BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering with International Study

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Key facts

  • UCAS Code: H303

  • Accreditation: Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  • Study abroad: students spend Year 3 studying abroad

  • Scholarships: access to an extensive portfolio of Faculty scholarships

Study with us

  • opportunity to participate in Formula Student, the national competition to build a racing car
  • access to industry scholarships
  • option to study abroad
  • The Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering is targeted annually for graduate recruitment by more than 60 companies, enhancing your career prospects
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Why this course?

Mechanical engineers are recognised for their knowledge and skills in conceiving, designing, implementing and operating devices, machines, engines and energy systems.

Graduates from the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering - which is consistently rated in the top 10 such departments in the UK - are part of a new breed of engineer who can take on challenges ranging from traditional industries to areas such as new materials, sustainable development and aerospace.

In Year 3, you'll spend a full academic session at a partner university abroad. The study abroad programme is highly relevant to the increasingly global context of engineering and is valued by prospective employers.

Our department has more than 20 years’ experience of student-exchange programmes.

 

Tool drum of revolving lathe

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

What you’ll study

The majority of our students follow five-year MEng courses. All students experience the same learning pace in the first two years and BEng students can, and often do, transfer to the MEng programme.

Year 1

Students learn about the fundamental principles and concepts of the following topics:

  • maths
  • mechanics
  • dynamics
  • thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
  • electrical engineering

Engineering science content is integrated through the Design and Application classes. You'll also choose elective classes.

Year 2

You'll focus on the mainstream core of engineering subjects, together with Applied Mathematics and Information Technology. Elective modules also introduce elements of Aeronautical Engineering. The Engineering Science element includes:

  • thermodynamics and fluid dynamics
  • dynamics and control
  • structural mechanics and materials

You may also choose elective modules, developing areas such as language skills or business management.

Year 3

Students spend third-year at a partner institution abroad. Study programmes are agreed in advance to match the home curriculum and you'll not be required to take extra classes on returning.

The home curriculum at this stage of study focuses on design and supporting engineering science modules.

Year 4

In fourth-year, students begin operating as professional engineers, working closely with academic staff as mentors. You'll also complete an individual and group project, which are mandatory for professional accreditation. In addition to the projects, you'll take classes in relevant core areas.

Other activities

A high proportion of our students participate in activities such as the Outdoor Management Skills course at Outward Bound Scotland, Formula Student, the national competition to build a formula student racing car (at which Strathclyde is the top-performing Scottish university), the British Model Flying Association’s University Challenge, and ‘Gala,’ the annual employers’ networking dinner.

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Course content

Compulsory classes

Engineering Mechanics 1
Knowledge of mechanics is a fundamental tool for a mechanical engineer. This introductory class aims to investigate classical mechanics - force, motion, energy, work and momentum – from a conceptual viewpoint to understand how these are connected and how they can be applied, through formal problem solving, to real-world engineering.
Electrical Circuits
Mechanical systems rely upon electrical and electronic circuits for many reasons: the delivery of drive power; sensing temperature, pressure etc.; the delivery of sensor data for condition monitoring, control and operation. This course covers how external data is acquired, conditioned and used and will equip students with an understanding of the basic theories underlying electronics.
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. This class introduces the basic concepts and applications of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, as a foundation for further studies.
Mechanical Engineering Design
The aim of this class is to place the essential elements of design at the heart of courses for mechanical engineering students. It shows how the disparate elements of engineering science may be brought together and used to create a safe, durable and cost-effective solution to a perceived engineering need. This course continues in later years.
Experimental & Laboratory Skills
This class introduces students to a range of experimental and laboratory related skills appropriate to mechanical engineering. This includes elements of laboratory and workshop safety including risk assessment. Students will gain familiarity with a range of hand tools and welding/joining procedures and develop an understanding of how to conduct experiments, record data, evaluate errors and write technical reports.
Engineering Analysis & Numerical Methods
This module aims to give a basic introduction to some of the tools of engineering analysis used in the course through relevant application software in an engineering context. This module aims to teach the basic principles of programming and the solution of mathematical problems with numerical techniques in an engineering context. Specifically students will be introduced to the engineering numerical simulation software MATLAB, which is widely used in industry and research. This course continues in later years.
Mathematics 1M
This class aims to review and extend the student’s basic understanding of the concepts and applications of mathematical functions, differentiation, complex numbers, vectors, integration and matrices. Specifically: the mathematical foundations of algebra and geometry, vector algebra, further studies in complex numbers and fundamental calculus including differentiation & integration. This topic continues into the second year of the course.

Elective classes

During the first year of the course students take at least 20 credits (out of a total of 120 credits) of elective classes from topics in modern languages, engineering, science, business, bioengineering and others (depending on timetable availability).

