BACHELOR  229

NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR
STUDENTS

OF SCIENCE  66%
MECHANICAL
PROCEEDS TO SECOND YEAR

 43%
ENGINEERING GRADUATES WITHIN 4 YEARS

 77%
CONTINUES STUDYING
1 | Mechanical Engineering

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION
Are you eager to create technological solutions that make a difference in our society? Do you dream of being an
expert in inventing, designing, improving and maintaining all kinds of machines, constructions and processes? From
a roller coaster, an aeroplane or a sustainable energy installation to an innovative hearing aid, or the hinges for a
robotic hand? Are you looking for a university where you can learn to integrate and apply mechanical engineering
theory in realistic team projects? If you are, the three-year, English-taught Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering
(ME) is the right choice for you.

WHAT IS MECHANICAL ENGINEER ALL ABOUT? COMBINE SCIENTIFIC THEORY AND PRACTICAL PROJECTS
The Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering is a challenging One of UT’s distinguishing characteristics is its practical
programme for hard workers with strong analytical application and valorisation of scientific knowledge. In
abilities and plenty of resourcefulness. In order to feel at every module, you work on a team project in which you
home in the field of mechanical engineering you need to directly apply the knowledge you have gained to a real
love technology, be versatile and keen to solve the world issue. You research it and report on it. You make
challenges that people and society face today. plans and designs. You work together in multicultural
Throughout this programme you will become an expert in teams which will strengthen your intercultural skills. You
designing, improving and maintaining all kinds of will become an academically grounded, creative problem
machines, devices and installations, as well structures solver.
and processes.

GET A FIRM GRASP OF THE TECHNOLOGY OUR SOCIETY IS

BUILT ON
We will equip you for a very broad field of work, teaching
you to contribute to many different kinds of innovations
and improvements. Some examples include: 3D-printing a
ship propeller; making a power plant sustainable; building
a window-cleaning robot, or an exoskeleton for
rehabilitation processes; developing and applying new
materials for lighter, stronger aeroplane wings;
contributing to the development of the self-driving car, or
the magnetic glider train. With this Bachelor’s you will
become an academically educated and highly resourceful
mechanical engineer - an independent thinker who
understands the technology our society relies on, now
and in the future.

ADMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

● Certificate equivalent to Dutch VWO (e.g. British A-

REQUIREMENTS levels, International Baccalaureate)

● English (CEFR, B2/C1 level; IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or
Cambridge CAE)
FOR DUTCH STUDENTS (VWO-PROFILE)
● Mathematics, Physics
NT NG EM CM

WIB + WIB + WIB +

NA NA NA
2 | Mechanical Engineering

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Your bachelor’s takes three years. Each year, you will follow four ten-week modules. This means that during the
course of your studies you will complete twelve modules.

FUTURE-PROOF EDUCATION BACHELOR'S STRUCTURE

In each module, you will address a topic that is current in During the first year, you will become familiar with the
society, business or industry. This topic brings together basics of technical and scientific disciplines. In the
all parts of your study: theory and practice, research, projects and practical assignments - which together make
designing solutions, self-study and teamwork. up around 30% of your programme - you can immediately
apply the knowledge you gain.
A fixed part of each module is the team project, in which
you apply your acquired knowledge to a real-life challenge The second year is about broadening and deepening your
and design a solution. By directly using the knowledge knowledge and you can start to pursue your own interests
learned in the courses in a project, you not only broaden by getting familiar with popular master’s. The third year is
your knowledge but also know how to apply it. This made up of elective modules in which you will prepare
challenging learning method is part of the Twente yourself for your future master’s and graduation
Education Model: an innovative way of studying that you assignment, the final step you must take before you can
will only find at UT. call yourself a Bachelor of Science.
ut.onl/tom
3 | Mechanical Engineering

STUDY OVERVIEW
EXPLANATION OF MODULES
YEAR 1
Module 1 Design & Manufacturing

Module 2 Energy & Materials

Module 3 Energy & Sustainability

Module 4 Design & Mechanics

MODULE 1 | DESIGN & MANUFACTURING MODULE 3 | ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY

