Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- January 2026
The MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering enables graduates to build on existing knowledge or develop essential mechanical engineering skills from other disciplines, offering an accredited route to Chartered Engineer status.
The programme provides a broad foundation in mechanical engineering sciences while allowing students to specialise in areas such as engineering design, fluids, dynamics, renewable energy technologies, heat exchangers and heat transfer, robotic mechanical systems, and advanced thermodynamics.
With its flexible structure and industry-relevant focus, it develops technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, ensuring graduates gain both depth and breadth of expertise.
Upon completion, students are prepared for diverse careers across the mechanical engineering and manufacturing sectors, including roles in process and plant design, construction, commissioning, operations, consultancy, and advanced research and development, making them highly adaptable professionals ready to meet the demands of a dynamic global industry.
Your student experience
Our MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) research institute which focuses on promoting excellence across four main research themes:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Digital Engineering
- Energy Harvesting and Conversion
- Multiphase Flow
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active mechanical engineers and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
- Professional and Industrial Studies
Optional September
- Incompressible Fluid Dynamics
- Advanced Mechanics of Materials 1
- Dynamics 1
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Heat Exchangers and Heat Transfer
Mandatory January
- Failure and Accident Analysis
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
Optional January
- Robotic Mechanical Systems
- Compressible Fluid Dynamics
- Advanced Mechanics of Materials 2
- Specialist Engineering Technology 2
- Dynamics 2
- Advanced Thermodynamic Applications
Mandatory May
- Masters Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
- Failure and Accident Analysis
Optional January
- Advanced Thermodynamic Applications
- Dynamics 2
- Robotic Mechanical Systems
- Advanced Mechanics of Materials 2
- Compressible Fluid Dynamics
Mandatory September
- Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
- Professional and Industrial Studies
Optional September
- Advanced Mechanics of Materials 1
- Heat Exchangers and Heat Transfer
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Incompressible Fluid Dynamics
- Specialist Engineering Technology 2
- Dynamics 1
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
The Heriot-Watt experience
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,344 | £6,172 |
| International | £28,056 | £14,028 |
- Tuition fees are subject to revision each year. For students starting in September 2026 or later, refer to the table below.
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,744 | £6,372 |
| International | £28,952 | £14,476 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of honours degree at 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject. Degree must contain a minimum of both 3 mathematics modules and 3 physics or engineering modules at 50% or above. Relevant degrees can include Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Physics.
Modules that we hope to see in an undergraduate degree would include materials, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, dynamics and structures, whereas unsuitable degrees for entry would have substantial focus on manufacturing.
Work experience in conjunction with a relevant lower Second Class Honours Degree will be considered.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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