Bachelor's Mechanical Engineering - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Solve current issues using innovative technology

Tackling technical problems in depth

How do you ensure that a bridge can withstand an earthquake? How do you make a safe but spectacular rollercoaster? Can you use 3D printing to create a cargo ship? What improvements can you envisage for mobile devices and e-bikes?

Mechanical engineers devise, design, create and improve all kinds of machines, constructions, processes and techniques. For any social question that requires a high-tech answer, a mechanical engineer will be part of the solution.

The programme has an innovative structure, delivered by lecturers from both VU Amsterdam and the University of Twente.

Most of the lectures you attend will take place in Amsterdam. From time to time, you will travel to Enschede, because some of the lessons you will get there for example for laboratory work. This means that you are regularly in Enschede for two consecutive days. Are you interested in learning more about the program? Explore the program on the University of Twente's website. Want to know more about the collaboration between VU and UT? Find out more about this partnership here.

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

The programme consists of three years. Each year has 2 semesters, so a total of 6 semesters. In the first semester of the third year, semester 5, you can choose a minor based on your own interest.

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1st semester
2nd semester
3rd semester
4th semester
5th & 6th semester

Semester 1: Design of Structures & Machines

Designing structures and machines is the essence of mechanical engineering. In the first semester, you will be introduced to various disciplines of the program, such as mechanics, materials science and manufacturing technologies. For example, you will learn how to determine the stiffness and strength of a structure and how different products can be produced.

Project: Design and build a functioning machine
In this semester's project, you will design a machine together with fellow students. With this machine you can participate in a mechanical competition in, for example, curling, golf or cornhole. You will go through all the steps of a systematic design process. You will receive training in the state-of-the-art workshop of the University of Twente, which has opened in 2025, so that you can make the prototype of your machine yourself.

The focus of this semester is on getting to know the academic environment, community building and learning how to study.

Courses

Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 1
Statics
Mechanics of Materials
Manufacturing
Materials Science: Metals & Alloys
Continuous Assessment 1
Project & Academic Skills 1: Design of Structures & Machines

Semester 2: Energy Transition & Sustainability

The second semester focuses on analyzing and designing energy systems. You will learn about the working principles of modern power plants and the important role of the steam cycle in this. You will delve into sustainable energy technologies such as solar, wind and hydrogen. Using a life cycle analysis, you will investigate the environmental impact of a product during production, use and recycling.

Project: Sustainable energy solutions for your home
In this semester's project, you will analyze the energy consumption of your own home together with fellow students. You will investigate whether it is possible to reduce gas consumption by means of a heat pump and whether you can generate sufficient electricity with sustainable energy technologies.

The focus of this semester is on the role of the mechanical engineer in solving complex issues in the field of energy and sustainability.

Courses

Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 2
Engineering Thermodynamics
Renewable Energy Technology
Lift Cycle Analysis
Design Engineering
Manufacturing Systems
Continuous Assessment 2
Project & Academic Skills 2: Energy Transition & Sustainability

Semester 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems

The third semester is about design for mass production. The knowledge you gain in new subjects in the field of materials science, tribology and dynamics enables you to design more complex products. You learn to use software that allows you to simulate the manufacturing process of a product.

Project: Design and optimize a drone frame
In this semester's project, you design the plastic frame of a drone. You design an injection mold with which the prototype of your product is made on the injection molding machine of the University of Twente. In the Learning Factory, which has opened in 2025, you optimize the production and assembly process of the entire drone.

The focus of this semester is on the manufacturing industry and the role of the mechanical engineer in designing factory processes.

Courses

Mathematics: Differential Equations
Mass Manufacturing
Smart Industry
Materials Science: Polymers
Tribology
Dynamics
Mechanical Vibrations
Continuous Assessment 3
Project & Academic Skills 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems

Semester 4: Technology for Healthcare

In the fourth semester, you will learn how to solve complex and multidisciplinary design problems using systems engineering. In addition, you will follow the most advanced courses in mechanics and control engineering. You will investigate how you can simulate and test mechatronic systems.

Project: Design of a medical instrument
In this semester's project, you will design a medical instrument. You will develop various concepts for its precision mechanism. You will then determine how the movement of the instrument can be accurately controlled and measured. You will demonstrate the operation of your design using a 3D printed prototype.

The focus of this semester is on how you, as a mechanical engineer, can contribute to the quality of life through technological innovations in healthcare.

Courses

Mathematics: Vector Calculus
System Analysis
Signal Analysis
Precision Engineering
Control Engineering
Systems Engineering
Elasticity Theory & Finite Element Method
Continuous Assessment 4
Project & Academic Skills 4: Technology for Healthcare’

Semester 5: Minor and Semester 6: Scientific Research in Mechanical Engineering

Semester 5: Minor
The fifth semester is dedicated to the so-called minor. In this semester there is no fixed programand allows you a lot of free choice. You can choose to follow a special minor program at the VU, the UT or at another university in the Netherlands. You can also choose to use this semester to study abroad or do an internship at a company or with a student team.

Semester 6: Scientific Research in Mechanical Engineering

Project: Aerodynamic research and wind tunnel tests
The first half of the sixth semester contains the final design project of the program. In this project, you will investigate the aerodynamics and heat transfer of an object in a flow. You will then design a test setup for a wind tunnel to test your research in practice.

Graduation research: Innovations in Mechanical Engineering
The second half of the semester is reserved for the graduation assignment. You will carry out an individual research assignment under the supervision of the scientific staff of the VU or UT. You will write an article in a scientific format for this and present your work during the final bachelor conference.

