Mechanical Engineering

At the Mechanical Engineering programme, you will work with innovation, product development and design. You will gain insight into sustainable materials, technologies and constructions, while learning to include social, economic and environmental conditions in the development of new products. Study Mechanical Engineering – and contribute to the construction of a more sustainable future.

Type

Bachelor of Engineering

Duration

3 years, 6 months

Campus City

Horsens

Study start

August

Internship

20 weeks

How to apply

Admission and enrolment

To enroll in the Mechanical Engineering study programme, you must fulfil the admission requirements. Applicants with foreign diplomas must apply by 15 March at 12.00 noon.

  • Admission requirements - one of the following:

      • Upper secondary school leaving certificate/high school exam
      • The International and the European Baccalaureates
      • Danish Admission course for Engineering programmes

    Specific admission requirements

    In addition to the admission requirements, all applicants must also meet the following specific admission requirements:

    • Mathematics equivalent to a Danish A-level
    • English equivalent to a Danish B-level
    • Physics equivalent to a Danish B-level or Geoscience equivalent to a Danish A-level
    • Chemistry equivalent to a Danish C-level or Biotechnology equivalent to a Danish A-level

    Information about the specific admission requirements

    • An A-level in Mathematics is 375 instructional hours of 60 minutes each
    • A B-level in English is 210 instructional hours of 60 minutes each
    • A B-level in Physics is 190 instructional hours of 60 minutes each
    • An A-level in Geoscience is 375 instructional hours of 60 minutes each
    • A C-level in Chemistry is 75 instructional hours of 60 minutes each
    • An A-level in Biotechnology is 375 instructional hours of 60 minutes each

    Each of the subjects above must be passed with a min. average of 2.0 on the Danish grading scale. And the instructional hours must be obtained during the last three years of Upper Secondary School.

    Non-Danish applicants must include a copy of the original exam certificate and a transcript of records plus a state-authorised translation of their transcript of records in either Danish or English.

    English proficiency certificates 

    All study programmes taught in English require a certain level in English proficiency. Go here to find English proficiency requirements and how to document these.

    Important to know about the assessment of your application

    Applications received before the deadline (15 March, 12 noon) will be assessed by the means of the following criteria:

      • Motivational video
      • Exam results from your upper secondary school
      • Grade point average of Mathematics equivalent to a Danish A-level and English equivalent to a Danish A-level
      • Work experience. Please upload CV and Employers Declaration (pdf) at optagelse.dk. 
      • Relevant courses
      • Other relevant documented qualifications e.g. international IB, elite sports, volunteer work etc.

    This is why it is very important that you upload all possible relevant documentation with your application before deadline, also if you do not graduate until summer the given year.

    Verification form

    Important information: Applicants with non-Danish entry qualifications need to fill in a verification form to verify the total number of hours of instruction of the specific admission requirements for the study programme (see above). The total hours of instruction must be obtained during the final three years of upper secondary school. 

    To be accepted, the verification form must be stamped and signed by your upper secondary school.

    Download Verification form (pdf).

    Math Syllabus

    Mathematics is the "language" of engineers. Good mathematical knowledge is therefore important as a student in an engineering programme - both to understand the mathematical concepts, but also to be able to apply mathematics.

    If your secondary school mathematics syllabus does not include all topics listed, you can with great advantage practice mathematics before the study-start, as it will make it easier for you to follow the mathematics lessons. List of mathematics competencies recommended for the programme: Download list. 

    Appeal – due to legal matters

    You can file a complaint with the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, if the complaint concerns legal matters related to your decision. The deadline for submitting a complaint is 2 weeks from the day the decision is informed.

    This means that you can complain if you believe the decision violates applicable laws, such as the Public Administration Act, the Act on Gender Equality, and general principles of administrative law. You cannot complain about academic assessments and specific judgements.

    If you still believe the decision violates applicable laws, you must send your complaint to VIA University College at apply@via.dk, no later than 2 weeks after the decision is informed. If the case is not reopened, VIA will forward the entire case to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.

    Complaint Manuals Guide — English (ufm.dk)

  • Apply online through optagelse.dk. The application portal opens on 1 February every year.

    The area code for the programme is not available yet.

    International applicants

    International applicants must apply before 15 March at 12 noon.

    Find a step-by-step guide for application to VIA here:

    EU applicants

    Non-EU applicants 

    Danish applicants

    Applicants with a qualifying exam from a Danish upper secondary institution can apply through quota 2, deadline 15 March at 12 noon, or, quota 1, deadline 5 July at 12 noon. Find out how here:

    How to apply for Danish applicants 

    Available study places

    All available study places will be published on 28 July here.

  • Admission with special permission

    If you do not fulfil the entry requirements but have other professional qualifications that can be equated to the missing entry requirements, you can apply for admission with special permission. Read more here. 

  • Whether you need to pay tuition fee or not depends on several criteria. As a general rule, students from the EU and EEA countries study are exempt from paying tuition fees in Denmark. 

    For further information on tuition fees and to find payment plans, go to the Tuition Fees page. 

