Career Change Engineering

[humanlabrador]

Hi, first post!

I am thinking about doing a BEng from the open uni. I was wandering if anyone here has done this? Is anyone employed in engineering here that has an opinion of the course? I understand the course if fully acredited by the Institue of engineering and technology but am a bit concerned as there are no entry requirements.

I already have a BSc so will have to finance this myself so its quite a commitment. I was thinking of taking As/A level physics and further maths prior to this but its not necessary?

Thanks

[MillyMollyMama]

I think you are slightly mis-interpreting the value of this qualification. The Open University says you shou?d take the MEng course for full accreditation to become a Chartered Engineer. The BEng, which is still 6 years, is a lesser qualification. My DH employs Civil and Structural Engineers but has never employed anyone who has an Engineering degree from the OU. Given that the best courses at university are MEng and 4 years full time with a huge amount of lab time, plus lots of students with Further Maths A level, it appears the top up needed by the OU to be equivalent can be 10 years. This is a very long career change!

Just for information, the Council of Engineering Institutions recognises courses which lead to Chartered, Incorporated and Technician status. I would honestly think the best route is to get the A levels and then do an appropriate undergrad course at a normal university. I think the OU might be better for people who are not qualified but are already working in the field of engineering. Others may disagree of course.

[catslife]

Would suggest that you contact the Institue of engineering and technology and see if there may be other (less lengthy) ways to change career. Do post grad conversion courses exist for example?
I assume that you have A level Maths as well as your BSc so would this be enough for you to move into some roles with Engineering companies? Even entering the workforce at a lower level and carrying out training provided by the company may suit you better than taking a second degree.
OU courses are really aimed at people with few traditional qualifications so perhaps you don't need to take extra A levels.
You don't say which science subject your degree is in OP (guess it isn't Physics or Maths though) but I know people who work in fairly senior roles who are not engineering graduates with degrees in Chemistry, Materials Science or Computing.