Master of Science
MSc Thermal Power & Fluid Engineering
Refine your mastery of thermofluids for industry or research and graduate one of the UK's most targeted universities (THE Graduate Market 2024)
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Overview
Course description
This pioneering course has been taught here at the University for almost 40 years. Today, we continue to provide the training and education needed for thermofluid engineers to adapt and prepare for the everchanging demands of the modern world.
Whether you're a recent engineering or science graduate, someone looking to transition from closely related disciplines like Mechanics, Mathematics, or Physics, or a professional looking to not only enhance their expertise in thermofluids but develop skills in analytical, computational, and experimental methods, this course is carefully designed to nurture your potential. The advanced methods taught on this course for the analysis of heat and fluid flow are sought-after in both industrial and research applications.
The objectives of this course are to produce postgraduate specialists with:
- An advanced understanding of heat and fluid flow processes and their role in modern methods of power generation
- An in-depth understanding of numerical and experimental techniques in heat and fluid flow
Teaching on the course is delivered by academics from our world-leading research group in the field of turbulence modelling and heat transfer.
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Explore how you'll make your mark
Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.
You will explore the following goals in your course:
- Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Open days
We're delighted to hear you're interested in studying with us for your master's.
Take a look at our Meet Us page to find out when our next information sessions are taking place, and when you can next join us at a study fair near you.
For any further questions, we encourage you to get in touch - we're happy to help.
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 5300
- pg.mae.ce@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.manchester.ac.uk/mae/
- School/Faculty overview
-
The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way. Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
The standard academic entry requirement for this Master's programme isa Second Class UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Please note that we consider grades achieved in key relevant modules in your undergraduate degree as well as the overall degree result.
English language
English language
All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain the required English Language score:
- IELTS: at least 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.0.
- TOEFL iBT: at least 90 overall with no sub-test below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- Pearson PTE: at least 70 overall with no sub-test below 65.
Further information on language requirements can be found on our website .
Pre-sessional English
We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.
To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:
- 6 Week Pre-Sessional Course: Minimum 6.0 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.
- 10 Week Pre-sessional Course: Minimum 5.5 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.
If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate.
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £14,200
International, including EU, students (per annum): £38,400
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our Manchester Master's Bursaries are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.
We also welcome the best and brightest international students each year and reward excellence with a number of merit-based scholarships. See our range of master’s scholarships for international students .
And, if you have completed an undergraduate degree at The University of Manchester, or are currently in your final year of an undergraduate degree with us, you may be eligible for a discount of 10% on tuition fees if you choose to study on a taught postgraduate course here. Find out if you're eligible and how to apply .
For more information on master's tuition fees and studying costs, visit the University of Manchester funding for master's courses website to help you plan your finances.
Application and selection
How to apply
For further information about making an online application for this MSc course, please see the guidance on our department website about how to apply .
If you have any questions about the application process, the courseor about our entry requirements please do contact us at pg.mae.ce@manchester.ac.uk and we will be happy to advise you further.
Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must meet all the conditions of their offer by 31 July.
Advice to applicants
- Transcript of your studies to date including credit weighting and grades achieved. If your academic documents are in languages other than English, please provide them in their original version and official translations. 2+2 and 3+1 applicants must provide official transcripts and certificates from both institutions.
- An official document from your university verifying your current weighted average mark (not arithmetic average) if this information is not included in your transcript of study. Please note : where grades are given as a percentage, the weighted average mark must also be recorded as a percentage, not as a GPA grade.
- If still studying, please provide an official list of all the modules you are taking in your final year.
- Degree certificate if you have already graduated.
- A CV if you graduated more than three years ago.
How your application is considered
We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.
If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
CAS Information
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Student Route Visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Student Route Visa application.
ATAS Information
If you receive an offer from us you should apply for an ATAS clearance certificate if your course requires it, unless you're exempt because you're a national of the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA.
Your Student Route Visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one. For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate, please see the information in our ATAS Guidance .
Do not apply for ATAS until contacted by your admissions team, as the information required is subject to change. Failure to obtain a correct ATAS certificate will prevent our ability to issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
Deferrals
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
This pioneering course has been taught here at the University for almost 40 years. Today, we continue to provide the training and education needed for thermofluid engineers to adapt and prepare for the everchanging demands of the modern world.
