BEng Hons Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

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Key facts

  • UCAS Code: HH63
  • Accreditation: Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET)
  • Scholarships: industry-supported scholarships programme

Study with us

  • develop expertise in mechanical, electrical, software and control systems engineering
  • participate in the Formula Student competition to design, build and race a racing car
  • gain international experience through studying abroad. Access to IET Power Academy & Scholarship programme with paid work placements
  • professional accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and Institution of Mechanical Engineers

During my degree, I was a summer intern at Scottish Water and had a placement with Davie & McCulloch, a Glasgow-based building services firm. The EEE department’s reputation and connections to industry opened many doors and helped me stand out from the crowd.

Lee McMonagle
Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Arup

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Why this course?

The combination of mechanical, electrical, electronic, computing, measurement and control elements are now an important part of most modern engineering systems and are essential to meet new challenges in engineering innovation.

Examples include energy generation, hybrid petrol/electric vehicles, aircraft design, satellite technology, robotic systems and technology for a sustainable environment.

This degree covers key areas of both electrical and mechanical engineering reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern engineering. There's a demand for graduates with expertise within and across the boundaries of both disciplines.

Accreditation 

The degree has dual accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers meaning that you will be able to capitalise on career opportunities in both or either subject.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

What you'll study

Year 1 

You're introduced to the analysis and design of analogue and digital circuits for electronics and power applications, supported by practical laboratory sessions. You also learn the physical principles underlying the design of mechanical systems and structures including topics such as dynamics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

Project work introduces you to design and build activities in fuel cells and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Numerical and modelling skills are developed through classes in mathematics and software engineering while your awareness of the engineering profession is enhanced through a special class that introduces engineering industry principles and practice.

Year 2 

Year 1 themes continue but at a more advanced level. You develop key skills for the engineering profession, including team working on practical design projects and oral presentation skills.

Year 3

You'll begin to develop specialist engineering skills through completing classes in a range of advanced topics.

Year 4 (Honours) 

In Year 4 you undertake an individual research project, which will help you gain valuable technical and project management skills. You also take a selection of advanced technical modules focused on the design and analysis of electromechanical systems.

Transfer from BEng to MEng is possible in the first three years.

Top-ranked departments

The course is run jointly by the Departments of Electronic & Electrical Engineering (EEE) and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE).

EEE is one of the premier providers of electronic & electrical engineering education in the UK, renowned for its teaching and research quality, student satisfaction ratings and excellent graduate employment rates.  It provides the specialist theoretical and practical training in electronics, communications design and operation, hardware engineering systems, image/video processing and robotics.

MAE is one of the top-ranked departments of its kind in the UK – home to award-winning research centres spanning aerospace, fluids, structures and materials. It has pioneered the use of interactive learning techniques in the classroom and provides the specialist theoretical and practical classes in basic, structural and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, propulsion and materials for aerospace, applications and lightweight structures.

Facilities

Students have exclusive access to our extensive computing network, and purpose-built teaching spaces including high voltage facilities, and student design & project labs equipped with the latest technologies.

Accreditation

The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) - this programme is CEng accredited and fulfils the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer when presented with an accredited MSc. In addition, the programme meets the educational requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.

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Course content

Compulsory classes

Engineering Mechanics 1

A study of mechanics gives you the basic tools to understand how the world, both natural and man-made.
You come to Engineering Mechanics with an elementary understanding of the basic principles of mechanics acquired from introductory school physics together with their application to problem solving. This class places more emphasis on the basic skills required to start to apply these concepts and principles to real engineering problem solving. The class focuses on the practice of these skills, rather than factual content. In this class doing required background reading, coming to class and doing homework are like practising for a football team. The tutor/lecturer is less a source of information and more of a coach who structures practice and sets standards. Students’ progress not by absorbing (and regurgitating) information but rather by practising their skills individually and learning to work effectively with others.

Engineering Industry & Profession

To provide an overview of industry and give you some understanding of the industry environment that you would enter as well as the types of roles you would/could undertake. To explain role and responsibility of the engineering profession and individual engineer.

The class is delivered to first-year undergraduate students in the specific context of electronic and electrical engineering together with relationship to mechanical engineering and computer systems.

