School of Mechanical Engineering

Welcome to the School of Mechanical Engineering. On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about starting or returning to your studies. 

Scroll to the section that applies to you – new student, returning student or taught postgraduate student. We’ve also included some helpful links at the end of the page to direct you to anything else you might need.

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, find your faculty welcome and induction information to help you get started.

I’m a new student 

What do I need to do before I arrive?

First, we recommend you complete your registration. Then you should check out the University of Leeds welcome pages, which will guide you through what you need to do to feel settled, giving you the support, contacts and advice to make sure you are ready to go for the 2023/24 academic year.

Make sure you’ve got all your belongings with you – don’t forget your passport and acceptance letters!

What does my induction timetable look like?

Induction week starts on Monday 25 September 2023 and various welcome talks and events will take place across this week. We have yet to confirm the induction timetable, but you will be contacted via email once this has been finalised.

Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus during the entirety of term time and will attend timetabled face-to-face sessions. This is particularly important in the case of laboratory or practical classes.

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

Find out how your academic personal tutor can support you. There will be a ‘meet your personal tutor’ session in induction week.

Where can I go for support?

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

Support for your academic skills can be sought through your personal tutor, programme manager, module leaders, and various module activities. For other useful resources please visit skills@library.

How will I find out more about my programme?

During the induction week you will be provided with an overview of how your programme will work. For more detailed information about your specific programme of study, please visit the module and programme catalogue. You can also contact your programme leader via email with your questions or thoughts, their details can be found on the programme catalogue page. 

How will I get to know other students?

You can get to know other students through the ‘meet your personal tutor’ session during induction week, the peer mentoring scheme, and the School of Mechanical Engineering Society. You will also work get to know other members of your cohort through attending lectures, lab sessions (which might require you to work in pairs) or through larger group projects such as the buggy/glider build on our Design and Manufacture 1 module. 

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about them?

Once teaching begins you will be informed about what software or systems you need and provided with information on how to access them. You can also refer to the module catalogue to gain a sense of what software or systems will be used. 

The University has numerous computer clusters with PCs for you to use.

All students studying Chemistry modules will need to have access to Microsoft Office. You can download Microsoft Office Applications for free from Office365 using your University login.

Other software will be available free of charge through AppsAnywhere; a web-based portal that can be accessed with your University login. To use AppsAnywhere on your personal computer you will need to install the Cloudpaging Player.

Finally, you may need to use the University’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access some software from your personal device off campus.

Where can I access resources for my degree? 

You will be able to access resources via the specific module areas on Minerva. You will also be able to access resources both digitally and physically via the University’s library services.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course reps represent the views and opinions and provide feedback on behalf of all the students studying in the same year of the same programme as themselves. Where cohort sizes are large, two or more course reps will be appointed. Students will be contacted once the application process for volunteering to become a course representative is available. You can find more out about this on the student representation page.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, the School of Mechanical Engineering Society (MechEngSoc) hosts events and trips for Mechanical Engineering students. Connect with MechEngSoc on Facebook.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school?

Yes, there will be an introduction to this during our induction week. Details will follow via email along with induction week details. If you have any queries, you can email the student support office at mensso@leeds.ac.uk.

How does assessment work on my programme?

All details of assessment on modules can be found on the module catalogue. The deadlines for any assessed coursework submissions will be published on Minerva in a comprehensive ‘coursework deadlines’ document for each programme. You can also access the Code of Practice on Assessment (CoPA) to find detailed information on how work is assessed.

I’m a returning student 

How will my programme be delivered this year?

Our Director of Student Education, Dr Andrew Shires, will provide details of this during induction week.

What do I need to do before I arrive?

You will need to enrol for your modules and complete registration.

What does my induction timetable look like?

Induction week starts on Monday 25 September 2023 and various welcome talks and events will take place across this week. We have yet to confirm the induction timetable, but your session will take place on Friday 29 September 2023, and you will be contacted via email once this has been finalised.

Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus during the entirety of term time and will attend timetabled face-to-face sessions. This is particularly important in the case of laboratory or practical classes.

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You will meet your academic personal tutor at various points over the course of the academic year via tutorials. You will be provided with the schedule of these tutorials, and they will be entered into your timetable. You can also contact your academic personal tutor and request a 1-to-1 meeting at any point if you would like to speak with them. Find out how your academic personal tutor can support you. 

