategic themes like Future Human, Digital World, and Environment, Food, and Health, positioning your research in a global impact context—a unique framework not always available at technical-only institutions.Research and development engineermechanical design engineeraerospace engineerautomotive engineerrobotics engineerthermal systems analystacademic researchermanufacturing engineerCAD specialistPhD candidate
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