Study Mechanical Engineering in Europe: Universities, Entry and Fees

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Mechanical engineering is the classic engineering degree, and Germany dominates the offer: 137 of the 328 programmes in our catalogue. In most countries a place is not hard to get. Staying on the course through the first-year mathematics and mechanics is the real test.

Admission by country

Germany. Taught at universities and at universities of applied sciences, where courses usually last seven semesters and include a practical semester in industry. Most programmes have open admission. Many applied sciences programmes ask for a pre-study internship of several weeks in a workshop, which you can often complete during the first semesters. Mechanical engineering in Germany.
France. 54 programmes on Parcoursup, mostly the three-year BUT in mechanical and production engineering. The engineer's diploma itself takes five years, at an engineering school entered after school or after two preparatory years. France.
Czechia. 36 programmes at the technical universities, 6 in English. Czechia.
Spain. 33 four-year degrees. Access scores at public universities ran from 5 to 12.88 out of 14, depending on the university. Spain.
Italy. 32 three-year degrees; engineering faculties use the TOLC-I test. Italy.
Portugal. 25 programmes, closing between 116.8 and 179.8 out of 200. Portugal.
Switzerland. 11 programmes at the federal institutes of technology and universities of applied sciences. Switzerland.

University or applied sciences?

A research university teaches more theory and leads naturally to a master's degree. A university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule in Germany and Switzerland, polytechnic in Portugal, IUT in France) is more practical, with laboratory work and company placements, and many graduates start work after the bachelor's degree. In Switzerland, universities of applied sciences usually require a vocational baccalaureate or a year of relevant work experience.

What it costs

Typical fees for EU students at public institutions: no tuition in Germany, €178 a year in France, €697 a year in Portugal, €1,014 a year in Spain and €2,395 a year in Italy before income-based reductions. For non-EU students: €2,902 a year in France and €4,500 a year in Portugal. German public universities charge non-EU students tuition only in some states; see the cost of studying in Germany.

Language

18 programmes are taught in English, 8 of them in Germany. For the rest you need the national language at university level; for Germany see our guide to TestDaF and DSH.

Recognition

Engineering titles are protected in different ways. In Spain a mechanical engineering degree gives access to a regulated profession; in Germany the title Ingenieur is protected by state laws; in France the engineer's diploma is a five-year qualification. Inside the EU these are recognised under the general system, case by case. For most industry jobs the employer simply assesses the degree.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.