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BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Key information

UCAS code
H300
Level
Undergraduate
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
BEng (Hons)
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September

The BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering encourages you to think creatively to solve the world's biggest challenges. From energy efficiency to tools for microsurgery, there is a need for mechanical engineers across a huge range of industries.   

The undergraduate degree will equip you with a sound basis in theoretical engineering principles and methods and their application in the context of design and analysis. You’ll apply your subject knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions to the current and emerging problems facing society. You’ll have the opportunity to build and develop your professional network through industrial visits, and an optional industrial placement which, upon completion, will result in you being awarded a Diploma in Industrial Training (DIT). Throughout the programme, you will engage in hands on and practical work, and apply your learned theory. This will ensure you gain the practical skills demanded by industry.  

During the programme, you’ll gain a broad knowledge of the core components in Mechanical Engineering Sciences and practices, studying modules including but not limited to mechanics, fields and forces, electrical engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, design and manufacture, fluid mechanics, mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, and sustainable development. You’ll have the opportunity to choose a handful of specialist engineering units to tailor your studies to your personal subject interests, and career ambitions.  

In response to current industry changes and emerging trends, your learning will be built around the core concept of sustainability. You’ll learn how to engineer solutions that are environmentally, financially, and socially sustainable. Some examples include: 

  • designing turbines to generate electricity from geothermal or nuclear sources, 
  • creating heat pumps to replace gas boilers for a more efficient alternative, 
  • increasing the efficiency and performance of aircraft and transport, 
  • and improving medical engineering and nanotechnology. 

Beyond gaining the fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering, you’ll develop key transferable skills to set you up for a successful career in industry. By working both independently and across multidisciplinary teams on projects and assignments, you’ll gain key team working, professional presentation, and technical writing skills. You’ll explore key topics in business to develop insight global issues such as product life-cycle sustainability and financial viability. 

You’ll have the opportunity to study an additional year, and progress onto the MEng Mechanical Engineering. This is the standard route toward a Chartered Engineering professional qualification. 

Your student experience

Heriot-Watt has recently been ranked first in Scotland for General Engineering (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2023). 

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. 

Our BEng 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 

The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge 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.

European Exchange

This Exchange Programme enables you to study or work in Europe as part of your degree programme, usually for a full academic year.

Worldwide Exchange

This Exchange Programme enables you to study outside of Europe as part of your degree programme, usually for a full academic year.

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

Emphasis is on developing basic mathematical, scientific and communication skills. Topics include Mechanical Engineering Science, Physics, Introduction to Electrical Engineering, Programming and Foundation Mathematics.

Mandatory September

  • Mechanics, Fields and Forces
  • Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering in Context 1
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1

Mandatory January

  • Waves and Matter
  • Engineering in Context 2
  • Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2

Programme Video

Engineering at Heriot-Watt University

Fees and funding

intake tuition fees
StatusFee
ScotlandPaid by SAAS
England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland£9,250
International£25,008
  • 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

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View details

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Standard entry requirements for the first year of our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree are as follows:

  • Scottish Highers of AABB (including mathematics and physics with one at A)
  • A-Levels of BBC - ABB (including mathematics and physics BB)
  • 29 international Baccalaureate points (with mathematics and physics at Higher Level 5)
  • BTEC awards of DMM in Engineering
  • Higher National Certificate of A in graded unit (in relevant HNC including Engineering Mathematics 1, 2 and 3)

Minimum entry requirements for the first year of the course include*:

  • Scottish Highers of BBBC (including B in Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science at B)
  • A-Levels of BCC (including Mathematics and Physics with one at B)

*Under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry 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.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering students are doing 15 months after graduating:
76%
are working
3%
are studying
14%
are studying and working

Salary

£28500
The average salary of students 15 months after graduating
£29000
The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course

Potential career paths

  • Engineering professionals

Student life

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