Program Overview

MEng Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering

The MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering encourages students to think creatively to solve modern challenges with new and advanced technical solutions. By studying this five-year degree, students will build upon a sound engineering foundation and be introduced to specialist energy topics, and environmental impact assessment and management.

Key Information

• UCAS code: HH38
• Level: Undergraduate
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: MEng
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 4-5 years
• Location: Edinburgh
• Start date: September

Course Description

The undergraduate degree will equip students with a sound basis in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering to progress society towards a more sustainable future with solutions for cleaner energy sources and improved efficiency. Students will explore thermodynamics and fluid mechanisms to understand how turbines generate electricity from geothermal or nuclear sources and analyze heat pumps as a more efficient alternative to gas boilers to heat homes across the UK.

Student Experience

Students will have the opportunity to build and develop their professional network through industrial visits, and an optional industrial placement which, upon completion, will result in being awarded a Diploma in Industrial Training (DIT). Throughout the programme, students will engage in hands-on and practical work, and apply their learned theory. This will ensure students gain the practical skills demanded by industry, making them highly employable upon graduating.

Course Content

Year 1

• Mandatory September:
  • Mechanics, Fields and Forces
  • Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering in Context 1
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
• Mandatory January:
  • Engineering in Context 2
  • Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
• Optional January:
  • Waves and Matter
  • Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

Year 2

• Mandatory September:
  • Design and Manufacture 2
  • Fluid Mechanics A
  • Mechanics of Materials A
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 3
• Mandatory January:
  • Electrical Power and Machines
  • Dynamics
  • Thermodynamics A
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 4

Year 3

• Mandatory September:
  • Sustainable Development and Engineering Management
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics and Incompressible Fluids
  • Design and Manufacture 3
  • Mechanics of Materials B
• Mandatory January:
  • Design and Manufacture 4
  • Energy Studies
  • Vibration Analysis & Control Engineering
  • Thermodynamics B

Year 4

• Mandatory September:
  • Heat Exchangers and Heat Transfer
  • Introduction to Petroleum Engineering
• Mandatory January:
  • Advanced Thermodynamic Applications
• Mandatory AY:
  • Industrial Design and Manufacture
  • Mechanical Engineering Individual Project
• Optional January:
  • Compressible Fluid Dynamics
  • Dynamics 2

Year 5

• Mandatory September:
  • Renewable Energy Technologies
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
  • Group Project 2
  • Professional and Industrial Studies
• Mandatory January:
  • Specialist Engineering Technology 2
  • Group Project 3
• Optional January:
  • Failure and Accident Analysis

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: Ł9,790
  • International: Ł25,808
• Scholarships and bursaries:
  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to Ł3,100 per year) for students from England, Northern Ireland, or Wales.

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements:
  • Highers: AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Maths and one of Physics or Engineering Science, with one required subject achieved at A.
  • A-Levels: BBB. Must include Maths and Physics, with both achieved at B.
  • International Baccalaureate: 30 points. Must include Maths and Physics, with both achieved at Higher Level 5.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
  • HNC: A in graded unit. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
  • HND: AB / BA in graded units. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
• Minimum entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Maths and one of Physics or Engineering Science, with both required subjects achieved at B.
  • A-Levels: BCC. Must include Maths and Physics, with one required subject achieved at B.
  • International Baccalaureate: 29 points. Must include Maths and Physics, with both achieved at Higher Level 5.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
  • HNC: B in graded unit. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
  • HND: BB in graded units. Must be in a relevant Engineering subject including sufficient Maths and Physics.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Employability

• 81% of graduates are working 15 months after graduating.
• The average salary of students 15 months after graduating is Ł32,000.
• Potential career paths:
  • Engineering professionals
  • Business and public service associate professionals
  • Conservation and environment professionals