51ÊÓƵ

CONTENTS 

1. Routes to becoming an engineer
2. Skills required 
3. Finding work experience 
4. How to get a job as an engineer
5. What it's like to be an engineer

Routes to becoming an engineer 

There are eight engineering specialisms listed below. Click on each specialism to find out more about why and how to study your chosen specialism. 

• Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering 
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• General Engineering 
• Manufacturing & Production Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Motorsport Engineering

Whichever specialism you choose, you might want to learn more via an undergraduate degree or on the job doing a degree apprenticeship. Graduate engineering schemes are a great way into your first job and postgraduate degrees could help you progress your engineering career.

Undergraduate degrees

An undergraduate degree in engineering is a good route into the profession. For some roles, a degree in any engineering field is accepted but for others like chemical, electrical or mechanical, you’ll usually need a specific degree. Courses take between three and four years to complete depending on whether a placement year is involved. Entry requirements for engineering courses vary greatly depending on the type of engineering course and the university and typically range from 64–180 UCAS points. Check out our course chooser tool for more details here. 

Degree apprenticeships 

A degree apprenticeship could be a good alternative route if you prefer learning on the job. You’ll do approximately 80% practical work and 20% academic study. Large organisations like Network Rail, British Telecommunications and KPMG all offer apprenticeships amongst others. You can find opportunities via Find an apprenticeship or you could contact a company you’re interested in working for directly. Your employer will pay your university fees and provide you with a wage throughout your apprenticeship. You could also be offered a permanent job with the company you’ve trained with on successful completion. An apprenticeship usually takes four years but could take less if you already have prior relevant experience. 

Postgraduate degrees

A postgraduate degree isn’t necessary for most graduate level roles but could be useful later for career development to deepen your knowledge and forge new industry connections. You’ll usually need an undergraduate degree as a minimum. Postgraduate degrees take between one and two years to complete depending on whether you study full or part time.  

Skills you’ll need 

Successful engineers often have the following skills: 

• Problem solving 
• Team working 
• Planning 
• Project management 
• Communication (written and verbal) 
• Analytical thinking  
• Maths knowledge 
• Confident using computer systems and software packages 

Finding work experience 

Work experience, an internship or volunteering will help boost your chances of securing an interview and a job in this competitive area. Depending on the area of engineering that appeals, try looking for work with: 

• Energy companies 
• Telecommunications businesses
• Airports
• Car manufacturers  
• Retail companies
• Industrial organisations  

How to get a job as an engineer  

Engineers in all seven key areas are highly sought after so it’s a good idea to think about the kind of companies you’d like to work for. Look out for graduate engineering schemes and consider joining a relevant professional body like the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). You’ll pick up job hunting tips and build a network of contacts.  

What it's like to be an engineer  

Depending on your role and specialisation, your tasks could include: 

• Consulting and planning with the client 
• Building and testing prototypes 
• Testing and evaluating equipment  
• Installing and repairing equipment  
• Analysing and mapping data using computer modelling software 
• Using computer aided design (CAD) to create blueprints 
• Evaluating project costs, time and labour 
• Writing technical reports on project progress, risks and issues 
• Reporting to clients and government agencies 
• Monitoring progress at each stage 
• Making sure sites follow health and safety rules 

You might work outdoors on a construction site or inside in an office, operating plant, factory or lab. Starting salaries vary significantly depending on the type of engineering field you’re involved in.   

As you progress your career, you could move into a team management role. If you work for a larger company there may be opportunities to work on more prestigious complex projects, increasing your engineering and project management skills.  

Is a role as an engineer right for you? 

If you enjoy applying scientific and practical knowledge to build, maintain and improve structures and machinery then a role in engineering could be for you.