Mechanical Engineering

at UBC's

Vancouver Campus

Mechanical Engineering is a diverse field that applies physics and mathematics to analyze, design, and maintain mechanical systems. Mechanical Engineers continuously innovate, then refine and simplify solutions to the problems we face in our everyday (and not-so-everyday) lives.

This program is also offered at UBC's Okanagan Campus
Find out more
Visit program website

Program information

  • Campus: Vancouver
  • Faculty: Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering)
  • Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)
  • Length 4 yrs
  • Co-op Yes
    You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
  • Honours No
    You can study intense specialization in a single field.

Mechanical Engineering provides a broad base of theory courses and practical design projects. You will enter Mechanical Engineering in your second year from the first-year General Engineering that is common to all Engineering programs. Options include Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Thermofluids.

In the final year, you can take courses in engineering economics and data analysis, controls, professional engineering practice, as well as complementary studies and technical electives. A year-long design course enables you to complete real design projects for local companies.

Specializations

  • Aerospace
  • Biomechanics & Medical Devices
  • Energy and Environment
  • Mechatronics
  • Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

Campus features

Mechanical Engineering at UBC is a widely recognized program. Faculty research groups cover all of the major areas of mechanical engineering, including design and applied mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, manufacturing, and controls. In addition to the main university library, the department maintains its own specialized library of engineering books and reference materials.

The department also has specialized facilities that are used for state-of-the-art research. These include wind tunnels, industrial robots, computer graphics workstations, and computer controlled machine tools. A supermileage vehicle, capable of 3,145 miles per one gallon of gas, designed by UBC Engineering students was recognized  by Time magazine as a best invention of the year.

Your future

Your career opportunities will vary widely across a range of fields including aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, oil and gas, automation, mechatronics, aviation and marine management, and product design, and others.

UBC stories

"Engineering is about building a toolbox that allows you to tackle all of the new and unique problems the world will throw at you as an engineer. I loved getting my hands dirty, and UBC offered me great opportunities to do this like joining student design teams and engaging in internships and co-ops."

Andrew K., Mechanical Engineering Read the full story

Program requirements

English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

  • Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

  • IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
  • IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Applied Science (Engineering)

  • IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL. (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable.)
  • IB Chemistry 
  • IB Physics 
  • Academically strong candidates missing either IB Chemistry or IB Physics may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics and Computation
  • Sciences
Visit program website