Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
Course code: H301
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: BEng (Hons)
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Inverness; North, West and Hebrides; Perth
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Mechanical Engineering is a highly relevant field involving products that affect our lives in countless ways, from the systems that maintain a flow of water to the faucet in your kitchen sink, to the spacecrafts that launch astronauts and satellites to far-flung parts of the solar system.
This program of study is designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge required to build a career as an engineer in a wide range of fields, including automotive, energy and aerospace, among others.
The degree is application-based, using industry-related software, and includes laboratory-based investigations as well as examining industry-based case studies that will provide you with the specialist mechanical knowledge and broad engineering education to turn your qualification into a lifelong career. You will also undertake an engineering project, which will showcase your skills and knowledge to prospective employers by solving an industry-related problem.
Special features
- You will use applications-based software to solve challenges
- You will undertake major industry-related projects to showcase your expertise in solving engineering problems
- You will develop relevant key employability skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills
- You can study full time or part time to suit your personal or professional circumstances
- You can exit at each level with a valuable qualification
Entry requirements
Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, such as HNC Engineering (Systems pathway) or HNC Mechanical Engineering, with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2
Advanced entry to year two:
- Successful completion of a relevant 15 SQA credit HNC such as HNC Engineering (Systems pathway) or HNC Mechanical Engineering) with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year two entry on your application
Advanced entry to year three:
- Successful completion of a relevant HND (such as the HND Engineering Systems, or HND Mechanical Engineering) may allow advanced entry to year three. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year three entry on your application
Advanced entry to year four:
- Successful completion of the BEng Mechanical Engineering or BEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, or other equivalent ordinary degrees may allow advanced entry to year four. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year four entry on your application
Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2, such as:
You will study one of the following core modules:
- Design and engineering skills 2 (SC)
- Engineering skills 2 (SC)
You will also study the following:
- Core maths 2 (S1)
- Electrical 2 (S2)
- Engineering business skills 2 (SC)
- Statics and dynamics 2 (S1)
- Thermodynamics and fluids 2 (S2)
You will study one of the following core modules:
- Engineering project 3 (SC)
- Project and management 1 (SC)
You will also study the following:
- Control and instrumentation 3 (S2)
- Conventional energy systems 3 (S1)
- Statics and dynamics (S1)
- Thermodynamics and fluids (S2)
and choose one from the following:
- Assessment of the environmental impact of development
- Materials and manufacturing
- Microcontrollers and digital electronics
- Renewable energy generation
You will study the following core modules:
- Design for quality and reliability (S1)
- Engineering project 4 (SC)
- Statics and dynamics 4 (S1)
- Thermodynamics and fluids 4 (S2)
You will also choose one from the following:
- Electrical 4 (S2)*
- Electronics 4 (S1)*
- Future energy systems (S1)
- Wind energy (S2)*
*only available to those who have already achieved level 3 in the same subject
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials. These are recorded and can be viewed at times that suit you if you are unable to attend the timetabled sessions. You can replay them as many times as needed
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will take part in a mandatory induction, online, every September
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 24-30 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 12-15 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Inverness
- North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway; Thurso
- Perth
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the UK. If you're based in Scotland you should apply to your nearest location
Start date
- September
- January - North, West and Hebrides only
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, you will be ready to compete effectively for jobs within the broad engineering industries such as transport engineering; offshore engineering; renewable energy; energy; manufacturing; and oil and gas. Roles may include:
- Mechanical engineer
- Automotive engineer
- Energy engineer
- Systems engineer
- Project manager - mechanical systems/renewable energy
- Project development - mechanical systems/renewable energy
Can I progress into further study?
Upon successful completion of the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, you may wish to progress onto:
My studies have given me a better understanding of mechanical engineering and project management. I completed a project in the workplace for my Engineering Project module and I found I was able to apply many parts of the course directly to my work. I feel gaining my degree has helped me to become a Maintenance Engineer 2 at LifeScan, the youngest and first woman to do this role in my department. I work in the packaging department, maintaining the machinery for our product, support a team of engineers, as well as helping to train our apprentices.
I really enjoyed the course and how I was able to complete it remotely, allowing me to study while working. I love the outdoors and living in the Highlands is the best place for that!
Niamh studied on the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at North, West and Hebrides, Thurso. She won the Prize for Engineering Excellence in 2023.
I chose to study at UHI because It meant I was able to leave my studies with a first-class honours degree, savings in the bank, and I immediately had an engineering job to go to.
This course was right for me because existing links with local employers gave me the opportunity for employment, the course content was good and lecturers were caring, approachable and knew their stuff! I worked as an intern at a nuclear power plant during my second year and continued to work and study full time until my graduation. I now work there as a Mechanical Engineer.
I would recommend studying at UHI, even if you don’t have a full picture of where your career may take you. At the end of your time, you will have the magic bit of paper that demonstrates your worth to employers, be that local or further afield. UHI has such a wide catchment area that I was able to meet new people with alike interests and career journeys.
Jonathan studied BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at our Thurso campus.
Apply for Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.