Mechanical engineers build the world around us. From the tiniest nanotechnology, through to cars and buildings, to airplanes and space stations, mechanical engineers are responsible for the design and development of most things.

Studying mechanical engineering is a combination of science, maths, and computing. It’s the study of machinery, and how to manufacture and maintain it at all levels. It’s a limitless subject, which plays a role in everything from vehicles to cities, energy to artificial intelligence, military to healthcare, and everything in between.

Mechanical engineering course entry requirements

Mechanical engineering is considered to be one of the most challenging undergraduate degrees on offer, so you won’t be surprised to hear that entry requirements can be steep. Generally, you’ll need to have a qualification in maths and/or physics. But, just as importantly, you’ll need to show good grades in whichever subjects you’re studying.

Other subjects that will support an application for mechanical engineering include further maths, design technology, computing, product design, and the other sciences. When it comes to your skills and extracurricular activities, universities will be looking for practicality, attention to detail, proficiency with technology, computing, and numeracy.What you will need to do

Apply by 26 January
Attend an interview
Show work experience

What you won’t need to do

Submit a portfolio
Audition for a place

Can I still apply if I don’t have good grades in maths and physics?

Each university has its own entry requirements. Maths and physics are generally the most important subjects for mechanical engineering, but many students manage to get on a course without having studied them. Showing a strong personal profile can sometimes be just as important as an academic one. Always check with the university you’re applying to.

Find out what studying engineering is like

Chat now to Ismail who can tell you all about it.

Why study mechanical engineering at university?

Mechanical engineering is the broadest of the engineering subjects, giving you an insight into the others, and giving you the most wide-ranging career options. When you combine this with the fact that mechanical engineers are in demand in almost every sector, play your cards right and you may end up as one of the most employable graduates around.

If you’re looking for a future-proof skill, then remember that mechanical engineers are heavily involved in automation, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. The rapid development of technology also means that studying mechanical engineering is never going to be boring. You’ll be among the first to test emerging techniques and technologies, and much of your study will be practical and hands-on.

Some modules you may study are:

Structural materials
Engineering concepts
Solid mechanics
Thermodynamics
Thermofluids
Biomedical and bioengineering
Electromechanicals
Systems modelling

Even if you don’t decide to stay in engineering, the transferable skills you master will set you up for careers in a wide range of sectors.

What kind of work experience should I be able to show?

It’s unlikely you’ll have much experience with mechanical engineering at 17 or 18. Universities will be looking for personal or professional experience in something related – working with cars, or in maintenance, or something technical. Universities are looking for commitment to the type of skills an engineer has, not just engineering itself.

Entry requirements

A levels – Entry requirements range from CCC to A*AA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for AAB.

Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from ABBB to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring AABBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for AA.

Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or an SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.

What can you do with a mechanical engineering degree?

Most mechanical engineering graduates will remain in engineering, as:

mechanical engineer
structural engineer
aerospace engineer
civil engineer

But some engineering graduates use their diverse skillset to move into other sectors, as:

auto electrician
transport planner
model maker
CNC machinist

What’s it like to study mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering is challenging, but that’s because it’s also rewarding. Don’t expect to be sitting in lectures and seminars for the entirety of your degree, which will generally last three or four years. During that time, you’ll be involved in lots of practical and demonstration sessions, as well as laboratory and workshop lessons. Engineering graduates are awarded a BEng, rather than the more common BA or BSc.

As the broadest of the engineering subjects, mechanical engineering gives you an overall grounding in the discipline, before allowing you to specialise from your third year onwards. You might decide to branch into aerospace, medical, structural, or robotic, by taking specific modules. To support this, some universities offer placement years which allow you to spend time in industry, with a company that relates to your passion or specialism.

While studying mechanical engineering, you’ll be:

writing reports and essays
attending lectures, seminars, and laboratory lessons
going to design workshops and practical sessions
completing group and project assignments
completing design and computer-based assignments

Mechanical engineering requires a lot of study, theory, and practice. For some universities, this means up to 24 hours per week with tutors. For others, it means lots of self-study and, therefore. high levels of motivation. Whichever it is, you’ll be spending your time in many different environments: classrooms, laboratories, and workshops.

Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course in two years rather than three.

Important Qualities

Creativity. Mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery. A creative mind is essential for this kind of work.

Listening skills. Mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists. They must listen to and analyze different approaches made by other experts to complete the task at hand.

Math skills. Mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Mechanical skills. Mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems.

Problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products.

Apprenticeships

If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.

Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.

There are approximately 90 apprenticeships in the engineering sector available in England, with more in development.

Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)

Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 – 7)

Admission Requirements

Mature and Transfer Students

This page outlines Faculty- and program-specific admission requirements for college/university transfer and mature applicants only. College/university transfer applicants must also meet our community college or university transfer requirements. Mature applicants must meet mature requirements. Note that meeting these minimum requirements is NOT a guarantee of admission.

Unless otherwise specified, the courses listed on this chart are the 4U or M Academic Credit requirements. We will accept equivalent courses from other educational systems.

FACULTY	ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION
All programs	Concurrent: Apply after completing a minimum of four full-year courses of undergraduate study or equivalent.Consecutive: Apply after the completion of an undergraduate degree. For more information, visit the Faculty of Education Website.Technological Education: Apply after the completion of three years of undergraduate study in a related degree program.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Ecosystem Management with Fleming College	Two of the following:MHF4U, MCT4C, MCV4U, MDM4U or MAP4C.
Environmental Studies(Environment & Culture, Urban & Regional Environments, Environmental Politics, Environmental Management).	No Faculty-specific prerequisites.
Urban Sustainability with Seneca College	MCT4C or MHF4U or MCV4U
FINE ARTS
Most programs	Audition/evaluation/supplementary information requirements. No specific academic prerequisites.
Digital Media	One 4U math with a minimum grade of 75%.One 4U Arts course or similar arts training recommended.No supplemental application or portfolio is required.Limited spaces for students presenting previous university/college studies.For more information, visit the Digital Media Program page.
GLENDON
Most programs (BA & iBA included)	4U French is recommended.
Business Economics, Economics	MHF4U and MCV4U recommended.
Mathematics	MHF4U required.MCV4U recommended
Translation	Translation entrance exam
HEALTH
Global Health	BA: One 4U Math. One 4U ScienceBSc: MHF4U and one 4UMath (MCV4U recommended). SCH4U or SPH4U
Health Studies	One 4U math recommended.
Kinesiology & Health Science	BA: One 4U Math and SBI4U or SCH4U or SPH4U.BSc: One 4U Math and SCH4U or SPH4U.
York-Seneca-Georgian Collaborative BScN	One 4U math course. SBI4U. SCH4U or SPH4U.No prerequisites below 70%.
Second-Entry BScNA	minimum of 60 credits at a recognized university prior to admission (equivalent to at least ten (10) university full courses), with a cumulative grade point average of at least a C+ (5.0 on the York Scale) and a B (6.0) average in the last 30 credits.Of the 60 or more credits completed, the following must be included at the 1000 or above level:6 credits in psychology (equivalent to 1 full or 2 half courses)6 credits in Human Anatomy and Physiology OR 3 credits in Human Anatomy and 3 credits in Human Physiology (1 full or 2 half courses)3 credits in Statistics (1 half course)3 credits in Microbiology* (1 half course)3 credits in Philosophy (1 half course)3 credits in Humanities (e.g. English, arts, history, literature, religion, philosophy, classics, drama) (1 half course)9 credits at the 3000 (year three) level. This can be accounted for by any course completed at the 3000 level including those identified above.Check the full list of course equivalencies (PDF) identified to date. If you’ve completed a course not listed here please submit a detailed course description with your application for admission. Please note that we cannot review courses prior to receiving your application.* York offers a microbiology course titled Introduction to Medical Microbiology (SC/BIOL 2905 3.0) through the Biology Department. Non-York students may take this course (pending space availability) as visiting/non-degree students to meet the program criteria.For more information, visit the Faculty fo Health Nursing Web site.
