School of Engineering and our community

Our School is a thriving, international community of staff and students addressing the world’s critical challenges across all disciplines of engineering.

Our research

We’re a leading centre for innovation and our research is carried out across seven institutes:

Bioengineering
Imaging, Data and Communications
Energy Systems
Infrastructure and Environment
Integrated Micro and Nano Systems
Materials and Processes
Multiscale Thermofluids

Silicon Wafers and Microcircuits with Automation system control application stock

Our research directly informs your teaching. You will learn from our researchers who are addressing diverse and complex challenges across the entire field of engineering including:

Transition to a low carbon future
Next generation materials processes and manufacturing
Digital health/biomedical engineering
Data and communications driven innovation, sensing, robotics and AI
Making urban and rural infrastructure and the environment safer and healthier

Find out more about our research

Facilities

We have a wide range of teaching labs and a student Makerspace located on campus for engineering students including:

electrical power labs
mechanical labs
two chemical engineering labs
fire lab and structural testing lab

Depending on your programme of study, some students enjoy access to a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) server to train deep learning algorithms for their MSc projects.

Discover our facilities

Through your research project, you may also be exposed to one or more of our world-leading research facilities. We have over 60 laboratories and workshops and host to a number of small research facilities including:

FastBlade – the world’s first rapid fatigue testing facility for tidal turbine blades
FloWave - a wave and current simulation tank for testing and developing novel ocean energy technologies
The Scottish Microelectronics Centre – facilities and expertise in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), semiconductor, and nano fabrication and characterisation
The National Robotarium – joint facility with Heriot-Watt University, to test and develop robotic, AI and automated technologies

Take a virtual tour

Our community

We have an active community. You will be supported by Academic Advisers and Cohort Leads who will help you foster connections and get the most out of your studies.

Each semester, we offer engaging events that blend academic and social interaction. Academic events may include guest lectures, programme-specific industrial visits, research and dissertation workshops or PhD guidance sessions. These events provide valuable insights and opportunities for professional growth. Our social events are fun gatherings, which might be a pub quiz, an organised dinner or a local walk.

These activities are an excellent way for you to meet your peers, learn new skills, and become an integral part of our vibrant student community.

Student Societies

You will have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the thriving engineering student community here in Edinburgh, with a diverse range of student groups offering something for everyone. You could join a range of trailblazing engineering student-led projects, on everything from Hyperloop technology, to driverless race cars, sustainable engineering, rockets and satellites.