Engineering
Degree
Mechanical Engineer
Apply physics and mechanics to design machines, tools and moving systems used across every industry.
A day in the life
Draw up CAD designs, choose materials, run stress and thermal calculations, and visit factories to check prototypes.
Entry routes
- A-level Physics + Maths
- Accredited Mechanical Engineering degree
- Engineering graduate scheme or degree apprenticeship
Typical salary
£25,000-£31,000 to £65,000+
Mid-career: £38,000-£55,000
Salaries vary widely with sector and chartership.
UK employers
- Siemens
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Arup
- Renishaw
Worldwide employers
- Siemens (global)
- Toyota
- Tesla
- ABB
Useful route links
These links are good starting points for courses, apprenticeships, graduate routes and professional training. They open the official or specialist sites rather than another summary page.
UCAS course search: mechanical engineering
Compare degree prospectuses, entry requirements, open days and course structures.
ucas.com
Engineering apprenticeships
Search current engineering apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship vacancies.
findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
UCAS Physics and astronomy courses
Search UK undergraduate physics, astrophysics and related degree options.
ucas.com
Prospects: what can I do with a physics degree?
Independent overview of careers that physics graduates enter.
prospects.ac.uk
Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK
Search current apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship vacancies in England.
gov.uk
Key skills
Explore related careers
Sources and further reading
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