The diversity of engineering means that whether your interests lie in film, TV, music, gadgets, travel, health, sport, design or the environment, there is probably an engineering role to match.

These jobs frequently provide the opportunity to work at the very cutting-edge of thought and innovation, and not only here in the UK. An engineering career may provide a real opportunity to either travel with your job or to permanently relocate abroad.

Studying engineering is a great general education and many engineers get snapped up by other professions. It is the third highest earning career (behind lawyers and doctors). The median salary for a Chartered Engineer in 2005
was in the region of £45,500. Unemployment among  professional engineers and scientists is among the lowest of any sector in the country.

Engineering requires hands on experience as well as an understanding of mathematics, science, design and society. Opportunities exist for engineers at all levels and engineering is one of the few career areas where people can progress with experience and work-based training, as opposed to more traditional qualifications.

Engineers gain professional recognition through registration with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK). This is awarded through a professional review undertaken with one of the specialist engineering institutions, for example The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Registration enables engineers to use the titles ‘Engineering Technician’, ‘Chartered Engineer’ or ‘Incorporated Engineer’ (with the coveted EngTech, CEng or IEng letters after their name).

The three qualifications below can be used as a guide to possible qualification routes.

Chartered Engineers (CEng) / Incorporated Engineers (IEng)
• For entry onto an engineering degree, students usually need: A-levels or equivalent in maths and – depending on the discipline – physics and/or chemistry and design and technology. They also need at least three GCSEs
(grades A to C, typically in maths, English, and double/core  sciences). Diplomas from 2008.
• Graduates with appropriate degrees and experience are encouraged to apply for Chartered and Incorporated registration with the ECUK and if successful gain CEng/IEng letters after their name.
• Those without appropriate degrees but with enough relevant experience can also apply to become Chartered or Incorporated Engineers through an individual assessment. See the 'Route Map' link at the bottom of this page. Click here for further information about accredited engineering courses.
• Students can also enter higher education by taking a foundation degree. These modern qualifications are designed and supported by businesses and provide the specialist technical knowledge and skills needed at associate professional and higher technician level.

Engineering Technicians (Eng Tech)
• The main training route for engineering technicians is to take advanced apprenticeships (called modern apprenticeships in Scotland and Wales). These can lead to qualifications at NVQ/SVQ levels 3-4 (A level equivalent).
Advanced and other  apprenticeships allow students to combine studying with working in industry.
• For entry into advanced apprenticeships (level 3-4) applicants will generally
need a minimum of four to five GCSEs, including English, mathematics and science or technology. Vocational GCSEs and diplomas from 2008 may also be welcomed. To find out more about apprenticeships click here.

• Some technician apprentices enter with full-time level 3 qualifications such as A-levels or Highers, VCEs, BTEC National diplomas, certificates, City & Guilds or equivalent.
• On completion of training (which can form part of the advanced apprenticeship), advanced apprentices are encouraged to apply for Engineering Technician registration with the ECUK and if successful gain Eng Tech letters after their name.

Click here to find out more about Engineering Technician registration with the ECUK.

Click on the link below to download a copy of the engineering 'Route Map'.

Enginuity Route Map (PDF 71k)