Mechanical Engineering

A mechanical engineering degree will allow you to develop a fundamental understanding of engineering principles by studying engineering sciences and mathematics and learning to apply them to real engineering problems.

Programme structure

You will study the same courses in the first three years whether you are on the BEng or MEng degree programme. Your selection for BEng or MEng depends on your progress record in your first three years.

Year 1

You will take courses in mathematics and study engineering fundamentals including applied mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics and properties of materials. These courses are supported by individual drawing and practical skills and group project and laboratory work.

Year 2

In your second year you will study further basic engineering subjects including applicable mathematics, applied mechanics, electrical power engineering, engineering computing, materials, power electronics, thermodynamics and design and manufacture.

Year 3

In third year you will visit a number of industries in the UK and study more advanced engineering subjects including dynamics, control and fluid power; engineering design; fluid mechanics; gas dynamics; heat transfer; instrumentation and data systems; materials and manufacture; mathematical modelling and simulation; and mechanics of materials and structures.

Years 4 and 5

The main route to becoming a fully chartered engineer is through the MEng degree, which usually takes five years. The BEng degree remains popular and can normally be completed in four years. To become a fully chartered engineer with a BEng degree requires further study after graduation, which can be done part-time from work.

In fourth year you will study a range of courses from elements of law for engineers, marketing, microeconomics, advanced thermal engineering, control, lasers and electro-optic systems, materials engineering, mechanics of solids, robotics, and vibration. You will also undertake project work.

In fifth year individual project work forms a major component of the MEng programme and frequently has a strong industrial bias. Further courses are chosen from advanced control systems engineering, dynamics, desalination, laser design and applications, materials engineering, and mechanics of solids and structures.

Special features

In fourth year you will take part in a multidisciplinary integrated system design project. You will work in teams alongside students of other engineering disciplines.

Partner and industry links

The degree programme has very close links with industry, with industrialists contributing to courses, as well as vacation and year-out employment opportunities for students.

Our international links

You can apply to spend one year of your academic studies abroad at an accredited partner university. In year 5 MEng students can work on their project at overseas institutions.

Career prospects

Our graduates are well represented in manufacturing companies and a wide range of industries in this country and abroad. Recent graduates have been employed by Babcock (Marine Division), Chevron, TECHNIP UK Ltd, Wood Group, Spooner, Green Co. Mineral Water, Extreme Well Solution, Scottish Power Renewables, Aker Solutions, ABS Consulting Ltd, Nuclear, Jee Ltd, OyI Manufacturing, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Score Europe, BYARD Piping Mills, among others.

Accreditation

Our BEng and MEng degrees are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Glasgow International College

For international students entry to this programme is supported by courses from GIC.

BEng

  • Mechanical Engineering: H300

MEng

  • Mechanical Engineering: H302

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MEng

Highers: AAAAA by end of S5 including Mathematics and Physics.

A-levels: A*AA including Mathematics and Physics.

IB: 36 points including Mathematics HL6 and Physics HL6.

BEng

Highers: Entry from S5 – AAAA or AAABB including Mathematics and Physics at grades A/B or B/A.

Entry from S6 – applicants who achieved a minimum of ABBB including Mathematics and Physics at grades A/B or B/A in S5, may receive an offer based on them attaining AAAAAB by the end of S6. Applicants receiving these offers will be required to study Advanced Highers in relevant subjects.

A-levels: AAB including Mathematics and Physics.

IB: 34 points including Mathematics HL5 and Physics HL5.

BEng students who perform well may transfer to the MEng programme upon completion of years 1, 2 or 3.

Advanced entry

If you have exceptional A-level or Advanced Higher grades it's possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and enter directly into Year 2 or follow a faster route advanced entry programme, both of which allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. See: Advanced entry

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: Elaine.Shortt@glasgow.ac.uk

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

my academic qualifications are below the requirements?

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

How to apply ...