Mechanical Engineering BEng/BEng (Hons)



Work with the latest technology, learning to create engineering solutions and systems that have implications throughout modern society

Overview

Study mechanical engineering at Edinburgh Napier University and gain the opportunity to enter an exciting and varied field of engineering, allowing you to design and develop machinery we use every day including vehicles, building, healthcare and even space technology.

We will provide you with an introduction to engineering principles, ensuring you grasp the basic skills involved before progressing into more specialised areas such as thermodynamic systems and mechanics of materials.

As you advance through this course you’ll learn to apply and develop your skills to become proficient in the analysis and design of a range of engineering systems and applications, to prepare you for a professional role in the industry. You will also get the opportunity to undertake work placements that will give you essential industry experience and valuable contacts, helping to lead to future employment.

You’ll also learn about Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), which includes robotics and control, computer aided design software (CAD), computational analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer (CFD), structural analysis (FEA) and environmental impact assessments (LCA). Through this, you will graduate with a versatile degree that will allow you to embark on a career in many different industries.

As a graduate mechanical engineer, you could develop exciting new technologies that are essential for modern living, alter the way we use energy for the better, and have a profound effect on how we travel. In fact, you could have a hand in almost every aspect of people’s lives.

Today, mechanical engineers play a key role in producing the most innovative of technologies, such as the electric car, 3D printing, nanotechnology and renewable energy.

Mechanical Engineering student Thomas working with equipment in the Sports lab.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

H300

Placement:

Yes

Course details

The course focuses on learning engineering principles and practices, as well as computing skills and principles of design, relating to a wide range of mechanical engineering systems.

You'll also cover control and instrumentation systems, engineering applications, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and dynamics and statics. You will gain skills in a wide range of up-to-date industry standard design software and applications.

In year 1 you will learn fundamental principles underpinning both mechanical and electrical engineering sciences, and hands-on practical skills.

You will then progress on to year 2, further developing these fundamental skills while beginning to specialise in thermodynamics and mechanical engineering, while considering control and automation systems, key elements of design and engineering management skills.

In year 3, you continue to specialise in your chosen field, gaining insight in to manufacturing systems, materials properties and selection, and detailed design and innovation practices and management.

In your final year you will work on your honours project as well as gaining enhanced skills in thermodynamics, dynamics and statics.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, and through practical hands on experience using up to date laboratory equipment.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Assessments will primarily be in the form of written coursework submissions and examinations.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Foundation mathematics
  • Engineering skills
  • Mechanical principles
  • Electrical & electronic principles
  • Mathematical methods I
  • Engineering practice

Year 2

  • Mathematical methods II
  • Mechanics
  • Engineering Design 1
  • Materials and manufacture 1
  • Control and instrumentation
  • Thermofluids

Year 3

  • Materials and manufacture 2
  • Energy systems Design
  • Management for Engineers
  • Industrial automation
  • Professional Engineering
  • Engineering Design 2

Year 4

  • Mechanics and computational modelling
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Honours project
  • Dynamics
  • Advanced thermodynamic systems

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Mechanical Engineering?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2, Year 3 Or Year 4 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB including Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted) and a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject*

  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC including Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted) and a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject*

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A level

  • BCC including Maths and a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject*

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level including Maths and a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject*

BTEC National Extended Diploma (Level 3)

  • MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject
    BTEC must include Maths or A level Maths must have also been achieved at grade C.

BTEC National Diploma (Level 3) plus A Level

  • MM (Merit, Merit) in a related subject plus A Level grade C
    BTEC must include Maths or A level Maths must have also been achieved at grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three Higher Level subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject* at minimum grade 5.
    Standard Level Maths at grade 5 is also required.

T level

  • Pass
    T Level must be completed in an Engineering subject or include Science (excluding Biology) and Maths components. Alternatively, A Level Maths and a Science (excluding Biology) would be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

 

Science/Technical subjects accepted:

*Physics, Engineering Science, Design & Manufacture, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Graphic Communication, Computing Science, Design & Technology.

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC including Maths and a Science (excluding Biology) or a Technical Subject*

A level

  • BBB including Maths and a Science (excluding Biology) or Technical Subject*

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Systems or HND General Engineering with grade B in the Graded Unit.
    Must include passes in the modules Engineering Maths 1, 2 and 3, Thermofluids and Statics and Strength of Materials.

 

Science/Technical subjects accepted:

*Physics, Engineering Science, Design & Manufacture, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Graphic Communication, Computing Science, Design & Technology.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Systems with grade B in all SCQF Level 8 Graded Units.
    Must include passes in the modules Engineering Maths 1, 2, 3 and 4, Thermofluids and Statics and Strength of Materials. 

Minimum Year 4

Irish Ordinary Degree

  • Pass in a relevant subject with 50% overall, with a minimum of 50% at first sitting in all final year subjects.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Get ahead

Mechanical engineers have creative minds, great team working skills and they love problem solving. Does this sound like you?

School subjects for a mechanical engineering course usually include Maths, English and Sciences. Other subjects that also teach you key skills required for this course are Design, Business Management, Computing and Technology.

Coming from college?

Edinburgh Napier University accept direct entry for students coming from college, so if you are already studying engineering you could gain advanced entry into second year and continue your studies to receive your honours degree in mechanical engineering.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,535
Overseas and EU £19,340 £20,310
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Balmoral Group Scholarship 

The Balmoral Group will award a scholarship to the top 2 performing students in BEng Mechanical Engineering. On completing their first year, the selected students will be awarded the scholarship for the remainder of their course. Recipients will be awarded a maximum of £3,000 over the following three years of their degree (£1,000 a year), and will also be invited for an optional summer internship with Balmoral Group. 

Careers

Person walking through Tinker studio surrounded by displays

What can you do with a Mechanical Engineering degree?

An undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering is a sought-after and skillful profession that most industries rely on. As a graduate in this field, you will be able to choose where you want to specialise.

Given the broad nature of the discipline, you may find yourself working in any one of a wide variety of fields, ranging from:

  • Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Robotics
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Energy sector 

Our course also equips you with key transferable skills in computing, maths and project management which will allow you to pursue a career in software, finance and management roles.

Mechanical engineering offers a rewarding salary for workers in the UK and beyond. The average salary for Mechanical Engineering professionals is £42,200 in the UK.

What do Mechanical Engineers do?

Mechanical engineers make a positive impact on our daily lives and we depend on them even when we don’t know it. They are responsible for developing technologies we need to live, making a difference to the way we use energy and how we travel.

Recently, mechanical engineering has played a key role in emerging fields of technology such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, biomechanics, nanotechnology and 3D printing.

If you are creative and enjoy working with machines, then a degree in mechanical engineering would set you up for an exciting career path where you can bring your ideas to life.

 

Engineer working on a motorbike