The personal tutoring programme is operating satisfactorily. Attendance at regular meetings is obligatory, and tutors mark laboratory reports leading to feedback to students. The Queen's University of Belfast claims to provide an excellent education in mechanical engineering. The assessors come to the overall conclusion, based upon the assessment visit and an analysis of the self-assessment, together with the statistical indicators, that the quality of education in mechanical engineering at The Queen's University of Belfast is satisfactory. The Department offers degree programmes appropriate to a wide range of students, in accord with the mission statement of the University.
Graduates are appropriately qualified for professional employment in a wide range of industries.
The University produces excellent data on the destination of graduates. The provision in computer-aided engineering, including the facilities available within the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, is excellent. There are significant instances where research activities and taught courses given specifically for local industry have substantial beneficial influences on the content of the range of courses assessed. This is particularly evident in the MSc teaching programmes. It is suggested that methods be put in place to raise the general standard, for both departmental and service staff.