Your program

In each semester you focus on a different topic. In semester 1 it’s construction engineering. In semester 2 it’s energy systems engineering. 

The academic year runs from September to August. In that time you have 42 weeks of education. The rest of the time you have holidays.

Are you missing home? Are your classes too challenging? Want advice about your internship? Your study coach is there to help you with such issues. Or you can discuss them with your learning team. This is a group of 6-8 Mechanical Engineering students, supported by a learning team coach (teacher). The team meets at set times throughout the year. 

HAN uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This system is part of the bachelor-master structure. ECTS credits are a measure of the workload of a degree program.  

At the end of 1st year, you receive study advice. The credits you’ve earned are an important factor in this. Positive advice means you can move on to the 2nd year. Negative advice means you have to stop. That way you don’t waste time on a program that doesn't really suit you. 

The difference is that you are now working more independently. Your projects are more complex and you work for external project owners! 

Most importantly: you take a big step towards becoming a professional mechanical engineer. How? By gaining practical experience during your internship. The internship lasts for 1 semester. 

Your internship is your first chance to work as a professional mechanical engineer. Where you’ll go? To an international company or research institute. You can choose from companies like Marel, Mars, Festo, DAF, Scania, NXP, ASML, Besi, Nuon, Heinz-Kraft or Bosch. Another option is to get a position at one of our research groups. A thorough preparation program gets you started. 

This mechanical engineering degree is connected to various HAN research groups. What does that mean for you? As a student you get to work on actual research projects for external project owners. In your 3rd year you join a professional learning community together with staff from these research groups. The community shares knowledge and findings. One of the research groups is HAN’s Sustainable Electrical Energy Centre of Expertise (SEECE). Other groups are Control Systems Engineering, Sustainable Energy and World Class Performance. 

HAN offers a number of interesting minors in the field of electrical and automotive engineering. Another option is studying at another university or even going abroad. You get to choose the subject. Are you interested in continuing your studies after you bachelor degree? Then take a bridging program for your minor. This gives you a thorough preparation for the next step in your study career. 

The final step in your mechanical engineering degree: the graduation assignment. Your task is to research a real issue for a company or organization. Where? You could go to an internationally renowned company, for example Marel, Mars, Festo, DAF, Scania, NXP, ASML, Besi, Nuon, Heinz-Kraft or Bosch. You might prefer a smaller, innovative firm in the region. Or one of the research groups. During the assignment you work as an independent mechanical engineer. You’re not on your own though. A company coach and HAN lecturer are there to guide you. 

Now you have your Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Congratulations! The program you've completed is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). That means you now have an internationally recognized degree. Are you ready to join an international company? Or further your expertise with a master degree?