    Terms and agreements

    Terms and agreement between partners and VIA University College can be seen in the different contracts under:

  • For questions regarding admission requirements and enrolment – contact our Admissions counsellors at studieservice.info@via.dk or chat with us here. We are usually available on the chat weekdays from 12 noon - 1 PM.

Meet students and graduates

Why study Mechanical Engineering? And what does graduate life look like? Learn more as current students and graduates share their stories and insights on everything from study environment and internships to career paths.

Student life

The Mechnical Engineering study programme is a professional bachelor’s degree, which means that theory and practice go hand in hand. You will work with cases and assignments close to reality, which will prepare you for your future work life.

  • At the Mechanical Engineering programme, you learn to develop and design products, machines and technical systems that actually work.

    At VIA, you will get a technically strong education founded in actual application. Here, you will build solid understanding of materials, mechanics and construction behaviour.

    You will work with the entire development process - from idea and digital modelling to proto type, test and final solution. 

    Through exercises in our tech labs, digital simulations and automation tasks, you will learn to optimise function, sustainability and production.

    You will also gain skills in project management, cross professional colaboration and technical problem solution, which will enable you to translate theory into concrete, usable solutions.

    Programme structure:

    1st semester:Mechanics and technical documentation
    2nd semester: Machine design and materials
    3rd semester: Machine elements and electrical engineering
    4th semester: Automation, energy and business
    5th semester: Internship
    6th and 7th semester: Specialisation and bachelor's project

    See semester descriptions here

    The full course catalogue will be available here as soon as possible.

  • Classroom teaching and project work

    At the Mechanical Engineering programme, teaching primarily takes place in the classroom and with emphasis on applied science and project work. This means that you will learn about theoretical concepts  through practical assignments, projects and cases from real industry businesses. Thus, your teaching will vary between theory and practice.

    During your education, you will obtain practical engineering skills though exercises in our state-of-the-art labs on campus in Horsens.

    You will work both individually and in groups on assignments and projects. During the first semesters, all students will be assigned to study groups.

    Collaboration industry partners

    At VIA, we educate engineers in close collaboration with the engineering industry. Therefore, we visit industry partners throughout the programme. Here, you will meet mechanical engineers and learn about their workday and tasks, while gaining insight into the industry you will become a part of after graduation.

    Industry visits are great opportunities to experience what your future work life could be like. Being close to the industry you will work in and getting a sense of how mechanical engineers contribute with specific skills already while you are studying, motivates and engages students and prepare them for what lies ahead.

    Full time studies with preparation

    Be aware that the Mechanical Engineering programme is full time and requires an average of 40 hours of studying per week, including assignments, and reading.

  • At VIA’s engineering programmes, there are plenty of opportunities to emerge yourself in the study environment once you are enrolled.

    We have a lot of different associations, which you are more than welcome to join. We have both social, academic and political associations, or you can join the social life at Friday bars, parties or by playing board games in the afternoon.

    Study start

    During the first days of your first semester, you will be introduced to your study programme and the study environment at your new campus – with your class and students from other engineering programmes. Study start is comprised of an academic introduction to your programme, as well as social activities, where you get to know your fellow students. Furthermore, you will get an introduction to Campus Horsens and the city of Horsens.

    As a part of study start, you will meet your lecturers, student counsellors and mentors. They are all ready to answer your questions and tell you about your new programme. An experienced student from the Mechanical Engineering programme will be assigned to you as your mentor and help you settle in your new role as a student at VIA.

    Most of our programmes have study start in the end of August, but the final programme and dates will be announced at VIA’s intranet for students MyVIA. You will get access to the site if you are enrolled at one our programmes.

    Campus Horsens

    The Mechanical Engineering programme is based at our Campus in Horsens, which has an international study environment with students from all over the world.

    When you are not studying, there will be plenty of other things to do on campus. At VIA, we have a lot of different associations, which you are more than welcome to join. We have social, academic, and political associations, or you can join the social life at Friday bars, parties or by playing board games in the afternoon. Learn more about activities on and off campus here.

    In addition to social activities, we also help students wanting to start their own business in VIA Student Incubator, as well as career counselling in the Career Centre. 

    Campus Horsens has an international student environment with students from all over the world.

    Read more about all the facilities and services Campus Horsens has to offer here!

    Or, if you need more information on life in Denmark, for example on how to find housing, go to our life in Denmark section!

  • Living Costs

    You should expect average monthly living costs between  DKK 6500 and 7500 (roughly 875 - 1000 EUR), including accommodation. More about living costs in Denmark here!

    Financial support

    SU is a monthly grant provided to students by the Danish government. Provided that they fulfil a number of requirements, e.g. having a contract for 10-12 work hours per week, EU citizens may also be eligible for SU. More information about SU for foreign students and how to apply.

    Scholarships

    At VIA, we do not offer financial support options to tuition-paying international students from outside the EU/EEA. Learn more about tuition fees here.

  • Curricula and other documents are under development and will be posted here as soon as possible

Ideas are great - want to be able to bring them to life?

Mechanical Engineers learn to turn ideas into design of a finished product 💡

Internship and international opportunities

The Mechanical Engineering study programme includes a 20-week internship at the 5th semester. Here, you will get the chance to test the skills you have learnt at the programme in practice.

