Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Mechanical and electrical engineering together address the design and management of systems that convert, transmit and control energy in both mechanical and electrical forms. Mechanical engineering deals with the analysis and design of physical systems, from the forces that govern structures to the thermodynamics of engines and the kinematics of machines. Electrical engineering focuses on circuits, power systems, control theory, electronics and electromagnetics.

The boundary between the two has always been porous, but as electrification and automation advance across industry, transport and infrastructure, the ability to span both disciplines has become more important than ever.

At the University of Bristol this four-year full-time programme is designed around the recognition that industry has strong demand for engineers who can work effectively across mechanical and electrical disciplines to design systems that interchange and manage electro-mechanical energy. You will develop fundamental knowledge in both fields, building the analytical and design skills that underpin engineering work in power systems, electric vehicles, robotics, renewable energy and industrial automation. The programme develops both the theoretical understanding and the practical engineering tools needed to work on the complex energy conversion systems that characterise modern industrial and transport infrastructure.

Bristol's engineering programmes are taught in a research-intensive environment, and you will be exposed to the current challenges facing the engineering sector alongside the foundational principles of the discipline.

Graduates pursue careers in power engineering, electric vehicle development, aerospace, defence, robotics, renewable energy, manufacturing, control systems, infrastructure and consulting engineering. Many progress to postgraduate study or research in electrical, mechanical or systems engineering. The dual discipline approach makes graduates particularly versatile in a sector undergoing rapid transformation driven by electrification and automation.