Career Decisions
Engineering degrees are often over looked by many students. However they are an excellent degree, enormously respected by employers.
“The combination of rigour and practicality in their training, as well as the wide range of disciplines to which they are subjected during their studies, makes engineering graduates attractive to a wide range of employers in engineering, finance, commerce and other areas.”
You do not have to pursue an engineering career at the end. You do however need to have a strong aptitude in both physics and maths, taking both at A level. Further maths would also be valuable. The other thing to bear in mind is that they are not as popular as many other courses and therefore this is often reflected in lower university offers. Universities are also very keen to attract women onto their courses.
Engineering is a broad subject so you will have to decide whether to specialise in civil, chemical, electrical, aeronautical or mechanical engineering for example, or simply take a general engineering degree. If you specialise in a particular area (e.g. mechanical) you’ve got a higher chance of scoring a better job in that field, although it could be said to limit the breadth of positions available to you. Those who don’t specialise generally enter careers in commerce, teaching, the civil service and journalism where an engineering education is a useful preparation.
If you are unsure of the kind of engineering you wish to specialize in, many universities offer general engineering programs for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, allowing students the opportunity to experience the different specialties before having to opt for one to complete their degree.
Mechanical Engineering
This is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. It involves the application of physical principles for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a broad field of engineering that deals with the planning, construction, and maintenance of fixed structures, or public works. Civil engineers are responsible for things such as roads, structures, water supply, sewage systems, flood control and traffic.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the application of science, in particular chemistry, physics and maths to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. Chemical engineers are engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products and chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, adhesives and composites for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline that deals with the study and application of electricity, electromagnetism and electronics.
Aeronautical Engineering
Aeronautical engineering is the branch of engineering that concerns aircraft, spacecraft and related topics.
It is now common amongst international engineering programmes not simply to offer a bachelors degree, but an integrated graduate programme where an additional year immediately turns the undergraduate degree into a Masters qualification – these are often referred to as MEng degree programmes. You’ll need this if you want to become an accredited chartered engineer, and it tends to be the most popular option.
Most undergraduate degrees also offer the option of a sandwich course combining studying with working in industry for your third year. This is very common and a sensible approach to gaining a first class work placement.
You may also want to take a gap year before university and work in industry – look at the opportunities in the gap year section of this web site for more detail as well as the opportunities provided by YINI.
View Work Experience Opportunities in Engineering
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Science & Technology Facilities Council(STFC). The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe’s largest research organisations supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. Activities carried out cover a wide range of science, engineering and technology, including materials science, engineering and instrumentation, particle physics, space science, accelerator based technologies, information technology and e-Science. They offer […]
- Rolls Royce – work experience programmesRolls Royce UK WideGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Rolls-Royceis a global company, providing integrated power solutions for customers in civil and defence aerospace, marine and energy markets. They offer a work experience programme for 14-19 year olds. Applications need to be in by November. Requests need to come from the school or college, rather than directly from the student. You also need to […]
- Renishaw – Work Experience PlacementsRenishaw Gloucestershire, Wales, BristolGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Renishawis a global company with core skills in measurement, motion control, spectroscopy and precision machining. They run 2 schemes for A ‚Äòlevel students: Work experience Renishaw offers approximately 40 one-week work experience opportunities for year 10 and year 12 students. Preference is given to those students who are studying Maths and Science and who have […]
- Ramboll – Work ExperienceRamboll London, BirminghamGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Rambollprovides school students in the United Kingdom with the opportunity to gain valuable engineering-focused work experience. They provide a work experience programme that runs throughout the year and offers access to a range of work activities. These placements provide students with the chance to work as part of a team, introducing you to a variety […]
- ArcadisArcadis London, Manchester, Bristol, BirminghamGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Arcadisprovide design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services. Theyoffer a weeks work experience called Future weeks, that are run across the country. To apply, emailemergingtalent@arcadis.com.
- Lockheed Martin – Work ExperienceLockheed Martin Havant, Whiteley, London and AmpthillGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Lockheed Martinspecialise in the development, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company works with more than 100 business partners and employs more than 3,000 people in the UK across 20 sites, working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors. They offerstudents the opportunity […]
- Leonardo – Work Experience programmeLeonardo Yeovil, Basildon, LutonGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Leonardoisa helicopter company, based in Yeovil Somerset, run four one-week work experience programmes, in March, April and July. They offer 2 Work Experience Programmes in helicopters and in electronic defence.Leonardo Helicopters is offering a unique opportunity for both GCSE and A-Level students to gain an insight into the design and build of Helicopters at Yeovil. […]
- Uk Electronics Skills Foundation – engineering summer schoolUk Electronics Skills Foundation AnywhereGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Uk Electronics Skills Foundationoffer a five-day Headstart residential summer school for 16-17 year old school students who are studying subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths. They provide an opportunity for you to find out about degrees and careers in electronics and electronic engineering before making your UCAS applications. They also run ascholarship schemefor students […]
- The Engineering Education Scheme – 6 month programmeThe Engineering Education Scheme UK WideGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
The Engineering Education Schemeis an EDT Programme, which links teams of four Year 12 (A level) students and their teacher with local companies to work on real, scientific, engineering and technological problems. The scheme provides you with an in-depth experience in science, engineering and technology. The programme is 6 months and includes: Hands-on work experience […]
- Costain -Work ExperienceCostain London, Manchester, Maidenhead, Birmingham, AberdeenGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
Costainoffer work experience to 14-18 year olds in an engineering and construction environment. This will provide you with the opportunity to experience working on a project or in a head office environment where you will learn core behavioural skills such as communication, team-working, and interpersonal skills, as well gain an awareness of the breadth of […]
- Bentley Motors – Work ExperienceBentley Motors CheshireGCSE / A LevelPosted 4 years ago
The Bentley MotorsLtd work experience programme is designed to offer students aged 14 -19 valuable experiences in key business areas. The programme is for students who are enthusiastic, focused on quality and who are currently studying towards qualifications related to their area of interest. They offer a variety of week-long placements in Engineering, Manufacturing and […]