BEng (Hons) / MEng Mechanical Engineering (partnership college route)
The course
- Duration
- 5 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Study Heriot-Watt's BEng (Hons) or MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering in partnership with Forth Valley College. Students complete HND Mechanical Engineering in the first 2 years at college to enable direct entry to Year 3 at Heriot-Watt University.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Mechanical Engineering courses at Heriot-Watt are ranked 1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2020.
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 its 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 structure
Years 1 and 2: Forth Valley College
The course is delivered for the first two years at Forth Valley College, where you will study the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering technologies. In the second semester of Year 2, Forth Valley College students participate in a design project at Heriot-Watt.
Years 3 to 5: Heriot-Watt University
Forth Valley College students will transfer into the third year of the Heriot-Watt BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering programme and follow its programme structure for the remainder of the degree.
Forth Valley entry requirements
The entry requirements for the Forth Valley HND are two Scottish Highers at grade C or above in maths and a science or technology subject. Find out more about the partnership programme with Forth Valley College.
If you wish to apply for direct entry to first year at Heriot-Watt, please see our Mechanical Engineering course pages.
Application form
To apply for this combined programme, please use the online application form for MEng/BEng Mechanical Engineering at Forth Valley College.
Accreditation

This programme is accredited by IMechE.
Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry. For more details, please refer to this webpage: IMechE Accreditation
Why does the world need engineering?

The college partnership programmes are a fantastic opportunity which open many doors. You'll receive extensive support throughout your studies from Academic and Professional staff, enabling you to make the most of your time at Heriot-Watt. I worked with the careers service on my CV, and with their help I secured an internship last summer. If you are thinking of applying to Heriot-Watt through the college partnership opportunities, I highly recommend it.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Years 1 & 2 are studied at Forth Valley College
- Communication: Practical Skills
- Thermofluids
- Dynamics
- Fundamentals of Control Systems and Transducers
- Statics & Strength of Materials
- Engineering Skills
- Computer Aided Draughting for Engineers
- Engineering Principles
- Materials Selection
- Quality Management: An Introduction
- Pneumatics and Hydraulics
- Engineering Mathematics 1
- Engineering Mathematics 2
- Engineering Mathematics 3
- Engineering Mathematics 4
- Engineering Mathematics 5
- Mechanical Engineering: Graded Unit 1
Year 2
Years 1 & 2 are studied at Forth Valley College
- Manufacturing: Process and Equipment Selection
- Mechanical Engineering: Graded Unit 2
- Plant Systems
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Practice and Design
- Applied Industrial Plant Maintenance
- Strength of Materials: Advanced
- Project Management
- Information Technology: Applications Software 1
- Business Awareness and Continuing Professional Development
- Engineering Drawing
- Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
- Mathematics
In the second semester of Year 2, Forth Valley College students participate in a design project at Heriot-Watt.
Year 3
Students transfer into the 3rd year of the degree programme. Subjects include -
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Engineering
- Design and Manufacture
- Control Engineering
- Instrumentation.
Year 4
Students choose specialist subjects from -
- Fluid Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Strength of Materials
- Machine Dynamics
Mandatory courses include a year-long individual project plus Engineering Design and Manufacture that includes an industrial project. Other options such as Petroleum Engineering and Automotive Technologies are available.
Entry requirements
Year 1
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.
Year 2
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.
Year 3
You must have completed the combined HND Mechanical Engineering from Forth Valley College before transferring into Heriot-Watt for Year 3 of this partnership programme.
Additional information
This course refers to a special partnership entry route only. If you are interested in studying a BEng Mechanical Engineering or MEng Mechanical Engineering with direct entry to Heriot-Watt in Year 1 or 2, please refer to the main Mechanical Engineering subject page for details.
Fees
Status* | Scotland |
---|---|
Fee | Paid by SAAS |
* 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.
Scholarships and bursaries
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.