Science asks WHY things happen. Engineering goes a step further to ask HOW things happen and how to apply this knowledge in designing creative solutions to practical problems for the benefit of humankind. Engineering, a word derived from the Latin ingenium, is human ingenuity at work to advance human civilisation from the use of ancient tools to today’s computers.

• Applied Mechanics – how solid bodies respond to external forces; e.g. kinematics, deformation, vibration
• Control Engineering – how to design systems to command specific behaviour to different inputs; e.g. automation, robotics
• Fluid Mechanics – how fluids respond to external forces; e.g. aerodynamics, subsonic and supersonic fluid flow, turbulence, jets, shock waves
• Manufacturing – how products are made from raw materials to finished goods; e.g. fabrication processes, macro/micro/nano-machining, rapid prototyping, automated production, design for manufacture
• Materials – types of materials, their properties and uses; e.g. metals, plastics, composites
• Thermodynamics – how heat, energy and useful work are interrelated; e.g. energy management, air-conditioning, combustion, propulsion, engines, turbines
• Engineering Design – integration of all aspects of ME to design innovative, reliable and cost-effective products and systems

ME encompasses a wide spectrum of topics that are applicable to many other areas in engineering, such as the following:

• Bioengineering – biomechanics, bio-fluids, biomaterials
• Chemical Engineering – thermo-fluid systems and control systems
• Civil and Environmental Engineering – materials, structures and stress analysis
• Electrical and Computer Engineering – mechatronics
• Industrial & Systems Engineering – manufacturing systems
• Materials Science and Engineering – materials

Every discipline has its own unique challenges. Interest and aptitude are equally vital considerations in choosing a study programme and career. If you are curious about the physical world and how things work, and are competent in mathematics, physics and/or chemistry, you will tend to enjoy mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineering is learnt as much through theory as through practice. In lower years, direct observation and hands-on practical work in laboratory classes add to formal contact hours, compared to courses in the arts and humanities. On the other hand, the latter often mandate extensive research and reading outside of contact hours, which requires a high degree of self-discipline and motivation.

Aeronautical Engineering is offered as an optional specialisation within the ME programme. You will learn subjects relevant to Aeronautical Engineering, using ME’s state-of-the-art facilities. You will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for a professional career in the aerospace industry. Upon graduation, you will receive a separate Certificate of Specialisation, in addition to your Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree scroll. You may apply for admission either at the point of entry into ME, or at the end of Stage 2 of your studies in ME.

NUS has preferred not to initiate a separate Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering programme, because a degree specific to only Aeronautical Engineering may limit employment prospects of such graduates to the aerospace industry. Demand for such engineers may change if aerospace companies move their operations elsewhere, or if new technologies emerge.

On the other hand, an ME degree, together with a Certificate of Specialisation in Aeronautical Engineering, provides you with greater flexibility to work in amuch wider range of industries, including the aerospace industry.

A specialisation in a particular area is designed to focus and develop your knowledge and ability through related technical electives from Stage 3 onwards. You may also opt for a final-year-project (FYP) that is related to your specialisation to meet the requirements (note that an FYP is mandatory in some specialisations, but optional in others). You would receive a certificate of specialisation in the chosen field, on top of the B.Eng. (ME) degree scroll.

• Aeronautical Engineering
• Energy and Sustainability
• Industry 4.0
• Offshore Oil & Gas Technology
• Robotics

You may apply to enrol in one of the specialisations at the end of Stage 2; this is with the exception of the Aeronautical Engineering, Industry 4.0 and the Robotics specialisations, which can also be applied for at the point of admission. Places in our specialisations are limited, with selection to and continuation in a specialisation based on overall merit, as well as aptitude in related foundational courses.

Click here to read more on each specialisation!

Specialisations are optional, and meant only for those with a passion to pursue an engineering career in one of the offered areas. You would not be disadvantaged in the slightest should you choose not to specialise.

Many of our top graduates do not specialise, yet build highly successful careers in various fields of engineering. Not specialising would also allow you to explore more than one area of ME, with greater breadth in your training and the flexibility to enter different industries upon graduation. Engineers who are versatile and adaptable are in great demand given the fast-paced and ever-changing technologies of today.

This may vary to some degree from one year to the next, depending on the number and quality of the applicants for the course. Non-academic qualities and achievements may also be considered in admitting students to pursue ME, as the Department has the discretion to admit up to 10% of its students based not solely on academic performance. Hence, those who have an interest in and passion for ME are strongly encouraged to apply.

Find the latest Indicative Grade Profiles (IGP) for the University Admissions Exercise here.

Yes, a number of polytechnic courses are accredited by the ME Department. (The list of accredited diplomas can be found here.) Polytechnic graduates may be granted course exemptions up to the equivalent of one year’s worth of units (i.e. 40 Units). Several academic staff members have polytechnic backgrounds and there are staff members who have been specially designated to oversee matters relating to students who are polytechnic graduates. There have been an increasing number of polytechnic graduates applying to and successfully admitted to studying M.E. at NUS.

Yes, NUS has partnerships with many renowned universities around the world. Our students will have opportunities to spend one or more semesters abroad on student exchange or industrial attachment programmes. Students from our partner universities also come to NUS to read ME courses, thus providing many opportunities for interactions with others from different cultures and backgrounds. More information here.

All aspects of ME are relevant to Singapore’s technological industries. ME graduates typically work in the creative design and development of new devices, processes or systems, as well as their manufacture, testing and maintenance. The curriculum in the ME Department also equips ME graduates with the analytical skills much sought after by non-technical sectors, such as banking and finance. ME graduates are therefore very versatile and are employed in a broad spectrum of industries that include:

• Advanced materials
• Aerospace technology
• Aircraft maintenance and repair
• Automotive engineering
• Automation and control
• Banking and finance
• Defence technology
• Design, mechanical testing and consulting services
• General manufacturing
• Offshore oil & gas technology
• Pharmaceuticals
• Precision engineering

Every emerging technology also generates a need for Mechanical Engineers to translate technology into products and systems.

You may also refer to the most recent MOE Graduate Employment Survey (GES) to see how our recent graduates fared.