Key information
This alternative route to our BEng (Hons)/MEng Mechanical Engineering is delivered in partnership with Forth Valley College and Edinburgh College. You’ll complete a relevant HND at one of these partner colleges, which enables direct entry to Year 3 at Heriot-Watt University.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- Non Graduating
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
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.
This degree route 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.
During the programme, you’ll gain a broad knowledge of the core components in Mechanical Engineering sciences and practices, studying modules including 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 the fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering, you’ll develop key transferable skills to set you up for a successful career. 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 in global issues such as product life-cycle sustainability and financial viability.
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 Mechanical Engineering degrees are 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 degree 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
Worldwide Exchange
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
You’ll complete your first two years at either Forth Valley College or Edinburgh College. Mandatory learning will include mathematics for engineers and scientists.
Mandatory September
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
Mandatory January
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
Programme Video
Why does the world need engineering?
Why does the world need engineering?
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Years 1 and 2 of this special partnership programme are taken at Forth Valley College. See Forth Valley College for more information.
One of the following:
- Two Highers at grade B and one at grade C or equivalent (to include Maths and a science or technology subject)
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering plus two further Highers at BB or BC to include Physics and Maths.
Additional Requirements: - Please note that selection will be made via successful interview and group task.
- The selection session will also include a tour of the College and an opportunity to ask questions about the course.
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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