• Question: i want to be an engineer when Im older, what GCSEs do you recommend?

    Asked by KStrachan to Tadhg, Hilly, Lee, Liz, Yasmin on 14 Jun 2015. This question was also asked by Baby Blue.
    • Photo: Tadhg O'Donovan

      Tadhg O'Donovan answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      Hi KStrachan,

      So I’m glad to hear you want to be an engineer! It’s a very rewarding career choice. The key subjects you need at GCSE level are Mathematics and Science – but I think they are compulsory at this stage anyway?

      When it comes to applying to University, most engineering degree courses will require 3 A-Levels and subject choice at this stage is very important – you will need Maths and most engineering courses (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil) will need Physics. Chemical Engineering requires …you guessed it: Chemistry :). Ideally for A-Level, it would be great to have Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and as long as you keep these subject choices available to you from GCSE then you’ll be fine.

      You probably have lots of options to choose from at this stage and there are no bad choices. Perhaps you might want to choose some of the technology subjects (Graphic Design, Design and Technology, Product Design, Engineering etc)? But engineers work in a very multi-disciplinary environment so if you had a language or a business subject etc, that is also of great value.

      My advise: Use this opportunity to indulge you interests. If you like a subject, you are more likely to do well with it, and it and that will help shape your future career. Exciting! Enjoy!

      Tadhg

    • Photo: Liz Meddings

      Liz Meddings answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      At GCSE stage, I’d choose things I’m interested in. You have to take maths anyway and some science. I chose the dual award science so that I could study more subjects – I chose art and German as my extras. Being creative is great when you’re trying to solve problems and being able to sketch is great for getting people to understand difficult concepts. Languages are great as it means you can choose to work in different countries easily. I studied Italian with my engineering degree and spent 4 months living in Sardinia – great beaches!

    • Photo: David Hill

      David Hill answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      I did the following standard grades (equivalent to GCSEs in Scotland)
      Maths, English, German, History, Physics, Computing Science, Technological Studies and Graphic Communication.

      Maths & Physics are a MUST (I think!)

      Tech. studies, computing science and graphic comm. have certainly helped me! And looking back… I wish I’d took chemistry too!

      Ultimately; do subjects you enjoy… ultimately they are influencing your future job and if that sends you down the path of engineering, I can confirm that its sure to be exciting!

    • Photo: Yasmin Ali

      Yasmin Ali answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      I don’t have much to add to what the other guys have said, apart from: woohoo! That’s exciting! Good luck with becoming an engineer :).

    • Photo: Lee Margetts

      Lee Margetts answered on 18 Jun 2015:

      Science and maths are essential. I’d always recommend studying subjects that you really enjoy doing. So if you love art or languages or history or physical education, make sure you do not give them up. All have their uses. Languages are particularly useful as most engineering firms are multi-national companies. I think Chinese will be particularly useful in the next 5-10 years.

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