Mechanical engineering deals with the study, design, construction, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that is mostly associated with the construction of machines and to this extent, is normally seen as the archetype branch of engineering. Mechanical engineering is typically closely connected with other disciplines of engineering such as materials engineering, metallurgical engineering, aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, and manufacturing engineering, and in many cases these areas are often viewed as only specialisations within the broad area of mechanical engineering.

The school is established around mechanical and manufacturing engineering as defined in the broadest sense. It focuses on aspects of engineering that are largely concerned with mechanical and manufacturing systems. The specific areas of study covered are applied mechanics and design, energy, industrial engineering, materials, manufacturing, thermal and fluid engineering as well as mechatronic engineering. These study areas constitute specific Departments within the School, as follows: Applied Mechanics and Design, Thermal and Fluids Engineering, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering and, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering.

The School currently offers diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes namely; Diploma in Technology, Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. The postgraduate programmes include Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering. The above undergraduates and diploma programmes offer specialisation in various aspects of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. These include: Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Plant and Energy Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Automotive Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology. In order to qualify for the award of diplomas and degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technology, a student undertakes core courses from all the four departments and optional courses in specific areas. All students in the School must undergo three sessions of Industrial Based Learning. Each session lasts 12 weeks, two of which are internal and one external in industry.