Where can I go for support?

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

Support for your academic skills can be sought through your personal tutor, programme manager, module leaders, and various module activities. For other useful resources please visit skills@library.

How will I find out more about my programme?

For more detailed information about your specific programme of study, please visit the module and programme catalogue. You can also contact your programme leader via email with your questions or thoughts, their details can be found on the programme catalogue page. 

How will I get to know other students?

You can get to know other students through the peer mentoring scheme and the School of Mechanical Engineering Society. You will also work get to know other members of your cohort through attending lectures, lab sessions (which might require you to work in pairs) or through larger group projects.

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about them?

Once teaching begins you will be informed about what software or systems you need and provided with information on how to access them. You can also refer to the module catalogue to gain a sense of what software or systems will be used. 

The University has numerous computer clusters with PCs for you to use.

All students studying Chemistry modules will need to have access to Microsoft Office. You can download Microsoft Office Applications for free from Office365 using your University login.

Other software will be available free of charge through AppsAnywhere; a web-based portal that can be accessed with your University login. To use AppsAnywhere on your personal computer you will need to install the Cloudpaging Player.

Finally, you may need to use the University’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access some software from your personal device off campus.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, the School of Mechanical Engineering Society (MechEngSoc) hosts events and trips for Mechanical Engineering students. Connect with MechEngSoc on Facebook.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school?

Yes, any returning students will be presented with the opportunity to become a peer mentor for a first-year undergraduate student. You will be contacted about this via email. If you have any queries, you can email the student support office at mensso@leeds.ac.uk.

How does assessment work on my programme?

All details of assessment on modules can be found on the module catalogue. The deadlines for any assessed coursework submissions will be published on Minerva in a comprehensive ‘coursework deadlines’ document for each programme. You can also access the Code of Practice on Assessment (CoPA) to find detailed information on how work is assessed.

I’m a postgraduate student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

First, we recommend you complete registration. Then you should check out the University of Leeds welcome website, which will guide you through what you need to do to feel settled, giving you the support, contacts and advice to make sure you are ready to go for the 2023/24 academic year.

Make sure you’ve got all your belongings with you – don’t forget your passport and acceptance letters!

How will my programme be delivered this year?

Our Director of Student Education, Dr Andrew Shires, will provide details of this during induction week.

What does my induction timetable look like?

The induction week commences on Monday 26 September 2023 and various welcome talks and events will take place across this week. We have yet to confirm the induction timetable, but you will be contacted via email once this has been finalised.

Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

The University expects that you will be on campus during the entirety of term time and will attend timetabled face-to-face sessions. This is particularly important in the case of laboratory or practical classes.

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You will be assigned an academic tutor once you have commenced work on your project, as they will also be your project supervisor. Find out how your academic personal tutor can support you.

Where can I go for support?

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

Support for your academic skills can be sought through your personal tutor, programme manager, module leaders, and various module activities. For other useful resources please visit skills@library.

How will I find out more about my programme?

For more detailed information about your specific programme of study, please visit the module and programme catalogue. You can also contact your programme leader via email with your questions or thoughts.

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about them?

Once teaching begins you will be informed about what software or systems you need and provided with information on how to access them. You can also refer to the module catalogue to gain a sense of what software or systems will be used. 

The University has numerous computer clusters with PCs for you to use.

All students studying Chemistry modules will need to have access to Microsoft Office. You can download Microsoft Office Applications for free from Office365 using your University login.

Other software will be available free of charge through AppsAnywhere; a web-based portal that can be accessed with your University login. To use AppsAnywhere on your personal computer you will need to install the Cloudpaging Player.

Finally, you may need to use the University’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access some software from your personal device off campus.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, the School of Mechanical Engineering Society (MechEngSoc) hosts events and trips for Mechanical Engineering students. Connect with MechEngSoc on Facebook.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school?

Yes, there will be an introduction to this during our induction week. Details will follow via email along with induction week details. If you have any queries, you can email the student support office at mensso@leeds.ac.uk.

Where can I find relevant career information for postgraduate students and opportunities for work to develop my career?

For career information, visit our Careers Centre pages. You can find details about various development paths you can take, for example, there is detailed information about becoming a researcher.

Other useful links

Student support and wellbeing
University of Leeds library
IT Service Desk
Leeds University Union (LUU)