Program Overview

Engineering, BEng

Introduction

Engineering is a broad subject, encompassing many different activities across various fields of human endeavour. While engineers work in many different industries, from aerospace and automotive to energy and medicine, all engineers use creativity to design solutions to the problems we face in the world today.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BEng
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: H100
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Our Interdisciplinary Approach

Professional engineers in today's world are required to work with colleagues from a range of engineering disciplines. All engineering students at the University of Aberdeen undertake studies from electrical and electronic, civil, chemical, mechanical and petroleum engineering during their first two years.

This ensures our graduates are experienced and knowledgeable about the various skills and challenges each discipline would face, making them excellent choices for any engineering team.

This approach also gives students flexibility in their degree - rather than being locked into a specific programme when applying, our students can choose the path that they prefer once they have experienced all five disciplines.

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

The four-year BEng Engineering honours (H100) and five year MEng Engineering honours (H104) programmes are therefore ideally suited to students who are not sure which branch of engineering they wish to specialise in at the time of applying. If however you already know what area you wish to study, you can apply directly to that programme.

You must transfer to one of the other specialist programmes, which will be dependent on the optional courses that you take, before or at the commencement of the third year of the programme.

The four year BEng Engineering Honours programme and the five year MEng Engineering Honours programme are both fully accredited by the Engineering Institutions (see Professional Accreditation section).

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year.

It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed.

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses
  • Principles of Electronics (EG1008)
  • Fundamentals of Engineering Materials (EG1012)
  • CAD and Communication in Engineering Practice (EG1010)
  • Fundamental Engineering Mechanics (EG1510)
  • Engineering Mathematics 1 (EG1504)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
• Optional Courses
  • Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses
  • EG 2513 Solids and Structures
  • Engineering Mathematics 2 (EG2012)
  • Process Engineering (EG2011)
  • Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (EG2004)
  • Design and Computing in Engineering Practice (EG2501)
  • Electrical and Mechanical Systems (EG2503)
  • Electronic Systems (EG2514)
• Optional Courses
  • Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses
  • Please note: the BEng in Engineering is intended for candidates who are uncertain as to which branch of engineering they wish to specialise in. They must transfer to one of the other programmes, which will be dependant on the optional courses that they have taken, before or at the commencement of the third year of the programme.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses
  • Please note: the BEng in Engineering is intended for candidates who are uncertain as to which branch of engineering they wish to specialise in. They must transfer to one of the other programmes, which will be dependant on the optional courses that they have taken, before or at the commencement of the third year of the programme.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Field Work
• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lab Work
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
• practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
• written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Engineering?

• We deliver teaching in world-class facilities, including laboratories dedicated to particular areas of work such as satellite communications, computer-aided design, electrical machines, materials testing, laser welding, hydraulics and fluids, large structures and geotechnics.
• The School of Engineering encompasses five disciplines – Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. The School is strongly interdisciplinary with staff and students collaborating closely across all disciplines.
• At the heart of each of our disciplines lies a passion for using creativity to design solutions to the complex technological, economic, environmental, and medical challenges we face today, from the transition to renewable energy to robotics, automation, new materials and bioengineering.
• Our interdisciplinary approach means students gain experience in each engineering discipline, making them highly sought-after by employers. This flexibility also means you choose your specialisation once you have experienced all five disciplines.
• According to the Royal Academy of Engineering, Aberdeen is one of 13 engineering hot spots in the UK with over 8,000 engineering businesses across the city and surrounding region. The School of Engineering has strong links with industry, who support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and scholarships.
• There are many student societies directly related to engineering, where you can meet fellow engineering students and develop your interests and new skills, including Chemical Engineering Society, Civil Engineering Society, Electrical & Electronic Engineering Society, Mechanical Engineering Society as well as other than comprise of students from various disciplines, such as the Aerospace Engineering Society, Energy Transition Society, TAU Racing Society and PrototAU.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers
  • Standard: ABBB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required)
  • Minimum: BBB (Good performance required in Mathematics and Physics)
  • Adjusted: BB (Good performance required in Mathematics)
• A LEVELS
  • Standard: BBB (Good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry)
  • Minimum: BBC (Good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry)
  • Adjusted: BB (Good performance required in Mathematics)
• International Baccalaureat
  • Minimum of 32 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above)
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Five subjects at Higher, with 3 at H2 and 2 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £24,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

Highly skilled and qualified engineers are currently in very high demand across a number of industries around the world. A good degree in Engineering will set you up for a wide range of career opportunities, working on solving some of the world’s great engineering challenges. Many of today’s Managing Directors and CEO’s in high powered industries also started their careers as engineers. The School of Engineering at Aberdeen is justifiably proud of its students and graduates, believing them to be the best advert for the work of the School. With their excellent reputation, our graduates are in high demand from employers.

An Engineering degree at the University of Aberdeen can also lead to the opportunity of further study. Every year many of our students come back for postgraduate study either on one of our taught programmes or to gain higher degrees by research. The University’s Careers and Employability Service helps undergraduates find employment by providing a range of training opportunities and information on prospective employers.

Accreditation

According to your choice of curriculum, our MEng Honours degree is an accredited five-year Honours programme satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Energy Institute or by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The BEng Honours degree is an accredited four year Honours degree programme partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) while it fully meets the educational base for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration.