Comp/Eng/Product Design/Accountancy

[stubiff]

Still early in the process so have some time re this.
DS has mentioned the following, at times, for possible career - Computing, Engineering, Product Design and Accountancy.
Now, obviously, there a degrees or similar quals for all of these.
But, the question is - are there some degrees, which DC are doing or have come across, which are a bit more unusual in these areas, or combine the areas, which may trigger an interest.
E.g. Games Design and Programming, Financial Computing, etc.
Thanks.

Something like a Design Engineering course?

Be very careful with Engineering and choosing something different. The course must be accredited by the Engineering Council. You can search courses that are on their web site. Don’t do any course that’s not accredited because becoming a Chartered Engineer becomes a lot more difficult if your degree isn’t recognised! MEng is better than BEng if you have the A levels in the right subjects at the right grades.

The Engineering Council also gives an overview of all the different types of engineering and is a great resource. Then you can dive into each Engineering Institution to see if it floats your boat! Don’t accept any recommendation for a course that’s not accredited.

There are degrees in Computer systems engineering that may be of interest.
For Computing degrees you need to check if they are registered with the British Computer Society.
Accountancy as a career post degree is open to candidates with any numerate degree.

How about this one, Product Design Engineering at Glasgow University & Glasgow School of Art:

www.gsa.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-degrees/product-design-engineering/

Here is the same degree but the link from the Glasgow University site:

www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/productdesignengineering/#tab=5

It might depend on his A Levels and predicted grades but another view might be to do a broader degree and specialise later if he is unsure about what he really wants to do.

What does he like and what is he good at?

There's quite a big difference between computing, engineering, accountancy but, for instance, a degree in maths would leave lots of career options open (but would close down engineering).

My advice would be to encourage him to speak to as many different people as he can in different fields, read through the course content of the things that he might be interested in and consider where local universities might have open days/events that would give him a flavour of different things.

If your concern is to trigger interest in one or another field, perhaps it would be useful, depending on his age, to look at Smallpeice and Headstart courses?

Thanks for the replies so far.
Would like to keep the thread on subjects rather than accreditation. I was aware, via another thread, of the BEng/MEng/Chartered thing and will keep that in mind when the time comes.

Will look into all the suggestions.

How about robotics? Here's an example of a course which combines aspects of mechanical and electronic engineering, computing, AI and design.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2022/mechatronic-and-robotic-engineering-meng

Also - not quite what you're asking, but many engineering degrees will have quite a bit of computing in them, and are likely to have some accountancy/business type modules. Quite a few of DDs cohort have gone on to software, 'info engineering', or business management type of roles (she's just got her MEng and started work in electronic design).

Architecture? Kind of combines engineering and product design.

Not sure I'd recommend it though, dd half way through her degree and it seems like workload hell and I'm not sure the pay is great when qualified.

I hadn’t realised there had been another thread. But when you look at engineering it’s important to know what you are looking at. As above plenty of engineering grads don’t do engineering at all after their degrees. Business, management, accountancy etc are all popular. I guess that’s why we are short of engineers!

Unfortunately grad schemes from the big management consultancies pay more than many engineering grad schemes snd engineers are actively targeted because of their skill set - maths numerate, design and build projects, computer coding, group working etc. They acquire so many transferable skills that they are very sought after!

@AvocadoPlant

Unfortunately grad schemes from the big management consultancies pay more than many engineering grad schemes snd engineers are actively targeted because of their skill set - maths numerate, design and build projects, computer coding, group working etc. They acquire so many transferable skills that they are very sought after!

On the other hand, from the POV of the OPs DS, it would mean that providing he has the necessary aptitudes and work ethic, he'd be keeping loads of doors open if he does an engineering degree. And he might get hooked on actual engineering!

@ErrolTheDragon yep, totally agree!

I'm in the US. My son is an accounting major and did an internship last spring with a big four accounting firm. They've offered him a job when he graduates next spring, paying $63k per year. There's a shortage, at least in the US, and accounting grads are in great demand.

To answer some of the questions -
We're at the GCSE options stage so plenty of time to decide/form a deeper interest.
His interests are football and Xbox!
He's leaning away from Biology, Geog and Art. They only have to take one science but he should be taking Chem and Physics. We'll be having a separate chat about what avenues may close/restrict if he doesn't want to do a certain subject.
He's not too keen on drawing so would lean towards computer design.
He would probably say Maths and Physics are his best/favourite two subjects. He's also very good at languages.

