The UK has some of the best and highest ranked engineering schools in the world. Within the wide boundaries of the engineering profession there are thousands of challenging activities in areas such as research, development, design, manufacture and operation of products and services.
Engineers belong to one of the greatest professions in the world; responsible for almost everything we use, consume and take part in every day. From leisure activities to medical treatment, mobile communications to modern transport systems, engineers often find themselves in key positions in industry and commerce.
However this trend goes further and broader than businesses that can be classified as "engineering." Choosing the right Engineering course and university can be difficult and it is crucial to understand which university is best for you when taking into consideration your academic background, future career goals, and where you wish to specialise in.
Demand for good engineers is high. In the finance, mechanical, IT and electronics sectors in particular, there are world shortages of chartered and incorporated engineers, and unemployment amongst professional engineers is lower than for almost any other profession.
In the UK alone, engineering-led industry contributes about 40% of its gross domestic product and is a key part of the national economy. From motor racing to a household electrician, the role of the engineer is crucial. For anyone looking for a rewarding future with a wide variety of employment prospects, there has never been a more exciting time to embark on a career in engineering.
Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g., chemistry and physics), and life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology and biochemistry) with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. Chemical engineers ensure the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically when converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms.
Civil Engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings. It is traditionally broken into several sub-disciplines including environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, municipal or urban engineering, water resources engineering, materials engineering, coastal engineering, surveying, and construction engineering.
Electrical Engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. It covers a range of subtopics including power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications. Usually electrical engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power transmission and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits
Mechanical Engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools.
Computer Engineering deals with the design of computers and computer systems. This may involve the design of new hardware, the design of PDAs, USBs or the use of computers to control an industrial plant. Computer engineers may also work on a system's software. However, the design of complex software systems is often the domain of software engineering, which is usually considered a separate discipline.
Mechatronics Engineering is an engineering discipline which deals with the convergence of electrical and mechanical systems. Such combined systems are known as electromechanical systems and have widespread adoption. Examples include automated manufacturing systems, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and various subsystems of aircraft and automobiles.
There are two types of engineering programmes offered at UK universities , B.Eng (Bachelor of Engineering) and M.Eng (Master of Engineering).
A B.Eng is a standard 3-year degree in engineering. Those who complete a B.Eng have the appropriate training and experience to apply to become an Incorporated Engineer. However, for those wishing to become a Chartered Engineer, it is mandatory to follow degree studies with advanced study equivalent to the final year of an M.Eng programme. Some UK universities allow students to switch between the B.Eng and M.Eng during the early years of the course. An M.Eng degree is the university level qualification taken by students wishing to become Chartered Engineers. M.Eng courses take a minimum of 4 years, 5 years for those wishing to conduct one year's work experience.
Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.
To learn more about the best engineering courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking engineering universities for each discipline in the Guardian University Guide below:
If you are interested in studying Engineering in the UK, arrange your free consultation with SI-UK London.
SI-UK's service is fast, reliable and efficient. Their consultants are specialists, working closely with all UK universities and, through my consultants' advice and application assistance, I was able to receive offers from my favoured universities.
Carla Termini King's College London, Accounting and Finance
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