Engineers are professionals who use maths and science to design, create, develop and maintain much of the world around us. They usually specialise in one field – such as civil, chemical or mechanical engineering - but often have the skills to work on different types of projects, allowing for an incredibly varied career.
Working collaboratively is often part of an engineer’s job: this might be with other professionals such as architects, planners and surveyors, or as part of a team made up of other engineers, technicians, project managers and individuals, all working to the same end.
Look around you and you’ll see bridges, vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, escalators and many more structures, products and objects that we come across in our daily lives, all created by engineers.
Why become an engineer?
According to Engineering UK, there could be 173,000 new jobs created in engineering and technology between 2023 and 2030. Coupled with a significant portion of the workforce approaching retirement age in the next decade, engineers remain in high demand.
If you’re looking for a career that’s highly valued and respected by others, and where the pay is strong, a professional engineer definitely ticks the box. Engineering is about solutions, safety and efficiency but it’s also about innovation, design and creativity, so it can appeal to a diverse range of individuals with varying skills and talents.
Developments such as the Crossrail railway project in London and The Beam - an innovative and sustainable office block in the centre of Sunderland - are improving urban life across the UK. But engineering can open up the possibility of travel too – many international projects need the guidance of an engineer, and some of them can make an enormous difference in people’s lives. Recent examples include mobile flood barriers in Venice, Italy, and the Sahara Forest Project in Jordan which aims to provide fresh water, improved growing opportunities and renewable energy.
What different areas could I work in?
Engineering can be grouped into different branches, with the main branches of chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering leading to sub-branches. Examples of these include:
- aerospace
- electronics
- automotive
- energy
- biomedical
- marine
- materials
Engineers often work across disciplines, combining two or more aspects of engineering to undertake more specialised activities. Sometimes this can involve exciting and groundbreaking work in areas such as biomedical, astrobiology, geo-environmental, or autonomous robotics engineering.
Other options include working for the Civil Service which runs the Science and Engineering Fast Stream for graduates, or local government which involves civil engineers in planning, safety and consultancy.
You could choose an engineering pathway based on a study interest or the type of application you’re interested in – such as applied physics or chemistry or working with machinery or structures; alternatively, you could aim for a career linked to a problem that needs solving, such as improving irrigation in countries with dry climates or developing battery-powered aircraft.
It may also be worth considering how and where you want to work. Some engineers spend most of their weeks out and about in all weathers, others are more office-based, and others may work in hi-tech manufacturing facilities creating technology ranging from submarines to microprocessors.
Pathways into engineering
There’s more than one pathway into engineering, but to achieve registered status, pursuing a qualification or apprenticeship accredited by a professional engineering body will help to smooth the way. These approved qualifications are shown to meet, or partially meet, the criteria for a given professional engineering title.
Ages 14-16
As with most STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers, establishing a good foundation at school is beneficial.
Five or more GCSEs (or National 5s in Scotland) including maths, English and a strong science will keep your options open for further study or an apprenticeship in an engineering-related role; design and technology is sometimes highlighted as a desirable subject by employers offering apprenticeships.
Useful subjects: maths, English, sciences (especially physics), design and technology, computer science, geography, engineering
Ages 16-18
- For students taking A levels or Highers at school or college, maths and physics are recommended as they help to underpin the theories behind engineering. While these subjects are often preferred for degree courses and apprenticeships, some may accept other physical sciences such as chemistry, further maths, computer science, or design and technology which teaches practical skills and creative thinking. Chemistry is usually required for chemical engineering. Check entry requirements with your preferred institutions and employers.
Useful subjects: maths, physics, chemistry, computer science, geography, electronics, design and technology, further maths
- Taking a vocational qualification in an engineering and manufacturing-related subject, such as a T level in design and development for engineering or a BTEC (or NC/SVQ in Scotland), will help you develop the core knowledge and practical skills to help you progress further.
- Apprenticeships are an established route for engineering and are available at all levels, creating a career progression pathway. At this age, you can begin your engineering career with a level 2 intermediate apprenticeship (modern apprenticeship in Scotland) or level 3 advanced apprenticeship (technical apprenticeship in Scotland); check requirements carefully as they can vary by employer.
Any of these level 3 qualifications could lead to employment as a trainee engineering technician or progression onto a degree or higher/degree apprenticeship working towards professional engineer status.
Age 18+
After completing a level 3 qualification (SCQF 6 in Scotland) or advanced apprenticeship, your next options are higher education or a higher/degree apprenticeship.
Higher education route
A Bachelors degree is a popular route for becoming an engineer, however, many universities now offer four-year Masters degrees (five years in Scotland), allowing you to achieve chartered status (CEng) without a break in study.
An accredited undergraduate BEng degree provides the qualifications necessary to begin work as a professional engineer. You’ll gain incorporated engineer (IEng) status which proves you have the practical skills and knowledge to carry out complex tasks in an engineering role. Many courses offer the opportunity of an additional year spent in industry or studying abroad.
