DS wants to do 'engineering'...

[LittenTree]

I am an FE numpty. I know nothing. DS is in Y9 and is showing aptitude in science/maths- not at a very high level, I should add, but I believe he'd be capable of science/maths 'A' levels.

He has suggested he'd like to 'do engineering' at FE. I confess I am wholly supportive of thsi ambition as I believe STEM is where the jobs of the future will lie.

Now, how and where do we go about finding out what the options for engineering are, which colleges offer what he might choose to do etc? I don't know which are 'good' now as I'm looong out of the system!

There are other routes, too, like joining a big company at 18 and working whilst studying simultaneously, I've heard, but is there an 'umbrella' place where such information is stored?

His school, whilst an excellent comp, goes to 16, then it's 6th form college where I trust he will be guided; but forewarned, etc!

[LonelyCloud]

I'd point out that doing a BEng degree doesn't necessarily bar you from getting chartered.

Chemical engineering graduates with a BEng can still get chartered, but the IChemE (chemical engineering institute) requires them to do "further learning to masters" - either through doing stuff in the workplace, or by doing more academic study. Although I do agree it would be generally simpler to do the extra MEng year if that was an option.

Whynotchemeng gives some info on chemical engineering for students thinking about a career in chemical or process engineering. Agree that going to events like the big bang fair is good if he's thinking of an engineering career.

If your son wants to do engineering of any sort, maths is essential. Physics (and chemistry for chemical engineering) are also very important. If he gets the chance to do single science GCSEs, he should do those, to be better prepared for science A-levels.

He may also be able to apply for engineering apprenticeships depending on where you live. I know a couple of mechanical and electrical engineers who started out as apprentices doing day release study at local universities.

[androbbob]

My advice (as a Chartered Civil Engineer) would be to look at the entry requirements to be a Chartered Engineer - these days a Masters degree is needed to become Chartered. He may change his mind as he gets older so perhaps do not narrow your options down. I did not do an engineering degree, just Maths & Computer Science and was able to become Chartered. Several degree courses are automatically considered to be the academic level required for C Eng, so investigate those.

Working backwards again, then as you say, you can either do engineering at college after GCSE's and some of these have a broad base, or you can do general A levels in science subjects - definately maths as it is a good base for engineering.

A good college or university will have links with the industry and provide some non academic based experience.

There are quite a few forms of engineering and some Universities will do a basic general engineering first year and then allow the student to specialise later on - which exposes them to all other types of engineering.

I should add that the money side is not great but the rewards are seeing things built! My kids know all the work I have designed locally!!!

There may well be a shortage of engineers, but in civil engineering there are many graduates who are unable to find a job. You can also do day release courses at universities that allow you to work (and earn!), gain general experience, while studying for your qualifications at college one day a week. This obviously takes longer, but works for some people.

[Bellaciao]

OK just to add

1 B Eng is not just separating technicians from design engineers. My son with B Eng (mentioned above) has just (after completing the graduate scheme) got a job on very good pay for his age of 25 (30K) as a stress engineer - not a techinician - and could have got a job as design engineer at the UK company where he works.

2 You do not need to have an M Eng to become chartered as he has been offered the opportunity (but this is not a requirement) to work towards becoming chartered if he wants to.

3 The (Russell Group) university he went to in fact taught the same course to all 1st and 2nd years and it was only in the third year that the M Eng students diverged from the B Eng and in fact it was possible to transfer from BEng to M Eng based on performance irrespective of A level grades.

When he went for the graudate scheme he had a choice of 2 jobs and the first one he was offered matched the salary of the grad scheme and upgraded the post from technical level to mehcanical engineer to try to attract him, and I wouldn't say he is in any way a high flier.

Of course I don't "Know a bit about education" especially engineering but this is based on my son's own recent experience. I am not saying don't aim high but it is possible to succeed in engineering even nowadays - without the top level degree.

Hope this helps.

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

Was that supposed to contradict any of my posts, Bella?

[LittenTree]

I am still 'lurking' and reading with interest, thanks for the ongoing input- I am already the wiser!

[wanderingalbatross]

I'd also add that it's a better idea to do a more general engineering degree, if it's possible, and specialise later. Having a more general undergrad degree will keep his options open, allow him to change his mind, and be better for working in cross-discipline areas in the future.

There are many 1-year postgrad masters (that's different to the 4 year undergrad MEng) that allow you to specialise, or you can get training on the job. Obviously that's a long way off for him, but it is worth bearing in mind that there are many ways to specialise in the future and he doesn't have to decide which area of engineering to go for now.

Second all the advice about maths, physics and programming.

Engineering is a great degree to have, hard work at times, but definitely worth it :)

[OneLittleToddlingTerror]

It's definitely worth it to have a numerate degree. If he chooses to study it at university level, another career choice is finance. Many of my classmates and former colleagues now work in the City.