  • Experience through internship

    During your internship, you will put the skills you have learnt at your study programme into practise. You will get a taste of the types of tasks you will carry out in your future career in mechanical engineering.

    Mechanical Engineering students have found internships in industries such as:

    • Offshore and wind turbine
    • Energy sector
    • Consulting engineering companies
    • Research and development
    • Manufacturing companies in e.g. food, medical equipment or plastics
    • Transport sector

    The internship can take place in a company of your choice in Denmark or abroad. If you are planning to work in Denmark after graduation, we highly recommend doing your internship in Denmark, as this builds your professional network and increases your chances of landing a job after graduation.

  • What are my tasks during my internship?

    During your internship, you will solve assignments and tasks at equal footing with other employees. You will usually be paired with an experienced colleague, who can provide professional guidance and support and you will also be assigned an internship supervisor from VIA.

    As you build your skill set, you will typically gain more and more responsibility for your own projects and assignments.

    The internship is a great chance to develop your skills and build a professional network. Sometimes students are hired as student workers by their internship hosts after their internship ends. In addition, many students choose to write their bachelor’s thesis in collaboration with their internship host – or otherwise use the knowledge they obtained during their internship for their bachelor's project.

    Finances during your internship

    Internship hosts are not required to pay their interns, but many, especially companies in the private sector, do so anyway. The amount varies from company to company, but the intern salary recommended by the Danish Engineering Union (IDA) is 16,200 DKK/month.

    If you are not paid and you are eligible for SU, you will continue to get this during your internship.

  • We will help you find an internship host

    You are responsible for finding an internship host yourself. However, you will get support from VIA for the process.

    We work closely with local businesses in Horsens, but have contacts all over Denmark. In addition, VIA's Career Centre is also able to help you with contacts in Danish companies, as well as companies abroad if you want to take your internship in another country. They are also able to assist you with your CV and provide support in the application process.

    If you are planning to live and work in Denmark after graduation, we recommend that you take your internship here, as you will get to build your network and get relevant experience from a Danish workplace.

Job and career

At VIA, we educate engineers in close collaboration with the industry, and through out your education you will be in contact with companies, who might become your future employer. That is what we call education close to practice.

  • As a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, you are ready for the labour market and have many different career options. With a degree in mechanical engineering, you can apply for jobs such as Construction Engineer, Development Engineer, Project Manager, Energy Consultant, Environmental Consultant or Production Manager.

    Great career options

    You will have many great career options as a graduate of mechanical engineering and graduates are in high demand all over Denmark. You will have a great skill set with engineering competences, as well as personal skills and business acumen combined with specialised knowledge in the mechanical and industrial sectors.

    These skills makes you a competent engineer and as a VIA graduate you are ready to collaborate cross professionally.

    Mechanical Engineering work in many industries

    Graduates of Mechanical Engineering find work in many different industries. Here are a few examples:

    • Offshore and wind turbine
    • Energy sector
    • Consulting engineering companies
    • Research and development
    • Manufacturing companies in e.g. food, medical equipment or plastics
    • Transport sector

    Want to become an entrepreneur?

    The Mechanical Engineering study programme will provide you with a solid base if you want to start your own business, e.g. as a consulting engineer or by starting your own manufacturing company. VIA’s Student Incubator provides support and guidance for students with entrepreneurial ambitions.

  • A typical salary for an entry-level position is 41,350 DKK/mo.

    With 10 years of experience a typical salary is 55,000 DKK/mo.

    This is on par with other Mechanical Engineering degrees from other Danish educational institutions, as well as corresponding civil engineering programmes.

    Source: Uddannelseszoom

  • With a professional bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, you will be able to take on further studies, for example with a master’s degree in engineering science at a Danish university or abroad.

    Currently, VIA is collaborating closely with Danish universities on securing direct access to master's studies for graduates of Mechanical Engineering from VIA. This page will be updated with more information as soon as possible (late summer 2026).

  • The Career Centre at VIA's Campus Horsens offers a range of career services to students. You can book a counselling session for advice on how to write a great CV or cover letter, updating your LinkedIn profile or how to look for jobs and internships in Denmark.

    The Career Center regularly organises events and workshops where you can meet company representatives face-to-face in order to find a job, internship, project work or a full-time job related to your field of study.

    More about VIA's Career Center

Contact

  • For questions regarding admission requirements and enrolment – contact our Admissions Counsellors at studieservice.info@via.dk or chat with us here. We are usually available on the chat weekdays from 12 noon - 1 PM.

  • If you have questions regarding the academic content of the study programme, you may contact our student counsellor:

    Rebecca Bennick Sandmann

    E: rebs@via.dk

  • VIA Mechanical Engineering
    Banegaardsgade 2
    DK - 8700 Horsens 

    T: +45 87 55 00 20 
    E: horsens@via.dk

    Opening hours

    Monday - Thursday at 07:30 – 15:30
    Friday at 07:30 – 14:30 

    Find us on Google Maps

    Read about Campus Horsens

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