Study General Engineering, Why & How To Study

CONTENTS

1. What’s General Engineering?

2. What General Engineering degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a General Engineering degree?

4. What topics does a General Engineering degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study General Engineering?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying General Engineering?

8. What do General Engineering graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a General Engineering graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to General Engineering

12. Have any questions?

What’s General Engineering?

Engineering is the application of scientific and practical knowledge to build, create, maintain and upgrade structures and machines.

General Engineering is a course which allows those who have an interest in the subject, but don’t want to specialise straight away, to study an overview before choosing a specific subject branch later on.

Take a look at the university league table for General Engineering.

What General Engineering degrees can you study?

General Engineering is a broad reaching subject and is often studied in isolation although there are some variations. Examples include:

General Engineering BEng/MEng

This programme provides a comprehensive education in engineering fundamentals, enabling you to make an informed choice about the area in which to specialise. A BEng will usually take three years to complete full time. A MEng takes four years and gives you more in-depth training.

Look for General Engineering courses.

Engineering and Management BEng/MEng

This course combines fundamental engineering knowledge and skills with enhanced theory and practice in engineering management.

Search for Engineering and Management courses.

Integrated Engineering (with a year in industry) BEng

Integrated Engineering is a multi-disciplinary, design-project-based engineering degree which will help students solve a range of problems. It was created to meet the demand for engineers skilled in various disciplines, combining aspects from traditional engineering studies and liberal arts.

Find Integrated Engineering courses.

Sustainable Engineering MEng

The degree will cover all the fundamental principles of mechanical and electrical/electronic engineering as well as new cutting-edge 21st-century technologies essential for employment in the rapidly changing technological workplace.

Explore Sustainable Engineering courses.

Other options

Options may include an integrated foundation year, industrial placement, or a year abroad.

What do you need to get onto a General Engineering degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a General Engineering degree at a university typically range from 64 –168 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

• A Levels: A*A*A–DDE
• BTECs: D*D*D*–MMP (or in combination with A Levels)
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA– AA)
• International Baccalaureate: 40–24
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths and/or physics at A Level (or equivalent)

Good to have 

• Studied further maths or other science subjects
• Evidence of insight days or shadowing to see an engineer’s daily work
• Grown your skills through online courses, MOOCs, challenges or competitions
• Researched about the business of engineering on professional body websites, engineering magazines, podcasts, YouTube videos…
• If eligible, STEM summer schools such as UNIQ or the Sutton Trust

What topics does a General Engineering degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Mathematics for engineers and scientists
• Solid mechanics and structures
• Electronic and electrical systems
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Engineering practice
• Engineering design
• Engineering mathematics
• Control and signal processing
• Materials
• Civil design
• Modern manufacturing techniques

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Group assignments
• Posters
• Presentations
• Team projects
• Written exams

Why study General Engineering?

General Engineering courses allow you to keep your options open for your first year of undergraduate study, or in some cases throughout your entire course, as you study topics from across all engineering disciplines.

Career-specific skills:

• Overview of engineering as a broad discipline – which may include electrical, electronic, civil and mechanical engineering
• Understanding of all aspects of the engineering process, from design and development to building, testing and maintenance
• Industry experience from placements

Transferable skills:

• Problem solving
• Team working
• Planning
• Project management
• Communication (written and verbal)

Professional accreditation:

• Degrees may be accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and/or by specialist engineering bodies like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
• May include registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partial registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)

What do General Engineering graduates earn?

General Engineering graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £20,000–£30,000.

Thereafter, your salary will very much depend on the area in which you specialised. The average pay for a senior manufacturing engineer might be £50,500, while a senior engineer in civil engineering could be earning £67,500 or more.

What jobs can you get as a General Engineering graduate?

A degree in General Engineering is highly vocational, and could lead to the following jobs:

• Automotive engineer
• Broadcast engineer
• Database administrator
• Hydrogeologist
• IT consultant
• Metallurgist
• Pilot
• Telecommunications engineer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate courses are normally limited to those with a previous degree in an engineering, maths, science or technology subject. Examples of postgraduate courses include:

• Engineering MPhil/PhD
• Engineering Science DPhil/MSc (Res)
• Engineering Design MSc
• Engineering and Education MSc
• Engineering with Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc

Similar subjects to General Engineering

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Manufacturing & Production Engineering
• Materials Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Technology & Bioengineering

Search undergraduate General Engineering courses now!

Have any questions?

If you’ve got any questions about studying General Engineering, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!