The Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering programme focuses on mechatronics.

Studies include manufacturing and material technologies, 3D modelling, electrical engineering, mechanics, product design and development. In addition, studies include control system design: hydraulics, pneumatics, programming, robotics and simulation.

Engineers need good basic skills and knowledge in mathematics, natural sciences, product design, product development and manufacturing technology. That is why these areas form the main content of the programme during the first and second year of studies. These areas provide a strong basis for professional competencies in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, mechatronics studies provide students with a diverse knowledge of designing machine parts.

Project management is a special emphasis in your studies each academic year. It covers the principles and methods of managing processes, projects and change.

Project working is also an integral part of the study methods in Mechanical Engineering. Engineering skills, including working life skills, are learned via projects. Good interpersonal and communication skills are a must when working on global projects, involving people representing a wide range of nationalities and cultures. Managing different types of networks is also an essential skill for a future technology industry expert.

The degree consists of 240 ECTS. According to the curriculum, one academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS, which is equivalent to 1600 hours of a student’s workload. The study methods consist, among others, of contact lessons, distance and independent learning, e-learning, project work, and practical training. Research and development activities can be some part of your studies.

You can familiarize yourself with the content of the degree program by using the curriculum.

The Mechanical Engineering programme is fully conducted in English. Please note that you are expected to have sufficient English language skills to conduct your studies fully in English.

Studying in English and in a multicultural learning environment is the best way to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that worklife in engineering provides.

Finnish language is an inherent part of life in Finland and the Finnish culture. Although many Finns speak English quite well, Finnish is the main language of every day operations. Knowing the Finnish language can also be an important factor in finding employment in Finland.

Finnish language studies are integrated in the English-taught programmes. By improving your Finnish language skills yearly you can also get 10% extra scholarship for the next academic year.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will have a wide range of career opportunities. The studies include a diverse perspective on technology and project management which will give you a good background to work on demanding tasks.  Your studies, including practical training, will help you to find your own career path and professional interests.

Mechanical Engineers are often employed in positions of experts and managers who are responsible for planning, product development and project management. In addition, Mechanical Engineer may work with manufacturing, commissioning and sales support of technological products and services.

Possible job titles for mechanical engineers are:

• Development Engineer, Design Engineer, Patent Engineer
• Commissioning engineer, Installation Supervisor, Inspection Engineer
• Project Engineer, Project Manager
• Maintenance Engineer, Service Engineer, Product Support Engineer
• Production Planner, Production Engineer, Foreman, Production Manager
• Sales Engineer, Sales Manager, After-sales Manager
• Technology Advisor, Consultant, CEO

The technology industry is the most important business in the North Savonia region with its 1.7 billion euros revenue and about 800 million euros of exports each year. In the region, there are 9000 directly employed employees and 13500 employees who are employed indirectly in the technology industry.

Many of the region’s businesses operate in international markets at the leading edge of their field of operation. Their core know-how is concentrated around commercial vehicles, such as state-of-the-art forestry equipment, mining and pile-driving machines, and in furnace and boiler technology in the field of energy technology.

The Mechanical Engineering programme cooperates with the region’s industrial enterprises while undertaking their research, development and innovation work. The businesses can participate in Savonia’s projects by partially funding the activities or they can directly purchase the different RDI services provided by the DPME’s experts.

The significant volume of functions demonstrates the fact that the RDI Unit of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has succeeded in identifying the current and future needs for the development of the local businesses. With many of the businesses, the current cooperation can be described as a true partnership; for example, there are mutual benefits, continuity and varied actions. The internships, thesis and other project works conducted as part of the education represent the foundation for cooperation with these companies, but also the RDI projects are based on collaboration with the businesses.

“As over 95 % of our Products are sold overseas and all the continents in the world, we see the cooperation with local universities as a very important part of our future personnel development. We constantly need more local talent for our operations around the world.

We have been establishing our support organizations strategically in important areas like North America, Latin America, South East Asia  It is important to hire local people because they already understand the local culture and way of doing business in their area, in this process Savonia plays a key role for us and we want to commit and continue the fruitful co-operation we have already established with Savonia!

Our kind of products have been developing rapidly in fields of digitalization for example and in servicing modern machinery we have constant demand of new kind of talented engineers in designing and servicing the equipment around the world.”

– Miika Eskelinen, Vice President / Junttan Oy

Our Bachelor of Engineering groups are multinational and multicultural by nature, so you will get accustomed to an international work environment from day one. In addition, the Bachelor of Engineering programme itself is designed for internationalisation. Close cooperation with our international partners brings you in contact with people and organisations outside Finland, making it possible for you to compare views, share knowledge and work side by side on projects by using technology-based communication tools as well as meeting in person.

Student exchange is also a natural and recommended part of your second-year studies, and internships (basic and/or professional) may take you anywhere in the world.

Our selection of language studies is substantial, complemented by the offerings of the University of Eastern Finland. For students outside Finland, learning Finnish has a key role in entering Finnish community and maximizing the opportunities in working life. Multicultural study groups provide a good basis for your personal experiences in all aspects of internationality.

The thesis at Savonia is always work-related. This gives you a good opportunity to network with professionals in your field already during your studies, and often the thesis turns out to be a starting point for your career.

The thesis includes the cooperation between you, working life and the Savonia University of Applied Sciences – from choosing the topic to set the goals and actually doing it. During the process, you show that you can work independently in recognising, evaluating and solving developmental challenges in working life. Professional reporting and communication skills are required as well.

Your work-related thesis can be:

• A developmental project, which you or your team plan and implement based on the requirements of your client. Examples of such a project include product or service development, work-flow development and information material development such as a guide or manual.
• A research-oriented project, where you or your team will perform appropriate research activities to shed light on the developmental or problem-solving needs of your client.
• A compiled thesis, where projects, research or scientific articles done during the studies are gathered together and reported as a synthesis.

Your thesis process will be supported by business research studies, thesis seminars and methodology workshops. You can do your thesis independently or in a group.

A Bachelor of Engineering degree is an internationally recognized and approved qualification. A Bachelor of Engineering graduate is eligible to apply to continue theoretical studies at most universities across the world. Often the following Master’s degree can be completed in 2 years, depending on the field of study and the student.

However, should you wish to continue your studies to the Master level at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences, you will be directed to start your working career to gather two years of work experience before entering a Master’s programme.

Savonia’s research and development work is shown to students in everyday life via the project and thesis work. Savonia has selected four areas of focus for education and RDI. One of them, which is very important to Mechanical Engineering, is integrated product development. Research is undertaken in collaboration with enterprises and other organizations.