Compulsory classes

Engineering Mechanics 2
The second year of engineering mechanics aims to develop the skills to analyse more advanced dynamics problems associated with solid bodies and simple mechanisms and introductory knowledge in new topics of structural analysis and basic stress analysis: static equilibrium, shear force and bending moment diagrams, beams in bending, shear and torsion and 2D stress and strain.
Professional Studies
The aim of this class is to create awareness of, and develop some of the skills, expected in graduate professional engineers. These include development of communication skills, self-awareness and group working skills, professional conduct, ethics and the legal aspects of professional responsibility, engineering ethics and societal and contemporary issues.
Electrical Machines & Control
Engineering students from non-electrical disciplines often require a working knowledge and appreciation of electrical power devices and their use. This class develops the theory underlying simple electrical circuit analysis, transformers and electrical motors, and seeks to develop an understanding of their application through example and laboratory work.
Heat & Flow 2
This class continues the study of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. The behaviour of fluids is an important aspect in the performance of engineering systems: the underlying physics of fluid flow and its application to simple systems is presented. Thermodynamics is the science that is devoted to understanding energy in all its forms and how energy changes form; the aim of is to supply the necessary analytical tools to study these changes when applied in engineering situations, in particular for transportation and power production.
Mathematical Modelling & Analysis
This class develops a general approach to the solution of engineering problems and involves mathematical modelling, numerical methods and the application of computer software. A wide range of engineering topics is presented and includes problems in structures, dynamics, fluids and heat transfer to emphasise the general applicability of the solution processes with practical application using Mathcad.
Materials Engineering & Design
The class aims to provide basic concepts of material science and engineering for mechanical design and materials selection. Topics include: the structure of solids, strength and stiffness of engineering materials, metals and alloys, strengthening mechanisms and heat treatment, ductile and brittle failure, elasticity, plasticity and creep, fracture toughness, linear elastic fracture mechanics and fatigue.
Mechanical Engineering Design 2
The study of engineering design continues to develop understanding of the design process and effective design procedures. This module aims to cover two aspects of mechanical design. Firstly, to develop competency in mechanism design using the PTC Creo software suite including part creation, assembly and drawing creation competencies. Secondly, to develop competency in materials selection for engineering design, using the CES Selector software.

Elective classes

During the second year of the course students take at least 20 credits (out of a total of 120 credits) of elective classes from topics in modern languages, engineering, science, business, bioengineering and others (depending on timetable availability).

Students who elect to undertake study abroad in their third year must do so at an approved institution and shall follow an approved curriculum reflecting that undertaken by students taking the Mechanical Engineering course. Such study will normally extend over a minimum period of 30 weeks.

Compulsory classes

Structural Mechanics
This class is a continuation of the structures element of class 16232. Topics include: two-dimensional stress and strain; multi-axial elastic constitutive relations and yield criteria; general equations of elasticity leading to classic solutions for thick and thin cylindrical structures; further analysis of beams; energy methods of analysis; instability and buckling.
Dynamics & Control
The first part of this class is a continuation of the dynamics element of class 16232 including principles of the kinematics of rigid bodies; equations of plane motion; angular momentum; vibration of mechanical systems with laboratory practice and demonstrations. The second part aims to introduce control theory and the modelling of linearized physical systems and design of feedback control systems.
Engineering Analysis III
This continuing class aims to introduce the theory and application of the two most widely used numerical methods in engineering analysis: Finite Element Analysis (Structural & stress analysis and the commercial FEA program ANSYS) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (Analysis of flow field; recirculation zones/stagnation points; boundary layers and an introduction to the commercial CFD program FLUENT).
Heat & Flow 3
This class builds on the students’ previous study of thermodynamics and heat transfer to cover: mixtures, psychrometry, exergy and its applications; conduction, convection and radiation in heat exchanger design. The study of the laws of conservation of mass, energy and momentum moves to a more advanced level and knowledge of fluid flow is extended to provide an appreciation of boundary layers and fluid flow in rotating machinery.
Strategic Analysis of Engineering Business Case Studies
An introduction to the concept of the conscious pursuit of competitive advantage by engineering businesses is developed in this class. Following introductory lectures and case studies, students work in groups to analyse and prepare for presentation a selection of engineering business cases from a variety of sources, moderated by industrial mentors.
Engineering Ethics
The study of engineering ethics helps students prepare for their professional lives and to develop widely applicable skills in communication, moral reasoning and reflection in order to engage with other aspects of the course such as group work and work placements. This class follows the approach outlined for the teaching of Engineering Ethics recommended by the Royal Academy of Engineering using case studies.
Mechanical Engineering Design 3A
This class aims to provide students with experience in applying engineering science principles in a design context. An aim is to have students experience the application of knowledge, gained primarily from previous classes, to the initial stages of the design process including product design specification, concept generation and selection, and performance analysis of a candidate design solution.
Mechanical Design 3B
Continuing Design 3A, the class aims to provide students with experience in manufacturing, testing and optimizing the performance of an engineering system. The class consists of a semester long build/test group exercise, the design stage having been completed in Design 3A. Assessment is based on an operational demonstration of their manufactured design to academic staff.

