Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement

So basically I am writing a personal statement to apply for mechanical engineering, but in it, I only refer to it as "engineering". My paragraph on what inspired me etc. all uses the broad word "engineering". Also my work experience was with Civil Engineers, and a book that I am reading for this is also more related to Structures rather than Mechanical things. An online engineering course I did, also was more about stationary objects like bridges and columns and leaned towards structural and civil engineering. Is this fine? Should I specifically refer to it as 'Mechanical Engineering', and if I have to, then what about all the other things I have done, should I do something else more related to Mechanical Engineering?

Thanks

So basically I am writing a personal statement to apply for mechanical engineering, but in it, I only refer to it as "engineering". My paragraph on what inspired me etc. all uses the broad word "engineering". Also my work experience was with Civil Engineers, and a book that I am reading for this is also more related to Structures rather than Mechanical things. An online engineering course I did, also was more about stationary objects like bridges and columns and leaned towards structural and civil engineering. Is this fine? Should I specifically refer to it as 'Mechanical Engineering', and if I have to, then what about all the other things I have done, should I do something else more related to Mechanical Engineering?
Thanks

Just engineering (as a whole in the PS) should be fine, lots of applicants applying to one type of engineering at one uni and something slightly different elsewhere (different unis offer slightly different variants of an engineering course sometimes). That doesn't mean you can't refer specifically to mechanical and share examples of interest in that area - very much welcome to do that.

Hey,
Writing a personal statement can be tricky, but it’s great that you’re already reflecting on how to best align your experiences with mechanical engineering! Here's some advice to guide you:
It’s fine to use the broad term “engineering” in your personal statement, especially when discussing general inspirations or interests. This can show you have a well-rounded understanding of the discipline. However, for a mechanical engineering application, it’s a good idea to make connections between your experiences and the mechanical aspects of the field.
For example:
If you’re talking about the book or your work experience in civil engineering, you could highlight the transferable skills or shared principles, like problem-solving, physics, or materials science, and how these tie into mechanical engineering.
If possible, weave in specific aspects of mechanical engineering that interest you, such as dynamics, thermodynamics, or machinery, even if they weren’t the direct focus of your past experiences.
If you feel your application could benefit from more mechanical engineering-related content, there’s still time to strengthen it. You can mention any personal projects, like designing or building mechanical systems (even simple ones, like assembling a bicycle or tinkering with engines), to show your practical interest.
If you’re unsure how to tailor your statement further, consider reaching out to your personal tutor or career services team at your school or college. They can provide feedback to ensure your statement aligns with your chosen course.
It’s okay to have experiences from other branches of engineering - this shows a broad interest and foundation. What’s important is how you tie them back to your passion for mechanical engineering and your desire to specialise in this field. By emphasising transferable skills and expressing a clear enthusiasm for the subject, you can craft a great personal statement.
Best of luck with your application! 😊
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

I would caution very heavily against explicitly referring to transferable skills, this is something a university can work out for themselves without you needing to spell it out - it's a waste of characters and universities have often told us that they don't want to see this kind of content.
Salford may have a different policy though, so follow that advice if you'd really like to study rhere