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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. Looking for more practical information? Discover the details here. 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 1st.

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. 

First semester: Manufacturing

In the first year, you are familiarised with key themes in mechanical engineering. Our project-based education revolves around a different theme every semester. In the first year, these are Smart Manufacturing and Energy Transition & Sustainability. You follow courses relevant to your current project and learn to create designs in an academic setting. For example, working with your fellow students, you investigate how to make nuclear power plants more sustainable.

Subjects

  • Statics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 1
  • Project & Academic Skills 1: Manufacturing
  • Intro to Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing 1
  • Materials Science: Metals and Alloys 
  • Continuous Assessment 1

Second semester: Energy Transition & Sustainability

In the first year, you are familiarised with key themes in mechanical engineering. Our project-based education revolves around a different theme every semester. In the first year, these are Smart Manufacturing and Energy Transition & Sustainability. You follow courses relevant to your current project and learn to create designs in an academic setting. For example, working with your fellow students, you investigate how to make nuclear power plants more sustainable.

Subjects

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

Third semester: Smart Manufacturing Systems

In your second year, you explore in depth the themes Smart Manufacturing and Technology for Healthcare. The projects are concrete, have a high social impact and require innovative solutions. How do you design a drone device along the entire engineering and manufacturing process? How to design universal prostheses on a large scale? These are just a few examples of issues you tackle.

The approach of having courses and projects in parallel, not only equips you with the necessary engineering skills, but also prepares you to drive innovations that align with societal needs for sustainability, safety, and economic competitiveness. You will gain the tools and insights needed to contribute effectively to your field.

Subjects

  • Dynamics
  • Mechanical Vibrations
  • Mathematics: Differential Equations
  • Project & Academic Skills 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems
  • Manufacturing 2
  • Smart Industry
  • Materials Science: Polymers
  • Tribology
  • Continuous Assessment 3

Fourth semester: Technology for Healthcare

In your second year, you explore in depth the themes Smart Manufacturing and Technology for Healthcare. The projects are concrete, have a high social impact and require innovative solutions. How do you design a drone device along the entire engineering and manufacturing process? How to design universal prostheses on a large scale? These are just a few examples of issues you tackle.

The approach of having courses and projects in parallel, not only equips you with the necessary engineering skills, but also prepares you to drive innovations that align with societal needs for sustainability, safety, and economic competitiveness. You will gain the tools and insights needed to contribute effectively to your field.

Subjects

  • Elasticity Theory + FEM
  • Mathematics: Vector Calculus
  • Project & Academic Skills 4: Technology for Healthcare
  • Precision Engineering
  • Control Engineering
  • System Analysis
  • Signal Analysis
  • Systems Engineering
  • Continuous Assessment 4

Sixth semester: Thermal & Fluid Engineering and BSc Assignment

In the third year, you shape your curriculum in line with your interests. 

In semester 5, you can study abroad or follow a minor, at VU or at UT. For example, the Aerospace Management & Operations minor and the Aircraft Engineering minor complement each other well, and the Biorobotics minor is also popular. Naturally, you can also opt for a minor offered at VU Amsterdam. In semester 6, the second semester of the third year, you work independently on a final research project. The topic of your project relates to the subjects you have studied and the themes of the Mechanical Engineering programme as a whole.

Subjects

  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Mathematics: Statistics & Probability
  • Project & Academic Skills 5: Thermal & Fluid Engineering
  • Heat Transfer
  • BSc Assignment
  • Research Skills
  • Continuous Assessment 5
  • 1st semester

    First semester: Manufacturing

    In the first year, you are familiarised with key themes in mechanical engineering. Our project-based education revolves around a different theme every semester. In the first year, these are Smart Manufacturing and Energy Transition & Sustainability. You follow courses relevant to your current project and learn to create designs in an academic setting. For example, working with your fellow students, you investigate how to make nuclear power plants more sustainable.

    Subjects

    • Statics
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 1
    • Project & Academic Skills 1: Manufacturing
    • Intro to Mechanical Engineering
    • Manufacturing 1
    • Materials Science: Metals and Alloys 
    • Continuous Assessment 1
  • 2nd semester

    Second semester: Energy Transition & Sustainability

    In the first year, you are familiarised with key themes in mechanical engineering. Our project-based education revolves around a different theme every semester. In the first year, these are Smart Manufacturing and Energy Transition & Sustainability. You follow courses relevant to your current project and learn to create designs in an academic setting. For example, working with your fellow students, you investigate how to make nuclear power plants more sustainable.

    Subjects

    • Thermodynamics
    • Mathematics: Linear Algebra & Calculus 2
    • Project & Academic Skills 2: Energy Transition & Sustainability
    • Design Engineering
    • Life Cycle Analysis
    • Manufacturing Systems
    • Renewable Energy Technology
    • Continuous Assessment 2
  • 3rd semester

    Third semester: Smart Manufacturing Systems

    In your second year, you explore in depth the themes Smart Manufacturing and Technology for Healthcare. The projects are concrete, have a high social impact and require innovative solutions. How do you design a drone device along the entire engineering and manufacturing process? How to design universal prostheses on a large scale? These are just a few examples of issues you tackle.

    The approach of having courses and projects in parallel, not only equips you with the necessary engineering skills, but also prepares you to drive innovations that align with societal needs for sustainability, safety, and economic competitiveness. You will gain the tools and insights needed to contribute effectively to your field.

    Subjects

    • Dynamics
    • Mechanical Vibrations
    • Mathematics: Differential Equations
    • Project & Academic Skills 3: Smart Manufacturing Systems
    • Manufacturing 2
    • Smart Industry
    • Materials Science: Polymers
    • Tribology
    • Continuous Assessment 3
  • 4th semester

    Fourth semester: Technology for Healthcare

    In your second year, you explore in depth the themes Smart Manufacturing and Technology for Healthcare. The projects are concrete, have a high social impact and require innovative solutions. How do you design a drone device along the entire engineering and manufacturing process? How to design universal prostheses on a large scale? These are just a few examples of issues you tackle.

    The approach of having courses and projects in parallel, not only equips you with the necessary engineering skills, but also prepares you to drive innovations that align with societal needs for sustainability, safety, and economic competitiveness. You will gain the tools and insights needed to contribute effectively to your field.

    Subjects

    • Elasticity Theory + FEM
    • Mathematics: Vector Calculus
    • Project & Academic Skills 4: Technology for Healthcare
    • Precision Engineering
    • Control Engineering
    • System Analysis
    • Signal Analysis
    • Systems Engineering
    • Continuous Assessment 4
  • 6th semester

    Sixth semester: Thermal & Fluid Engineering and BSc Assignment

    In the third year, you shape your curriculum in line with your interests. 

    In semester 5, you can study abroad or follow a minor, at VU or at UT. For example, the Aerospace Management & Operations minor and the Aircraft Engineering minor complement each other well, and the Biorobotics minor is also popular. Naturally, you can also opt for a minor offered at VU Amsterdam. In semester 6, the second semester of the third year, you work independently on a final research project. The topic of your project relates to the subjects you have studied and the themes of the Mechanical Engineering programme as a whole.

    Subjects

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

Change your future with the Mechanical Engineering programme

Change your future with the Mechanical Engineering programme

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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