MSc Engineering Mechanics | KTH | Sweden (2024)

Engineering Mechanics at KTH

The master's programme in Engineering Mechanics covers theory, numerical methods and experimental techniques related to fluid mechanics, solid mechanics and sound and vibration. The curriculum is developed with strong involvement from industry and is heavily influenced by the latest research. It will prepare you with the knowledge and skills for advanced industrial problem-solving in large and small international enterprises and research organisations.

The programme offers three tracks: Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and Sound and Vibration. Only one-third of the courses are mandatory, so you have many opportunities to tailor the course structure to meet your interests. During the first three semesters, we mix theoretical courses with more applied project-based courses. The courses typically contain experimental and numerical laboratories and provide you with proficiency in up-to-date experimental methods and software. In the courses, you are given many opportunities to interact with prominent researchers at KTH and companies such as the world-leading truck manufacturer Scania and the train and aircraft giant Bombardier.

The fourth semester is spent working on a five-month degree project, where you will have the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in-depth. You will complete the degree project in industry or at an academic institution in Sweden or abroad. Students doing their degree projects close to KTH may also take courses parallel to their thesis work.

This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH).

Fluid Mechanics track

The students taking the track in Fluid Mechanics will acquire a deep and widely applicable competence in fluid mechanics, preparing them for their future profession.

Fluid Mechanics as a discipline encompasses physics, mathematics, mechanics, and numerical analysis. As our student, you will learn and work with modern theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods to find solutions to various fluid mechanical problems. In addition, extensive high-profile research is carried out within the field at KTH, which will be introduced via interaction with our researchers and teachers.

Fluid mechanics is found everywhere, both in nature and industrial applications, and plays a vital role in developing many future products. Anything that involves a fluid (gas or liquid) is fluid mechanics. These fluids may or may not contain particles such as raindrops in the air, red blood cells flowing in blood or the fibres found in paper pulp flows. The applications are, for example, found in various energy conversion processes such as wind and wave power, food process industry as well as conventional combustion engines, but also in vehicle design, where the focus can be directed towards optimising wings on aircraft or minimising fuel consumption.

Solid Mechanics track

The students taking the track in Solid Mechanics will have their own premises and computer laboratory. Our faculty strongly values communication with the students. Our goal is to provide you with knowledge in all the technical aspects of Solid Mechanics analyses, which are in great demand in many industries. Your future occupation can include working with computational stress and strain analysis, design, development, research, or testing.

Solid Mechanics as a discipline encompasses mathematics, numerical analysis, mechanics and physics. It also involves several aspects of Materials Science and Industrial Design.

Solid Mechanics is an area which is still continuously being developed and researched both nationally and internationally. The driving force in this work is the development of new materials and their utilisation for advanced product functionality, improved durability and reliability, and minimising the adverse environmental impact. At KTH, we devote much effort to developing tools to facilitate the design of new products through a better description of material mechanical properties and formulating appropriate design criteria. In addition, we actively develop and use scientific computational tools widely adopted by the industry for Solid Mechanics and interdisciplinary analyses.

Sound and Vibration track

As a students in the track in Sound and Vibration, you will learn advanced topics in noise and vibration control, especially in the field of vehicle engineering, and you can develop your specialisation through numerous elective courses.

Sound and Vibration as a discipline encompasses mathematics, numerical analysis, mechanics, and physics. It also involves several aspects of sustainable development. The programme has a good balance between theoretical studies and practical applications. It gives you a platform for a successful career in the industry or continuation towards a PhD.

Everywhere in our modern society, we are exposed to sound and vibrations, from the pleasant sound of birdsong or music through sound carrying information to unpleasant or even harmful noise and vibration from, for instance, traffic and construction work. Applications of technical acoustics cover a vast field, from applied mathematics via signal processing to engines, transport and building technology. The Marcus Wallenberg Laboratory for Sound and Vibration Research (MWL) is the largest university centre in northern Europe for sound and vibrations research.

Courses in the programme

​​​​​Students

Find out what students from the programme think about their time at KTH.

"The master's curriculum at KTH offers a tailored approach, allowing me to focus on specific courses aligned with my interests and delve deeply into these subjects, both in theory and practical applications."

Vagesha from India

Meet the students

​​​​Career

Graduates from the Master's programme in Engineering Mechanics are proficient in fluid mechanics, solid mechanics or sound and vibration, areas linked with a multitude of industries. As a result, you will find a wide range of job opportunities in research and development within the industry, consulting, and research, not only in mechanical engineering but also in other engineering fields.

Typically, graduates work as design engineers, testing engineers, calculation engineers, researchers, consultants, and specialists at companies such as ABB, Airbus, FS Dynamics, Ericsson, Alfa Laval, COMSOL, Sandvik, Scania, Tetra Pak, AFRY and Volvo. In addition, many graduates also pursue doctoral studies at KTH or other internationally renowned universities.

"I work at Scania in Södertälje and have done so for almost five years. Currently, I’m the Manager for a design group responsible for the truck load bearing structure and suspension."

Anna Darth, Scania

See Also

Undergraduate Academic Plan | Penn State Engineering

Meet the graduates

Sustainable development

Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the Master's programme in Engineering Mechanics are:

Engineering mechanics plays a key role in almost any major energy conversion process. With a degree in Engineering Mechanics, you can contribute to, for example, assessing the structural integrity of nuclear power plants and wind turbines and the design of wind turbine parks to maximise energy harvesting. The skills you acquire from the programme can also be used to develop the materials, manufacturing processes and testing methods.

Engineering mechanics is of utmost importance in the design processes for many industrial products and systems. The knowledge and skills you will learn, such as novel experimental techniques and advanced simulations, will make you a key contributor to new sustainable innovations.

Disturbance from noise and other undesirable sounds is essential in developing sustainable cities and communities. Graduates from engineering mechanics will be perfectly equipped to contribute to designing noise-free products and systems related to transportation, energy conversion and structural integrity, among other things.

In addition, the programme contributes to other sustainable development goals. One example is good health and well-being by offering several courses in biomechanics related to medical issues such as vascular disease and human mobility. Another one is contributing to the development of material made of natural fibres.

Faculty and research

The engineering mechanics research at KTH is highly ranked internationally. Research fields where engineering mechanics faculty at KTH continuously make significant contributions include high-Reynolds number turbulence, geophysical flows, micro- and complex fluids, fluid flow control, material mechanics, biomechanics, paper mechanics, fatigue and fracture, reliable design, aeroacoustics, structural damping and non-linear vibrations.

Faculty and research