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By studying engineering at university, you’re setting yourself up for a future of creative, varied, and challenging opportunities. Engineering can unlock exciting career prospects that make a real difference.  

When you think about it, everything is engineered in some way, from a plug or battery on your laptop through to huge infrastructures and construction. When you study engineering at university, you’re learning skills that will influence the world we live in and how we develop. 

 

What is Engineering?

Engineering is what makes things work. Whether it’s your car moving forward, a bridge holding thousands of tons, the way a door opens, or the flick of a switch. Everything that you see around you that is built has involved an engineer. Design, manufacturing, building, assembly, and testing are all elements that require engineering expertise. When you study engineering at university, you’ll develop mathematical and scientific knowledge to become part of the complex, behind-the-scenes process that makes everyday life safer, more efficient, and better designed. 

You might be thinking ‘that all sounds great, I want to study engineering!’ but, there’s more than one type of engineering out there. There are so many different types of engineering, we’re sure there’s one just right for you and your strengths. 

There are several different types of engineering that you can study at university. There are some more specialist types of engineering programmes like automotive or renewable technologies engineering if have a specific industry in mind. Or you can study more general types of engineering, like mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering, which can unlock lots of different industries.  

So, what’s the difference? 

Mechanical engineering 

The study of machinery, a mechanical engineer designs and develops anything mechanical or with moving parts. 

Renewable technologies engineering

Emerging technologies related to energy efficiency, sustainability and renewable energies like wind, thermo-mechanical and solar power require specialists and rapidly developing expertise.

 

Electrical engineering

Connectivity is key for electrical engineering. Electrical engineers could work on any aspect of technology, anything with electricity. 

 

Civil engineering

Roads, railways, cities, and infrastructure it’s all there as a result of civil engineering. 

 

Automotive engineering

Cars, any vehicles actually, are the products of automotive engineering. Vehicle safety, fuel and manufacturing are just some of the fields automotive engineers work in. 

 

 

 

At Northumbria, we offer engineering course options in mechanical, electrical, civil and construction engineering.

 

What qualifications do you need to study engineering?  

Undergraduate 

112 UCAS Tariff points from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

You’ll need an A-level in Mathematics and another analytical science subject like Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Physics or Technology. You’ll also need to have a Maths and English Language at a minimum grade of 4/C.

If you have a qualification from outside of the UK or have equivalent qualifications please check the guidelines and requirements for your chosen course.

Postgraduate 

Applicants should normally have A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in an engineering or science discipline. Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

If you have a qualification from outside of the UK or have equivalent qualifications please check the guidelines and requirements for your chosen course.

 

 

What are the benefits of studying engineering?

What can I do with an engineering degree?

You can make a difference! Engineering applies to so many sectors we’re sure there’s a way to make your passion benefit you and the world around you.  

When you graduate with an undergraduate or Masters degree in engineering you might find yourself developing medical technologies to help people stay well, keeping the world moving with renewable energy solutions or developing the next big thing in technology.  

It’s important to feel proud of what you do, when you study engineering at university you’re putting that kind of job satisfaction well within reach. 

Great earning potential

Not only does studying for an engineering degree allow you to land a meaningful career, but it also has the potential to be a profitable one too! Your actual graduate salary will, like any career, depend on lots of factors. The outcome of your degree, the area you choose to go into, and additional work experience all play a part. 

However, Prospects UK reported that starting salaries for mechanical engineers, and for those on graduate training schemes, are in the range of £20,000 to £28,000. Because of the level of continued professional development and skill required you can expect your engineering salary to be regularly reviewed. 

A report from the 2021 salary survey by ‘The Engineer’ (a leading resource for those in the field of engineering) suggests that the mean average salary for an engineer is £56,807. You can look to the energy sector for the highest salaries in the field, with the oil and gas sector salary averages reaching £75,366. 

As the field of engineering continues to grow in scale and impact there is an expectation that salaries will continue to grow too. 

Limitless career options

Because so much of society's growth and development relies on engineering in some way, you’ll find that engineers are constantly in high demand. Your prospects as an engineering graduate are already fantastic, but because we continue to develop new technologies and infrastructures the variety of engineering fields and specialisms seem infinite. 