The focus of this semester is on the scientific research that is carried out at universities, research institutes and companies.

Courses

Mathematics: Statistics & Probability
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Research Skills
Continuous Assessment 5
Project & Academic Skills 5
BSc Assignment

1st semester
Semester 1: Design of Structures & Machines

Designing structures and machines is the essence of mechanical engineering. In the first semester, you will be introduced to various disciplines of the program, such as mechanics, materials science and manufacturing technologies. For example, you will learn how to determine the stiffness and strength of a structure and how different products can be produced.
Project: Design and build a functioning machine
In this semester's project, you will design a machine together with fellow students. With this machine you can participate in a mechanical competition in, for example, curling, golf or cornhole. You will go through all the steps of a systematic design process. You will receive training in the state-of-the-art workshop of the University of Twente, which has opened in 2025, so that you can make the prototype of your machine yourself.
The focus of this semester is on getting to know the academic environment, community building and learning how to study.

Courses
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 1

Statics

Mechanics of Materials

Manufacturing

Materials Science: Metals & Alloys

Continuous Assessment 1

Project & Academic Skills 1: Design of Structures & Machines
2nd semester
Semester 2: Energy Transition & Sustainability

The second semester focuses on analyzing and designing energy systems. You will learn about the working principles of modern power plants and the important role of the steam cycle in this. You will delve into sustainable energy technologies such as solar, wind and hydrogen. Using a life cycle analysis, you will investigate the environmental impact of a product during production, use and recycling.
Project: Sustainable energy solutions for your home
In this semester's project, you will analyze the energy consumption of your own home together with fellow students. You will investigate whether it is possible to reduce gas consumption by means of a heat pump and whether you can generate sufficient electricity with sustainable energy technologies.
The focus of this semester is on the role of the mechanical engineer in solving complex issues in the field of energy and sustainability.

Courses
Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 2

Engineering Thermodynamics

Renewable Energy Technology

Lift Cycle Analysis

Design Engineering

Manufacturing Systems

Continuous Assessment 2

Project & Academic Skills 2: Energy Transition & Sustainability
3rd semester
Semester 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems

The third semester is about design for mass production. The knowledge you gain in new subjects in the field of materials science, tribology and dynamics enables you to design more complex products. You learn to use software that allows you to simulate the manufacturing process of a product.
Project: Design and optimize a drone frame
In this semester's project, you design the plastic frame of a drone. You design an injection mold with which the prototype of your product is made on the injection molding machine of the University of Twente. In the Learning Factory, which has opened in 2025, you optimize the production and assembly process of the entire drone.
The focus of this semester is on the manufacturing industry and the role of the mechanical engineer in designing factory processes.

Courses
Mathematics: Differential Equations

Mass Manufacturing

Smart Industry

Materials Science: Polymers

Tribology

Dynamics

Mechanical Vibrations

Continuous Assessment 3

Project & Academic Skills 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems
4th semester
Semester 4: Technology for Healthcare

In the fourth semester, you will learn how to solve complex and multidisciplinary design problems using systems engineering. In addition, you will follow the most advanced courses in mechanics and control engineering. You will investigate how you can simulate and test mechatronic systems.
Project: Design of a medical instrument
In this semester's project, you will design a medical instrument. You will develop various concepts for its precision mechanism. You will then determine how the movement of the instrument can be accurately controlled and measured. You will demonstrate the operation of your design using a 3D printed prototype.
The focus of this semester is on how you, as a mechanical engineer, can contribute to the quality of life through technological innovations in healthcare.

Courses
Mathematics: Vector Calculus

System Analysis

Signal Analysis

Precision Engineering

Control Engineering

Systems Engineering

Elasticity Theory & Finite Element Method

Continuous Assessment 4

Project & Academic Skills 4: Technology for Healthcare’
5th & 6th semester
Semester 5: Minor and Semester 6: Scientific Research in Mechanical Engineering

Semester 5: Minor
The fifth semester is dedicated to the so-called minor. In this semester there is no fixed programand allows you a lot of free choice. You can choose to follow a special minor program at the VU, the UT or at another university in the Netherlands. You can also choose to use this semester to study abroad or do an internship at a company or with a student team.
Semester 6: Scientific Research in Mechanical Engineering

Project: Aerodynamic research and wind tunnel tests
The first half of the sixth semester contains the final design project of the program. In this project, you will investigate the aerodynamics and heat transfer of an object in a flow. You will then design a test setup for a wind tunnel to test your research in practice.
Graduation research: Innovations in Mechanical Engineering
The second half of the semester is reserved for the graduation assignment. You will carry out an individual research assignment under the supervision of the scientific staff of the VU or UT. You will write an article in a scientific format for this and present your work during the final bachelor conference.
The focus of this semester is on the scientific research that is carried out at universities, research institutes and companies.

Courses
Mathematics: Statistics & Probability

Fluid Mechanics

Heat Transfer

Research Skills

Continuous Assessment 5

Project & Academic Skills 5

BSc Assignment

After the Bachelor’s programme, you can specialise further by following a Master’s programme. As a graduate of Mechanical Engineering you could work as a maintenance engineer, a production manager or a designer at companies like Shell, KLM or Tata Steel.

Explore your future prospects

Two students solving a mechanical problem

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Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November 2025

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2nd semester

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3rd semester

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4th semester

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5th & 6th semester

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Change your future with the Mechanical Engineering programme

Change your future with the Mechanical Engineering programme

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