Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering

Sustainable Design Engineering

If you enjoy solving technological problems and want to create sustainable solutions for people and the needs of the future, this is for you. A Mechanical Engineer, with the expansion in Sustainable Design Engineering, knows how to find real needs of people and organizations, designs products, machines and services in creative cooperation, and respects the natural world and future well-being by making sure that these designs have a sustainable basis.

Mechanical Engineering combined with the sustainability and design thinking approaches can make huge positive impacts towards a better world and future for people and the planet: 

Mechanical Engineering
Technologies form the basis of the modern world, and it is at the core of mechanical engineering to make things work as effectively as possible from the viewpoints of functionality to material usage and energy consumption. The studies include engineering mathematics, materials and production and structural mechanics, just to mention a few. 

Sustainable Development
Sustainability forms the background for all – whatever we do, it must fit the sustainability frame, so that life can foster on this planet now and in the future. Understanding circular economics, material and product life-cycle analysis, social and cultural elements is key. 

Design thinking
While engineering and technologies are the ways HOW to make things work as well as possible, the design approach gives the purpose, the meaning, WHY we do things – what are the real needs and the most crucial problems to be solved from the perspectives of LIFE and in both, the big picture, and the human-size living. It means learning e.g., human-centered methods, creative ideation, and visualization, prototyping and concept design. 

 At Turku UAS, you study in modern learning environments with cutting-edge laboratories and workshops, and versatile spaces for independent and group work. Between and after lessons and lab work you can have a good time at the campus with your study buddies by, for example, playing pool or table tennis.  

Working life-oriented education

In Turku UAS, you study in modern learning environments with cutting-edge laboratories and workshops, and versatile spaces for independent and group working.

The studies consist of contact teaching and independent study with the help of literature and various learning assignments. The studies include plenty of practical exercises and teamwork.

Cooperation with working life plays a significant role. Practical assignments received from companies are solved as project work. Various assignments from companies increase expertise and create good contacts and networks in working life.

The degree programme is conducted as full-time studies, which means that studying requires participation in classes on campus and cannot be completed as full online studies.

Study contents and curriculum

Structure of the studies 

In English-language education in Mechanical Engineering you can direct your studies by specializing in Sustainable Design Engineering. The extent of the degree is 240 ECTS credits, and it consists of: 

• Basic Studies 75 ECTS
• Professional Studies 90 ECTS
• Optional Studies 30 ECTS
• Internship 30 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS 

Specializations

The common specialization path for this bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering is Sustainable Design Engineering, where you deepen your competence by studying the core knowledge and skills in sustainability and design, and by combining them with engineering skills in practise e.g. in real life projects and challenges.  

For more information on the studies, see the curriculum on our study guide:

If you have fluency in Finnish, you can also study the Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering in Finnish. The degree programme conducted in Finnish offers more options for specialization. Read more on our Finnish website.

After graduation

Mechanical engineers are highly sought after on the job market and Finnish technology industry has good prospects. Also, there is a growing need for engineers who also understand the human-centred design and sustainability perspectives. Typical tasks can be found in engineering and design offices, industrial companies, public organizations, and technical trade tasks. With experience, the career opportunities diversify into demanding expert positions as well as supervisor and management positions.

Mechanical engineers specialized in Sustainable Design Engineering can navigate in the fuzzy front-end of the design process by finding the real needs of e.g., factory workers, and by understanding the circular economy requirements and possibilities. They can design creative technological solutions to fulfil those needs and requirements, e.g., everyday products, industrial machines, public services, and systems that combine these elements in human-centred and sustainable ways.

For example, graduates work in these positions: