Studying structural engineering at college or university

Here are four top tips to help you pick the right engineering course for you:

Visit university open days:

It’s really important that you are happy in your university: you are going to study there for three or four years. Open days are a great opportunity to visit the campus (and the surrounding area), tour the department you’re interested in, and speak to staff and other students.

Pick the right course title:

The best courses to pick for a structural engineering career include:
 

• Civil Engineering
   
• Civil and Structural Engineering
   
• Architectural Engineering
   
• Structural Engineering with Architectural Design
   
• General Engineering (Civil Engineering Pathway)

Take an accredited course:

Make sure you pick a course that’s accredited - that is approved by professional engineering institutions like IStructE - this will make it much easier to find a job and become professionally registered later on. You can find accredited courses on the Engineering Council website.

Pick a Bachelor or Masters degrees:

A Master of Engineering (MEng) involves four years of study (five in Scotland). MEng degrees are the gold standard and set you on the right path to become a full member of the Institution. To apply for an MEng degree you will usually need a minimum of 300 UCAS points.

You can still work towards becoming a Member with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or BSc or BEng with Honours (Hons) degree. These generally involve three years’ study (or four in Scotland). You will need a minimum of 225 UCAS points.