From a quick browse at entry requirements, maths A-level appears to be a must have.
What route for Electrical engineer.
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From a quick browse at entry requirements, maths A-level appears to be a must have.
Was just about to say this, if you want to be an electrician or progress to an electrical career and you don't have any previous quals you need a C&G/BTEC qualification to progress.
I can tell thee, level 3 is quite a hard course!
Not having the Masters is going to result in the door into an accredited graduate training scheme being pretty much closed to you as you won't have the necessary educational requirements for Chartership.
If BTEC 'crap' is good enough to get you working and managing people at CERN then it can't be all that bad IMO.
Soldato
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Utter rubbish.
You are correct, but Maths is a very good Alevel to have and employers like it.
I meant that a BTEC is a crap route to becoming an engineer.
Also a BTEC won't allow you to get chartered easily.
Ninja Edited to add this. You are correct. For the IMECHE that I am going for (I am not an electrical engineer) a B Eng can lead to becoming Incorporated rather than chartered, but to become chartered half a Masters must have been completed.
Not the end of the world really, depending on what he wants out of the job. Plenty of scope to do what you want without it IMO!
Again, it comes to personal preferences.Edit- just re-read that he wants to end up at uni, in that case, a-levels then uni I'd say.
My decision before year 11...
I also wanted to be an electrical engineer, and well that's exactly what I am becoming, or a variation of it (Electronic & Computer to be precise).
Anyways, I chose to do a BTEC National Diploma in Engineering at college, 2 years and then to go onto university. If you go to university you're definitely more likely to come out and get a Job with a high paying wage, if you do well.
I know as soon as I've finished my masters degree, which is about another year, I can receive what's known as chartered status after around 5 years of work. Then the high flyers can earn a ridiculously high wage.
so, if you want to become a fully blown electrical engineer, specialize in an area in it and earn a high wage i'm going to say university.
If you want to be more of a technician or electrician take an apprenticeship with a company, nowhere near as highly paid, but it's quick and easy money.
You will definitely need mathematics though, preferably an A-Level in maths, I didn't have one so I had to do a foundation year at uni, but I was awful at maths back then, now I'm rather good at it, so don't worry so much about maths.
I also wanted to be an electrical engineer, and well that's exactly what I am becoming, or a variation of it (Electronic & Computer to be precise).
Anyways, I chose to do a BTEC National Diploma in Engineering at college, 2 years and then to go onto university. If you go to university you're definitely more likely to come out and get a Job with a high paying wage, if you do well.
I know as soon as I've finished my masters degree, which is about another year, I can receive what's known as chartered status after around 5 years of work. Then the high flyers can earn a ridiculously high wage.
so, if you want to become a fully blown electrical engineer, specialize in an area in it and earn a high wage i'm going to say university.
If you want to be more of a technician or electrician take an apprenticeship with a company, nowhere near as highly paid, but it's quick and easy money.
You will definitely need mathematics though, preferably an A-Level in maths, I didn't have one so I had to do a foundation year at uni, but I was awful at maths back then, now I'm rather good at it, so don't worry so much about maths.
Wow so many replies, cheers every one 
What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.
Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.
The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.
At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me
.
Sorry for all that,
Ripped
EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprenticeship and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.
What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.
Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.
The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.
At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me
.Sorry for all that,
Ripped
EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprenticeship and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.
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Soldato
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I haven't come across a strong Engineering University that takes on students with BTEC's. I thought it was the old Polys that did that?
Want to go to a University where employees think 'Oh look we went to Uni XYZ', then you need Alevels in Maths and Physics!
Want to go to a University where employees think 'Oh look we went to Uni XYZ', then you need Alevels in Maths and Physics!
You do know that most colleges offer A level electronics?
I am current doing as electronics,maths,physics and computing. I think it s a fairly good choice especially with maths/physics and electronics overlapping. Practically a 3rd of Electronics you learn in physics.
I am current doing as electronics,maths,physics and computing. I think it s a fairly good choice especially with maths/physics and electronics overlapping. Practically a 3rd of Electronics you learn in physics.
I wouldn't bother trying to determine what is crap and what is not here. I did a BTEC and I'm a year away from having a Masters Degree.