In the first project you will work together with your team In this module, you will go deeper into the theory you
on designing an original, not-yet-existing mechanical tool, explored during the second module. An added theme is
for example a solution for reducing the volume of plastic sustainability; during these lectures you will learn about
waste, or a volleyball cannon. You will invent and design life-cycle analysis. In your team project, you will re-design
the product, manufacture the different components, and the energy system from Module 2, taking into account
then assemble them in our workshop. You will learn technological and environmental aspects. As in the other
everything you need for this in lectures on subjects such modules in the first and second year, we will also work on
as mathematics, statics, manufacturing systems and your overall academic training.
technical drawing.
MODULE 4 | DESIGN & MECHANICS
MODULE 2 | ENERGY & MATERIALS During the fourth module’s project, you will be
The second project focuses on energy and materials. challenged to design a construction, finding the right
Together with your project team, you will analyse an balance between geometry, the materials and its strength.
existing energy system from a material and Again, throughout this module, the lectures are closely
thermodynamic perspective. This module begins with a related to the project, so there will be subjects like
strong emphasis on thermodynamics and materials, mathematics, strength of materials, machine parts, and
giving you acquired knowledge you will need to start on modelling and programming. By the end of the fourth
your project. On top of that, you will have lectures on module, you will have completed your first year.
mathematics and, just like in the other first-year modules,
modelling and programming.
4 | Mechanical Engineering

STUDY OVERVIEW
EXPLANATION OF MODULES
YEAR 2
Module 5 Dynamic Systems

Module 6 Product Design

Module 7 Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer

Module 8 Mechatronic Design

MODULE 5 | DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MODULE 7 | FLUID MECHANICS & HEAT TRANSFER

During the second year’s first project, you will learn to The second year’s third project in Module 7 is about fluids
analyse dynamic systems. Think, for example, of moving engineering. You will be challenged with quite complex
structures, such as a crane, an elbow, or an electrical assignments, like ice melting on the wings of an airplane
toothbrush. The focus is on the structure’s movement in during a flight or designing a heat shield for a spacecraft.
one direction. You will have lectures on mathematics, The theory for this project is taught in the lectures fluid
dynamics, system analysis and design principles for mechanics and heat transfer.
dynamic systems.
MODULE 8 | MECHATRONIC DESIGN
MODULE 6 | PRODUCT DESIGN In Module 8, you will go deeper into the theory you
In the project you will design a consumer product, explored in Module 5. Having looked at a construction
working together with students from Industrial Design that can move in one direction, you will now learn to
Engineering and Industrial Engineering and Management. analyse and (re)design a complex multi-functional
Some examples of consumer products are a robot system. This could be a fuel pump, a cruise control
vacuum cleaner, a wine cooler for a café and a coffee system, or a wind turbine. You will gain the necessary
machine. The theory for this project will be covered in theoretical knowledge in lectures on continuous
lectures on subjects such as theory of elasticity, tribology, dynamics, buckling, system and control engineering.
and the processing and properties of polymers. Module 8 brings you to the end of your second year.
5 | Mechanical Engineering

STUDY OVERVIEW
EXPLANATION OF MODULES
YEAR 3
Module 9 Electives

Module 10 Electives

Module 11 Production Systems Engineering

Module 12 Bachelor's assignment

MODULE 9 AND 10 | ELECTIVES MODULE 11 | PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

In your elective space, you have several options: To finish off your studies you will perform a technical
● You can take modules that give you more in-depth scientific research project in one of the Mechanical
knowledge of your field of interest, such as Engineering disciplines. You will carry out your research
aeronautical engineering or (bio)robotics. You can also with one of our research groups, learning how to set up
take modules from other programmes that broaden and conduct research and how to critically study the
your knowledge, like Civil Engineering, Electrical results. In Module 11 you will start your research project
Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering or with the course Academic Research & Skills by writing a
Industrial Engineering and Management. research proposal. At the same time, you will take the
● There is also the option of studying abroad or at courses Introduction to Finite Element Methods and
another Dutch university. Statistics, and carry out a project in the field of Production
Systems Engineering. In this project, a complex
● Do a pre-master’s course to prepare for a Master’s
production system will be designed in a realistic situation.
other than Mechanical Engineering.
Besides the project assignment, the project consists of
● Join one of our student teams, like the Green Team,
the courses Systems Engineering and Production
the Solar Team or the Electric Superbike Team.
Management.
● Choose the Education minor Learn to Teach and get a
second-degree teaching qualification. This allows you MODULE 12 | GRADUATION ASSIGNMENT
to work as a teacher at secondary school level. Please The last module is fully dedicated to your final Bachelor
be aware that this minor is in Dutch and allows you to project. You will carry out the research as described in the
only work as a teacher at secondary schools in the proposal in the previous module. Next to performing the
Netherlands. research project itself you will also look at the social
embedding of your research project. You finish off this
project and the Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with
a research paper and presentation on the research you
have done. After completing this Bachelor’s you are
admissible to the Master’s, in which you can pursue
further specialisations.

