• Question: What subjects are needed for basic engineering?

    Asked by Hasan to Oliver, Lesley, Leah, Hannah, Graeme, Aleks on 6 Mar 2019. This question was also asked by 666eneq26, Shakira x.
    • Photo: Graeme Burt

      Graeme Burt answered on 6 Mar 2019: last edited 10 Mar 2019 5:18 pm

      Physics and Maths are the most important (chemistry for chemical engineering too). Most Engineering courses at Uni will require those either at A level or through an Engineering BTEC. Computing is useful but not essential.
      Even if you don’t need them they help a lot in learning engineering is engineering is just the application of science to make useful products.

    • Photo: Lesley Colquhoun

      Lesley Colquhoun answered on 6 Mar 2019:

      maths is a must!

      Physics helps you to understand the basics of everything around about you however there was a guys in my uni class that didnt have a physics grade and still passed. He did just need to work a little harder.

      if you are already considering engineering though, i would definitely advise choosing Maths and physics and like Graeme said, Chemistry also helps.

      I was amazed when doing mechanical engineering how much chemistry was involved in order to understand how materials react under different conditions.

    • Photo: Oliver Moore

      Oliver Moore answered on 7 Mar 2019:

      I would say Maths is essential.

      Physics is recommended as this will introduce you to a lot of the basic principles of all engineering; for example it is in Physics that you will first study electricity and circuit theory, this would then be taken much further in Electrical Engineering degree module(s).

      Then there are some A Levels which might come in more handy for certain engineering degrees; like Chemistry for Chemical Engineering. Electrical Engineering can often be quite computer sciencey, dependent on the university. I would say I certainly benefit from studying Computing at GCSE and A Level before going to university.

    • Photo: Hannah Griffin

      Hannah Griffin answered on 11 Mar 2019:

      It depends on what kind of engineer you want to be so check out what each university requires you to have studied at A level to get on the course you are interested in.
      For computing I found a course that was perfect for me – very applied and employers liked. When I chose my A levels, I planned to be a primary teacher so my A levels were a true mix…art, biology and IT…. I was able to learn the maths I needed as part of the course (and it wasn’t that much..mainly logic).

      I’d suggest choose subjects that need you to be logical and creative. Apprenticeships are cool and allow you to gain experience while learning too and often they accept more diverse subjects if you don’t have maths and physics and more ‘traditional’ engineering qualifications.

    • Photo: Leah Morgan

      Leah Morgan answered on 14 Mar 2019: last edited 14 Mar 2019 1:39 pm

      Haha, I’m not sure there’s much more I can add to these answers! I agree with these guys 😀

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