Electronic & Mechanical Techniques & Design 1

This module aims to:

  1. introduce you to the practical and professional skills required of an engineer
  2. underpin theoretical concepts introduced elsewhere in Year 1 modules
  3. introduce you to individual and group project work
  4. expose you to problems requiring system integration and design
  5. encourage innovation in the context of project work
  6. facilitate the development of a range of transferable skills

Electronic & Electrical Principles 1

To provide you with a foundational understanding of the analysis and design of both analogue and digital electronic circuits.

Heat & Flow 1

Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat and fluid flow are important for the understanding and design of thermal and hydraulic systems involving energy conversion and transmission, such as engines and turbines, pumps and compressors, and associated pipework. The aim of the class is to introduce the basic concepts of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, and the applications thereof, as a foundation for further studies.

Engineering Mathematics 1E

To give a basic understanding of the concepts and applications of mathematical functions, differentiation, integration and complex numbers.  The class also provides an introductory experience of using mathematical tools to apply these concepts to practical engineering examples.

Engineering Mathematics 2E

To give a basic understanding of the concepts and applications of calculus, geometry, vectors, matrices and numerical methods.

Compulsory classes

Engineering Mechanics 2

1st Semester

The class aims to provide you with the basic skills to analyse dynamics problems, associated with bodies and simple mechanisms, from first principles.

2nd Semester

To develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the areas of structural analysis and elementary stress analysis. The work is divided into 4 parts:
  • statics revision including shear force and bending moment diagrams
  • beams in bending
  • shear and torsion
  • 2D stress and strain

Electromagnetism

You'll gain an understanding of the application of electromagnetic effects in practical devices and develop the mathematical skills necessary to analyse these effects in simple geometries.

Engineering Design & Manufacture

This class aims to introduce you to concepts and methodology required to undertake effective design and development of engineering systems. The product development process will be introduced and through practice, a working knowledge of appropriate engineering design processes, tools and techniques will be gained.

An overview of manufacturing and the manufacturing industry will provide a general appreciation of the range of processes employed in manufacturing together with an understanding of how components can be manufactured economically and reliably.

Electronic & Electrical Principles 2

To introduce you to the analysis and design of analogue circuits and systems as used in electronics, energy & power systems, communications, control and analogue signal processing applications.

Digital Electronic & Programming Design

To introduce you to the use of digital electronics and the rudiments of digital signal processing systems.

Electronic & Mechanical Techniques & Design 2

To develop a broad understanding of many aspects of engineering (general electrical and electronic, power engineering, mechanical engineering, computing and software) and to enhance generic skills required of a professional engineer (research, practical, team working, communications, reporting writing, oral presentation). 

You'll also benefit from two laboratory-based projects, which will enhance your understanding of important electrical and engineering principles that underpin many other classes within the degree programme.

Heat & Flow 2

This class aims to deliver fundamental knowledge on fluid mechanics and thermodynamics and illustrate their importance to engineering systems.

Thermodynamics is the science that is devoted to understanding energy in all its forms and how energy changes form. The aim of the first semester of this class is to supply the necessary analytical tools to study these energy changes when applied in engineering situations, in particular for transportation and power production. Fluid mechanics and the behaviour of fluids is an important aspect in the performance of engineering systems.

In the second semester the underlying physics of fluid flow and its application to simple systems is presented.

Engineering Mathematics 3E

The aims of this class are:
  • to develop the means of solving certain differential equations
  • to consider applications of Taylor and Maclaurin series
  • to generalise earlier ideas in calculus to deal with functions of several variables
  • to discuss in more detail matrices, determinants and functions of a complex variable
  • to introduce vector calculus and eigenvalues/eigenvectors

Compulsory classes

Instrumentation & Microcontrollers

INSTRUMENTATION

To develop techniques for system modelling based on block diagrams and transfer functions and to use such techniques in the context of analysis and design. To introduce you to instrumentation and measurement as an interdisciplinary engineering activity. To explain the basic principles of feedback and control systems.

To enable understanding of the dependence of measurement and control on a wide variety of scientific and engineering disciplines; to provide appreciation of the universal application of measurement and control within the same range of disciplines.