If you know the area of engineering you want to work in, you can study a BEng for that particular field. Alternatively, you can choose a general engineering degree which typically gives two years of broad-based engineering study followed by the choice of a specialism in the final year.
BSc degrees in engineering are also available; these courses often give more emphasis to theoretical content and may not always be accredited by professional engineering bodies. While they often provide a pathway to incorporated or chartered engineer status, this route may require further study or experience. BSc degrees often contain fewer industry-focused modules and as a result, some employers may prefer BEng graduates. However, a BSc in engineering can provide flexibility for students looking to work across the science and engineering disciplines.
Continuing with a postgraduate qualification, either immediately following your undergraduate degree or following time spent in the workplace, will provide you with the qualifications to register as a chartered engineer (CEng). You’ll study technical and management topics to a more advanced standard and for this reason, applying for a four-year Masters degree (level 7) tends to require higher grades compared to the pathway of completing a Bachelors degree and then continuing to study at a higher level. Postgraduate conversion courses are also available if you already have a degree but in a subject other than engineering.
If you’re interested in studying at a higher level but are unsure about committing to a degree or you don’t have the required grades for a Bachelors degree, an HNC or HND (equivalent to the first and second years of an undergraduate degree respectively) or a foundation degree in an engineering-related subject at college or university may be an option. These courses give students the option to move into employment at technician level or continue studying for a further year on a top-up BEng course. Some universities also offer foundation years which provide preparation for a degree course. These routes may give additional flexibility to suit individual needs and part-time courses may also be available locally.
Apprenticeship route
Industry-approved higher or degree apprenticeships at qualification levels 6 (undergraduate equivalent) or 7 (postgraduate equivalent) allow individuals to earn while learning in a hands-on workplace environment. Degree apprenticeships, run collaboratively between employers and higher education institutions, typically involve one or two days each week spent at university.
Examples of apprenticeships at levels 6 and 7 include:
- advanced robotics engineer
- geotechnical engineer
- electro-mechanical engineer
- marine surveyor
- aerospace engineer
Professional registration
The Engineering Council maintains a list of academic qualifications which are approved as meeting the education requirements for professional recognition and it’s advisable to choose one of these accredited courses or apprenticeships if you wish to further your career by joining the professional register.
It isn’t mandatory to obtain professional registration to work as an engineer but generally, UK employers value the accreditation. If you’re interested in working overseas, it’s worth considering pursuing chartership (CEng) as global companies often look for this as a mark of competence and commitment to the profession, including ethical standards. Achieving this status proves you meet globally-recognised professional expectations; it can also increase your career prospects, give higher earnings potential and allows you to work more independently or in consultancy roles.
What makes a good engineer and how else can I improve my chances of getting into engineering?
Studying STEM subjects can pave the way for a career in engineering, however it's not all about qualifications – skills are equally important, particularly the ability to work collaboratively with others.
Engineers are problem solvers who thrive on challenges. They employ critical and analytical thinking to develop practical and creative solutions which have an impact in the real world. If you enjoy solving problems and are prepared for things not to work out the first, second or even third time, then you could have the mindset required for a career in engineering.
Effective communication is also crucial for the role of engineer, whether through drawings or models, presentations and reports, or listening to others. Like other professional careers, a commitment to lifelong learning is essential – engineering is a dynamic sector, constantly innovating and developing.
Gaining experience and knowledge can come in many forms and can demonstrate both practical experience and an interest in the field. This can be obtained in several ways:
- work experience in an engineering environment, such as an internship or work placement
- participating in volunteering activities, competitions or hackathons which involve engineering or technical skills
- engaging in a technical hobby
- networking with employers and engineering professionals on social media or at in-person events, careers or jobs fairs
- taking short, online courses (free courses are available)
- joining a related professional body as a student (this can open up benefits such as professional magazines, mentoring support, networking and training courses)
The future of engineering
Engineers play an essential role in addressing global challenges and shaping the future world. They will be crucial to achieving global sustainability, reduce the impact of climate change, create food security, and harnessing technology safely and effectively to improve the environments we live in. Without engineers, we wouldn’t be able to push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration.
In the future we can expect to see new engineering job roles and apprenticeship standards emerge, however, the current shortage of engineers is a significant challenge. To address this, the industry needs to broaden its appeal, particularly to underrepresented groups.
According to the 2023 UK Labour Force Survey, women make up just 16% of those working in engineering and technology roles, and attracting more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to tackle the large and complex problems of the future will be crucial; different perspectives and experiences lead to more innovative solutions.
Despite these challenges, the demand for engineers remains strong, and the field offers a wide range of career opportunities with attractive rewards.
Helen Janota
Helen is an experienced information and careers professional working as a freelance writer and trainer. She writes about careers and the labour market for a wide range of audiences and organisations and aims to produce easily accessible, informative content that reflects the current jobs and careers landscape.
