Explore Engineering
Explore the world of engineering, learn about different career paths, and discover how your interests, skills, and creativity can shape the future through engineering.
What is Engineering?
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Engineering is all about solving problems, designing solutions, and improving the world around us. Engineers use science, mathematics, creativity, and technology to build systems, structures, tools, and innovations that make life safer, easier, and more efficient.
From the phones we use to the transport we rely on, engineering shapes every part of our daily lives.
Routes to
Get into Engineering
There’s no single route into engineering. Whether through school subjects, apprenticeships, university, or hands-on experience, you can choose the pathway that best fits your goals and interests.
Each route helps you build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to solve real-world problems and create innovative solutions.
School
Starting with science subjects - especially physics and maths - gives you a strong foundation for engineering.
Subjects like computing, chemistry, and design & technology also help build problem-solving and technical skills that engineers use every day. These subjects can open the door to apprenticeships, further study, or university pathways.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training, allowing you to learn while gaining real experience in industry.
They are available at different levels, with higher apprenticeships often including university-level study.
Apprenticeships are practical, hands-on, and directly connected to real engineering roles.
Pre-University Pathways
Before university, many students study A-Levels, IB, Highers, BTECs, or other vocational qualifications.
These courses help you build the knowledge and skills needed for engineering degrees or technical careers. Subjects like maths, physics, chemistry, design & technology, and computing are especially useful.
Internships
Internships give students the opportunity to experience engineering in real working environments.
You might shadow engineers, contribute to projects, or learn how teams solve real-world challenges. Internships are a great way to explore different fields and gain valuable experience early in your journey.
University Degree
Students can pursue an engineering degree such as a BEng (3–4 years) or MEng/MSc (4–5 years). Many courses include industrial placements, year-long internships, or project-based learning.
You can specialise in areas like mechanical, civil, electrical, biomedical, chemical, aerospace, or computer engineering.
Work
Engineers apply their skills across a huge range of industries - including technology, construction, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, sustainability, and digital systems.
Whether you want to work on buildings, software, robotics, infrastructure, medical technology, or even space, engineering offers endless opportunities.
Routes to
Get into Engineering
There’s no single route into engineering. Whether through school subjects, apprenticeships, university, or hands-on experience, you can choose the pathway that best fits your goals and interests.
Each route helps you build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to solve real-world problems and create innovative solutions.
School
Starting with science subjects - especially physics and maths - gives you a strong foundation for engineering.
Subjects like computing, chemistry, and design & technology also help build problem-solving and technical skills that engineers use every day. These subjects can open the door to apprenticeships, further study, or university pathways.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training.
They come in different levels, with higher apprenticeships often including university-level study.
Apprenticeships are hands-on, practical, and directly linked to real roles in industry.
Pre-University Pathways
You can study A-levels, IB, Highers, BTECs or other vocational qualifications. These courses prepare
you for a specific discipline through practical learning and industry-linked assignments. Subjects like
maths, physics, chemistry, design and technology, or computing are especially useful.
Internships
Internships give students the opportunity to experience engineering in real working environments.
You might shadow engineers, contribute to projects, or learn how teams solve real-world challenges. Internships are a great way to explore different fields and gain valuable experience early in your journey.
University Degree
Students can pursue a BEng (3–4 years) or MEng/MSc (4–5 years). Many courses include industrial
placements, year-long internships, or project-based learning. You can specialise in fields like
mechanical, civil, electrical, biomedical, chemical, aerospace, or computer engineering.
Work
Once trained, engineers apply their skills in a huge range of industries — technology, design,
construction, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, sustainability, digital systems, and more. Whether
you want to work in buildings, software, robotics, infrastructure, healthcare, or space — engineering
offers endless opportunities.
Types of Engineering
Dive into mini-profiles of key engineering fields—including Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Biomedical—to see what you could do and what you need to study.
Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering focuses on designing, improving, and optimising systems that involve people, processes, machines, and organisations. It aims to make operations more efficient, productive, safe, and cost-effective by analysing how things work and finding better ways to do them.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science to design the hardware and software that power modern computing systems. It focuses on creating the processors, devices, networks, and embedded technologies that make computers and smart systems work.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering combines engineering principles with biology and medicine to improve human health. It focuses on designing technologies, devices, and systems that diagnose, treat, monitor, or support the human body.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering applies chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to turn raw materials into useful products safely and efficiently. It focuses on designing and optimising processes that produce fuels, medicines, materials, food, cosmetics, and sustainable chemicals.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering focuses on the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It involves designing, analysing, and improving the systems that generate, transmit, and use electrical power, from small electronic devices to large-scale energy networks.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of the infrastructure that supports everyday life. This includes roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, transport networks, and public spaces.
Qualities of an Engineer
Great engineers aren’t defined by one skill - they combine creativity, logic, and curiosity to design meaningful solutions.
Practical & Resourceful
Engineers use what they have to create innovative solutions.
Problem Solver
They can spot solutions to complex or unfamiliar challenges.
Curious
Engineers want to understand how things work and how to improve them.
STEM
Skills
Science, technology, engineering, and maths fuel the engineering mindset.
Team Player
Engineering is collaborative, requiring shared ideas and joint problem-solving.
Frequently asked questions
Engineering is the application of science, math, and creativity to solve real-world problems and improve society by designing and building systems, structures, and technology.
Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain everything from bridges and airplanes to apps and medical devices, depending on their specialisation. They solve problems and create solutions for human needs.
Engineering drives innovation, improves quality of life, and solves critical challenges like clean energy, healthcare advancements, and infrastructure development. Engineering is the foundation of a safer, smarter, and more connected world.
You should study math and STEM subjects such as physics or maths in school, then pursue a degree in engineering in the field you're interested in.
It usually takes 3-5 years to complete an engineering degree, depending on the country and program. Additional training or qualifications might add more time.
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Bachelors Degree (BEng or BSc) - Foundational knowledge and skills
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Masters Degree (MEng or MSc) - Specialise further in a particular area of engineering
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Doctoral Degree (PhD) - Highest level of education, focused on original research, innovation and new knowledge
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Other types include: Technician Diploma/Certificate, Professional Engineering (PEng, Chartered Engineer), Postgraduate Diploma
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Engineers can work in design, research, manufacturing, software development, energy, construction, healthcare, and more. Their roles depend on their specialisation.
Engineers work in tech, construction, aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy, and transportation, among others.
Tools vary by field, but common ones include CAD (computer-aided design) software, simulation tools, programming languages, and testing equipment.
Tools vary by field, but common ones include CAD (computer-aided design) software, simulation tools, programming languages, and testing equipment.