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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time, Part-time
    Start date
    September, January
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

    Contact us

    Overview

    This degree increases the knowledge and skills of a bachelor's-level graduate in Mechanical Engineering to Masters level through advanced teaching, design work and research. It provides an opportunity for candidates from a different Engineering background to develop key Mechanical Engineering knowledge and skills required for their professional development.

    A key objective of the programme is to be an accredited route to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

    Heriot-Watt was ranked 3rd in Scotland by The Complete University Guide 2021 and 2nd in Scotland by Guardian University Guide 2021 and The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 for Mechanical Engineering. 

    This programme makes use of Masters-level courses in the Energy Sciences and Manufacture and Design complemented with specialist courses from relevant MSc courses offered by the Institute. There is a growing need for an advanced mechanical engineering programme from our industry partners and this programme has been specifically developed to meet this need and to encourage students into further learning.

    Mechanical Engineering Research

    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 Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering promotes excellence across our main research themes: Biomedical Engineering, Energy Harvesting and Conversion, Multiphase Flow and Digital Engineering. Heriot-Watt University is the leader amongst UK universities in promoting energy activities through its 'Energy Academy', a virtual centre which connects all energy-related research across the University.

    Programme duration

    • One year (MSc)
    • 9 months (Diploma)

    September 2024 entry

    The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

    Watch video of academic Stephen Houston discussing the MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering.

    The Journey to Net Zero

    In this episode of our podcast series 'A Future Made' we discover how crucial innovations are helping to capture and store carbon.

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    Video

    Course content

    Year 1

    Semester One

    Mandatory

    • B81PI Professional and Industrial Studies:  Application of a combination of theoretical and practical methods to analyse and solve a technical and/or engineering problem. This may include the identification of a potential project and, where you have conducted appropriate research,  to design and develop an engineering solution.
    • B51GS Specialist Engineering Technologies 1: The first of the specialist engineering technologies courses is based on computational fluid dynamics and assessed by a group project.

    Optional (Choose two)

    • B51DG Engineering Design: In this course students interact with companies in a real life small R&D project supplied by the industrial partners. Working in teams, the students have to manage the design of a prototype, product or system and interact with the industrial contact putting into practice problem-solving skills from other engineering topics studied elsewhere in the programme.
    • B51EK Fluids: Fluid mechanics applied to aerodynamics, including ideal flows, boundary layers, and aerofoils and their use for analysis and design purposes.
    • B51EM Advanced Mechanics of Materials 1: Advanced classical mechanics including 3D stress and strain with particular application to thin walled vessels. Fatigue analysis and design for fatigue limit.
    • B51EO Dynamics 1: To provide students with a thorough understanding of vibration theory and an appreciation of its application in an engineering environment
    • B51EQ Thermodynamics 1: Thermodynamic cycles including heat engines and reverse heat engines and means of evaluating best performance.
    • G11GA Flame Appraisal: Introduction to the stages required for evaluating an oilfield for production. This covers geological considerations and fluid flow from oil bearing rock.

    Semester Two

    Mandatory

    • B81EZ Critical Analysis and Research Preparation: This course provides research training and addresses literature review skills, project planning, data analysis and presentation with a focus to critically discuss literature, and use data to support an argument.
    • B51HB Failure Accident Analysis: To acquaint students with the potential causes of material, structure or component failure; framework under which a failure or forensic engineering investigation should be carried out and give them the opportunity to work case studies through from information-gathering to preparation of reports and an awareness of fire and explosion engineering.

    Optional (Choose one)

    • B51GT Specialist Engineering Technologies 2: To present advanced theory and practice in important or emerging areas of technology including non-linear final element materials to include contact mechanics, design of components subjected to high stress applications.
    • B51EL Fluids 2: To provide a methodology for analysing one-dimensional compressible flow systems.
    • B51EN Advanced Mechanics of Materials 2: To provide students with an opportunity to: carry out advanced analyses of mechanics of materials problems; analyse mechanics of materials where time is a significant additional variable; use final element analysis for cases involving viscoelasticity and complex geometry engage with the findings of recent research in a mechanics of materials topic
    • B51EP Dynamics 2: To provide students with a thorough understanding of control theory and an appreciation of the subject of environmental acoustics and passive noise control
    • B51ER Thermodynamics 2: Investigation of heat transfer mechanisms with a view to the design of effective heat exchangers for given operating conditions. The study of radiation heat transfer and combustion equilibrium.
    • B50DH Engineering Manufacture: To provide the student with a detailed understanding of the importance and integration of advanced manufacturing technology and manufacturing systems within the context of product engineering. On completion, the students should have acquired a detailed understanding of the product development process from initial conception through to product support as well as appreciate the impact of each stage of the process on the business and organisationally with respect to information dependence and manufacturing processes employed.
    • G11GD Flame Development: A continuation of Flame Appraisal, this course looks at the well-head arrangement for oil extraction. This is an introduction to drilling engineering and the techniques required for oil extraction.

    Semester 3

    Mandatory

    • B51MD Masters Dissertation: An individual project led by a research active member of staff on a current research theme with the aim of leading to the production of a journal article.

    Go Global

    Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time Part-time
    UK 10736 5368
    Overseas [footnote 2] 26976 13488

    Footnotes

    1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
    2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

    Scholarship for Academic Excellence

    Our Postgraduate Scholarship for Academic Excellence in MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering offers a £1,000 tuition fee reduction.

    Scholarship for Academic Excellence

    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.

    View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    An upper second honours degree in engineering, or other relevant discipline, with a numerate background. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also be considered.

    English language requirements

    If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

    We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

    • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
    • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

    Why Heriot-Watt?

    Ranking (Mechanical Engineering, The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

    We are ranked 4th in Scotland and 20th in UK for Mechanical Engineering by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

    Formula Student

    Heriot-Watt Racing is the student-led team which takes part in the annual Formula Student competition.

    Mechanical Engineering Society

    The Mechanical Engineering Society is a student run community which organises social events all year for Mechanical Engineering students in years 1-5.

    Clubs and activities

    At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!

    Edinburgh campus accommodation

    Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union

    Edinburgh Campus facilities

    At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

    Health and wellbeing

    Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience. From counselling to coaching we'll sure you are fully supported.

    Heriot-Watt Student Union

    There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.

    Living in Edinburgh

    Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.

    Sport facilities

    Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability

    Your career

    Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

    We are accredited by the following organisations

    At Heriot-Watt University we develop degrees that are relevant for the world of work. We work with Professional bodies and Institutes to gain appropriate Accreditations and Professional Memberships for your industry. Find out below how this degree aligns to industry.

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