Engineering BEng/MEng (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Engineering

Year of entry: 2027 (show 2026 entry)

Key facts

UCAS Code

H100

Award

BEng/MEng (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years, 5 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Start date

September 2027

School

School of Engineering

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

If you are unsure about which engineering programme interests you the most, this entry route allows you to explore all our engineering disciplines in Year 1.

The programme does not lead to a general engineering degree. Instead, at the start of Year 2, you will join one of the following degree programmes:

  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Chemical Engineering*
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Civil Engineering
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Electronics and Computer Science**
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Electronics and Electrical Engineering
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Structural and Fire Safety Engineering

* Transfer to Chemical Engineering is only available if you have taken the necessary prerequisite courses in Year 1.

** Transfer to Electronics and Computer Science is not guaranteed and is only available on a competitive basis to a very limited number of students who have taken the necessary prerequisite courses in Year 1.

You cannot join BEng(Hons)/MEng(Hons) Structural Engineering with Architecture in Year 2. You must join directly in Year 1.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

Your chosen degree will take 4 or 5 years in total depending on whether you move into a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Master of Engineering (MEng) programme respectively.

Programme rankings

  • The School of Engineering is consistently ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for engineering (Times Higher Education rankings by subject 2026 and QS World University rankings by subject 2026).
  • The School of Engineering’s joint submission with Heriot-Watt University in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education, based on the quality and breadth of our combined research.
  • The University of Edinburgh is ranked 4th in the world and 2nd in the UK for sustainability, recognising our leadership in creating a more sustainable world (2026 QS World University Rankings).

Programme benefits

  • An enviable suite of facilities, including specialist laboratories, a student makerspace and cutting-edge industry-standard equipment.
  • Research-led teaching by internationally leading academics.
  • Strong links to industry with excellent career prospects, industry relevant curriculum and internships.
  • A balanced curriculum covering theoretical and practical skills, individual and group work.

The lecturers are incredibly helpful and in first year there is the chance for you to attend sessions led by EngPALS, a group of older students who can assist with any material you are struggling to understand. The sense of community at the University of Edinburgh is fantastic – it is a lovely mash up of all the different cultures that make up our university population.

Katherine Civil and Environmental Engineering, graduated 2024

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BEng (Hons) Engineering

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BEng (Hons) Engineering.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Costs for an optional year abroad

If you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:

  • tuition fees
  • accommodation and living costs
  • country-specific expenses like travel, visas and insurance

You can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.

Find out more about costs for studying abroad

You can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your home town or city.

Numbeo

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 each month on living costs, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Curriculum renewal

The School of Engineering is currently undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.

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.

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 

You will also have the opportunity to explore engineering disciplines and cross-cutting interdisciplinary topics and practices.

Additional courses

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

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

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will join your chosen engineering programme.

Courses

From Year 2 onwards, your courses will depend on your chosen programme of study. You can find out more about the courses available in each year for all of the available programme choices.

  • BEng and MEng programmes will have specific courses available in Years 2, 3 and 4.
  • MEng programmes will also have specific courses available in Year 5.
BEng programmes course information
MEng programmes course information

Study abroad

In Year 3, you will have opportunities to study abroad.

The University has a variety of agreements with international institutions that allow you to study there in Year 3. 

Common destinations include:

  • USA
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Europe
  • Asia

What are my choices for going abroad?

This is enhanced by subject-specific agreements, which provide additional destinations.

Where can I go?

Placements

Opportunities will depend on the degree programme you choose to undertake from Year 2.

Please refer to your specific programme of interest for details. 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

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

We will teach you 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 receive supervision with projects.

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.

For detailed information on compulsory and option courses you should review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table. You can find links to this information under the individual years of study.

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

This is a sample timetable showing a week in the life of a first-year General Engineering student (Semester 1). Courses may change from year-to-year and your own timetable may differ. Optional course options will have different timetables.

Monday
  • 10am to 10.50am - Engineering Mathematics 1A (lecture)
  • 11.10am to 1.00pm - Engineering Principles 1 (lecture)
  • 2.10pm to 3.00pm - Option Course - Discovering Astronomy (lecture)
Tuesday
  • 12.10pm to 1.00pm - Engineering Mathematics 1A (lecture)
  • 2.10pm to 4.00pm - Engineering Principles 1 (seminar)
Wednesday
  • 10am to 12pm - Engineering Principles 1 (group work)
  • 12.10 to 1.00pm - Engineering Mathematics 1A (workshop)
Thursday
  • 12.10 to 1.00pm - Engineering Mathematics 1A (lecture)
Friday
  • 2.10pm to 3.00pm - Option Course Discovering Astronomy (lecture)
  • 4.10pm to 5.00pm - Option Course Discovering Astronomy (seminar)

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

Our research directly informs what you study. You will learn from academics who are researching solutions to the world’s grand challenges and delivering critical societal, economic and environmental outcomes.

Where you will study

Study location

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.

Academic facilities

You can access a wide range of academic facilities, including:

  • libraries
  • study spaces (some spaces are open 24 hours)
  • IT facilities
  • social spaces
  • leisure facilities

You can also take advantage of the University’s computing resources. This includes a laptop loan service offered through the library, with extended loans available for those in financial hardship.

Borrowing a laptop

All essential reading materials are freely accessible through the University library or on our online learning platform LEARN.

Engineering Makerspace

You will be able to bring your ideas to life at the Engineering Makerspace, a dedicated workspace for students to design, build and test their own projects and inventions.

Engineering Makerspace

Accreditation

This programme is an entry route. Please refer to our specific programmes for accreditation details.   

Candidates must hold a masters or doctorate accredited as further learning for CEng to hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration. 

Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees. 

An accredited degree is also likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.  

Career paths

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

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 to 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

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Internships

The School of Engineering funds a number of internships each year to enable students to work on research or teaching focused projects over the summer and gain relevant work experience here in the School. Internships are allocated on a competitive basis, across each of the four disciplines: Chemical, Civil & Environmental, Electronics & Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Applications are open to non-finalist undergraduate students who are at least in the second year of their programme.​

We advertise internship opportunities and arrange company presentations with the Careers Service. These experiences can feature on your transcript after completing an Edinburgh Award.

About the Edinburgh Award

Graduate profiles

Our alumni have used their engineering degrees to enter hugely varied careers in different fields and industries around the world. Read about the paths they have taken.

Engineering alumni profiles

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

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 Cohort Lead and Student Adviser.

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Our engineering student-led projects include:

  • Engineering for Change (sustainability)
  • Edinburgh University Formula Student (automotive technology)
  • HYPED (Hyperloop)
  • Endeavour (rocketry)
  • HumanEd (robotics)
  • Precious plastics (recycling)

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is regularly voted among the UK’s top student cities (top 2 in the UK, QS 2024).

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Our community

The School of Engineering fosters a vibrant and inclusive community for all its members. Our students, from diverse backgrounds, come together to collaborate on innovative projects, and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities. The supportive environment encourages personal and academic growth, with numerous opportunities for community-building and networking.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

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Discover Uni data

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.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Source data of all entry requirements for this programme