Mechanical Engineering in Twente & Amsterdam
In addition to the well-known bachelor and master programs Mechanical Engineering (ME) of the University of Twente (UT), we offer in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) also the new bachelor UTVU Mechanical Engineering programme since 2019. This offers students, who have chosen a Nature & Technology Profile in secondary college, the possibility to apply for a technical bachelor at a university in their region, catering for the enormous demand for academically-trained professionals in the labour market. The UTVU Mechanical Engineering bachelor program is a co-location of the program at the UT, that students follow partly in Amsterdam and partly in Twente. After graduating with the BSc-ME at UT or UTVU, students can continue into the master Mechanical Engineering at UT or other masters.
The Educational program - projects & courses
The three-year UT-VU bachelor Mechanical Engineering takes place partly in Amsterdam and partly in Twente. The courses and projects in the bachelor program are related to relevant themes: Manufacturing, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Maintenance, Technology of Healthcare, Thermal & Fluid Engineering. The UT bachelor Mechanical Engineering and the master Mechanical Engineering are provided in Twente. The language for the programs is English. In the Mechanical Engineering Master's programme, students compose their own programme with one of the seven specialisations.
STUDENTS GET ACQUAINTED WITH REGIONAL COMPANIES BY 'COMPANY-U' ACTIVITIES
Twente Regiodeal Leonardo & Company-U activities
The University of Twente - Faculty of Engineering Technology, companies, and Provincie Overijssel - Twente region, collaborate and co-invest by the Regiodeal Twente Talent Leonardo project, to connect technically highly educated talent with the regional technology ecosystem.
In Company-U activities, students are introduced to Mechanical Engineering in professional practice during the UT&VU bachelor's program. "Company-U" expresses the valuable connections that are made between companies and students and the university. The interesting technology ecosystem in the region around the UT has a special place in this. Many companies are working on developments and various applications in sub-areas of Mechanical Engineering. Students learn how the theory and processes they learn about in study, are used in practice and see "the next level". They see which jobs Mechanical Engineers have in the companies. Students can use these experiences in their further choice of study and career.
Students meet companies
Connections with professional practice are made through guest lectures, excursions, and several ways of project engagement. In the second year of the bachelor's program, students are introduced to companies in the context of study and career orientation. Companies give introductory sessions and later in the academic year, students spend (part of) a day joining a company of their own interest. These introductions provide students desired insights: what opportunities are there as a Mechanical Engineer after completing the study, and which master's specializations are related to their area of interest.
Graduation assignments with companies
In the UT&VU bachelor's program, students have the option of doing an internship in the third year and/or doing a graduation assignment in collaboration with a company. In the assignments, the connection is made between topics in companies and the themes of the Mechanical Engineering course. It gives students insight into how what they have learned can be applied in practice. In these collaborations, valuable personal connections are made for further study and professional career.
Companies in the wider region around the University of Twente provide assignments to welcome highly skilled technical talent.
Why companies invest in internships and graduation assignments:
- Students involved are highly motivated, eager to learn, "high yield" employees whose enthusiasm can motivate employees.
- Internships provide a personal and effective journey to engage and connect with talent.
- Graduates who have interned with a company show the need for less job orientation and training.
- A way of keeping up with new methods, theories, and concepts related to business areas.
- Opportunity to promote the company on campus through returning interns - goodwill ambassadors and "image builders".
- Closer relationships between academics and companies can be developed.