Consider the societal context of the 2020s; a boom in electric car sales, a global pandemic and aerospace discoveries that change the way we view our universe. All of these discoveries and developments require mathematical, scientific, and analytical expertise. Engineering course options will help give you the skills to be part of the next big thing. 

When you study engineering at Northumbria University you’ll access careers support to help you get the future you want including sector-specific careers fairs and placement opportunities.  

Lifelong learning

With the constant development of society in mind, as an engineer, you can expect your skills and knowledge will continue to grow at the same rate. 

The study of engineering lends itself to those who love learning. When you study engineering, you’ll study topics like: 

  • Maths  
  • Physics 
  • Engineering science  
  • Mechanics 
  • Electronics 
  • Thermodynamics 
  •  Land Surveying 
  • Fluid Mechanics 
  •  Soil Mechanics 
  •  Materials & Manufacturing 
  •  Design 
  • Structural mechanics 
  •  Measurement and data 
  •  Statistics 
  • Industrial design 

Engineering at Northumbria is taught via lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, group work, practical surveying sessions and independent learning. There are lots of opportunities to explore new topics, develop your interests and foster a love of learning that will carry you through your career and future.  

Ready to find out more about engineering course options at Northumbria

 

 

What course options are there to study engineering?

At Northumbria University there are plenty of undergraduate engineering-related degrees to choose from, and all of our Masters in engineering degrees as well. You can choose to study towards foundation qualifications, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, integrated Masters programmes, apprenticeships, Master of Science, and other certificates. 

Broadly, engineering at Northumbria spans the following areas: 

  • Civil engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering 
  • Electrical engineering 
  • Construction engineering 

What’s the difference between a MEng and BEng qualification in engineering?

A BEng is similar to a typical undergraduate degree programme, you’ll complete a BEng within 3 years (4 years if you choose to do a placement or study abroad year) 

A MEng is a 4-year programme (5 if you choose to do a placement or study abroad year), and you’ll graduate with an integrated master's qualification. A MEng qualification means you’ll fully meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) putting you on the pathway to chartered status. 

Placements

As with any degree, academic success alone won’t set you apart from other candidates in a competitive graduate job market. Employers are looking for experience and hands-on experience in your relevant skill set. 

An industry placement is a great way to get on-the-job experience as part of your studies. Engineering at Northumbria University gives you access to an exceptionally strong network of industries. Students have completed engineering placements with companies like P&G, Aldi, IBM and more. 

Explore engineering placements at Northumbria

Areas to specialise

If you’re considering an engineering degree to further develop an existing career or qualification, then there are many opportunities to concentrate your engineering studies and find a specific area of expertise. 

Engineering course options for further specialist study at Northumbria University include: 

Microelectronic and Communications Engineering MSc 

 

Ready to find out more about Engineering course options at Northumbria

 

What career prospects does engineering offer?

Engineering graduates with a good degree result and work experience have excellent career prospects in a broad range of career options. 

As you’d expect, many engineering graduates continue into careers as practising engineers. The type of job that suits your graduate experience will depend on your specific degree and your individual strengths. 

Generally, careers in engineering will revolve around applying your knowledge to the specific aspects of your chosen field, whether that’s aerospace, utilities, construction, defence, energy, or pharmaceuticals. The fields of engineering continue to grow, and this broadness gives you a choice of entry points and organisations in which to build a career. 

Employability skills are embedded in Engineering course options at Northumbria University. You’ll be given the tools, techniques, and knowledge to ensure you leave with the skills required to work in the engineering field or a related industry that suits you.  

Engineer your future with a career-launching engineering degree from Northumbria University 

What jobs can I do with an engineering degree?

A mechanical engineering degree may lead to a job concerning moving or mechanical parts such as aerospace engineer, maintenance engineer or nuclear engineer. 

A civil engineering degree may lead to jobs dealing with infrastructure, building or construction like building control surveyor, site engineer, structural engineer, or civil engineer. 

An electrical engineering degree may lead to jobs in connections, power channels and circuits like robotics engineer, telecommunications engineer, system engineer or electrical engineer.

Automotive engineers offer a more bordered job field, designing, developing, and manufacturing vehicles such as cars, motorbikes, buses and trucks and their engineering systems. 

 

Why choose Northumbria University for engineering? 

Practical, relevant teaching

Engineering at Northumbria University is more about theory and case studies, we allow you to gain hands-on experience in practical engineering as part of your degree. 

