MEng Mechanical Engineering

In the first years of the degree, we teach a solid foundation of electronics and electrical engineering. Our courses are designed to improve your team-working and problem-solving skills.

In later years, our degree gives you the flexibility to study specialist courses in areas you are most interested in.

Curriculum renewal

We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.

The renewal is being carried out with:

• our industrial partners
• accreditation bodies
• students

This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering.

Year 1

Engineers are creative problem-solvers. They are skilled at working in interdisciplinary teams to deal with society's ever more complex challenges.

Introductory courses

In Year 1, you will take introductory courses and develop skills that you will later rely on as a professional engineer, including:

• confidence
• advanced thinking
• teamwork
• problem-solving skills

Engineering Principles

In this course, you will experience a wide range of challenges and develop essential engineering skills. Plus, you will understand the subject's breadth, as well as the role of your chosen discipline.

Engineering Design

In this course, you will work as part of a team on an interdisciplinary engineering task. You will get involved in design and use your engineering judgement to test your solution.

Additional courses

You will also study mathematical topics that have particular relevance to engineers.

You will choose courses from across the University to complement your engineering studies, with options available in the sciences, arts and humanities.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will specialise in core mechanical engineering topics which usually include:

• fluids
• solids
• dynamics
• thermodynamics

You will build the foundations of each of these subjects in preparation for specialisation at honours level.

These courses cover technical concepts and, where possible, give you the opportunity to apply these in a practical situation.

You will both extend and deepen your engineering design skills.

You will also study programming to develop your skills in computer control and simulation, essentials in the engineer's toolkit. As well as:

• engineering mathematics
• essential professional skills for engineers

Second year entry

Our course structure is designed in such a way that we permit Year 2 direct entry for students. Direct entry students perform just as well as those progressing from Year 1.

The entry requirements for Year 2 entry are higher to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge to start at this level.

Year 3

This year develops your Year 2 topics to complete your ‘core’ mechanical engineering knowledge.

This usually includes further study in:

• structural mechanics
• dynamics
• thermofluids

This is complemented by courses exploring manufacturing and developing your skills in engineering design. You will learn more about modern engineering companies work and further develop your professional skills.

Progression routes

At the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a BEng degree, or a further two years for an MEng degree.

The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3.

Year 4

In Year 4, you will take advanced courses in traditional mechanical engineering subjects, supplemented by one or more optional courses in specialist subjects.

External placement

You will have the opportunity to spend one semester of Year 4 completing a placement within an industrial company or at an overseas university.

This is worth 50% of your marks for the year.

Placements in previous years have included:

• Edinburgh Designs
• Ferrari
• Jaguar Land Rover
• Leonardo
• Lotus F1 Team
• Touch Bionics

Alternatively, you can choose to remain in Edinburgh and complete a broader range of optional courses which are offered in diverse subjects, including:

• materials and manufacturing
• energy
• bioengineering
• management, innovation and entrepreneurship

Year 5

You will undertake a major individual research project, worth one third of the year.

You can link your project to the research activity of your supervisor. This will expose you to, and allow you to contribute to, the research output of the University.

Parallel to your project, you will have a wide choice of specialist technical course options and will further enhance your understanding of professional practice in Mechanical Engineering.

You can also choose courses designed to prepare you for your professional career, including: * materials and manufacturing * energy * bioengineering * management, innovation and entrepreneurship

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The majority of your learning will take place at the King’s Buildings campus, depending on courses selected. The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus or bike.

You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected.

Access to facilities

You can access the University's:

• libraries
• study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
• IT facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities
• the brand-new shared learning, teaching and social hub, the Nucleus

Take a virtual tour of our school

You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Virtual visit – School of Engineering

Placements

In Year 4, you will have the opportunity to undertake a six-month placement in industry or at an overseas research institution or university.

We will support you in securing a placement.

All placements advertised by our School will be paid opportunities.

Study abroad

In Year 3, you will have opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programmes.

You can also spend your Year 5 placement abroad, either in industry or in a research institution.

What are my choices for going abroad?

How will I learn?

The exciting nature of engineering means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree.

Teaching can be through a mixture of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• laboratory sessions
• projects
• group work
• directed self-study

In your final years, you will dedicate more time to private study. So you will need to be well-motivated and organised.

You will also receive individual supervision with projects.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.

For detailed information please review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table to see compulsory and option courses. You can find this information under 'What you will study'.

Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included.

Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.

All our courses meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.

On graduating from this programme, you will have:

• core-thorough knowledge
• analytical skills
• practical skills
• design skills
• communication skills

This enables you to join a design, production or research team, go into further study, or move rapidly into management and leadership roles.

On the other hand, many of our graduates go on to work in other areas, including:

• the civil service
• education
• the armed forces
• the financial sector

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA - ABB in one set of exams.
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 32 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 32 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Applicants with Physics are preferred. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B and English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science/Computing, Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. GCSEs: Physics or Science at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Design Technology at 5. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

For direct entry to second year the standard requirements must be exceeded, including the following:

• SQA Advanced Highers: AA to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering Science, or Technological Studies.
• A Levels: A*AA in one set of exams to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology), or AAA in one set of exams to include Mathematics, Further Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology).
• IB: 38 points with 666 at HL to include Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and Physics or Design Technology at 6.

Other entry pathways

Entry to many degrees in Science & Engineering is possible via other qualifications (eg HNC/D, Access, SWAP).

• Science & Engineering applications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

Selection

We normally make offers to the highest qualified applicants. If competition for places is high this may mean that offers will only be made to applicants who are predicted, or who have achieved, above the single set of grades or the upper grade level in a range. Any conditional offer made may require you to achieve grades above the upper grade level. Therefore, achieving the top of our standard entry requirements does not guarantee a place on the relevant degree.

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MEng Mechanical Engineering

Additional costs

Laptop

Many students do bring their own laptop or computer to access online materials but all students can also access university computing facilities. The university library also provides a laptop loan service, with longer term loans available for those in financial hardship.

Borrowing a laptop

Textbooks

Some key academic textbooks are purchased by students, but all essential reading materials will be freely available through the University Library.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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