Overview

Modern engineering is a dynamic, globally respected profession. It demands technical skills, analytical excellence and strategic thinking. Mechanical engineers work at the heart of modern life, contributing to renewable energy systems, advanced manufacturing, aerospace innovation and intelligent control technologies.

Our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering will transform you from a curious problem-solver into a highly skilled professional. You’ll graduate ready to develop the technologies that power our world and drive progress across industries.

You’ll learn how to turn ideas into solutions, applying advanced mathematics, scientific insight and creative thinking to solve real-world problems.

You’ll be taught by academics with real industry experience and benefit from our strong links with leading employers. With strong professional skills, commercial awareness and technical confidence, you’ll stand out in a competitive global market.

You can also choose to add an additional year to your studies to complete an industry placement. This gives you real-world experience and helps enhance your employability.

We are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Our course meets their rigorous professional standards and prepares you for chartered status and international career opportunities.

You'll graduate as a confident engineer, ready to address dynamic and demanding technical challenges in an increasingly complex world.

Why study Mechanical Engineering at GCU?

GCU has strong industry links with high-profile organisations offering work placements, and collaboration on projects.
This course is IMechE-accredited, meeting professional standards and enhancing your global career prospects.
Use advanced CAE and CAD labs, access thermofluids and materials testing facilities. Technical engineering workshops will build the hands-on practical skills employers are looking for.
Be ready to tackle engineering challenges with integrity and purpose. We put sustainable design, renewable energy, and modern manufacturing at the heart of your learning.
Option to transfer to MEng programme as you progress.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

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Engineering Council

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What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Design specialism

Systems specialism

Year 1 core

Mathematics 1

Mechanical Principles

Electrical Principles

Modern Engineering Practice

Engineering for Society

Engineering Science

Year 2 core

Mathematics 2

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Manufacture and Materials 2

Electrical Distribution Systems AB

Control and Instrumentation Systems

Engineering Design and Analysis 2

Year 3 core

Control Engineering 3

Manufacture and Materials 3

Engineering Design and Analysis 3

Energy Conversion Technologies

Integrated Engineering Studies 3

Engineering Operations Management

European Project Semester

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) core

Mechanical Engineering Research Project

Computer Aided Engineering

Engineering Design and Analysis 4

Design Process, Assembly and Manufacture

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) optional

Control Engineering 4

Renewable Energy Equipment Design

Understanding core and optional modules

The core modules shown are based on the standard full-time route for students entering Year 1 of the course. If you study full time from Year 1, you will normally study the outlined core modules for each year of the course.

Optional modules provide opportunities to tailor your studies. You will not normally study every optional module shown and will be asked to select from the available options during your studies. Information about available options and the module selection process will be provided after you enrol. Please note that the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and is subject to factors including student demand, timetabling, staffing and academic requirements.

The module information shown is based on the standard full-time route through the course. If you study through an alternative entry or study route, including part-time study or Advanced Entry, the modules you take in each year and the order in which you study them may vary.

Careers

A degree in Mechanical Engineering opens the door to a wide range of professional careers, with opportunities across multiple global industries.

Our graduates have secured jobs in different industries, including:

mechanical engineering
aerospace engineering
electronics
offshore
local authorities
manufacturing
building services.

Many of them are now employed by companies like Howden, Scottish Power, and Scotrail.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BEng (Hons)	Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	H380	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BEng (Hons)	Part Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow		Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BEng (Hons)	Full time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	H380	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BEng (Hons)	Part time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	H380	Enquire

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 96

Scottish Higher: BBCC or equivalent incl Higher in Maths and a Science or Technology

A Level: CCC in Maths and a Science

Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC incl Higher in Maths and a Science or Technology

A Level: CCC incl A Level in Maths and a Science or Technology

Year 2 entry

Standard entry requirement

HNC Mechanical Engineering / Aircraft Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Marine Engineering with B in Graded Unit 1

Year 3 entry

Standard entry requirement

HND Mechanical Engineering with B in Graded Unit 2

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Teaching and assessment

Your learning is shaped by research and informed by industry. Teaching methods vary to suit each module and topic, giving you the best approach for every subject.

Visiting lecturers are invited from industry and commerce, ensuring course content is relevant and up to date.

Assessment methods include:

examinations
coursework
class tests
presentations
computer-based exercises
written reports.

Employability

We want to develop your abilities in the areas that employers are looking for in a global knowledge economy. Through our close connections with employers, we provide you with an authentic learning experience that will set you up for the workplace. Our industrial partnerships give you access to design-oriented case studies and projects, work experience and real-world problems.

Work placement options

Two industry-based placements are offered:

a summer-long placement
a 48-week sandwich placement.

These aren’t compulsory placements and are not guaranteed.

If you are a full-time student, you can choose to undertake a one-year industry placement, usually in Year 3, if you meet the required criteria. This extends your studies from four years to five years. You’ll gain valuable professional experience, and your degree will be awarded as a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year in Industry. The 48-week long placement will have a structure and counts as a module for the course. You’ll normally be expected to find the placement yourself, but our course team’s industry links often alert us to opportunities that are available

One year additional advanced study

You can also choose to progress to our five-year MEng Mechanical Engineering course. It follows the same structure as the BEng (Hons), with an additional year of advanced study in Year 5, where you will complete further specialist modules and a major project, provided you meet the required criteria.

You do not need to apply for more than one course. You can start on the BEng (Hons) and transfer to the MEng during your studies if you meet the progression requirements.

To find out more, please visit the MEng Mechanical Engineering course page.

Support

You will work with your personal tutor to follow a personal development planning scheme. This will underpin your self-reflection and support your wellbeing.

We offer peer-assisted study sessions, where more advanced students support new students, as well as student counsellors.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (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.

This accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng), and students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.

This accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

Visit the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) website

Visit the Engineering Council website

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Overview

Why study Mechanical Engineering at GCU?

Accreditations

What you will study

Year 1 core

Year 2 core

Year 3 core

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) core

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) optional

Year 1 core

Year 2 core

Year 3 core

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) core

Year 4 (or Year 5 after industrial placement) optional

Understanding core and optional modules

Careers

Course information