To demonstrate engineering design as applied to instrumentation systems and control engineering; in particular, to explain the important contribution of electrical, mechanical and software engineering to this process.

MICROCONTROLLERS

To allow you to gain practical design, implementation and test experience of the techniques required to create combined hardware/software systems with an emphasis on measurement.

Engineering Analysis

It is important for you to see mathematics and statistics in the context of the computational problems they will be exposed to in their discipline.

The aim of this class is to further develop your skills and abilities in advanced mathematical concepts in the field of engineering. This will be achieved through contextualised problem solving using applicable mathematical and statistical techniques and tools on problems of moderate complexity.

Engineering Innovation & Management

This class aims to provide you with an understanding of the importance of innovation in today’s business environment. The class aims to also develop understanding and skills in the area of innovation management. It aims to develop practical skills for you to integrate a number of themes including:

  • product development
  • IP
  • product finances
  • project management
  • market analysis with a view to successfully exploiting new ideas

Engineering Computing

This class aims to:
  • introduce you to writing software using the Python programming language with modern development tools
  • provide you with an awareness of and skill in the use of a CAD software in the design of engineering systems

Signals & Systems

The aim of this class is to introduce you to the fundamentals of continuous and discrete time signals and linear systems. At the end of this class, you should be able to mathematically and pragmatically define, analyse and design these systems.

Dynamics 3

This class aims to:
  • introduce the general principles of the kinematics of rigid bodies and different types of motion: translation, rotation and general plane motion
  • study the kinetics of rigid bodies focussing on plane motion, equations of motion, angular momentum and D’Alembert’s Principle
  • utilise the fundamentals taught in second year Dynamics to demonstrate the principles of analysis of the dynamic performance of mechanical engineering systems
  • introduce the basics of modelling the vibrations of mechanical systems
  • combine the fundamental theory of free and forced vibrations of damped and un-damped systems with some essential laboratory practice and demonstrations

Integrated Design

Elective classes

Choose one of the following two options and one further 20 credit class.

Electronic & Electrical Principles 3

This class promotes detailed understanding of the electrical and electromagnetic principles and their deployment in a range of engineering applications.  These are associated with electromagnetic waves propagation in bounded and unbounded media.  They are also in:

  • electric power generation (both conventional and renewable)
  • power distribution and energy utilisation
  • electric transportation systems
  • the propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space
  • in insulating and conducting lossless and lossy media
  • optical fibre

You'll gain an appreciation of the fundamental principles, engineering solutions, and social and economic implications of such applications.

Heat & Flow 3

The class builds on your previous study of thermodynamics and extends this to cover mixtures, psychrometry energy and its applications. It also extends the study of heat transfer. Here, heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation is covered together with heat exchanger design.
In addition, this class takes the study of the laws of conservation of mass, energy and momentum applied to fluid flow to a more advanced level. The knowledge and understanding of fluid flow is extended and this class supplies the analytical tools to provide an appreciation of boundary layers and compressible fluid flow.

Individual Project

You undertake an individual design project. This will help you gain valuable technical and project management skills.

Systems Engineering

Elective classes

Choose at least four from this list

Communications Networks

To provide an understanding of the principles and key transport technologies which underpin high-speed heterogeneous broadband communications networks and architectures while giving an insight to the technical and strategic challenges associated with the provision of a Quality of Service (QoS)-based integrated future-network platform.

Control Principles

This class aims:
  • to introduce you to the basic concepts, mathematical tools and design methods of classical control theory
  • to enable you to use analysis and design tools used in control engineering and appreciate the industrial applications of control systems
  • to enable you to analyse and design closed loop control system specifically using industrial three-term (PID) controllers
  • to introduce you to advanced control methods and to provide a basic understanding of a time-domain approach to control analysis and design of industrial processes
  • to appreciate the application of control theory in industrial applications

Photonic Systems

The primary aim of this class is to enable you to develop a basic conceptual understanding and working knowledge of fibre optic communications systems and their component parts addressing basic principles, engineering, design and performance limits. All of the fundamental principles of light, optics and photonic components necessary to achieve this are dealt with, giving a broad appreciation of photonics in general.