A DAY IN THE LIFE What's it like to study Mechanical Engineering? Our

student shows you a day in their student life. Watch the
OF OUR STUDENT vlog!

ut.onl/bsc-vlogs
6 | Mechanical Engineering

RENSKES EXPERIENCE WITH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Renske chose the University of Twente to do her bachelor's programme in Mechanical Engineering. She made
many decisions after starting her bachelor's programme: Which association do I join? And can I take an
intermediate year to work on a new, even better, hydrogen car?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE? You learn things about the bending of objects, and, for
"Of course I looked around the various technical example, calculate own frequencies. This has to do with
universities to decide where I wanted to study. The vibrations, and also whether something is going to fall
Student for a Day Visit at the University of Twente was apart or not. Of course, that can be quite important in
the deciding factor. It was a very nice and interesting day, certain cases! Fluid Dynamics deals with fluid mechanics.
the small-scale atmosphere on campus really appealed to For example, water flows through a tube and with the
me and I immediately felt included. In addition, you have a parameters you see what the pressure is at the beginning
fixed programme here in your first and second year, which of the tube and at the end. With this you can, for example,
I liked because I didn't really know what I wanted yet. At develop a cooling system for a rocket (that was my
the end of your bachelor's, you do a minor where you project). You also want to see how thick such a tube must
have free choices in your subjects and then a bachelor's be to prevent the cooling system from exploding. I find
assignment." this very interesting."

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING? DON'T YOU END UP IN A WHAT ABOUT THE CHALLENGES BESIDES YOUR
MAN'S WORLD? PROGRAMME?
"Yes, there are a lot of guys who study this programme, "I finished my second year and had decided to plan an
but I didn't let that stop me. It's a great programme and I intermediate year to become a member of the Green Team
would recommend many more girls to consider it. And Twente (GTT). This is a student team that is working on
honestly, the number of ladies in this course is growing! making the most efficient hydrogen car and promoting a
You really don't have to worry that you're the only girl, I've sustainable future. We are a multidisciplinary team
made a few girlfriends inside the programme, and you can consisting of students from Saxion University of Applied
look for girlfriends outside your study. For example, I have Sciences and the University of Twente. Every year, a new
also become a member of the girls' society of Mechanical team is formed to meet these challenges."
Engineering."
"On-campus you can also do all the sports you can think
WHAT MAKES MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UT SO of. I have been a member of the High Tech Hitters (the
INTERESTING? baseball team at UT), Linearecta (the gymnastics
"During lectures, you can easily approach lecturers and association) and now I take dance classes in the centre of
even after the lectures you can send an email with a Enschede in Lindy Hop. Besides sports, I also became a
question or visit the lecturer. It's really very accessible member of a student society. Once every 2 weeks, we
here. There is always help to be found if you are stuck have something fun such as happy hours. We also have
with something, the doors of the lecturers are usually other activities throughout the year such as a brothers and
open, so it's easy to walk in. Because of the small scale, sisters day or an Easter breakfast... Really super fun such a
you're not a number, and that makes it really nice." society, because relaxing is also important! I am also a
member of our study association Isaac Newton. During
"My favourite subjects are Fluid Dynamics, Mathematics my first year, I did committee work and organised a first-
and Dynamics. Dynamics was explained very well by my year weekend. And within your programme itself, you can
teacher and the subject matter is very interesting. You also be active in another way. I helped during the Open
understand it and you have the idea of 'oh, that's why it Days, was a Student for a Day mentor and now even
works like this!" coordinator to manage all the mentors. So as you can see,
you can still do enough besides studying."

