Many students will have accumulated some financial debt during their studies. Industrial positions are characteristically on full salary, allowing students to earn in the region of £12-14,000, which goes some way to alleviating the situation.
How to be assured in the quality of the courses? It’s rather like buying an egg! Some hold a quality 'lion' mark, which guarantees that they have been checked and are fresh: others do not have the mark, but may be just as good.
The Institutions of Professional Engineering, which represent the engineering sector, regularly check university engineering departments for quality and appropriateness of their degree courses, a process called 'accreditation'. This assures the degrees will count towards the educational element of the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.
Even if it’s not indispensable to employment, this chartered status may be important to certain sectors of the industry - mainly defense contractors and construction - but is also recognized in Europe as the primary professional qualification. Some routes require an additional professional development program equivalent to one academic year, which is normally carried out within employment, plus suitable industrial responsibility. And other programs only require the industrial responsibility to qualify for Chartered Status.
Keep in mind you will spend three years or so at your chosen university, so take any opportunity to visit prospective departments and choose somewhere you feel comfortable. Consult with current students, look around the campus, check the facilities, speak to academic staff, ask questions, take your time, try and get a good idea of what the place is like. Unluckily, admissions teachers typically have contact with applicants after they have made their choice, so are unable to invite interested students prior to application. Just phone up and ask if you can visit before you fill in the organization form. Be practical!
How can you apply? Most universities are required to recruit undergraduates through organization, which restricts your applications to six. In conclusion, your options are reduced to one 'firm' and one 'insurance' offer. The normal entry requirement for accredited engineering degrees will be at least CCC at A-level or equivalent, including mathematics.
Be realistic in your aspirations, but also be tenacious - if you do not quite achieve the grades asked but really want your first choice, then contact the university. Consider admissions tutors will be attacked with clearance applications by phone, and would prefer to make an offer to an applicant considered previously than an unknown one.
As a final point remember that engineering is a highly creative and vital element in business and society. It is concerning ingenuity, has major impact on the social order, and is a highly rewarding career.
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