BEng/MEng Engineering

Curriculum renewal

We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to our degree programmes.

The renewal is being carried out with:

• our industrial partners
• accreditation bodies
• students

This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering.

Year 1

Engineers are creative problem-solvers. They are skilled at working in interdisciplinary teams to deal with society's ever more complex challenges.

Introductory courses

In Year 1, you will take introductory courses and develop skills that you will later rely on as a professional engineer, including:

• confidence
• advanced thinking
• teamwork
• problem-solving skills

Additional courses

You will also study mathematical topics that have particular relevance to engineers.

You will choose courses from across the University to complement your engineering studies, with choices available in the sciences, arts and humanities.

However, Chemical Engineering students must take Chemistry 1A and Chemistry 1B in Year 1.

Year 2

You will study your chosen branch of engineering, supported by classes in mathematics.

You will continue to apply your scientific and mathematical skills to solve engineering problems, building on your experiences from Year 1.

Year 3

You will now focus on your chosen field of engineering.

Progression routes

At the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a BEng degree, or a further two years for an MEng degree.

The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3.

Year 4

Year 4 concentrates on specialist study and innovative assessment to prepare you for your professional career.

Increasingly, you will spend time on individual or group design projects.

Year 5

If you choose the MEng route, you will have further opportunities to broaden and deepen your understanding of fundamental engineering concepts.

You will take several optional courses, and develop your skills by applying this knowledge in a range of specialist areas.

You will produce a substantial project that may involve working overseas or in industry in Year 4 or 5, depending on the programme you choose.

You may also participate in our unique interdisciplinary design projects, initiated with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

(Revised 9 May 2024 to reflect curriculum renewal changes)

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The majority of your learning will take place at the King’s Buildings campus, depending on courses selected.

The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus or bike.

You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected.

Access to facilities

You can access the University's:

• libraries
• study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
• IT facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities
• the brand-new shared learning, teaching and social hub, the Nucleus

Take a virtual tour of our school

You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Virtual visit – School of Engineering

Placements

Opportunities will depend on the degree programme you choose at the beginning of Year 2.

Study abroad

In Year 3, you will have opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programmes.

If you select an MEng programme, you can also spend your placement abroad, either in industry or in a research institution.

What are my choices for going abroad?

(Revised 9 May 2024 to reflect curriculum renewal changes)

How will I learn?

The exciting nature of engineering means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree.

Teaching can be through a mixture of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• laboratory sessions
• projects
• group work

In your final years, you will dedicate more time to private study. So you will need to be well-motivated and organised.

You will also receive individual supervision with projects.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.

For detailed information you should review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table to see compulsory and option courses. You can find this information under 'What you will study'.

Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included.

Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.

All our courses meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.

On graduating from this programme, you will have:

• core thorough knowledge
• analytical skills
• practical skills
• design skills
• communication skills

This enables you to join a design, production or research team; or move rapidly into management and leadership roles.

On the other hand, many of our graduates go on to work in other areas, including:

• the civil service
• education
• the armed forces
• the financial sector

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA - ABB in one set of exams.
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 32 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Applicants with Physics are preferred. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B and English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science/Computing, Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. GCSEs: Physics or Science at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Design Technology at 5. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies..

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Selection

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.

If you are unsure about which discipline you are most interested in, you can apply to this general engineering entry code: H100. This does not lead to a general engineering degree; however, it allows you to defer your choice of discipline to the start of the second semester of teaching.

If you enter through this route, you will make this decision in conjunction with your personal tutor.

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BEng/MEng Engineering

Additional costs

Laptop

Many students do bring their own laptop or computer to access online materials but all students can also access university computing facilities. The university library also provides a laptop loan service, with longer term loans available for those in financial hardship.

Borrowing a laptop

Textbooks

Some key academic textbooks are purchased by students, but all essential reading materials will be freely available through the University Library.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Have a query about undergraduate study?
• Send an enquiry