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Mechanical Engineering

Course details
  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Central area campus

Course summary

Mechanical engineers turn ideas into realities, by creating systems and machines, generating movement and power. They lead technological advancements across diverse industries, instigating more efficient, safe and affordable designs and pushing the boundaries of modern manufacturing and automation.

Almost any machine or process you can think of in modern life has benefited from the input of a mechanical engineer.

As a mechanical engineer, you will use your creative and inventive skills to design and improve products and processes alongside fundamental:

  • physics

  • complex mathematics

  • state-of-the-art engineering software

United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

Based on our compulsory course material, this degree aligns with many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the top three being:

  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  • SDG 13: Climate Action

Ties to industry

Our Industrial Liaison Board includes senior representatives from important industrial companies.

This has a strong influence on our curriculum and programme development.

Programme benefits

  • An enviable suite of facilities, including specialist laboratories, a student makerspace and cutting-edge industry-standard equipment.

  • One of the strongest universities in the UK in renewable energy systems and structures, with world-class facilities, including FloWave and FastBlade which allows research-based teaching and student projects.

  • Strong industry connections within Edinburgh, the UK, and beyond. This leads to excellent internship and career opportunities.

  • A balanced curriculum covering theoretical and practical skills and individual and group work.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
H300
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA-ABB

Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at B; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science/Computing, Design and Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. Applicants with Physics preferred. GCSEs: English at C or 4; Physics or Science at B or 6. Standard A level requirements must be achieved in one set of exams.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAA

AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred) (Standard). AABB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Applicants with Physics preferred. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B; English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
37-32

from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 32 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) at 5; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Design Technology at 5. Applicants with Physics preferred. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL); English at 5.

Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements.

We normally make offers to the highest qualified applicants. If competition for places is high this may mean that offers will only be made to applicants who are predicted, or who have achieved, above the single set of grades or the upper grade level in a range. Any conditional offer made may require you to achieve grades above the upper grade level. Therefore, achieving the top of our standard entry requirements does not guarantee a place on the relevant degree.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference. https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/2027/82-mechanical-engineering?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_content=listing

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB

Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at B; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science/Computing, Design and Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. Applicants with Physics preferred. GCSEs: English at C or 4; Physics or Science at B or 6. Standard A level requirements must be achieved in one set of exams.

Scottish Higher AABB

AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred) (Standard). AABB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Applicants with Physics preferred. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B; English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 32

from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 32 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) at 5; one of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Design Technology at 5. Applicants with Physics preferred. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL); English at 5.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.

Learn more on the The University of Edinburgh website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/international-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & International£40900

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

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme

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