A Levels for Engineering

[Northerner7777]

Hi all,
My Ds wants to become an engineer after sixth form but is unsure which A Levels would be the best to take. Ds is definitely taking Maths and Physics but is undecided between;

Ones he likes; Further Maths, History, Philosophy
Ones people say are useful; Chemistry, Design Technology, Geography

I was just wondering is anyone has had a dc choose A Levels for engineering and what they chose. Or any advice off people who are engineers.


Thank you

[llljkk]

dt, maths, physics

[TeaandHobnobs]

Further Maths is a must, I would say, and take it A2. Those on my course who hadn't taken FM really struggled, even though they ran two tiers of maths in the first year of our engineering course so they could "catch up".
Either Chemistry or Geography, could be useful, if he is thinking of going down a chemical/geotechnical route.
But honestly, I would say stuck with 4 subjects to A2, don't worry about doing an extra AS (I would say the time that could be spent doing that would be better spent focussing on the 4 main subjects or spending on extra-curriculars), and maybe take the 4th subject in whatever he is most passionate about?
FWIW I did maths, FM, Physics and German, and AS Music - the AS was of no tangible benefit (I mean, I was a musician, but the academic study of it didn't really do anything for me), and German I did because I loved it (and luckily I could take the odd module of it in my degree too).

Wishing him all the best!

[Northerner7777]

Think ill let him decide. And if hes got the choice of studying geographael then its a nobrainer haha :)
Thanks everyone.

[fishybits]

DH did maths, physics and history before going on to do a 4 year degree in mechanical engineering.

[Notyetthere]

I took maths, chemistry, physics and business studies at AS and at A2 I dropped the business studies. I do wish I had taken Geography instead of business studies as I went on to study civil engineering at uni.

My friend did chemical engineering and is now doing her second degree in civi engineering. she says civil is way easier than chemical.

Good luck to your son whatever he decides to do. Engineering is a good solid route for him to take. I have not regretted it.

[WoodBurnerBabe]

I'm a chartered civil engineer, and mine are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and German. I then got the option to study abroad for a year (which I did, in Vienna), and it comes in handy for translating technical documents which are often in German. I've used a couple of DIN standards for some specialist work when BS didn't cover it.

[WoodBurnerBabe]

Also look at the Year In Industry programme, if it's still running. I worked in industry for a year before going to Uni and it remains one of the best choices I ever made.

[Whyjustwhy]

For anyone interested in engineering 2 good courses are those by the Smallpeice Trust and Headstart.
The Awkwright Trust also offer scholarships to 6th formers.

[Bonkerssometimes]

I don't mean to hijack but we have a similar dilemma.

How do the uni look at Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French?

DS's grammar does not allow 5 A levels because of timetabling. They say we can arrange that privately, but obviously this will not be possible. They also timetable that 4 AS should become 3 A2 in year 13.

Are 3 A2 and 1 AS OK?

[BackforGood]

This is really interesting - thanks for the links and sites to look up.
My dd is in Yr10 and got as far as knowing she wants to do maths and physics but not what to go with it. I don't know enough about engineering to know what all the different sorts are and what that means once into careers (she really wants to learn to fly, with the RAF ). Always good to have options though.

[Megrim]

Just to add, although I did English at A level, with hindsight I wished I had dropped it and done Economics instead. My first degree was in Geology and I went on to do a Masters in Engineering Geology - I struggled a bit with some of the maths (rock mechanics!!!) but most of it was fine.

[Northerner7777]

Tha

[Northerner7777]

Thanks for the links. They've really helped ds make up his mind. He thinks he would like to do Geography but knowing him he`ll change his mind in September. That's fine though because all the subjects are in different blocks so he can make his final decision then.
Im glad that this has helped others as well, that's what mumsnets for :)
Thank you everyone for your advice.

[MillyMollyMama]

I think though, that to make sensible choices you do have to have some idea of what type of Engineering. Further Maths, Maths and Physics are vital but Geography is useful if you want to link Environmental Engineering with Civil Engineering. I don't think Geography will make much difference to being a Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer though, and I write as someone who is married to a Fellow of Civils, Structural and Transport Engineering Institutions. Chemistry keeps more options open and is good for Mechanical Engineering.

When the time comes, your DS must choose a course that is recognised by the Council of Engineering Institutions that leads to Chartered Engineer status. These are normally MEng courses. Courses that lead to Incorporated Engineer status are less well thought of and getting to be a Chartered Engineer can take a lot longer with an employer or he will need a Masters Degree. The CEI website has a comprehensive list of current courses that they recognise. Apprenticeship courses are unlikely to lead to Chartered status because of their lower, non MEng, status. Chartered Engineer is the highest qualification but with lesser qualifications, prospects for career progression will be limited.

[bruffin]

Backforgood

If your dd wants to be an engineer get her to apply for an an arkwright scholarship. RAF are one of the sponsors i think. Unfortunately its too late for current year 11s so probably to late for OP's DS.

[BackforGood]

Can't believe I somehow missed that reply! thanks Bruffin for the link. We're looking into it.

[tricot39]

Op - have you got an apprenticeship employer in mind? There are not masses of them about so maybe they could advise on subject choice?

[sassysally]

Ds is doing MechEng, although all the engineering disciplines have a common first year.He has said chemistry has helped a bit with the 'materials' module.

[BasicallyaGod]

Mechanical Engineering - maths, further maths and physics
Electrical engineering - see above
Chemical engineering - maths, physics, chemistry/maths, chemistry biology/maths, further maths and chemistry. Some courses don't even require chemistry for chemical engineering.
Civil Engineering - maths, further maths and physics.

[bruffin]

Ds has offer Mech eng from Southampton with Maths,Further Maths and Physics.He also did philosophy for AS.

[TalkinPeace]

Bruffin
I'll try not to run him over when driving around the campus!

[bruffin]

[Grin]
TalkinPeace

He now has to get the results.

[TalkinPeace]

He'll be fine.
Its a good faculty.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello OP

My dad was an engineer, the old type that followed from draughtsman.
He was always going on a design/technology course through work, but this may be because computers were just coming in after technical drawing.
Although, there is a new 14 -19 engineering college opened in our street and along with engineering you are expected to take maths and D&T.
I don't know why, and have no dc doing it, but can ask for you if you like. I pass every day and its no problem.

[seimum]

Could I get advice on a related question?

My DS also wants to do engineering (or possibly computer science). He is currently in year 12 studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry & German, but not Further Maths.
He is doing Mechanics M1 as his option AS module , but what modules would you recommend for his A2 options? More mechanics, or would statistic or decision maths be more appropriate?

Thanks