Engineering Degree Guide

In general terms, Engineering focuses on the way man-made things (such as engines, machines, structures and technological tools) work. However, Engineering is a broad subject area that covers a wide range of different disciplines, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering (to name but a few).

Which one is the right discipline for you, and what are your options for studying it? Our guide has all the answers...

What A-Levels Do You Need to Study Engineering?

The exact entry requirements will vary between unis and between specific Engineering degree courses, but on the whole entry requirements tend to be on the high side. Most of the top unis will want anything from BBB (DDM at BTEC) to A*AA (D*D*D* at BTEC) at the likes of Oxford and Cambridge. You might some that will accept as low as CCC, so it pays to shop around if you aren't feeling as confident about your A-Levels.

For most universities, your Level 3 (A-Level, IB, or BTEC) subjects will need to include Mathematics and a 'science' subject. For many unis this will mean Physics or Chemistry, but some will accept technology and engineering subjects and subjects such as Further Maths or Statistics as 'science' subjects.

What Universities Can I Study Engineering At?

Many top universities offer a number of specifc enginering degrees - here's just a few of them:

Bangor University - 6 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

University College London (UCL) - 8 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

Teesside University - 22 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

University of Brighton - 19 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

University of Chichester - 9 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

University of Hertfordshire - 27 Engineering Degrees for 2020 entry

Search the full list of Engineering courses in the UK here.

What Are Your Study Options?

While some universities will offer a generic Engineering course, most will offer degrees in specific areas of Engineering. You should think carefully about which area most appeals to you before applying to university, as – although there may be some similarities – each individual discipline will have a very different focus.

You’ve got the likes of Chemical Engineering, which involves the manipulation of raw materials; Mechanical Engineering, which deals with machines (and how to repair and operate them); Civil Engineering, which involves the building and maintenance of structures like bridges, roads and buildings; and Electronic Engineering, which involves building electronic devices and renewable energies.

Due to the nature of Engineering you will be taught in lectures as well as a more practical, lab-based setting. The course will usually last for three years (you’ll get a BEng qualification at the end of it), but if you want to become a Chartered Engineer you’ll need to stay on for a fourth year and get your MEng.

Due to the practical nature of Engineering, many courses will also encourage you to do sandwich year in between your second and final year; this will involve working for a year in industry, gaining practical experience and helping to improve your job prospects.

Why Study Engineering?

Because there’s something incredibly satisfying about making something that works. If you’ve got a talent for Maths and Design and a natural flair for solving problems, then Engineering should be right up your street. Imagine actually building a bridge, for instance. Like a proper, working bridge that people really walk and drive on. How cool would that be?

The other good thing about Engineering is the career prospects. As mentioned earlier, engineers have a huge impact on society and its day-to-day running, so they’re always in demand (and the pay is pretty good).

In this video, staff and students from Staffordshire University explain the benefits of studying engineering, and how the invaluable connections you'll meet along the way will enhance both your knowledge and working experience:

After Your Degree...

There are a number of different career options available to you after you graduate, depending on which area of Engineering you’ve chosen to study. Civil Engineering graduates might go on to work for big construction companies, for instance, while Chemical Engineering grads might go to work in research, or for the energy sector.

As mentioned earlier, if you want to become a Chartered Engineer you’ll need to stay at uni for another year to get your MEng; this will help give your job prospects a further boost, as well as giving you the chance to earn a higher salary.

Q & A With an Engineering Student

Patrick Naish studied MEng Software Engineering student at the University of Southampton...

What did you emjoy the most about your course?

I most enjoyed the coursework in modules such as Computer Graphics, Compilers, and the Part 3 Project, which challenged me to trial new concepts and technologies.

What key modules did you study in the first year?

I studied Programming Principles, Advanced Programming, Discrete Maths, Formal Methods, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, Personal and Professional Development, and System Administration, although they’ve changed since I started my course and are now Design, IT Modelling, Algorithmics, Programming 1 & 2, Computer Systems 1, Data Management, Professional Development, Business Information Systems, System Design, Systems and Platforms, Foundations of Computer Science, and Software Modelling and Design.

What did you do after you graduated?

After doing two summer internships (along with shorter Christmas and Easter ones) for Micro Focus, I was offered a job starting in the August after graduating.

How did the course help you achieve your career ambitions?

I didn't have a lot of confidence in my group work or presentation skills before I came to university, but the focus on some modules – particularly the 4th year Group Design Project – on teamwork and group presentations has really helped me to develop those skills, and made it easier to cope with interview situations for internships when I was looking for one.

Additionally, the skills I've gained in other areas, such as a better understanding of data structures and the hardware principles underlying modern systems, have helped me to get a better general appreciation for how to solve problems in a system design project.

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