What is engineering_leaflet
- 1. ??What isWhat isWhat is engineering engineering engineering engineering? engineering?? engineering? engineering? engineering Engineer Engineering is behind everything – from your mobile phone and make-up, to the car you travel in and the shoes on your feet. So, if you like maths and science, you too could create the latest must-have gadgets or provide water for drought plagued countries.
- 2. Engineering uses maths and science (especially physics) to improve the world around you, and it all starts with what you learn at school. It can be hands-on practical work, creative or problem solving. You could work with materials and chemicals to design new sports clothing, find new ways to preserve food – or even make the latest skin care products. Alternatively, what about a career in medicine, developing diagnostic equipment for hospitals or improving artificial limbs? Or why not join a team that designs safety features in cars or makes transport more efficient and eco-friendly? You could plan our road or rail networks to ensure we can get around quickly and safely. Or even design robots that do the housework. Then there are the engineers tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems. They are tasked to maintain clean water and energy supplies – or reduce pollution and our carbon footprint by finding sustainable ways to grow food, build houses and travel. And the list goes on and on! So, whatever you’re into – whether it’s music or wildlife, space or computer games, there’s a world of exciting possibilities in engineering on offer. You could get to travel the world, meet interesting people – and help improve our lives. thatmakeadifference… Engineering uses maths and science (especially Exciting jobs
- 3. How do Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. What’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design and computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus! Then – simply choose the best route for you… How do Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), Studying science (especially physics), maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing maths, design and technology and computing at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. at school will get you off to a great start. They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills They all provide you with some of the skills engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis engineers use and a great engineering basis for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. for apprenticeships, college, university or work. What’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design andWhat’s more, an interest in design and computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus!computers is always a bonus! Step 1
- 4. money while you study! money while you study! money while Ibecomebecome Study at your local college or training provider and qualify for further study or employment. As well as studying A levels (or equivalent) other popular engineering qualifications include BTECs at levels 2 and 3 or HNC and HND at levels 4 and 5 – foundation degrees are also available. Find out more about courses and entry requirements from your local college website or at www.hotcourses.com CollegeCollegeCollegeCollege money whilemoney while you study! money while you study! money while becomebecome an Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships (England and Northern Ireland)or Modern Apprenticeships (Scotland and Wales)combine study with employment and provide coreskills plus qualifications such as N/SVQ3and technical certificates. You will generally need a minimum of five GCSEs(or equivalent), including English, mathematicsand science or technology subjects, often at A* toC level due to competition for places. At the end ofan apprenticeship many decide to take full timeemployment, however it is also possible to go froman apprenticeship on to university. Find out more atwww.apprenticeships.org.uk ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships degrees are also available. Find out more Earn money while Earn money whilemoney while Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships (England and Northern Ireland)or Modern Apprenticeships (Scotland and Wales)combine study with employment and provide coreskills plus qualifications such as N/SVQ3and technical certificates. You will generally need a minimum of five GCSEs(or equivalent), including English, mathematicsand science or technology subjects, often at A* toC level due to competition for places. At the end ofan apprenticeship many decide to take full timeemployment, however it is also possible to go from Apprenticeships Step 2
- 5. Pick a specialist course – or try an engineering programme with a broad first and second year before specialising. A Bachelors degree (BEng) course usually takes three years while a Masters (MEng) takes four. Some courses also include a year’s placement on the job. Entry grades vary, as does the course content, but for most you’ll need maths (some will request further maths) and physics A level (or equivalent) – or for chemical engineering, chemistry A level (or equivalent). BTECs may also be accepted. If you have a very specific career in mind, check the course content is right before applying. Visit the UCAS website or contact the university directly www.ucas.co.uk As well as course content, think about what you want from a university when choosing where to go. Is it close to home? What is the cost of living? Is there plenty of student accommodation? Is it in a city or the countryside? Visit the ‘university’ section of our site where you can find lots of useful links to help with these decisions. Onceyougraduate,youmaydecidetocontinue tostudyforapostgraduatequalificationin engineering–suchasaMastersdegree(MEng) orDoctorate(PhD)–eitherfulltimeorwhileyou’re working.Notonlycantheseleadtoresearch roles,buttheycanalsolandyousomegreatroles inindustry,asthedepthofknowledgegainedis highlyvaluedbyemployers. University engineerengineerengineerengineer??engineerengineer
