Course summary
Modern challenges require new and advanced technical solutions, and mechanical engineers are vital to achieving those solutions. It is the technical development of the world that drives us forward. By studying our five-year degree in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering you can gain the skills to tackle challenging professional tasks associated with energy provision and utilisation. You will learn to take responsibility for decision-making in areas related to energy and the environment. Building on a sound engineering foundation, you will be introduced to specialist energy topics as well as environmental impact assessment and management. Heriot-Watt University is proud to be ranked as one of the top universities for Mechanical Engineering in the UK, including: • Guardian University Guide 2020: 1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK • Complete University Guide 2021: Top 10 in the UK • Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021: Top 10 in the UK • Guardian University League Tables 2021: Top 10 in the UK Programme structure In Year 1, students work alongside peers from other science and engineering disciplines and have access to mechanical labs, electrical engineering labs, chemical labs, and physics labs. This provides fundamental lab skills as well as multidisciplinary teamworking skills which will be crucial as the degree progresses and becomes increasingly specialised. You’ll progress into practical workshop sessions in the lab in your second and third year. Here, you’ll learn about fluids, design and manufacturing, dynamics, and thermodynamics – all core principles of mechanical engineering. Fourth and fifth year in your MEng Mechanical Engineering course will include staff-supported individual and group projects, which will help you step into a career as a mechanical engineer. You’ll follow your own path through a wide range of optional courses designed to develop knowledge and skills in specialist engineering subjects. This five-year MEng Mechanical Engineering degree is the standard route towards a Chartered Engineering professional qualification, so you can progress towards that with this degree. Industry links Our industrial connections form the backbone of our degree. We work closely with an Industrial Advisory Board, a panel of engineers and business leaders, to ensure that our course content reflects the needs of industry and employers to provide graduates with the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills. This collaboration allows the curriculum to be regularly updated to include emerging technological needs. A recent example being the inclusion of the optional biomedical engineering course offered in Years 4 and 5. Student groups At Heriot-Watt University you will join a thriving student community in the engineering disciplines. Many Mechanical Engineering students join groups such as The Mechanical Engineering Society, HW Racing (Formula Student), and TEAM AERO-WATT. Careers Mechanical Engineering offers an exciting environment where many skills are brought together to create innovative products and the infrastructure and technology for manufacture. Recent Heriot-Watt graduates have progressed to working for organisations such as Mercedes, Babcock Marine, Mclaren, Shell UK, Halliburton and QinetiQ. As a mechanical engineer, you will deal with the design, development, optimisation, and operation of mechanical parts and systems. All industrial sectors value mechanical engineers, including manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace, and automotive, as well as emerging areas such as energy and renewable energy, medical engineering, and nanotechnology.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- HH38
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Edinburgh Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Scottish Higher - AAAB
Scottish Advanced Higher - AB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
T Level
We are always welcome to transfer students, including considering advanced entry to Year 3 for students with strong academic performance. Applicants interested in this route should be in touch directly with our Admissions team. This programme also has an Associate route with our college partnerships. Please see our website for further information. We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Scottish Higher - BBBC
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
T Level
The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories: Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets. Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.
HWU English Language Requirements
https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £24048* | Year 1 |
International | £24048* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS