What are the steps to doing electrical engineering at university?

securityguy

"Hi daisiegg, yes instead of the A level, he wants to do a practical course, that will show his what engineering is actually about"

But electrical engineering at degree level isn't practical, not in the sense I suspect you're thinking. Does he (indeed, do you) realise the difference between electrical engineering and being an electrician?

With respect to BTECs, the claim that they are "equivalent" to A Levels applies to less competitive universities. You'll be able to count on the fingers of one hand, without taking your mittens off, the number of UK students accepted onto competitive electrical engineering degrees who don't have A Level maths, physics (or another "physical science", usually chemistry) and (if offered in their school) further maths. People without A Level maths simply won't have the maths: electrical engineering at degree level is, aside from maths itself and physics, probably one of the most mathematically demanding degrees. It certainly requires more sophisticated maths than civil engineering or mechanical engineering (not a lot of imaginary numbers where there's concrete around, lots of imaginary numbers over in elec eng).

stu20vt

Is it electrical engineering or electronic engineering he wants to study? There is quite a difference.

The BSc(Hons) electronic engineering I completed had a large element of electrical engineering in the first year. After that it was pure electronics. Lots of mathematics and physics, designing digital and analogue circuits and communications etc. My MSc in advanced electronic design was again lots of Mathematics with lots of hand on electronic projects.
I made the mistake after I graduated and took an IT Graduate job and 15 years on working in IT (a job I really don't enjoy and find extremely boring) wish I stuck to electronics.

Elsewhere

Many years ago I worked for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and they did excellent apprenticeship schemes. It seems they still do, ie. - http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Apprenticeships.aspx

If you search for large engineering firms and have a look at their websites you'll see whether they take on apprentices and the qualifications they want, eg. Siemans

http://www.siemens.co.uk/careers/en/students/apprenticeships.htm

Good luck to him - the UK needs scientists and engineers, and they are in short supply.

retepetsir

I'm an Electronic/Electrical Engineer

I took A-levels in Physics, Maths, Computing and Economics (at the time I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but liked science!) and ended up going to university to study engineering.

At the time I did look at Apprenticeships and if I had the choice again, I may well have gone for that option as I certainly prefer 'hands on'.

CATS

Hi All,

some great answers here. thank you very much for taking the time to reply. My son is 14 at the moment but as he seems to have his mind made up that he wants to do electrical engineering, I am trying to find out as much as possible for him to know exactly what he will need in order to pursue this career. As he is sitting his GCSE's next year we are discusing exactly what he will need to achieve to be able to move forward to university so all of this information is really helpul. If he actually manages to do it I will be one proud mummy

Thank you all for your replies

rpc

He isn't quite old enough, but perhaps http://www.etrust.org.uk/headstart would be of interest when he's year 12?

I did one (rather a long time ago) and it was great.

I'm more electronics - went to uni, started on a graduate scheme, later on did an EngD and then got CEng. That route takes you to spending most of your time sat at a computer screen!

DS4215

Why not check with the IEEE? - as the professional body for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, they should have some information for people considering that as a career.

Air_Cooled_75

Going back a few years now but my husband did an access course in maths and physics...he started an electronic and electrical engineering course at uni and didn't like it, he started a physics degree the next year and after completing that did his PhD. I didn't think he'd last the engineering course, his passion was (is, and always will be) physics

Threebabes

My husband is an an engineer. He did an apprenticeship through Rolls-Royce and did his ONC and HNC. After he was made a permanent employee they paid for him to do his engineering degree part-time and then his phd.

Would you not look at apprenticeships?

System

My son is completing his second year of college. He has been working towards his City and Guilds 2365 Diploma in Electrical Installations.

For him his next step will be an apprenticeship. He's going to have to get his hands dirty some time.