Post RN Internationally Educated Nurses BScN	The program, which takes only 20 months to complete as a full-time student and leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN degree). Once you complete the program you will be qualified to take your Canadian Registered Nurses Exam.To be eligible for admission to this program, you must:be a licensed Registered Nurse in your home jurisdiction;be a resident of Ontario (landed immigrant, Canadian citizen or convention refugee);have been evaluated for an RN by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as possessing an education at least equivalent to a diploma level.For more information, visit the Faculty of Health Nursing Web site.
Psychology	BA: No Faculty-specific prerequisites.BSc: One 4U math. SCH4U or SPH4U.
LASSONDE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Computer Science	BA, iBA: MHF4U and one other 4U Math (MCV4U recommended). A minimum math average of 75% and no math grade below 65%.BSc, iBSc: MHF4U and one other 4U Math (MCV4U recommended). SCH4U or SPH4U. A minimum math average of 75% and no math grade below 65%.
Computer Security	BA: MHF4U and one other 4U Math (MCV4U recommended). A minimum math average of 75% and no math grade below 65%.BSc: MHF4U and one other 4U Math (MCV4U recommended). SCH4U or SPH4U. A minimum math average of 75% and no math grade below 65%
Digital Media	BA: One 4U Math with a minimum grade of 75%. One 4U Arts course or similar arts training recommended.
Earth & Atmospheric Science	BSc: MHF4U and MCV4U. SCH4U and SPH4U.
Engineering (Civil, Computer, Electrical, International Development Studies, Undecided, Geomatics, Mechanical, Software, Space)	BEng: MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U.No prerequisites below 70%
Space Science	BSc: MHF4U and MCV4U. SCH4U and SPH4U.
LIBERAL ARTS & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Most programs (BA & iBA included)	No Faculty-specific prerequisites.
Administrative Studies, Human Resource Management, Disaster & Emergency Management (pending Ministry approval)	BAS, BDEM: MHF4UBHRM: One 4U math course.Transferring from a community college? Completion of a minimum of two Mathematics courses.Missing a math requirement? We can help.
Economics, Business Economics, Financial & Business Economics	MHF4U.MCV4U recommended.Missing a math requirement? We can help.
Information Technology (BA), BAS-ITEC	One 4U math or equivalent within the previous five years.
Public Administration	One 4U math or equivalent.Missing a math requirement? We can help.
Social Work (post-degree)	University degree.Supplementary information form may be required
SCHULICH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Limited transfer credits/spaces available. Transfer students are encouraged to apply to Schulich’s MBA program after completing a Bachelor’s degree in another York Faculty.
College transfers (for second year entry to BBA only)	A 90% average (no failures), including Calculus, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Science and Computer Science.Limited transfer credits available.Supplementary information form required
University transfers (for second year entry to BBA only)	One year of full-time study with a 90% average (no failures), including a full-year in Calculus, one semester of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Science and a Computer Science course.Limited transfer credits available.Supplementary information form required
Very limited transfer credits/spaces available. Mature students are encouraged to apply to Schulich’s MBA program after completing a Bachelor’s degree in another York Faculty.
Mature students (for first year entry)	4U English AND MHF4U with low 90s.One of MCV4U or MDM4U (MCV4U recommended).Supplementary information form required
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Biochemistry, Biophysics	SBI4U, SCH4U, MHF4U and MCV4USPH4U recommended
Biology (includes Conservation Ecology), Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, iBSc Biology	SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4USPH4U recommended
Chemistry (includes Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry)	SCH4U, MHF4U, MCV4USPH4U recommended
Computational Mathematics	MHF4U AND one other 4U math course.(MCV4U recommended). SCH4U or SPH4U.
Environmental Science	Life Sciences: SCH4U and MHF4U and MCV4U.(SPH4U recommended)Physical Sciences: MHF4U and MCV4U. SCH4U and SPH4U.
Geography, Science & Technology Studies, Undecided Major	One 4U math. MHF4U recommended.SCH4U or SPH4U
BA Mathematics (includes Applied Math, Math for Commerce, Statistics), Mathematics for Education	MHF4U.MCV4U recommended.
BSc Mathematics (includes Applied Math, Pure Math, Statistics), Mathematics for Education	MHF4U. SCH4U or SPH4UMCV4U recommended.
Physics & Astronomy	SPH4U, MHF4U and MCV4USCH4U recommended

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york university engineering admission requirements