All the suggestions above seem interesting, thanks.

For others who may be interested here's a summary of some of the subject suggestions, and one of my own.

Product Design Engineering
‘blends design principles, ergonomics, engineering science and technology to create new products.’

Computer Systems Engineering
‘combines the study of computer science and electronic engineering, focusing on the design of computer systems and their real-time applications.’

Mechatronics and Robotics
‘how to design, analyse and test robots, autonomous vehicles and other systems; learn how to control robotic systems with microprocessor technology.’

Architectural Engineering
‘Architectural Engineers oversee the whole building process, from concept to construction; combine architecture, environmental design and structural engineering to deliver iconic, resilient and sustainable buildings.’

Financial Computing
‘develop your knowledge and skills in aspects of financial services from understanding and creating algorithms; financial accounting; designing, implementing and evaluating software systems to analysing stock portfolios and operating financial markets.’

I would be careful with Architectural Engineering. It’s a bit “jack of all trades, master of none”. A fully qualified Structural Engineer is still the gold standard. So make sure any course leads to this qualification. Or is the course expecting grads to become architects?

Most engineering is best accessed by doing maths and physics. If he enjoys MFL, there are courses where the third year can be spent abroad (check funding) and I know Bristol has sent engineering students to Grand Ecoles in France which is never bad for the cv! I would also suggest FMaths is a good idea. Helps to access the very best courses.

You've mentioned games design/coding/programming a few times in your posts.

This is a hugely growing area with a massive skills shortage - looking at the games courses which include programming, maths, vfx, animation etc all use the computer skills and are also very desirable in the workplace.

Lots of degrees and post 16 programmes to support this.

@TizerorFizz Noted re Structural Engineer.
@slothbyday Yes, have, and think he may end up down this route. Surprised there is a shortage, thought most boys want to 'make computer games'!

As above formatting:
Computer Games
‘combines core topics, such as graphics and programming, with the latest developments in computer science. At the end of your course, you will be able to create the outline design specification for a computer game of your own design, and to implement a game using industry-standard techniques.’

There might be a shortage because not that many universities offer it. Do many RG ones offer it? I don’t know the answer but maybe bright students decide to do something else?

It's not seen as a "real" job by many out of the industry - just look at other threads on here, they are just playing at games😂

It's actually a very technical and skilled industry and role.

I would recommend they do a broad range course and not just games design, this opens up the doors to Microsoft, Sony etc and there is a huge development in the industry around artificial intelligence, virtual reality etc. It's not just games design but software design, how it can be used to support practical training - car maintenance through virtual reality. (They would for instance, create the Microsoft holo lens and all the packages and workplace support to go with this).

Particularly look for ones with programming, vfx and high spec software usage.

These are very practical and hands on courses.....the former polys are good at delivering these and the work places are screaming for all round staff to train up.

You won't find the red brick offering these as much....perception of the course again!

Industry won't hire the person who plays his Xbox all day in the basement and thinks they can be a games designer. Hence the shortage - the perceived role and skills vs the actual skills and role.

(My teen is similar to yours, comp sci and engineering all the way - I very much expect him to go this route too).

Not sure what stage you are at for options (gcse, post 16 or uni) but go and look at the courses at the next stage and get a feel for them and work backwards. Lots of colleges offer the level 3 games diplomas (btec, ual, aim, ocr etc..... they are all very difft quals, I work with one of the qualifications and would always sell that one over others....but it's geographic to what's on offer near you).

Most of the learners on these courses go to apprenticeships with big names (ea, unity, Ubisoft, Sony etc) or uni degrees. (Royal hollowell, abertay, Dublin, Belfast, Teesside, there is one in anglia, can't remember name off top of my head just to name a few). Pay and opportunities in industry are high.

@slothbyday
Thanks, very useful.

It's a good idea at this stage to get a range of ideas as you're doing, OP. Some of the filtering out later may depend on how his interests and aptitudes develop. For instance, if it turns out that realistically his maths isn't quite up to getting a high grade in FM, that may make some choices less possible. However, in the spectrum of fields he's interested in there's something for everyone.