Electrical and Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)

Course code H361

What is special about this course?

The BEng (Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering has been designed to meet the demand from employers for engineers who have a wide knowledge and skills base covering a range of engineering disciplines, including a sound understanding of relevant technologies and current industry practices.

On completion of the degree you will have acquired advanced levels of competence in engineering and technology, including mechanical, electrical, electronic and management skills, making you highly sought after in the job market.

The broad-based nature of this course will give you many of the necessary skills and competencies required by a range of industries, including the renewable energies sector.

You will also benefit from the strong links established with engineering companies across the Highlands and Islands and from the industry-related project work you will undertake.

Special features

  • You will undertake major industry-related projects to showcase your expertise in solving engineering problems to prospective employers
  • You will study emerging technology, making you highly employable for the future
  • You will also develop relevant key employability skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and communication and interpersonal skills
  • You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances
  • You can exit at each level with a valuable qualification

Entry requirements

Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, such as HNC Engineering (Systems pathway), with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2

 Advanced entry to year two:

  • Successful completion of a relevant 15 SQA credit HNC (such as the HNC Engineering (Systems pathway)) with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year two entry on your application

Advanced entry to year three:

  • Successful completion of a relevant HND (such as the HND Engineering Systems) may allow advanced entry to year three. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year three entry on your application

Advanced entry to year four:

  • Successful completion of the BEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, BEng Mechanical Engineering, or other equivalent ordinary degrees may allow advanced entry to year four. To make an application please use the 'Apply' tab and indicate year four entry on your application

    Year 1 - HNC

    Year 1 of this course is a relevant HNC, with a pass in Engineering Mathematics 2, such as:

    Year 2 - DipHE

    You will study one of the following core modules:

    • Design and engineering skills 2 (SC)
    • Engineering skills 2 (SC)

    You will also study the following:

    • Core maths 2 (S1)
    • Electrical 2 (S2)
    • Engineering business skills 2 (SC)
    • Statics and dynamics 2 (S1)
    • Thermodynamics and fluids 2 (S2)

    Year 3 - BEng

    You will study two of the following core modules:

    • Engineering project 3 OR Project and management 1 (SC)
    • Electrical 3 OR Electronics 3 (S1)

    You will also study the following:

    • Control and instrumentation 3 (S2)
    • Electro-mechanical drives (S2)
    • Statics and dynamics (S1)

    and choose one from the following:

    • Assessment of the environmental impact of development
    • Conventional energy systems
    • Materials and manufacturing
    • Microcontrollers and digital electronics
    • Renewable energy generation

    Year 4 - BEng (Hons)

    You will study one of the following core modules:

    • Electrical 4 (S2)*
    • Electronics 4 (S1)*

    You will also study the following:

    • Design for quality and reliability (S1)
    • Engineering project 4 (SC)
    • Statics and dynamics 4 (S1)

    You will also choose one from the following:

    • Electrical 4 (S2)*
    • Electronics 4 (S1)*
    • Future energy systems (S1)
    • Thermodynamics and fluids 4 (S2)*
    • Wind energy (S2)

    *available to those who have already achieved level 3 in the same subject

    How will I study my course?

    • Full-time
    • Part-time (structured)
    • Part-time (unstructured)
    • This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials. These are recorded and can be viewed at times that suit you if you are unable to attend the timetabled sessions. You can replay them as many times as needed
    • Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
    • You will take part in a mandatory induction, online, every September

    How long will my course last?

    • Full-time: 4 years (HNC + DipHE + BEng + BEng (Hons))
    • Part-time (structured): 8 years (HNC + DipHE + BEng + BEng (Hons))

    Where can I study my course?

    • Inverness
    • North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway; Thurso
    • Perth
    • This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the UK. If you're based in Scotland you should apply to your nearest location

    Start date

    • September
    • January - North, West and Hebrides only

    Fees

    For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

    This includes

    • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
    • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
    • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
    Year Level 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time 2025-26 Full-time 2025-26 Part-time
    Year 1 HNC £1,285 £86 (per HN credit) £1,285 £86 (per HN credit)
    Year 2 DipHE £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 3 Degree £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 4 Honours £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module) £1,820 £305 (per 20 credit module)

    Rest of UK students

    For students living in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

    Year Level 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time 2025-26 Full-time 2025-26 Part-time
    Year 1 HNC £7,110 £474 (per HN credit) £7,440 £496 (per HN credit)
    Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module) £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 3 Degree £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module) £9,250 £1,542 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 4 Honours free £1,542 (per 20 credit module) free £1,542 (per 20 credit module)

    4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

    Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

    There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

    EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

    Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for 2nd and 3rd year, with the 4th year of study free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

    This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

    Year Level 2024-25 Full-time With scholarship 2025-26 Full-time With scholarship
    Year 1 HNC £8,775 £8,775 £8,925 £8,925
    Year 2 DipHE £15,996 £11,996 £16,950 £12,950
    Year 3 Degree £15,996 £11,996 £16,950 £12,950
    Year 4 Honours £15,996 Free £16,950 Free

    Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

    International students

    For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

    Year Level 2024-25 Full-time 2024-25 Part-time 2025-26 Full-time 2025-26 Part-time
    Year 1 HNC £8,775 £585 (per HN credit) £8,925 £595 (per HN credit)
    Year 2 DipHE £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module) £16,950 £2,825 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 3 Degree £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module) £16,950 £2,825 (per 20 credit module)
    Year 4 Honours £15,996 £2,666 (per 20 credit module) £16,950 £2,825 (per 20 credit module)

    Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. Further information on international course fees.

    A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first year is made up of an HNC award.

    Funding

    UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

    Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

    What can I do on completion of my course?

    Once you have successfully completed your BEng (Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, you will be ready to compete effectively for a range of jobs within the engineering sector such as:

    • Engineer in energy/renewable energy sector
    • Design/maintenance position in offshore industry
    • Design/maintenance position in manufacturing industries
    • Project engineer in a wide range of industries
    • Engineering manager in a wide range of industries

    Is there more information available online?

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    You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

    I have a lot to thank the University of the Highlands and Islands for having first started my engineering journey here completing a college link engineering course when still at school. This ultimately gave me experience to help gain an apprenticeship and study for my National Certificate all the way through to now graduating with a degree.

    Liam studied Electrical engineering at UHI North, West and Hebrides. 

    Apply for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)

    I want to start in Jan/Feb 2025 or Aug/Sep 2025 or Jan/Feb 2026

    We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.