Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Malta College of Arts Science and Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant) at MCAST is a 4-year full-time program (240 ECTS, MQF Level 6) designed for students passionate about plant engineering, equipping you with essential skills in mechanical principles to tackle real-world problems across industries like manufacturing, energy, and HVAC systems. It suits those with a strong foundation in physics and math—such as holders of an MCAST Advanced Diploma in Operations and Maintenance (60%+), Undergraduate Diploma in Foundations of Engineering, or 2 A-Levels (C average in Physics and Mathematics) plus 2 I-Levels—who want hands-on training including an internship to launch a career as a plant engineer or systems designer.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays a strong foundation by diving into core engineering basics, where you'll explore Fluid Mechanics to understand liquid and gas behaviors in plant systems, Electrical Technology for wiring and power essentials in machinery, and Plant Technology to grasp industrial setup and operations. This year builds your problem-solving toolkit through practical labs, setting you up to apply these concepts confidently from day one.

Year 2 ramps up with dynamic systems, focusing on Control Principles to learn how to regulate automated processes, Heat Engines for mastering thermodynamics in power generation, and HVAC modules that teach heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning design for efficient plant environments. You'll gain the know-how to optimize energy use and troubleshoot real plant issues.

Year 3 emphasizes advanced integration, featuring Control Engineering for designing smart control systems, Vibration Analysis to diagnose and prevent machinery failures, and deeper dives into electrical and fluid applications tailored to plant operations. Hands-on projects here sharpen your ability to innovate in complex industrial settings.

Year 4 culminates in professional mastery, blending technical expertise with managerial skills through capstone projects, environmental engineering units, and internship experiences that tie everything together for solving industry challenges. You'll emerge ready to lead as a mechanical analyst or hotel engineer.

Focus Areas
Fluid Mechanics, Plant Technology, Control Principles, Control Engineering, Electrical Technology, HVAC, Vibration Analysis, Heat Engines, plus managerial and environmental engineering modules.

Learning Outcomes
Develop skills to apply mechanical principles for solving engineering problems in diverse work environments; design and analyze plant systems; demonstrate professional teamwork, communication, and project execution; and add value through sustainable, managerial insights.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This MQF Level 6 honours degree aligns with engineering standards for plant professionals, preparing you for roles like mechanical engineer, plant systems designer, or engineering analyst, with pathways to warranted engineer status via MCAST's Pre-Warrant courses.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
MCAST's engineering programs boast strong industry ties in Malta's growing manufacturing and energy sectors, with graduates highly sought for practical skills—official stats highlight direct entry into roles like hotel and plant engineering, supported by the college's focus on internships and real-world relevance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At MCAST, our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant) dives deep into hands-on learning right from the start, so you'll build real-world skills in areas like Fluid Mechanics, Plant Technology, Control Engineering, HVAC, and Vibration Analysis through practical sessions in dedicated workshops and simulators. You'll get access to industry-standard tools, software, and equipment provided by the Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET), plus the college's Library and Resource Centre for study resources—everything tailored to mechanical plant engineering needs at our Main Campus in Paola. This setup means you're not just studying theory; you're applying it in environments that mirror power plants, water treatment facilities, and more, preparing you to solve engineering problems on day one.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain experiential learning through program-specific facilities and activities:
- Practical training modules (up to 180 hours for mechanical engineering students) in engine management, mechanical fitting, welding, fabrication, and sheet metal work, led by experienced IET lecturers.
- Workshops and simulators equipped for hands-on work in control principles, electrical technology, and programmable logic controllers (PLC), with access to power electronics and microcontrollers.
- Annual IET Project Expo at the new IET building (Block N, Corradino Campus), where you'll showcase group projects alongside peers in mechanical, electrical, and related fields.
- Research labs like the campus-wide micro-grid training and testing facility developed by MCAST Energy, plus involvement in EU-funded projects (e.g., H2020 JUMP2Excel) for plant-related tech.
- Site visits and field trips, such as to Enemalta PLC power plants and international conferences with presentations and stakeholder panels on topics like photovoltaics.
- Software and digital tools including mechatronics elements, PLC programming, and engineering analysis software provided via IET resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At MCAST, our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering (Plant) dives deep into hands-on learning right from the start, so you'll build real-world skills in areas like Fluid Mechanics, Plant Technology, Control Engineering, HVAC, and Vibration Analysis through practical sessions and projects. You'll get full access to industry-grade tools, software, equipment, and machinery tailored to mechanical engineering modules, all provided by the Institute of Engineering and Technology at our state-of-the-art Main Campus in Paola—ensuring you're working with the same tech employers expect. This means turning theory into practice on actual plant systems, preparing you to solve engineering problems in industries like power generation, manufacturing, and beyond.

Here's how our experiential learning ramps up your skills with specific program resources:
- Workshop Practice sessions (like ETMEC-606-1808) for hands-on fabrication and assembly of mechanical components, fully face-to-face with 150 total learning hours per module.
- Specialist mechanical laboratories supported by qualified technicians, equipped for experiments in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat engines, and plant machinery evaluation.
- CAD software and engineering design tools for simulating complex products, assemblies, mechanisms, and plant systems—essential for your design modules.
- Library and Resource Centre with paper and electronic study resources, plus a state-of-the-art technical library for research in mechanical engineering topics.
- Tools, software, equipment, and machinery specific to modules like Control Principles, Electrical Technology, and Environmental Engineering, including simulators and workshops as required.
- Practical sessions and projects where you'll apply principles to real plant engineering scenarios, with consumables sometimes student-provided but core facilities fully college-supplied.