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Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics?

Hello I am debating whether I should do a mechanical engineering or mechatronics degree.

Mechatronics seems to involve making more complex machines which are a lot closer to what I want to make as an engineer and the especially the skills i would gain in that degree are attractive to me, and I am considering going into a robotics career once I graduate but I do like how much more versatile of a degree mech eng is over mechatronics especially considering I change my mind a lot so the ability to go into basically any engineering career (including ones outside of engineering) is very valuable to me and I do know that you learn a baseline of electrical and programming in that which are the skills that might attract me towards mechatronics and you can still work in robotics as a mechanical engineer but I would like to at least help and have sizable knowledge in the electrical aspects.

However I will say that the physical building aspects of engineering are what I like most especially prototyping which I know is what mechanical engineers tend to do.

I am also considering other roles with a career in space exploration technology and building satellites and space rovers being at the top of my list but I am conscious that this a more ambitious and more of a long shot and robotics is a very close second for careers I might want to do.

I'm also going to add that I am currently studying a mechanical engineering foundation year so at the end of the year I would have baseline knowledge that would hopefully help in both fields.

Another option for me would be to do my masters in mechatronics after a bachelors in mech eng which is a good option because I wanted to do my masters regardless but I am conscious about the extra cost of doing another extra year on top of my foundation year.
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

Original post
by 7KRocks
Hello I am debating whether I should do a mechanical engineering or mechatronics degree.
Mechatronics seems to involve making more complex machines which are a lot closer to what I want to make as an engineer and the especially the skills i would gain in that degree are attractive to me, and I am considering going into a robotics career once I graduate but I do like how much more versatile of a degree mech eng is over mechatronics especially considering I change my mind a lot so the ability to go into basically any engineering career (including ones outside of engineering) is very valuable to me and I do know that you learn a baseline of electrical and programming in that which are the skills that might attract me towards mechatronics and you can still work in robotics as a mechanical engineer but I would like to at least help and have sizable knowledge in the electrical aspects.
However I will say that the physical building aspects of engineering are what I like most especially prototyping which I know is what mechanical engineers tend to do.
I am also considering other roles with a career in space exploration technology and building satellites and space rovers being at the top of my list but I am conscious that this a more ambitious and more of a long shot and robotics is a very close second for careers I might want to do.
I'm also going to add that I am currently studying a mechanical engineering foundation year so at the end of the year I would have baseline knowledge that would hopefully help in both fields.
Another option for me would be to do my masters in mechatronics after a bachelors in mech eng which is a good option because I wanted to do my masters regardless but I am conscious about the extra cost of doing another extra year on top of my foundation year.

hello there! I think according to what you say, mechanical engineering is what suits you the best. Because even though mechatronics includes some mechanical parts, it's more heavy in electronics, software and automation stuff. In Mechanical they do teach you those but in less depth. It's always good to research more and try what suits you and what helps you reach your future goals. Also there are some courses which includes both mechanical engineering and mechatronics engineering such as in Australia or UK. Or you can do a course which has mechatronics with robotics. So my say is think more about your goals and strengths and what you find amusing. so good luck!!

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