Power Systems Design, Operation & Protection

To enable you to appreciate the principles of analysis and design of electrical power systems including:

  • design and operational approaches in power systems including electricity generation, transmission and distribution
  • analysis and design of transmission and distribution networks
  • power flow, fault and stability calculations
  • system control including load frequency control and economic dispatch
  • generation technology implications on power system design and operation

Alternative Energy Sources

Protection Control & Intelligent Systems

Flight & Spaceflight

This class aims to give a theoretical and historical background to the development of modern aircraft and spacecraft design.

Computer Aided Engineering Design

This class aims to provide an appreciation of computer aided design, analysis and simulation methods over a range of engineering problems and to provide practical experience of the use of industry standard engineering simulation and analysis software to design and investigate the behaviour and performance of specific systems or components.

Learning & teaching

To engage and challenge you, we use a blend of teaching methods. These include lectures, small group problem-solving tutorials, practical laboratories as well as industrial visits and seminars by professional engineers

You’ll not only develop technical engineering expertise but also communication, project management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

In later years, you’ll have opportunities to work with academic staff on active research projects.

The course typically consists of around 10 lectures, five tutorial/problem-solving classes and three practical classes per week. To enhance your understanding of the technical and theoretical topics covered in these, you're expected to undertake a further 20 hours of self-study, using the web-based virtual learning environment (MyPlace), computing and library facilities.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a variety of techniques.

In Years 1 to 3, you'll complete at least six modules per year, with each module made up of a combination of written assignments, individual and group reports, oral presentations, practical lab work, and where appropriate, an end-of-term exam.

In Year 4, you'll complete at least four modules and an individual project. Assessment of this project consists of four elements, interim report, poster & oral presentations, conduct and final report.

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Entry requirements

Required subjects are shown in brackets.

Highers

Standard entry requirements*:

AAAB

(Maths A, Physics or Engineering Science)

Minimum entry requirements**:

BBBB

(Maths and Physics or Engineering Science)

Advanced Highers

Maths and Physics recommended

A Levels

Year 1 entry: ABB-BBB

(Maths, Physics)

Year 2 entry: AAA-ABB

(Maths A, Physics, Computing)

International Baccalaureate

Year 1 entry: 34-32

(Maths HL5, Physics HL5)

Year 2 entry: 36-34

(Maths HL6, Physics HL6, Computer Science HL6)

HNC/HND

Year 1 entry only: HNC Electronics or Electrical Engineering, Engineering Maths 1 - 2, Graded Unit A

International students

View the entry requirements for your country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application.

Additional information

  • deferred entry is accepted
  • SQA Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted instead of Higher Mathematics
  • both IB Higher Level Mathematics pathways are accepted

*Standard entry requirements

Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.

Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.

In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.

**Minimum entry requirements

Find out if you can benefit from this type of offer.

Contextual Admissions for Widening Access

We want to increase opportunities for people from every background.

Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential, and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.

Find out if you can benefit from this type of offer.

University preparation programme for international students

We offer international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Business and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre. ​

Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Strathclyde.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

Visit our international students' section

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Fees & funding

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.

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Scotland
  • 2024/25: TBC
  • 2023/24: £1,820

Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish undergraduate students undertaking an exchange for a semester/year will continue to pay their normal tuition fees at Strathclyde and will not be charged fees by the overseas institution.

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£9,250

Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2024/25, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply.

International

£26,700

University preparation programme fees

International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.

Additional costs

Course materials & costs: the department provides a service whereby printed notes are available to the students subject to a small charge to cover copying costs. Students are recommended/required to have copies of such notes but we provide access to both printed copies and e-copies. The latter are provided without charge – in accordance with University policy. Any printed material that is mandatory (in that form) is provided without additional charge to the students.

In relation to mandatory books for modules, the requirement is for access and reading rather than purchase specifically. It's expected that students will, as part of their course, read around the subjects and consult text books.

EEE programmes have a degree of practical and project work that will require the use of consumables/components – again the cost of these are met by the department. Indeed it's made explicitly clear during the project work that students are not expected to purchase parts etc. for their project work.

