Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering

The main objective of the Degree in Mechanical Engineering, of the Coimbra Institute of Engineering, consists on the training, with a high level of technical and scientific competence, of Mechanical Engineering Graduates.
This cycle of studies aims to provide students with specific skills in the various areas of Mechanical Engineering, developing their practical skills based on sound theoretical knowledge, and providing the graduate with a multi-purpose capacity of intervention in the various professional areas of this Engineering field. It is also intended that graduates acquire adequate training that allows to continue their studies in Master’s and PhD courses.
The study cycle consists of a comprehensive training, including several areas of Mechanical Engineering, enabling graduates to carry out their activity both in the area of products production and the like, and in the area of general service provision.
The Degree in Mechanical Engineering has a total of 180 credits, distributed over 6 semesters (3 years).

Candidates can apply through the National Access Call, Special Calls, or by way of change of Institution/course pair.

Entrance Exams for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027

Entrance Exams
07 Physics and Chemistry
16 Mathematics

Minimum Scores
Application Score: 95 points
Entrance Exam Score: 95 points

Final Score Calculation Formula
Secondary School Average: 50%
Entrance Exams: 50%

Regional Preference
Percentage of Reserved Places: 25%

Influence Area: Aveiro, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Guarda, Leiria, Santarém, Viseu

Other Preferential Access Routes
Percentage of Reserved Places: 10%

Eligible Courses for Preferential Access:
602 Technical-Professional Courses (All Courses)
604 12th Grade Vocational Education (All Courses)
711 CAD/CAM Technician
718 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
745 Laboratory Technician – Foundry
748 Energy Management Technician
766 Energy Systems Technician
773 Intermediate Technician in Mechanical Construction Design
774 Mold Design Technician
814 Group 1 / Mechanical Engineering
G80 Vocational School Courses Prior to DL 74/2004
G83 Apprenticeship Courses (IEFP) – discontinued
P35 Mechanical Construction Design Technician
P49 Cooling and Air Conditioning Technician
P63 Industrial Maintenance Technician
P74 Metalworking Production Technician
S23 Mechanical Construction Design Technician – Dies and Punches
S24 Mechanical Construction Design Technician – Machinery
S25 Mechanical Construction Design Technician – Molds
S46 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
T34 CNC Machining Technician
T43 Automotive Production Technician
T51 Metal Treatment Technician

The Degree in Mechanical Engineering has as main career opportunities:
– Production organization and industrial organization;
– Industrial management and maintenance;
– Design (automation, mechanical constructions, fluid networks, heating / air conditioning systems, etc.);
– Quality control;
– Consulting;
– Production management;
– Air conditioning of buildings;
– Design and production of molds;
– Professional education and training.

Portuguese

The degree in Mechanical Engineering aims to train professionals able to exert their professional activities in several areas of mechanical engineering, with a high level of technical and scientific expertise, without disregarding the theoretical knowledge in basic engineering sciences. Being a comprehensive course, the graduates are able to carry out their professional activity in a multipurpose way, both in the industrial and service areas.

The study plan of the degree in Mechanical Engineering has a duration of three years, distributed over 6 semesters.

In the first year, fundamental concepts of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are transmitted, along with practical and physical foundations/fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering in key areas such as Applied Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Fundamentals of Materials Science. The practical component is valued, with students beginning experimental laboratory activities and also making practical contact with several computational tools and software packages.
In the second year, students receive training at the level of basic knowledge in Mechanical Engineering, ranging from Engineering Materials, Mechanical Technology, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulic Machines to Heat Transfer. Along with the laboratory activities, students should develop and present applied works and small projects.
The final year is dedicated to the deepening of the topics already addressed in the previous year in an application-driven approach, namely Machine Elements, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Equipments and Thermal Processes, Laboratory of Thermal Machines and Laboratory of Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing. The role of the engineer as a manager and as a maintenance professional is also valued, through the frequency of curricular units such as Organization and Management and Industrial Maintenance. The wide offer allows students the possibility to choose, one of three optional curricular units in each semester. Students finish their training by doing a project, which gives them the opportunity to develop skills for the practice of mechanical engineering.

The study plan allows students to develop and demonstrate knowledge in elementary mathematics, physics and chemistry, fundamental concepts of Mechanical Engineering, management techniques relevant to the profession of Engineer and professional responsibilities of the Engineer.

The course encourages the students to develop the following skills and abilities:
Intellectual skills – to analyse and solve engineering problems, design systems and apply professional judgment to balance risks, costs, benefits and impacts of their choices;
Practical skills – to plan and safely execute a series of experiments, prepare technical reports, use computational tools and software packages;
Generic skills – to communicate effectively, interpret drawings and diagrams, work as a team member, use information and communication technologies and learn autonomously in order to progress professionally.

Holders of a in Mechanical Engineering degree may apply for master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering area or related scientific areas.