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Original poster

Universities with good industrial links engineering

168 replies

Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 10:36

DC has started looking at universities for engineering; currently in year 12.

We are wondering what are the universities with good industrial links and employability? Also nice, happy, safe atmosphere?

OP posts:
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5
Original poster
Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 17:11

Think DC is interested in electronics; said wanted to work for apple, building their mobiles phones. Also like product design engineering.

I like the idea of Bath a lot; but I know is competitive.

OP posts:
handmademitlove · 22/10/2023 17:21

Surrey does a lot of telecoms research - my DH did his phD there!
www.surrey.ac.uk/institute-communication-systems/5g-6g-innovation-centre

Pewpewbarneymcgrew · 22/10/2023 17:27

Another vote for Sheffield 👍🏻

ErrolTheDragon · 22/10/2023 17:38

My 24yo DD is an electronics engineer. When she was looking at unis she was impressed by Southampton, Manchester, Sheffield; Loughborough too though it didn't make her short list. All good for EEE. She actually wasn't at all taken by Surrey or Bristol. She didn't look at Bath ... iirc her take was that it's very good for some of the engineering fields but not so much for EEE. (Her assessment may not be right but she's no fool and this is relatively recently).

In the end she did general engineering at Cambridge. She was able to find good summer internships, one with a very large company, then a small one which subsequently offered her a job. I think there's quite a lot of electronics companies in that area.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/10/2023 17:47

Re the 'nice, happy, safe atmosphere' ... I think for that she'd have said Cambridge, Southampton and Loughborough, the others perhaps not so much.

Before going too far on the suggestions for your DC it'd be helpful to have an idea of predicted grades. Many of these have high requirements for electronics type degrees. It's pretty easy to get an idea from their websites.

Original poster
Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 18:11

Ptedicted grades hopefully A*s and As; did very well in GCSE snd studying maths, physics and Design Technology.

I think we’ve better start going for visits to those places.

OP posts:
RTHJ14 · 22/10/2023 18:17

I work for a large Engineering consultancy. We have strong links with University of Birmingham, Sheffield, Warwick… we’ve had the odd Loughborough student too.

AboutRound · 22/10/2023 18:20

Strathclyde

Washingandironing · 22/10/2023 18:23

I know you’re in England, but another vote for Strathclyde

WhiteHorseSpirit · 22/10/2023 18:24

Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 13:51

Ok; this is not an
option then. Thanks

Edited
Show quote history

It might be an option as many universities abroad have scholarships/bursaries for international students.

Like MIT- #1 engineering school on the planet

https://sfs.mit.edu/undergraduate-students/apply-for-aid/international/

International students | MIT Student Financial Services

At Student Financial Services, we work to make MIT affordable for every family so their students can join our community and make the most of their education.

https://sfs.mit.edu/undergraduate-students/apply-for-aid/international/

Malarandras · 22/10/2023 18:25

Strathclyde has great links.

Phineyj · 22/10/2023 18:29

Family member teaches at University of Greenwich. They have a great track record re employability and student satisfaction, and it's definitely small and friendly. Social life in Chatham a little limited though!

ErrolTheDragon · 22/10/2023 18:31

There's so many great choices for engineering in the U.K. there's really no need to look abroad unless the DC has a particular reason too. With those predicted grades the OPs DC will be spoilt for choice.

ItsRainingTacos79 · 22/10/2023 18:32

@Mountain9 with those grades has he considered imperial?

SandyIrving · 22/10/2023 18:45

Another vote for Strathclyde (and fun city to study in).

Original poster
Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 18:57

ItsRainingTacos79 · 22/10/2023 18:32

@Mountain9 with those grades has he considered imperial?

IC is an option but what is the atmosphere like there? Another poster said it is more research and academia. Also heard is a cold and not so friendly place. Do they have good industrial links?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 18:58

SandyIrving · 22/10/2023 18:45

Another vote for Strathclyde (and fun city to study in).

I have never heard of this university. Will check on the map

OP posts:
Awrite · 22/10/2023 19:00

Yet another vote for Strathclyde. The only uni my dd would consider and she did her research. Can also do a year abroad.

PermanentTemporary · 22/10/2023 19:02

Re open days, I took ds to his first trip to see a uni/city, then on a tour to see another 4. He did a couple of others on his own/with a friend. It was just post covid, so most open days were online and we didn't bother with those, we just went to look at the campus and city in each case. Well worth it.

Original poster
Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 19:02

Awrite · 22/10/2023 19:00

Yet another vote for Strathclyde. The only uni my dd would consider and she did her research. Can also do a year abroad.

It is Scotland?

OP posts:
Awrite · 22/10/2023 19:06

Mountain9 · 22/10/2023 19:02

It is Scotland?

Show quote history

Yes, in Glasgow. She did a few courses with them in school. Girls in Engineering, Physics for Engineering, NASA stuff, etc.

Fees paid here, which is a double edged sword for Scottish kids. Harder to get in as Gov only pay £1800 per year so they are not wanted.

2chocolateoranges · 22/10/2023 19:07

our youngest is at Strathclyde in Glasgow for Civil engineering. Great course in an amazing city.

they are in 3 rd year and are offered mentors from engineering firms to work with in small groups,

I know of someone else who had narrowed engineering down to Loughborough and also Strathclyde before deciding on Strathclyde.

Awrite · 22/10/2023 19:11

Yy, dd has a mentor and attends 'Women in Engineering' events.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 22/10/2023 19:18

I think that it might be a good idea to look at what happens even past graduation and where you can base yourself after you've got your degree. And look at if there are any specific areas of the country which have a lot of companies specialising in that area of engineering. If you can, base yourself at a university nearby. It also means that you may be able to stay in university accommodation over the summer while you do your internship. And it will be easier to apply for jobs in your final year, already being based close to those companies, and maybe having had work placements with them and got your face known.

Many engineering graduates will have to travel if they want to get a really good graduate engineering job in a specialism they love.

hellsbells99 · 22/10/2023 19:28

Is there a particular part of engineering your DS is interested in?
Sheffield definitely has good links on the aerospace side with Rolls Royce.
My DC chose Leeds for mechanical engineering (which then offers specialisms I think after first 2 years). Great facilities. Didn’t get the impression they have strong industry links (although does have good careers office) but got on a good graduate scheme as did their friends.