BEng (Hons) / MEng Mechanical Engineering (Heriot-Watt University)
Our Mechanical Engineering programme encourages you to think creatively to solve the world's biggest challenges. From energy efficiency to tools for microsurgery, there is a need for mechanical engineers across a huge range of industries.
The undergraduate degree will equip you with a sound basis in theoretical engineering principles and methods and their application in the context of design and analysis.
You’ll apply your subject knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions to the current and emerging problems facing society. You’ll have the opportunity to build and develop your professional network through industrial visits, and an optional industrial placement which, upon completion, will result in you being awarded a Diploma in Industrial Training (DIT). By applying your learned theory to hands on, practical work, you’ll gain the practical skills demanded by industry.
Students will spend the first two years at Forth Valley College’s new state-of-the-art Falkirk Campus, before progressing to Heriot-Watt University to complete their Master’s degree.
For further information, please visit the Heriot-Watt webpage here.
Year one and two – Falkirk Campus
Year three, four and five – Heriot-Watt University
This programme is accredited by IMechE.
Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
For more details, please refer to this webpage: IMechE Accreditation
"The college partnership programmes are a fantastic opportunity which open many doors. You'll receive extensive support throughout your studies from Academic and Professional staff, enabling you to make the most of your time at Heriot-Watt. I worked with the careers service on my CV, and with their help I secured an internship last summer. If you are thinking of applying to Heriot-Watt through the college partnership opportunities, I highly recommend it."
- Lukasz Szmulkiewicz, College Partnership Student
Content
Year One (Forth Valley College)
- Communication: Practical Skills
- Thermofluids
- Dynamics
- Fundamentals of Control Systems and Transducers
- Statics & Strength of Materials
- Engineering Skills
- Computer Aided Draughting for Engineers
- Engineering Principles
- Materials Selection
- Quality Management: An Introduction
- Pneumatics and Hydraulics
- Engineering Mathematics 1
- Engineering Mathematics 2
- Engineering Mathematics 3
- Engineering Mathematics 4
- Engineering Mathematics 5
- Mechanical Engineering: Graded Unit 1
Year Two (Forth Valley College)
- Manufacturing: Process and Equipment Selection
- Mechanical Engineering: Graded Unit 2
- Plant Systems
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Practice and Design
- Applied Industrial Plant Maintenance
- Strength of Materials: Advanced
- Project Management
- Information Technology: Applications Software 1
- Business Awareness and Continuing Professional Development
- Engineering Drawing
- Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
- Mathematics
In the second semester of Year two, Forth Valley College students participate in a design project at Heriot-Watt.
Year Three (Heriot-Watt University)
Students transfer into the third year of the degree programme. Subjects include:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Engineering
- Design and Manufacture
- Control Engineering
- Instrumentation
Year Four (Heriot-Watt University)
Students choose specialist subjects from:
- Fluid Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Strength of Materials
- Machine Dynamics
Mandatory courses include a year-long individual project plus Engineering Design and Manufacture that includes an industrial project. Other options such as Petroleum Engineering and Automotive Technologies are available.
Career Paths
- Mechanical Engineer in the Mechanical, Manufacture, Process, Oil and Gas and alternative Energy industries
Entry requirements
One of the following:
- Two Highers at grade C or above in Mathematics and a relevant science or technology subject
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering
- Successful completion of a relevant National Qualification at Level 6
- Applicants who do not meet these criteria, but have relevant experience or alternative qualifications will be considered
Additional Requirements:
- Please note that selection will be made via successful interview and skills test.
More Info
Further advice for full-time applicants:
• Please ensure you have an online account before starting your application
• If you created your account prior to November 2024, you will need to register a new account
• Before starting the application process, please ensure you already hold or are working towards the relevant entry qualifications required for the course you are applying for
• Ensure you use your own personal email address when creating your online account
• Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email immediately
• If you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail immediately, please check your SPAM/Junk folder
• Please include as much detail as possible in your personal statement such as: the reason you are applying, future career plans, previous employment, relevant experience, hobbies and interests
• Disclosing support needs in your application will not affect your chances of being offered a place on a course at Forth Valley College
• If your application is successful, you will be invited for interview. For January start courses interviews will be in Nov/Dec and interviews for August start courses will take place between February and May
• If your application is unsuccessful, you will be offered support in finding a suitable alternative course
• Applicants who provide a mobile phone number on their application form will be sent a text reminder prior to the day of interview
• If you are unable to attend an interview or wish to withdraw your application - please email student.applications@forthvalley.ac.uk
Falkirk Campus
Full-Time
17 August 2026
04 June 2027
Level 8