- 6. Whichever route you take into engineering – with the appropriate working experience – you can apply to become professionally registered with a professional engineering institution. Your registration options are Engineering Technician (EngTech), ICT Technician (ICT Tech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Once registered, you can use these letters after your name so employers and customers can see that you’ve achieved a high standard of engineering professionalism. Beyond Study Beyond Study Work Experience and Grants... Work Experience If you’re interested in becoming an engineer, why not find some work experience during the school/college holidays? Some universities are now requesting work experience as part of the application process for their engineering courses. So be one step ahead! Work experience placements can be difficult to find, so start searching as soon as you can to ensure you are not disappointed. Visit the ‘work experience’ section on our website for organisations to help you set up placements. And don’t forget to include details of your work experience on your CV and apprenticeship, university or college application forms. Be clear about what you did, explain what you learnt and demonstrate how this will help you with your career. Finally, there are organisations that offer sponsorships, grants and study bursaries to support you with your studies and research projects – we have a list in the ‘grants’ section on our website. www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk There are some degree courses which will give you a head start on the road to professional registration. Check the Engineering Council’s site to see if your chosen course is one of them www.engc.org.uk/education--skills/ accreditation/accredited-course-search You will also find a full list of professional institutions and benefits of membership in their ‘institutions’ section www.engc.org.uk Whichever route you take into engineering – with the appropriate working experience – you can apply to become professionally registered with a professional engineering institution. Your registration options are Technician (ICT Tech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Once registered, you can use these letters after your name so employers and customers standard of engineering professionalism. There are some degree courses which will give you a head start on the road to professional registration. Check the Engineering Council’s site to see if your chosen course is one of them Step 3
- 7. Engineers at all levels have comparatively good salaries. Engineering graduates start out earning on average £24,953, compared to an average annual salary of £22,364 earned by all graduates. In most industries, by studying to degree level, you’ll earn more over your career than those starting jobs straight from ‘A’ levels. It’s estimated that as a graduate you could earn around £108,000 more during your working life (taking all industries into account). But as an engineering graduate, you’d actually earn more than the average! It’s estimated you’d earn £144,000 more with professionally registered Chartered Engineers (CEng)* enjoying average salaries of £62,386 during their career. Can’t be bad! SOURCE: HESA/Destinations of leavers (2011), The returns to Higher Education qualifications BIS 2011, Engineering Council (2010) * A Chartered Engineer is an official title given to working engineers who have demonstrated their excellence in engineering. Other titles are Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech) and Information and Communications Technology Technicians (ICT Tech). For those who study for apprenticeships and other vocational routes, then work as Engineering Technicians, the approximate mean salary is £26,440. Source: ASHE data (2010) www.statistics.gov.uk What’s more, the chances of finding and staying in employment are really good. Emerging fields like space and satellite technology, medical engineering and construction along with ‘green’ jobs in renewable energy, alternative fuels, zero carbon homes and new nuclear energy means that the future is very bright for engineers of all levels. Engineering graduates start out earning on average Engineering graduates start out earning on average £24,953, compared to an average annual salary of £24,953, compared to an average annual salary of Engineers at all levels have comparatively good salaries. comparatively good salaries. Engineering graduates start out earning on average Engineering graduates start out earning on average £24,953, compared to an average annual salary of Engineers at all levels have W hat’s in it for you?
- 8. Check out our website for more information about engineering careers... www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk Or email us atcareers@engineeringuk.com www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk @ www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk @FIND YOUR ROUTE INTO ENGINEERING