Compulsory classes

Case Studies in Engineering
Professional engineers need to have an awareness of the impact of engineering and technology on society. This class provides this awareness through case studies presented by senior representatives from industry, and visiting academics, from a spectrum of engineering industries to cover project management, technical sales, planning and industrial relations and more traditional topics.
Computer Aided Engineering Design
This class continues class 16363 and 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.
Engineering Materials Selection
Engineers must be aware of the importance of materials selection in the design process. An introduction to the philosophy of materials selection in design is given. Consideration is given to the various classes of available engineering materials, with some background to the underlying factors that determine their general properties, providing an overview of their general or specific properties and an insight into their uses and selection criteria for design.
Individual Project - Mechanical
Students pursue an intensive research, development or design project under the supervision of a member of academic staff to produce a major dissertation and technical paper. The project maybe on an aerospace related topic but students can study a mainstream mechanical engineering topic. At the end of both semesters, panels of academic staff conduct oral examinations to assess student performance and the technical paper. The supervisor assesses the work separately.
Advanced Mechanics & Dynamics
The aims of this class are two-fold: to develop the students' ability to apply analytical techniques to the solution of engineering problems where dynamic behaviour is important and to provide practical experience in designing lightweight structures to ensure that they have sufficient strength and stiffness to prevent failure, particularly by buckling, when in service.
Heat & Flow 4
An understanding of heat, mass and momentum transfer processes is a basic requirement for practising engineers. This class aims to build upon the students' previous three year’s exposure to the basic energy transfer mechanisms of conduction, convection and radiation so that multi-dimensional, steady state and transient problems can be recognised and analysed.
Energy Systems Modelling
This class introduces students to the assumptions and limitations that underlie state-of-the-art modelling methods to appraise the performance of buildings, their associated environmental control plant, and renewable energy technologies suitable for deployment at the urban scale using mathematical models for the underlying heat and mass transfer processes, along with numerical methods to form an integrated simulation program.

Assessment

Our assessment methods include:

  • written exams
  • coursework assignments
  • presentations
  • individual/group projects

The final award classification is normally based on inputs from the first assessed attempt at compulsory and specified optional classes across all years, except Year 1, plus, if appropriate, an oral exam.

Learning & teaching

In the early stages, learning skills are developed through interactive teaching, problem-solving and problem-based learning. In later years, students will take part in lectures, tutorials, web-based interactive learning, practical work and computer-based learning. The emphasis on individual and group projects increases as our students’ skills develop.

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Entry requirements

Required subjects are shown in brackets.

Highers

Standard entry requirements*: AAAB

(Maths A, Physics A)

Minimum entry requirements**: AABB

(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, Physics)

International Baccalaureate

Year 1 entry: 34-32

(Maths HL5, Physics HL5)

Year 2 entry: 36-34

(Maths HL6, Physics HL6)

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 not accepted
  • applicants likely to be made an offer are normally invited to visit the department between January and March
  • 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.

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.

Degree preparation course for international students

We offer international students (non-EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation year programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.

Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 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

Map of the world.

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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 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

2023/24: TBC
2022/23: £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 2023/24, 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

£23,750

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

Textbooks and printed materials maximum cost of around £400 for the duration of course.

Study abroad

Study abroad is possible in Years 3 or 5 but is only compulsory for the "with International Study" degree.  Students will bear some of the cost of this which will vary depending on country of study.

Visa & immigration

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

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.

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. Have a look at our scholarship search for any more 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.

Scholarship search

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Careers

With skills including analytical, numeracy and problem solving, Mechanical Engineering graduates are suited to a wide range of career opportunities. Recent graduates from BEng Mechanical Engineering have been recruited into areas such as oil and gas, subsea, energy, building services, aviation and automotive. Some of the graduates’ job titles include trainee field engineer, mechanical design engineer, technical assistant and project engineer.

Some of our students have also continued to postgraduate study or research.

How much will I earn?

£27,000 is the average salary of our graduates six months after completing the course. The typical salary range is £25,000 to £30,000.*

Where are they now?

89% of our graduates are in work or further study.**

Recent job titles include:

  • Engineering Intern
  • Graduate Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
  • Technical Engineer
  • Trainee Driller
  • Trainee Field Engineer

Recent employers include:

  • EnerMech
  • GE Caledonian
  • GE Oil and Gas
  • Highland Wood Energy
  • Jaguar Land Rover

* Information is intended only as a guide.

** Based on the results of the national Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. 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.

Life in Glasgow

Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square.

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Start date: Sep 2023

Mechanical Engineering with International Study (1 year entry)

full-time
Start date: Sep 2023

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.

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Direct Applications

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

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