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Studying engineering degree guide

There’s no question about it, engineering is a crucial aspect of the modern world. It’s needed for all sorts of things, from constructing buildings and designing vehicles, to developing new products and more. There are a few different branches of engineering so we’ve given you a general overview of the subject as a whole in this guide.

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
03 Nov 2022

In technical terms, engineering is the application of scientific and practical knowledge to build, create and maintain structures and machines. An engineering degree will help give you the skills and knowledge to become an engineer in the specialist area that you decide to pursue. Read on to find out if an engineering degree is a good option for you.

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What do you need to get on an engineering degree?
 


Average entry requirements for engineering are:

  • UCAS points: 160 – 120
  • A-levels: A*A*A* – BBB
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA – AAAB
  • BTEC Nationals: D*D*D*– DDM
  • International Baccalaureate: 36

Most engineering courses will also ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in maths and another science like chemistry or physics.

What engineering degrees can you study?



Degrees in engineering include:

  • BEng Engineering (3 years) 
  • MEng Engineering (4 years)
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering (4 years)
  • MEng Electronic Engineering (4 years)
  • MEng General Engineering (4 years)

What topics does an engineering degree cover?
 


Common modules for engineering include:

  • Maths 
  • Engineering science 
  • Mechanics
  • Electronics
  • Design
  • Structural mechanics
  • Measurement and data
  • Statistics
  • Thermodynamics 
  • Industrial design
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Aerospace engineering 

What do you learn studying an engineering degree?
 


Studying an engineering degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:

  • Industry materials and machinery usage
  • Technical terminology
  • Advanced maths
  • Construction knowledge
  • Design knowledge

More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include: 

  • Problem-solving
  • Decision making
  • Critical thinking
  • Innovation
  • Project management
  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Attention-to-detail

What professional accreditations can you get with an engineering degree? 
 


Some engineering degrees are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council. This can help with registration to become a Chartered Engineer. Other accrediting bodies, depending on your engineering specialisation, include the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). 

What can you do with an engineering degree?
 


Engineering graduates will have loads of opportunities to work in all sorts of industries. Here are some examples of jobs that engineering graduates can apply to:

Where to study engineering?
 

How long is an engineering degree?
 

Some engineering degrees last three years (BEng). However, most will include a master’s year (MEng), making the course last four years. Some courses will also include a sandwich year (placement in industry).

How will you be assessed?
 


Engineering courses usually involve assessment through:

  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Presentations
  • Projects

What are the postgraduate opportunities?
 


As stated, many undergraduate engineering degrees will already include a master’s degree. Other options for further study include:

  • MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering 
  • MSc Engineering Management  
  • MSc Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering 
  • MSc Civil Engineering
  • MSc Materials Science and Engineering
  • PhD Engineering  

What alternatives are there to an engineering degree?
 


Not sure if an engineering degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects: