Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

MIT's Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering is a research-oriented graduate degree combining advanced coursework with a substantial master's thesis. A typical programme consists of six 12-unit graduate subjects plus a thesis and normally takes approximately two years of full-time study. Students can pursue research across areas including applied mechanics, computational mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, energy and power, controls, design, manufacturing, materials, robotics, automotive and aircraft engines, micro-electromechanical systems and environmental sustainability.

Applicants must have completed, or be completing before enrolment, a bachelor's degree. Most incoming students have backgrounds in mechanical engineering or ocean engineering, although applicants from other engineering disciplines and science may also apply.

Applicants are expected to have undergraduate-level exposure to core mechanical engineering areas including solid mechanics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, control, design and manufacturing, together with familiarity with basic electric circuits and electromagnetic field theory.

The application requires a statement of objectives, at least three letters of recommendation and academic transcripts. GRE scores are not required for the standard Mechanical Engineering graduate programme.

IELTS Academic: minimum overall score 7.0

TOEFL iBT: minimum score 100 under the traditional scale

TOEFL iBT 2026 scale: minimum score 5

Duolingo English Test: minimum score 135

International applicants must submit valid English-language proficiency scores unless they meet MIT's eligibility requirements for an automatic exemption. MIT Mechanical Engineering does not offer departmental discretionary ELP waivers.