Getting into Engineering at University
What are the engineering degree subjects at universities?
Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to create machines or structures or processes. There are numerous categories of engineer including:-
- Aerospace – the design and propulsion of aircraft or spacecraft
- Agricultural – the design of machinery and equipment on farms
- Biomedical – machines and instrumentation of medical equipment.
- Chemical – processes to make food, drugs and fuels.
- Civil – large scale processes to build roads, bridges, dams, waterways and buildings
- Design and product – large scale systems and devices to build factories and production lines.
- Electrical – home and national electricity networks
- Electronic- solid state devices and circuitry.
- Energy – electricity production as well as new forms of energy and environmental issues
- Information systems – computers, transfer of digital and electronic information.
- Marine – production and design of all forms of shipping above and below water.
- Materials – properties of materials necessary to create structures, plastics, ceramics, glass and polymers
- Mechanical – development of machines
- Process / systems – processes to make chemicals into useful commodities or the use of IT systems.
- Structural – use and suitability of materials for structures, buildings , roads, bridges,
Most universities will run engineering degrees in several different categories of the 15 mentioned above. Some will specialize in STEM subjects such as Imperial College London or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
What subjects are required to qualify for university admissions in engineering?
Mathematics and Physics A Level IBDP HL subjects are most frequently demanded. Other subjects are biology, chemistry or further maths. In the UK two new T Level engineering subjects are being rolled out in the next two years to replace equivalent BTECS.
How easy it is it to get an engineering place at university?
As a generalization the number of successful applications for engineering is between 10% to 20% of the applications for engineering subjects. The most popular subjects are Mechanical, General, Electrical / Electronic, Civil and Aerospace Engineering all with more than 20,000 applications.
Which are the best engineering universities?
Depends on the particular subject! But the most in demand are
- Imperial
- Cambridge
- Oxford
- UCL
- Bristol
- Manchester
- Sheffield
- Loughborough
- Leeds
- Durham
- Glasgow
What grades do you need to get into engineering at a UK University?
The minimum grade requirements differ by subject and the league table position of the university. At the top end you will be required to have A*A*A including Maths and Physics or 36 to 38 points on IBDP including those 2 subjects at HL. Much lower down the rankings you might get an offer at CCC – an indication of just how many universities offer engineering degrees.
What other qualifications or experience do you need?
The elite universities really like to see you having done relevant work experience or at least a summer school. Say you were aiming to be an automotive engineer do some work in a car service centre. Make sure it is meaningful work such that you can incorporate your experiences into a well written Personal Statement. Some universities will require you to pass their own admissions exam and of course the elite universities will call you for an interview
Education Advisers can advise you on all these admissions issues.
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