Study engineering in the UK
Where can I study engineering?
The UK has three of the world’s top ten engineering universities – University of Cambridge (third), University of
Oxford (sixth) and Imperial College London (seventh). But you can find world–class teaching right across the
country, with a wide range of ways to tailor your studies to your chosen engineering discipline.
What is the application process?
Most engineering degrees will expect applicants to have AAB at A–level (or equivalent), including maths and
physics. Other sciences, design technology and further maths are also common. The typical requirement for
International Baccalaureate is 35 points, with typical IELTS requirements being 7.0 overall and no lower than
6.5 in any one component.
How long does it take to graduate?
You can apply for one of two types of engineering qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and Master of
Engineering (MEng). A BEng typically takes three years to complete, while an MEng takes four years, or five
with a year–long industry placement.
What is the course structure?
Engineering degrees usually spend the first year or two covering the fundamentals of engineering, so you are
well informed before deciding how to specialise in your third and fourth years. Specialisms can cover a range of
fields, from computer engineering and information technologies to bioengineering and energy.
Wherever you study you should be able to keep your options open – including swapping between BEng and
MEng – while getting a robust understanding of the analytical, design and computing skills required to work in
modern engineering environments.
Why is the UK a good choice for engineering?
The UK is home to world–recognised teaching standards and expertise in all engineering specialisms –
aeronautical, materials/mineral, mechanical, chemical, computer, electrical and civil. When you study here you
will learn under some of the best engineering brains in the world, in state–of–the–art learning environments and
labs, while gaining transferable skills that can be adapted to all kinds of challenges and settings.
What is engineering like in the UK?
The UK is home to centuries of engineering heritage, and that knowledge has been exported worldwide. Today,
engineering is vital to the UK economy. The UK is ranked fifth in the world for innovation, and 27 per cent of
enterprises in the UK are engineering–related,2 employing 5.6 million people in the UK. This has helped to give
UK universities excellent industry links, ensuring their graduates are at the cutting edge of theory and practice.Are there any scholarships for engineering?
There’s a wide array of engineering scholarships open to international students thinking of studying in the UK,
including IET-accredited scholarships such as the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship, the Engineering Horizons
Bursary and the Power Academy Scholarship. You could also apply for a marine-specific scholarship from the
Shipwrights Bursary Scheme, a bursary funded by the Institute for Civil Engineers (ICE) or a scholarship from
the Royal Academy of Engineering. A large number of universities also offer their own scholarships to
international students.
What are my work options after I graduate?
Graduating in engineering from the UK ensures that you will be highly employable anywhere you want to go.
UK graduates are among the most employable3 in the world, and you can follow your career into sectors as
diverse as agriculture, education, pharmaceuticals and journalism.
Starting salaries for engineering graduates tend to be around £26,000 to £29,000, with massive earning
potential worldwide. Whether you want to be an aerospace engineer, a nuclear engineer or a technical writer,
you’ll find the best possible start to your career in the UK.
International students can apply to stay and work in the UK for two years after graduating through the Graduate
Route.
To find out more about studying engineering in the UK and find a course,
