簡介：Mechanical engineering is among the 20 most popular subjects at degree level and attracts more applicants than any other branch of the wider discipline. The arrival of higher fees cemented this position, as applications rose by more than 6 per cent – the latest in a series of substantial rises. The number of places has also grown in recent years, allowing 6,700 students to start degrees in 2011, but six applications for every place still made it the most competitive branch of engineering. It is not hard to see why. Despite the economic downturn, mechanical engineering is among the top ten subjects both for early career prospects and starting salaries in graduate jobs, averaging more than ￡24,700 at the end of 2010. Most universities demand maths – preferably with a strong component of mechanics – and another science subject (usually physics) at A level or its equivalent. Cambridge’s lead in mechanical engineering has narrowed for the second year in a row, but remains considerable. Imperial College continues in second place, with Sheffield not far behind. Cambridge, which was ranked second in the world in mechanical engineering in 2011, has by far the highest entry standards, the best research grades and the top employment record. Sussex and Robert Gordon prevented a clean sweep by recording the highest scores in the 2011 National Student Survey and the latter was the highest-placed post-1992 university, despite just failing to reach the top 20. High satisfaction scores are spread through most of the table, with only ten universities failing to win the approval of at least 70 per cent of final-year undergraduates. Entry scores vary widely. Imperial and Bristol join Cambridge with average entry scores of more than 500 points, but six universities still average less than 250 points. The large numbers of mature students upgrading their qualifications in mechanical engineering mean that more than a third of the entrants at post-1992 universities are admitted without A levels or their equivalent. Bolton is Cambridge’s nearest challenger in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise while Imperial comes closest to emulating the 94 per cent positive destinations among Cambridge graduates in 2010. Cardiff remains the top university in Wales and Strathclyde does the same in Scotland.以下是2013年times英國大學排名機械工程業排名。