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

A course with a general first year is great. Not only does it delay the decision- making for a further year, it gives an understanding and appreciation for the other engineering disciplines. Most engineers work in multifunctional teams, so this understanding is useful, if not vital.

In the course I did, all engineers did engineering and maths in the first year. Chemical Engineers did Chemistry, and the others had a free choice of a third subject. The Eng I course cycled through Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Chemical Engineerings, with lectures, labs and tutorials. Everyone signed up for a specific honours degree at the start, but a fair number switched at the end of the first year.

[LonelyCloud]

Not all universities require general first years (but I agree it's great if you're not sure which engineering discipline to go for).

The university I went to offered an engineering foundation year, aimed at students who didn't have the maths or science needed to go straight onto an engineering degree, and also at students with maths & science who weren't sure which engineering degree they wanted to do.

However, students who'd done maths & science and knew which type of engineering they wanted to do could go straight onto a specific engineering course. I did that, and the course was focussed on my engineering discipline from the start. The only module we did with other engineering students was engineering mathematics. This also meant that I didn't have to do a programming module - yes, we had to be able to use process modelling software and set up calculations using excel - but no having to do a module on learning how to do C programming or similar.

[harvestvestibule]

MEng is necessary for accreditation and RG unis are looking for A*AA to AAA
Not sure waht all the angst on here about C is. I learned it a few years back and it'snot hard at all.

[JustGettingByMum]

Op, as your DS is still a bit younger, its well worth looking at the courses run by The Smallpeice Trust as these are available from Y9 onwards and allow you to learn about different types of engineering to decide what "clicks" for you.

[2rebecca]

Russell Group universities aren't necessarily the best for many engineering degrees, alot of new uni/expolys have a technical base and good links with industry and get good student satisfaction and career prospects and can require lower grades. The grades you require to get in aren't necessarily a reflection of how "good" the course is even though league tables act as though this is the case.
I friend of mine who is a uni professor moved his course up the league table and got more applicants by increasing the grade requirements because he decided it would make the course look more prestigious. Nothing else changed about the course.

[bangwhizz]

Hmm well I would take 2Rebeccas advice with a pinch of salt.Firstly most of these places don't offer an Meng so they have then to study more to get chartered status. So why not do it as a properly planned Meng from the start? Also Unistats do not bear out her claims about career prospects

[MariscallRoad]

One has to be very specific which kind of degree and specialisation of engineering they are talking about because there is a great number of them and not all of them are taught in every school. Besides there are specialised research centres in schools. That is why it is good to read about the kind of eng you would like to study and then go to an open day

[Lilymaid]

I'd agree with you Bangwhizz. There are courses and courses and for engineering like other subjects the better places to take the more academic courses tend to be the larger and well established universities (so DH says and he's a Fellow of two engineering institutions and a visiting professor of engineering).
I'm thinking of places such as Manchester University, Imperial, Strathclyde, Bristol, Nottingham, Cambridge ... and quite a few others.

[2rebecca]

Strathclyde and Heriot Watt are 2 of the best places in Scotland for engineering degrees. Neither are Russell group unis, both offer MEngs so NO my advice does not need to be taken with a pinch of salt, I have experience in the field and do know what I am talking about.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Could somebody explain the Headstart courses. Are they residential and how long do,they last?

(Sorry to barge in )

[MariscallRoad]

Is it this one perhaps? www.etrust.org.uk/about_edt.cfm

[2rebecca]

Yes, that's the link to them. My son applied for one but it was all a bit last minute and casual (typical boy) and last year only 2/3 of applicants got a place so I suspect he's been unsuccessful as he hasn't heard yet.
They sounded very good and are residential with academic and social stuff. Wish I could go on one! As well as sounding fun and giving you an idea of whether or not you fancy engineering and if you do which type you fancy they are another thing to stick on your personal statement.

[NewFerry]

The (only) down side to the headstart course is that they generally take place in the summer of Y12, so it's quite late to do a first engineering course. If you can, try 1 or 2 of the smallpeice courses first. Then apply for the head start in Y12.

Obv this advice is refundant if you are already in Y12!

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thanks, my DS is in Year 10 but is, currently very enthusiastic about going to Uni to do Chem Eng.

Where are the residential courses held?

[2rebecca]

At the universities, if you follow the headstart course links Mariscallroad put on then it tells you which universities put on courses and about the residential aspect and cost

[NewFerry]

Both smallpeice and head start are held over a large number of unis across the UK.
Click on their websites for more details, smallpeice definitely good for Y10.
Actually, I've just Checked, they go right through to Y12, so if you've missed a head start, then it's definitely worth looking to see if smallpeice have any places.

By the way, my DS did his first smallpeice in Y10, and although its held at the uni and they stay in uni accom, they are really well cared for and supervised at all times.