Get the right qualifications
Make sure you do your homework on one of the most important choices you (or your students) will ever make, choosing the right options and the right college or university course!
To do an engineering degree you generally need have studied and passed A Levels in maths, physics or chemistry at A Level or the equivalent Level 3 qualification.
Many univerisities now run alternative degrees that offer places to students without maths at A Level or they offer the opportunity to do a foundation degree (normally 1 year) at the university before going onto the degree course, so again it's worth looking around.
You can also enter the engineering profession from the age of 16 thorough an apprenticeship scheme or you can do a GCSE in engineering or an engineering dipolma at school (if your school offers it) from the age of 14.
For an apprenticeship in engineering you will need a GSCE in maths and english.
There are also GCSE's in manufacturing and diplomas in maunfacturing and construction.
Here are some useful websites to help you (or your students) make those decisions.
Choosing an engineering option at school/college go to…
- GCSE Engineering - www.gcseinengineering.com
- GCSE Manufacturing - www.gcseinmanufacturing.com
- Engineering Diploma - www.engineeringdiploma.com
- Manufacturing Diploma - www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk
- Construction and the Built environment Diploma - www.cbediploma.co.uk
For more information about apprenticeships go to...
- Apprenticeships - www.apprenticeships.org.uk
To find out more about entry requirements to different degrees in engineering go to...
- UCAS - www.ucas.ac.uk
For more information about the different qualifcations you can do go to...
- Qualifications explained – www.qca.org.uk
Choosing a University Course go to…
- Times Online Good University Guide
- Education Guardian University Guide