We would envisage that typical expenditure by a student on course related materials to be around £30 for course notes. We also provide within our labs a quota for printing; over and above University provision. This expenditure is not mandatory. The other costs incurred with regard to books depends upon student preferences.

Placements & field trips: the department and student societies support a number of industrial visits throughout the year. These trips are not mandatory for specific programmes and modules and any incurred charge to cover transport is either met by the students or by the department.

Study abroad: Study abroad is possible in Years 3 to 5 but is only compulsory (in year 4) for the "with International Study" degree programmes. Students will bear some of the cost of this which will vary depending on country of study. (Support from SAAS and Erasmus may be available).

Other costs: students are not required to purchase any specific software licenses – all software used is available on campus machines, either locally or remotely.

All undergraduates and PGI students are provided for the duration of their course with student-membership of IET  (Professional Body) paid for by the department.

Some hardware (micro controllers, design boards) may be made available to students for loan subject to appropriate refundable  deposit.  Students may consider purchase of low cost microcontroller boards for 3rd year and beyond project work - cost from £10 to £30.

Access to EEE Computer labs out of working hours is via card access - card cost is £20 - refundable on return of card.

Students are provided with an additional print-quota for use in EEE labs for EEE classes conducted in EEE computer labs. (Paid top-ups possible via University IT services).

Expected printing and report binding costs are around £15 to £20 a year - will depend upon exact programme and class assignments. Binding is provided at cost (50p to £1.00) by EEE Resource Centre in R4.01.

International students: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Available scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.

How can I fund my studies?

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Students from Scotland

Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.

For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.

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Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland

We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:

You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

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International Students

We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.

Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships

If you're an international applicant applying for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering, you'll be eligible to apply for a scholarship award equivalent to a 10% reduction of your tuition fees for each year of study. The first year of the scholarship will typically be £2,670 deducted from fees.

Scholarships are available for applicants to all self-funded, new international (non-EU) fee-paying students holding an offer of study for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

Please note you must have an offer of study for a full-time course at Strathclyde before applying. You must start your full-time undergraduate course at Strathclyde in September 2024.

 

Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. National Geographic named Glasgow as one of its 'Best of the World' destinations, while Rough Guide readers have voted Glasgow the world’s friendliest city! And Time Out named Glasgow in the top ten best cities in the world - we couldn't agree more!

We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Find out what some of our students think about studying in Glasgow!

Find out all about life in Glasgow
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Careers

Dual accreditation by the IET and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers means you’ll be able to capitalise on career opportunities.

There's a growing demand for graduates who are technically skilled in both the electrical & mechanical engineering. This can be seen in the diverse range of career opportunities and sectors, where expertise in both subjects is essential:

  • aeronautical engineering – design and operation of sensor and control systems and fly-by-wire technology
  • automotive engineering – electronic performance management systems and pollution-free vehicles
  • renewable energy sources using wind or wave power
  • robotic systems for manufacturing and remote handling
  • satellite and space exploration where efficient power sources, computing and control systems are essential
  • marine engineering applications, including electric propulsion systems, radar and sonar systems

Opportunities also exist in non-technical areas such as project management and engineering consultancy, and patent law, as our graduates possess first-rate numeracy, literacy, IT, problem-solving and team-working skills.

Last year, all of our graduates took up positions as mechanical engineers, design specialists, project managers, and power systems engineers with employers including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar LandRover, Iberdrola, Selex ES, Arup and Petrofac.

How much will I earn?

The average salary for electrical and mechanical engineers is around £29,000.*

*Information is intended only as a guide.

Recent job titles include:

  • Design Assurance Engineer
  • Graduate Engineer
  • Marine Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
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Apply

Start date:

Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (1 year entry)

Start date: Sep 2024

Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (1 year entry)

full-time
Start date: Sep 2024

UCAS Applications

Apply through UCAS if you are a UK applicant. International applicants may apply through UCAS if they are applying to more than one UK University.

Apply now

Direct Applications

Our Direct applications service is for international applicants who wish to apply to Strathclyde University at this time.

Apply now
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Contact us

Faculty of Engineering

Telephone: +44 (0)141 574 5484

Email: eng-admissions@strath.ac.uk

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