Whether you're a recent engineering or science graduate, someone looking to transition from closely related disciplines like Mechanics, Mathematics, or Physics, or a professional looking to not only enhance their expertise in thermofluids but develop skills in analytical, computational, and experimental methods, this course is carefully designed to nurture your potential. The advanced methods taught on this course for the analysis of heat and fluid flow are sought-after in both industrial and research applications.
The objectives of this course are to produce postgraduate specialists with:
- An advanced understanding of heat and fluid flow processes and their role in modern methods of power generation
- An in-depth understanding of numerical and experimental techniques in heat and fluid flow
Teaching on the course is delivered by academics from our world-leading research group in the field of turbulence modelling and heat transfer.
Teaching and learning
Throughout the course, alongside the teaching, special emphasis is placed on both computational and experimental work; the aim is to provide insight through experimentally observed phenomena, and also to provide practical/computational experience of a wide range of measurement and data analysis techniques. Thus, the course has a strong practical orientation which is supported by our department laboratories and facilities and it aims to produce engineers who are able to engage in the design, development and testing of internal combustion engines, turbines or power producing devices. Whilst on the course, students have the opportunity to participate in a number of industrial visits. Relevant companies sometimes offer projects to our students as a result of these visits.
The MSc is continually reviewed and now includes course units such as research and experimental methods, advanced fluid mechanics, advanced heat transfer, engineering thermodynamics, power engineering and computational fluid dynamics. Students are assessed based upon a combination of coursework, laboratory calculations, exams and projects. Upon successful completion of taught modules the students are required to do a research dissertation.
Course unit details
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
AERO60122 | 15 | Mandatory | |
AERO60711 | 15 | Mandatory | |
AERO65021 | 15 | Mandatory | |
MECH60200 | 60 | Mandatory | |
MECH60220 | 0 | Mandatory | |
MECH60562 | 15 | Mandatory | |
MECH61022 | 15 | Mandatory | |
MECH61042 | 15 | Mandatory | |
MECH63081 | 15 | Mandatory | |
MECH63100 | 0 | Mandatory | |
Displaying 10 of 11 course units | |||
Display all course units |
Related research
The Thermo & Fluids research activity in the School of Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering is one of the strongest in the UK. The School was formed when the University of Manchester was established, in 2004, as a result of the merger between UMIST and the Victoria University of Manchester. This has brought together over 20 academics, research-active in Thermo and Fluids topics. The study of Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics has a long tradition in Manchester, starting with Osborne Reynolds, in the 1890s.
More recently the Manchester University and its two precursor institutions established strong reputations in CFD and Turbulence Modelling, IC Engines, Experimental Thermal Hydraulics, Combustion, Sprays and Atomization and Experimental Aerodynamics. There are currently six Specialist Research Discipline Groups in the Thermo and Fluids area;
- Advanced Flow Diagnostics
- Experimental Aerodynamics
- CFD
- Energy and Multi-Physics
- Turbulence Mechanics
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
In this cutting-edge course, you will master both the theory and practice of cornerstone industry topics within thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
With a significant proportion of our research derived and funded by industry, you will benefit from a course specifically designed to empower the modern engineer within both industry and research. A result of our sturdy links to industrial partners, you'll find the academics guiding you have worked on research-based collaborations with multinational companies, including: Boeing, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land rover, Électricité de France, Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Dyson, Alstom and many others.
Not only are our graduates one of the most sought-after in the UK (THE Graduate Market, 2024), but in studying Engineering at Manchester you join a trusted history which spans back to 1824. Today, each year our careers fairs, workshops and presentations attract more than 600 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors to target Manchester graduates - so you will be able to explore your avenues across a multitude of sectors.
Our recent graduates have gone on to work in internationally renowned companies including:
- Airbus, UK
- Électricité de France, UK
- Jaguar Land Rover, UK
- Dassault Systèmes, France
- Honda Motors, UK
- Doosan Global, UK
- ExxonMobil, UK
- Saudi Aramco, KSA
- Engro Chemicals, Pakistan
- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, UAE
- ANSYS, UK
- ABB Group, UK
- Exa GmbH, UK
Accrediting organisations
This course is currently in the process of being re-accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council for the 2025 to 2030 intakes. The process of renewing accreditation takes place regularly, at intervals of no greater than 5 years, to assure continued compliance with the academic requirements of professional accreditation. This course has been consistently accredited since 2009, and the outcome of the current re-accreditation process for September 2025 entry is due to be confirmed in June after which we will be able to update you further.
Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.