Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers （IMechE） was founded in 1847, and is the first mechanical engineering professional society in the world. The Institution has been the home of Mechanical Engineers for 160 years. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the United Kingdom’s qualifying body for mechanical engineers.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE）is the fastest growing professional engineering institution in the UK. Its 80,000 members work at the heart of the country’s most important and dynamic industries.

With a 160-year heritage supporting it, today’s Institution is a forward-looking, campaigning organization. Being independent of both government and business, IMechE avoids strategic relationships with single-issue bodies or pressure groups, so IMechE can deliver genuinely impartial advice in a passionately committed manner. By working with leading companies, universities and think tanks, IMechE creates and shares knowledge to provide government, businesses and the public with fresh thinking and authoritative guidance on all aspects of mechanical engineering.

IMechE truly believes we can improve the world through engineering. So the Institution finds and nurtures new talent, helping engineers build their careers and take on the challenges that, when solved, will make a difference to all of us.

In the UK, engineering has achieved great successes, but in a quiet way. IMechE is looking to shout about the achievements of its members and the industry, taking a positive, inspiring message into schools and out into the media.

Principal themes

As an Institution, IMechE focuses on four principal themes which affect and are affected by our engineers: Energy, Environment, Transportation and Education.

Events and Training

IMechE goes to great lengths to promote the profession at grass roots level, engaging with the next generation of mechanical engineers to build a brighter future for us all. Initiatives IMechE owns or is involved in to achieve this include: Formula Student, Greenpower, Science and Engineering Ambassadors, Engineering Your Future events, and Engeneration. Every year, the institution gives Prizes and Awards worth in excess of £400,000 to help nurture the UK’s engineering talent. The Institution’s Prizes and Awards Fund offers amounts ranging from £250 to £10,000. The institution celebrates the successes of the most inspirational students through the Vision Awards which take place in October.

The Institution is committed to providing the best possible service for its members, ensuring that they have the skills, knowledge, support and development advice they need at every stage of their career. Throughout the year, the institution organizes a comprehensive series of events (technical conferences, seminars, workshops and social functions) which are designed by engineers for engineers. Its dedicated programmes of professional development training enables the members to navigate successfully through their initial professional registration, and then helps engineers to retain their competencies and keep their skills up to date through structured learning throughout their working lives.