"Because of the personal approach, you're not a number,

and that makes it really nice."
- Renske -
7 | Mechanical Engineering

WHAT'S NEXT AFTER

COMPLETING THIS
BACHELOR'S?
After obtaining your Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, you can specialise further by following a
Master's programme. Most students choose this option, a few enter the job market straight away or start their own
company.

CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES WITH A MASTER'S CAREER PROSPECTS

Around 80% of the Mechanical Engineering graduates With your Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering,
enter the Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at UT. You you have an excellence chance of finding a well-paid job.
can specialise in: You can work wherever high-tech solutions based on a
● Aeronautics keen understanding of human and social needs are called
● Design and Manufacturing for. Some examples of where you could end up working:
● Energy and Flow ● In a production and development department
● Maintenance Engineering and Operations ● In the automotive or aircraft industry
● High-Tech Systems and Materials ● In the chemical or electro-technical industry
● Personalised Health Technology ● At a research institute, such as TNO, NLR or MARIN
● Smart & Sustainable Industry ● At an engineering firm
● In the healthcare sector, as a healthcare engineer, for
example
You can also choose to enter another master at the
University of Twente or at another (international)
university. With your Bachelor’s diploma, you are directly START YOUR OWN COMPANY
admissible to: You can also start your own business with a solution that
● Sustainable Energy Technology you have developed. UT is recognised as ‘the most
● Robotics entrepreneurial university’ in the Netherlands. We are
strong in the application of expertise to meaningfully
● Civil Engineering & Management
influence society. Together with our students, we like to
● Construction Management & Engineering work with the innovation specialists from Novel-T, who
● Environmental & Energy Management like to tap into promising innovative business cases.
ut.onl/msc novelt.com

GOING ELSEWHERE
You can also take a master’s at any other university in the
Netherlands or abroad. Take into account, that other
universities may require you to complete a pre-
master's before granting you admission at master’s level.

GET HELP IN CHOOSING What will you study and where? Sign up for our
orientation activities and events like the Open Days or
YOUR STUDIES an online meet-up with a student.

ut.onl/calendar
8 | Mechanical Engineering

NEED AND NICE-TO-KNOW

STUDENT INFORMATION
There are a couple of things you should know before you apply for the Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Twente.

Have you decided to sign up for the Bachelor’s MANDATORY MATCHING

in Mechanical Engineering? Check the admission Successfully completing your studies starts with
requirements to be sure that your application will choosing a Bachelor's that matches your talents and
succeed. Visit the website of Mechanical Engineering to interests. After your application, we ask you to participate
check the admission requirements and application in mandatory matching activities. You will receive a
deadlines and to start your application. You can register questionnaire about your skills and expectations of the
from October if you want to start the course the following programme and participate in a matching event. During
year in September. this matching event, you will be given assignments
ut.onl/bsc-me-admission related to the various fields of Mechanical Engineering
(Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Energy,
GET SUPPORT 24/7 DURING YOUR APPLICATION Systems and Control, Dynamic Systems, Design and
Do you have questions about your transfer options, Construction). Besides this, you will also meet our staff
deadlines, starting dates or costs, to name just a few and students.
topics? Collecting all relevant information to apply for a After you have applied, you will receive more information
study can be daunting. Even though everything can be on how to register for these matching activities.
found on our websites, the amount of information you Admission to the study without completing the full
need to read can seem overwhelming. This is where matching procedure is not possible.
chatbot Sam comes in! Together with this handy and fast ut.onl/me-matching
conversation method, you can browse through all the
information you need to apply. Start up a chat!
ut.onl/chatbot
9 | Mechanical Engineering