The only downside is that I had to do a foundation year at uni, other than that, it's a perfect route and it definitely gives you more of an insight into engineering than an a-level in maths and/or physics alone.
But surely with Btecs there is not much leeway, if you decide half way through that you hate the subject/career then you are screwed.
Wow so many replies, cheers every one
What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.
Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.
The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.
At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me.
Sorry for all that,
Ripped
EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprentice and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.
What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.
Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.
The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.
At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me
.Sorry for all that,
Ripped
EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprentice and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.
Soldato
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Yes, but what University is it? A good one or one that sprung up from nowhere in 2002?
Having an 'Engineering M Eng' isn't enough information in itself.
I fully agree that a foundation year can be an extremely good way of getting in though.
Soldato
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But do you know how difficult it is to get on those schemes. Graduates have to go through many phases of recruitment process now. It is no longer a simple interview or 2 interviews process. OP will generally be facing:
-Lenghty online Application form
-Telephone interview
- Psychometric tests
- Online personality questionnaire
-Assessment centre (usually last for whole day and includes further interviews, group activities with other candidates, presentations and even being observed during lunch etc).
At any stage mentioned above he can be rejected and that's him done with that potential company.
Correction: Only 'Experienced' engineers having 3-8 years experience in the electrical field.
I am not being negative but what I am saying is from my own experience as a graduate who experienced the job market. That's why imho it would be better for OP to go through practical route of apprenticeship as his skills would be more in demand than a graduate who only mainly knows the theoretical side of electrical stuff but has virtually not much hand on practical work.
OP can start apprenticeship and then he should apply for even voluntary work with a small electrical engineering firm. That way it will be more benefical to him in the longer run and plus he will only have to face 1-2 interviews
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Soldato
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I see, in that case my advice would be this.
If you can cope with lots of maths then go the A level route.
If you're not really such a maths fan then maybe the BTEC route is a better way forward?
Wow so many replies, cheers every one
What i would like to do is none on the "electrical design engineer" stuff, I think the apprenticeships lead to a technician role, and then is when i would go to higher education to get the masters, or bachelor's degree.
Yeah my dad doesn't really want me to end up in a labour extensive job, but I'm sure he'd be fine with me doing a apprenticeship.
The Uni's around my area aren't really the best (Newcastle area), so would I still need A levels to get in or do you think if I do well at a apprenticeship, they would allow me in.
At the collage i go to for the Young apprentice program, the dude who manages it is an ex careers advisor and when i asked he said I'd probably be better off in an apprenticeship , but this may because he firm will get government money from me
Sorry for all that,
Ripped
EDIT; I defiantly want to go to Uni, its just either go in as been a apprenticeship and come out with the degree and experience, or A levels , and come out with a degree, no experience, but a few years earlier.
My current Tutor started of as an apprentice, progressed and went to uni, he's got some pretty good knowledge.
also, if you like hands on work, being an electrician is good for it
.You live in Newcastle 'ripped' according to your location anyways.
Newcaslte University takes on students with a BTEC in engineering, although you need triple A grade overall if you go that route.
You even need an A at A-Level maths as well, that's if you go to Newcastle University, although it's an excellent choice, it's a well recognized and highly considered university.
Chartered Status is cake, if you go there, then you're earning big money!
Newcaslte University takes on students with a BTEC in engineering, although you need triple A grade overall if you go that route.
You even need an A at A-Level maths as well, that's if you go to Newcastle University, although it's an excellent choice, it's a well recognized and highly considered university.
Chartered Status is cake, if you go there, then you're earning big money!
Newcastle University. It's not just some old university, and the entry requirements are rather high. I also got accepted into Durham University and Teeside University, then I decided Newcastle University was the best choice, nightlife, recognition etc.
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nothing stopping you doing summer placements at university to get experience, plus get in with a good company and they may offer you a graduate job, as is the case with people on my course.
Yes some graduate companies have complicated recruitment processes, but some dont. Also, the greater the risk the greater the reward.
There are plenty of graduate schemes around. I have already linked to 90 jobs, some of them are withing the (constantly growing) renewable sector.