Engineering Degree Entry Requirements

The university entry requirements for a degree like this are constantly changing. Most universities will have different admissions procedures and requirements from others, and, as a result, they may demand specific things from applicants.

Some universities may favour academic results. For others, it is about the student who applies, while others may favour general work experience over academic performance. It always depends on where you apply.

What is Engineering?

An Engineering degree focuses on a range of different disciplines. Engineering is a course that encompasses both the theoretical and the practical side of things.

The modules you will focus on in an engineering degree will vary depending on what kind of course you do. An engineering degree could include manufacturing, information technology, construction, the wholesale trade of the industry, and designing principles and may also teach you elements of CAD software.

What are the Engineering degree entry requirements?

The university entry requirements for an engineering degree will depend on where you apply. Some universities will not accept certain subject types, while others may focus more on prior work experience.

The most common entry requirements for an engineering degree are:

Your UCAS points are important. Still, they may not be the be-all and end-all of your UCAS application. This is because some universities have been known to let in students with lower UCAS points if they have higher than required grades in certain subjects, although it is rare.

A Levels

A Levels are accepted by all universities and are the most commonly accepted qualification type for engineering. For engineering, universities will want you to have an A Level in maths. Other subjects are less of a priority. However, most universities tend to favour students who have also studied Physics. English is welcome but not necessarily required.

BTECs

Most universities will accept a BTEC, but not all do. For this qualification, you will need to have studied an engineering BTEC or equivalent. Maths is also accepted but may need to be supplemented with another qualification.

IELTS

The IELTS is purely for international students. Universities may not ask for a specific score overall but may ask for an individual breakdown of your scores within certain tasks. This is a popular and challenging degree, so you will be expected to score high in your IELTS exam.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is also only for international students. Generally, you will be expected to have a Level 5 or higher at Higher Level. Some universities may accept Standard Level scores too, but these must be Level 5 or higher.

T Levels

T Levels are relatively new to education. Not all universities accept T Levels, though they are becoming more widely accepted, especially in more practical and skill-based degrees. For this, we recommend studying a manufacturing and process subject, however, there may also be other subjects that will be accepted too. Make sure you speak to the university to see if they accept T Levels as part of their admissions criteria and what subjects they accept for engineering courses.

How do I write my Engineering personal statement?

A personal statement is one of the most challenging parts of the university process. It can be tough to sum up all the best things about yourself and why you want to study your course in just 4,000 characters, especially since that runs out quickly.

From a personal standpoint, universities want to know what makes you, you. What are your interests and hobbies? If you can link these back to engineering somehow, then great. If not, still include them anyway. Universities want to know about your life outside of academia.

When writing your engineering personal statement, you want to make sure you talk about engineering. What prompted your interest in this subject? What books have you read on the subject? What career do you have in mind for the future? These are the sorts of questions you want to be answering.

There are still some things you should refrain from doing in any personal statement. The best advice is simple really, and exactly the same with a student CV: don’t lie. Lying is very common on personal statements and, if found out (and they usually are), will likely see your chances of getting into the university you’ve applied for evaporate.

What is the best university to study Engineering?

The best university is the best one for you. That is to say that only you will know the best university to study at. There is no definitive answer to “What is the best university to study Engineering at?”.

Many will point to the Russell Group of Universities. Admittedly, these universities have a tremendous reputation, especially where engineering is concerned. However, you need to think about what you want from a university, not their reputation.

Pick the university that best focuses on what you want. Do you want a university that has strong industry ties? Do you want the university with the best facilities? Or the university with the best teaching standards? All of these are questions to ask yourself and should only be made after visiting the university on an open day and asking the questions you want answered.

What jobs can I get with an Engineering degree?

An engineering degree is very broad and opens up many different and unexpected avenues. You are not restricted to just becoming an engineer. You can work in many different disciplines.

The most common jobs to find with an engineering degree are:

• Aerospace engineer
• CAD technician
• Civil engineer
• Clinical technologist
• Engineer
• Mining engineer
• Nuclear engineer
• Patent attorney

You can also move into teaching. However, to teach engineering, you will also need to have either a PGCE degree or a Master’s in Education before you apply.

Are Engineering degree courses available during Clearing?

Engineering is one of the most popular courses in the UK. As a result, you will find that many universities will offer Clearing engineering courses.

Clearing courses may also mean a reduction in entry requirements. It is not a guarantee. However, a university may find that they are struggling to fill the course or that the course’s initial entry requirements were too high to begin with; as a result, you may find that you can apply for a Clearing engineering course that is a better fit for you.

As it is entering into Clearing, your course may be slightly different. You may need to complete a work placement as part of your degree or that you need to complete a foundation year beforehand.