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EngineeringÌýis a greatÌýcareer optionÌýto considerÌýif you enjoy problem solving, innovation and being creative. Not only does it provide you with employability skills to secure a jobÌýwhen you graduate, it also offers great earningÌýpotential. The Engineering Professors CouncilÌýreportÌý(2021) found that just fifteen months after leaving university, 82% of Engineering graduates are in highly skilled roles and, after ten years, they earn an average of nearly £12,000 more than graduates from other subjects.Ìý

However, Engineering is perceived to be a difficult and challenging subject that requires a background in mathematics and physics to be successful - and is typically seen as a predominantly a male industry too.ÌýWe believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be a successful engineer, regardless of background, which is why we offer lots of support and pathways to becomeÌýan engineer.ÌýÌý

If you’re considering a degree in Engineering butÌýareÌýworried that you haven’t got the right qualifications or background, read on to find out how we will support you to reach your dream career!Ìý

1. Foundation YearÌý

We offer all of our Engineering degrees with foundation year options, including mechanical, manufacturing, automotive and electronic. This provides a stepping-stone between where you are at now and the first year of the BEng degree to prepare you to get the most out of yourÌýstudies.ÌýÌý

This is a great option if you don’t get enough points to go straight onto the first year, or if you want to take a year to get familiar with the subject before committing to the full degree.ÌýOn our Engineering degrees withÌýaÌýfoundationÌýyear,Ìýyou’ll learn about mathematics and science specifically in an engineering context, plus you’ll develop practical skills so that you feel confident starting your first year.ÌýÌý

2. ScholarshipsÌýfor female applicantsÌýÌý

In collaboration withÌýWomen in Science and EngineeringÌý(WISE), we offer a £1,000 bursary each year to our femaleÌýEngineeringÌýapplicants.ÌýAll female applicants have the chance to submit a response to a short brief for the chance to win this prize, designed to kick-start a career in Engineering.ÌýFind out more about the WISE bursary here.Ìý

3. Personal TutorÌýÌý

When you start an Engineering degree with us, you’ll be assigned a ‘personal tutor’ who will be an Engineering member of staff to support with any course or student-related queries. Your personal tutor is your go-to person for any queries or issues. For example, if you are struggling with a module or unsure of something on your course – or if you have a question about student life more generally, your personal tutor is there to support you.ÌýÌý

4. Mentor programmeÌýÌý

You can apply to be part of our mentor programme that allows you to request a mentor, based on your individual needs and what you are looking to achieve. Your unique requirements are matched with a mentor - who could be someone who works at BCU or in industry - Ìýto work together to help you reach your goals.ÌýÌý

5. Centre forÌýAcademic Success (CAS)Ìýsupport forÌýmathematicsÌý

Everyone’s experience of mathematics at school is very different, so we don’t expect everyone to join our engineering courses withÌýthe same level of experience in this subject.ÌýÌýTo help you to achieve your full potential, the Centre for Academic SuccessÌýteamÌýcan give you advice on study skills, academic writing, English language, mathematics, programming and more.ÌýÌý

6. Weekly studentÌýdemonstrators scheduled sessions Ìý

We provide the option for regularÌýsupport sessions, led by ourÌýenthusiasticÌýstudent demonstrators.ÌýThese are weekly informal meetings where you can ask general questions aboutÌýtopics related to mathematics and engineering principles, review a particularÌýtopic or question from theÌýmodule’s resources, or simply strengthen yourÌýskills.ÌýYou can choose from severalÌýsessions to accommodate your scheduleÌýand, alternatively, you can request aÌýone-to-one peerÌýsupport session.ÌýÌý

7. Extra support and feedback sessionsÌý

We offer extra supportÌýfor students who might needÌýto go over the work in more detail so thatÌýtheyÌýfully get to grips withÌýtheÌýEngineeringÌýmodules.ÌýYou can also requestÌýfeedbackÌýsessionsÌýafterÌýassessments, so you can review what are the next steps needed for you to succeed.ÌýÌý

8. Revision week sessionsÌý

Ahead of examsÌýwe offer revision week sessions,ÌýtoÌýrevisit modules and topics studied throughout the year,Ìýso that you feel prepared and confident. Within this, we also offer the option to cover specific areas that you feelÌýless confident in such as science or mathematics and our academic support staff go through the work in more detail.Ìý

9. Members of WISEÌý

We are proud to have a diverse studentÌýand staff communityÌýand encourage everyone, from all backgrounds to study this subject and feel supported to do that. As members of WISE, we support females into EngineeringÌýby working with local schools to run events for International Women in Engineering Day each year and work closely with our female students to ensure they feel represented.

Watch a recent webinar with Acting Head of Department, Professor Laura Leyland and Engineering students onÌýThe Future of Women in Engineering.ÌýÌý

So no matter whether you are joining us from BTEC, A-level, sixth-form, college, or maybe you are returning to study after taking some time away – rest assured that you will be supported every step of the way and our dedicated staff and teams will be around to help you get the most out of your degree.