WHAT IS EC? SMALL-SCALED UNIVERSITY

As a first-year student, you will face many new At UT, we embrace the concept of being 'big in smallness
experiences and terms, such as ECs and binding of scale'. Here, lectures aren't held in vast lecture halls, but
recommendation. Student workload at Dutch universities rather in intimate settings where you engage closely with
is expressed in EC, also named ECTS (European Credit students and teachers. With small group work and
Transfer and Accumulation System), which is widely used personalised attention, your lecturer knows you by name,
throughout the European Union. In the Netherlands, each ensuring you never feel lost in the crowd. Our campus
credit represents (on average) 28 hours of work. If you resembles a tight-knit village, offering the conveniences of
want to complete your bachelor's in three years, you a bustling city. Whether it's a dental appointment or a
should be able to obtain 60 points (EC) each year. quick grocery run, everything you need is right here on
campus. Plus, our wireless connectivity allows you to
BINDING RECOMMENDATION work comfortably outdoors, with your laptop on the
Our goal is to get you to the right place, which is why we grass.
apply the principle of a binding recommendation. You will
receive positive recommendation if you have achieved 45 NUMEROUS STUDY AND STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
or more of the 60 EC in the first year. Negative A striking element of student life in Enschede is the
recommendation is binding and means you have to quit presence of student-run study and student associations
your studies. that bring students together for academic activities,
sports and recreation. World associations are also
Under certain circumstances, despite a low score, we present, assisting international students in everyday
can give you a postponed recommendation, if we have situations and helping them to settle in and make
sufficient confidence that you are in the right place. Do friends. Which associations will you join?
personal circumstances such as illness interfere with your ut.onl/associations
study performance? Your study adviser and Student
Affairs Coaching & Counselling are there to help you. BE PART OF A CLOSE COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS
ut.onl/wellbeing As a student, you will profit from the beautiful campus:
a sustainable, well-maintained parkland dotted with top
HONOURS PROGRAMME facilities. The campus has as many activities to offer as a
Would you like to learn about other scientific disciplines, small city. It’s a dynamic and close-knit community to live
in addition to your study? The Bachelor Honours and work in, where around 13,000 students, representing
programme is an extracurricular broadening programme more than 100 nationalities, use the latest knowledge and
of 30 EC in which ambitious students are challenged to technology for a better future.
enrich their knowledge, skills, attitude, cooperation, and ut.onl/campus
experiences outside their own study discipline. The
programme starts in February en lasts for 1.5 years. THE VIBRANT STUDENT CITY OF ENSCHEDE
ut.onl/honours-bachelor Enschede is very popular among students because of its
numerous associations, cosy restaurants and friendly,
TOP RESEARCH FACILITIES personal atmosphere. Over 30,000 students study at the
You have access to high-quality laboratory, located on University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied
campus. UT is a world-renowned top research university Sciences and AKI ArtEZ University of the Arts. With this
and home to nearly 2,000 scientists. With three powerful number of students and a wide range of clubs and bars,
research institutes and around 400 labs, you have access Enschede has earned the right to call itself a vibrant
to a first-class research and learning environment. student city and international city!
www.utwente.nl/en/research
Enschede has been announced as the best city for student
housing in the Netherlands in 2023! But bear in mind:
each year, over 4,000 new students start at the University
and search for accommodation at the same time as you.
ut.onl/enschede

GET IN TOUCH  University of Twente

Questions about this study programme? Whatever  [email protected]

your question is, we will be happy to help you.
 +31 (0)53 489 5489

Contact us! ut.onl/bsc-contact  +31 (0)6 51842633

 utwente
 WHY CHOOSE
TO STUDY AT UT?
As a UT student, you will learn how to use innovative technologies to influence today's societal challenges
meaningfully. You will benefit from excellent, highly personalised education and research in fields ranging from
social sciences and engineering to natural sciences and life sciences. You will learn to work with experts from other
disciplines and cultures. In doing so, you will develop in-depth professional knowledge and intensive personal
growth.

Your study location is our campus: a dynamic community for young people to work, live and socialise. It's a breeding
ground for brilliant ideas, where you follow academic education and apply your new skills in the various state-of-
the-art labs. This is also where you meet up with friends, play sports or visit the theatre. You can even go for
groceries or catch up in the bar. And downtown Enschede is just a 10-minute bike ride away!

1ST 1,600+
 UNIVERSITY WITH THE
MOST SOCIETAL
IMPACT IN NL
 12,492
STUDENTS IN TOTAL  PROFESSIONALS
TRAINED
 114 NATIONALITIES

14
 380
LAB FACILITIES  3,000
STUDENT APARTMENTS  38
SPORT ASSOCIATIONS  CULTURE
ASSOCIATIONS

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