What are the steps to doing electrical engineering at university?

CATS

Hi All,

My son has decided that he wants to become an electrical engineer. So I was hoping to get an idea of what steps need to be taken after school. He wants to go college to do an engeneering course so he can get a taste of what it will actually be like. I think if he was going to take A levels he would need to do something like science, maths etc. My question is after he does the college course, can he apply to university if he wishes to continue? What does he need to do? I see BTEC, HND etc, what is the best route for him to get into university afterwards?

Thank you

daisiegg

I thought BTECs etc are usually an alternative to university. Wouldn't most people wanting to do something like engineering go straight to uni from A Levels?

He will definitely need maths and physics A Levels. Further maths is probably useful too or another science or similar.

thorsoak

Just google Electical engineering at UK university .....will give you load of ideas!

daisiegg

Just re-read, do you mean doing a BTEC or similar instead of A Levels or after A Levels? If it is instead of, I think he would struggle to get onto a decent uni engineering course without A Levels.

CH27

Look at the courses on the uni websites & that will tell him what A Levels he needs to get onto the degree course.

CATS

Hi daisiegg, yes instead of the A level, he wants to do a practical course, that will show his what engineering is actually about and then continue at university.

Any engineers out there who can share what they actually did to get to uni?

daisiegg

CATS wrote: »

Hi daisiegg, yes instead of the A level, he wants to do a practical course, that will show his what engineering is actually about and then continue at university.

Any engineers out there who can share what they actually did to get to uni?

I just googled and looked at a handful of engineering courses at universities and I can't see any that will take you without A Levels.

My brother is doing engineering at uni and it was very competitive to get into. He did maths, physics, further maths and chemistry and got two A*s and two As. His offer was for one A* and two As. He did not get offers from all of the universities he applied to. (He is at a top uni - I'm sure there are other courses where you don't need such high grades)

tea_lover

Has he looked into apprenticeships? Can be a great route into the industry (and paid for training... bonus!) Very competitive though. We get 100s of application for every vacancy at our company.

CH27

The Ministry of Defence used to sponsor people through uni or contribute to their costs if they worked for them during the summer.
They also do apprenticeships.

SavingPennies_2

The people I know who are electrical engineers did BSc/MSc/PhD in order to get into the professional roles they wanted. I would def think he would have to do a-levels.

I would speak to his school or career service and ask advice on what the best route to take is, also most colleges/ unis have open days when potential students can go along to find out more about what the subject involves and have a taster lesson. How old is he?

summersmile

My son left school deciding he wanted to be an electrician and did two years at college gaining level 2 and 3 in electrics, he then decided he would like to go to Uni to do electrical engineering but because he hasn't done his A levels he returned to college last year to do BTEC in electrical engineering to get the right UCAS points which he will finish next year. Buy this time he will be 20. He then needs to do a foundation course in electrical engineering at Uni to start his under graduate degree. Which will last for another 4 years. This is because not doing the relevant A LEVELS in physics and maths. Also to let you know you cannot go to Uni unless you have 5 GCSE "C" and above. No matter what BTEC or A LEVELS you have.
Also not every Uni does the foundation course. It might be worth you going onto the UCAS site and search the information available.
If you need any more information let me know. As it's such a minefield finding info out.