UCAS clearing - swap Economics with Engineering - any tips?

[blueshoes]

Ds' UCAS application is a bit of a hot mess.

He got an offer of AAA/A*AB from Nottingham Uni for Economics. He has changed his mind and wants to do Engineering

His subjects at A level are Economics, Physics and Maths with predicted grades of AAB in that order. He thinks he can get AAA or AAA for his results and is hoping to trade up to a higher tariff university to do Engineering😬

He has to go into clearing 😭

The universities he has in mind are Bristol, Bath, UCL, Warwick, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.

He does not want Oxbridge (erm, not that he has a choice). Has he got a chance at Imperial at all, considering he does not have Further Maths? I guess Imperial won't come up in clearing so he will have to do a gap year and try with grades in hand. Is that even worth bothering or too pie in the sky?

Hoping for tips and experiences. TIA

@Stockpot Some engineering courses have many grads not doing engineering jobs at all. It’s typical of a few mentioned here. Dc are aiming for city jobs. Therefore university is important.

@TizerorFizz I agree with you but would say this is generally at 10+ years - and plenty of six figure salaries around for experienced engineers/technical PMs. Starting up on your own is a different opportunity.
I was responding more to the spirit of the question and starting salaries for graduates.

I don't know any graduate engineers not got a job as long as they are prepared to relocate

One of DS’s friends is doing a mech eng degree via the Royal Navy - took a gap year and did lots of navy cadet stuff during it.

It might be too late, but look at ICE Quest scholarships.

@blueshoes BAE Systems grad scheme salary starts at £34k with a £2k welcome bonus. A few years experience takes you up to around £45k, senior engineers earn around £55k.

Agree. I was trying to point out that a less prestigious, lower tariff uni for engineering might suit the OP’s son very well since it is a very prestigious uni for city finance recruiters.

With Engineering, if you are competent and understand the business, you can progress very well. Looking at starting salaries, they sit around the median point for grad jobs. However some individual companies promote quickly if dc are doing the job very well. It’s also very possible to train quickly with a big employer and then move to a smaller one and get more varied personal experience.

@TreesOfGreen99 Nice to read that your dss are in interesting, well-paid and fulfilling engineering jobs that they love. You must be so happy and proud for them.

Very grateful for all the knowledge and intelligence on jobs, salaries, universities, internships, scholarships and strategies. You all are the best!❤

@blueshoes DH was the founder of a mid sized Civil and Structural Engineering consultancy. They want to see grads who understand basic principles of engineering and are not just “computer says” people. They need to think about the project and come up with workable solutions that are cost effective for the client. They like people who will pitch to clients, understand variations to design and costs, understand invoicing (yes, the need to make money) and eventually can lead and take responsibility for projects. They have some people who just prefer to sit back and be a cog snd these people are needed but they don’t earn as much of lead teams or manage the business. The work is very varied in medium consultancies and their training is good too. So there’s always a possibility of very good money if you want it enough.

@TizerorFizz thanks for explaining your DH's experience. That makes a lot of sense.

At ds' weeklong internship at Mott MacDonald, they gave the interns (age 17) a project which was to present on a High Speed Rail Route Project to design the best route from Euston to Birmingham considering factors such as user experience, consideration for the future, environment, local needs, design and reduction of travel time. Ds threw himself into it and really enjoyed it.

Ds will probably want money 😂Great to hear he can also work for a consultancy with an engineering degree.

@blueshoes MM are a large recruiter of course. Living near HS 2, could DS have avoided putting the route through the AONB of the Chilterns? Total disaster. However that’s an interesting placement!