UCL was the third English university to be founded, and the first to appoint a professor of engineering. It was the first university in the country to admit female students and it achieves a near 50% male/female split. It is situated amidst the squares of Bloomsbury, in the heart of London, close to the British Museum and the West End. UCL is a thriving multi-faculty university with around 19,000 students. It is ranked in the top ten of the worldwide league table of universities published by the Times. UCL’s objectives are the pursuit of excellence and research within a global context.

In addition to Mechanical Engineering, UCL supports several other engineering departments including Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Electronic and Electrical, and Biochemical.

Department of mechanical engineering
Mechanical Engineering at UCL started in 1847 and staff and alumni of the Department have been responsible for many notable innovations particularly within the field of racing car design. Two degree programmes exist, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering with Business Finance, with a choice of either three or four years of study. All programmes are fully accredited by engineering institutions.

Entry requirements
Mechanical Engineering AAA-AAB, Engineering with Business Finance A*AA-AAA, at A level depending on whether the MEng or BEng are applied for, with Maths and Physics being preferred subjects. Many alternative qualifications, e.g. the International Baccalaureate are acceptable to UCL, please contact us for further details.

Student/industry linkages
UCL has strong links with the Year In Industry organization (www.yini.org.uk). Their London office is based in the College, and they therefore offer an on-campus service. The organization manages a placement scheme which aims to provide year long, engineering-relevant, jobs to successful applicants. The Year in Industry can either be taken as a gap year before starting university or as a year “in-between”. UCL supports the scheme by offering deferred entry and suspension of studies facilities. The Department of Mechanical Engineering works closely with industry and some of these relationships can also generate Summer placements.

Specialist facilities
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has undergone a major programme of refurbishment of its laboratories and infrastructure. Our thermodynamic lab has four new engine test beds as well as a unique fuel systems test facility. Our Fluids lab has two wind tunnels and two new wave tanks. The latter are used for testing new ship designs and offshore structures. Bioengineering is one of the department’s specialities, and new facilities have been opened to study developments in biomaterials. 

Further information and contact details
Copies of UCL’s printed prospectus can be obtained from either visiting www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students or by writing to:
Study Information Centre
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT

Tel: +44 (0) 207 679 3000
Email: study@ucl.ac.uk
Website: www.ucl.ac.uk

UCL’s website also provides comprehensive information on the applications process, scholarships, bursaries, accommodation, and also on provisions for international students.

Each department at UCL also has its own website. For Mechanical Engineering, please visit www.mecheng.ucl.ac.uk