Work-based skills are imperative to engineering and at Northumbria University the equipment and software that you can access is the industry standard. 

Uncover what it’s like studying engineering at Northumbria with this video featuring experiences from our very own students. 

Reputation

League tables can’t tell you everything about a degree but knowing that you’re studying at one of the top Engineering departments in the country is a reassuring place to start, we’re proud of where we sit in national and international educational league tables. 

  • Top 25 UK University for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. (Guardian University Guide 2022) 
  • Top-250 for Engineering and Technology (Times Higher Education's World University subject rankings 2022) 
  • 21st in the UK for Civil Engineering (The Guardian University Guide 2022) 

Research Excellence

Our thriving research community boasts a REF 2021 score showing 90% of our research outputs to be internationally excellent and world leading. Engineering at Northumbria is at the heart of innovation. Our research feeds impactful developments in energy, communication, building and construction and sustainability. We’re proud to work on national and global challenges and even prouder that this research drives our teaching. 

Learn more about the impactful research we do every day. 

Facilities

Our facilities are what you’d expect from one of the UK’s top engineering departments, specialists, state-of-the-art and available to support your learning. 

  • Rapid prototyping room housing 3D printers, laser cutters and flatbed precision laser cutters. 
  • Modelling workshop including saws, cutters, spray painting booths and more. 
  • A variety of lab spaces including, Control & Instrumentation Lab, Smart Materials and Composites Lab, Building & Construction Materials Lab, Fluids and Thermodynamics Lab. 

Explore the specialist facilities and services that Engineering at Northumbria offer even further. 

Many of our labs and facilities are staffed by expert technicians to help you achieve your vision and develop your practical skills further. 

Fully accredited and plugged into industry

Accreditation is an important mark of validation that the programme meets the high standards set by the engineering industry. Accredited engineering degree options support reputation and employability and are an important stamp of industry quality.  

Our strong research networks and well-established links with business and industry give you access to a prolific network of engineering contacts. 

Industry partnerships mean better placement variety, internships, graduate schemes, graduate enterprise support and put simply, more opportunities.  

Discover what being plugged into industry means for you and your Engineering degree at Northumbria. 

 

FAQs

 

Should I do a MEng or BEng?

This really depends on two things:

  1. How long do you want to study?
  2. How advanced do you want your qualification to be?

A master’s in engineering degree (MEng) takes an additional year to complete compared to the bachelor’s in engineering (BEng). By studying for an additional year, you’ll develop advanced skills and knowledge.

A master’s in engineering degree will put you on the pathway to becoming a chartered engineer, by completing a MEng you’ll have fulfilled the knowledge requirement to qualify as ‘chartered’. Engineers with a BEng degree can apply to become an Incorporated Engineer.

Graduating with a strong BEng can still get you an engineering job, Incorporated Engineers can undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction, and operation. You’ll need to complete a master’s in engineering degree or further study to become chartered.

Completing a BEng could be a stepping-stone into a different career or industry. You might also use it as an opportunity to specialise further in a specific area of engineering with an MSC or other qualification.

A MEng may make you a more attractive job candidate when compared to a BEng graduate, but it’s not the only pathway to success. 

What if I change my mind and don’t want to be an engineer?

When you study engineering at university, you’ll develop skills that can be applied to many other industries too.

Engineering course options will give you a range of technical skills including:

  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Computing
  • Programming
  • Physics
  • Industry software

You’ll also develop soft, transferable skills that are helpful for any career path

  • Analytical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Pressured working
  • Communication
  • Creative thinking
  • Collaborative working
  • An eye for detail
  • Decision making
  • Innovation
  • Project management
  • Research

These skills make engineering graduates attractive candidates for many different careers. 

What subjects do I need to study engineering?

To study engineering at Northumbria University you’ll need to have an A-level in Mathematics and another A-Level in an analytical science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Physics or Technology).

You’ll also need to have a Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

To apply for a master’s in engineering degree applicants should normally have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in an engineering or science discipline.

Applicants may also benefit from studying analytical science subjects, design technology, engineering, computing, and graphic design.

Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis. If you have a qualification from outside of the UK or have equivalent qualifications please check the guidelines and requirements for your chosen course. 

 

Please Note

All content is accurate as of the time of writing, the information in this guide is subject to change and will be updated as required to reflect this.

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