What route for Electrical engineer.

Newcastle University. It's not just some old university, and the entry requirements are rather high.

According to the Gaurdian good Uni guide its 24/60 for Electronic and Electric so pretty good.

Usually people post 'oh I got a BTEC I am an engineer' when they are a technician, or did some crap degree at Derby which isn't even accredited by any of the relevant professional bodies.
 
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.

You can get into uni on day release after an apprenticeship and without A level, I should know, I'm doing it and I don't have any A levels. I go to Northumbria University 1 day a week to get my BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. I finished school, did a 2 year diploma, got accepted for an apprenticeship, got an HNC and NVQs from that apprenticeship, then got another HNC afterwards because I couldn't get into uni without it.

It depends who your apprenticeship is with, my company will likely fund further study if I succesfully get my BEng, and if I want to do it. Also if they don't fund yourself, but you can still get the day off it's only £1,600 for a years study.

Strictly speaking I'm not an electrical engineer, my job title is Maintenance Engineer, who's main profession is electrical/electronic and control based.
 
According to the Gaurdian good Uni guide its 24/60 for Electronic and Electric so pretty good.

Usually people post 'oh I got a BTEC I am an engineer' when they are a technician, or did some crap degree at Derby which isn't even accredited by any of the relevant professional bodies.

The same could be said about students thinking they're better than everyone else because they have a degree....
 
The same could be said about students thinking they're better than everyone else because they have a degree....

Unfortunately the opposite is happening in the UK. Those with engineering degrees are seen as nothing special. Go to germany, australia, china, russia, america etc. etc. and engineering professionals sit with lawyers and doctors.
 
I Prefer Practical Learning , so would prefer the Apprenticeship route( been doing some quick research). Im not saying that im crap at school or anything , Im predicted A's in maths and science. ( lower in English, C, as you can tell by my writing).

If i took the apprentice route, then got a sponsor(for example) for Uni, (did well) would there be any thing holding me back?

I don't really under stand the Requirements and didn't realise the uni's around me were actually any good, so could i get in to uni the apprenticeship way.

Ps, "Mucky_Pup" what uni do you attend, and what type of diploma did you get a after leaving school

Thanks muchly,
Ripped.
 
Is this you having a sulk about not going to Univeristy or something?
If you want to go, then go, if you don't, don't go.

No of course I'm not sulking, I have not stated my qualifications anywhere, what made you think that?

I'm just saying that some students can come across as ****s and know-it-alls just because they have a degree. :)
 
Is this you having a sulk about not going to Univeristy or something?
If you want to go, then go, if you don't, don't go.

He has a point though, since the push to get everyone into higher education happened, there's be a increase in the number of people who think they can just waltz into a £25k p.a. job as their first full time employment, "because I have a degree innit" while they lack any skills or workplace experience.
 
According to the Gaurdian good Uni guide its 24/60 for Electronic and Electric so pretty good.

Usually people post 'oh I got a BTEC I am an engineer' when they are a technician, or did some crap degree at Derby which isn't even accredited by any of the relevant professional bodies.

You give some fresh graduate electrical engineer a task of soldering some components to pcbs and I doubt they would do a very good job.
 
Go the academic route if you think you're capable. Don't put it off, just do it.

I suggest A-levels (maths and physics will put you in good stead), then either a HND + 1 year top-up (tI think top-up schemes vary from uni to uni, so check) to a BEng/BSc or straight into a degree. I'm doing a Manufacturing Engineering HND and hope to top up to a BSc/BEng at some point shortly after completing. Being where I am now and looking back, I would've certainly gone the academic route as I let myself stagnate at a pretty low level in my current employment for about 5 years after finishing my apprenticeship.

Some employers will take you through ONC etc upto HNC/D and then further if you're worth the investment, but IME there aren't that many around that do this. Could be a good boat to jump on if you can find a decent local firm willing to do this, just don't get stuck like I did!
 
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Im off to bed guys( and Girls), Keep posting if you wish , but i wont reply till atleast half 7 tomorrow

You's all have been really good,thanks :D


Night,
Ripped:o
 
I'm just saying that some students can come across as ****s and know-it-alls just because they have a degree. :)

And some non-students can come across as ****s and know-it-alls just because they've been working for a few years.

Or because they're older.

Or because they've been travelling.

Or because they're just a bit of a **** and a know-it-all in general.

Or any one of a whole host of reasons.

It's not really a 'student' thing :/
 
He has a point though, since the push to get everyone into higher education happened, there's be a increase in the number of people who think they can just waltz into a £25k p.a. job as their first full time employment, "because I have a degree innit" while they lack any skills or workplace experience.

I do agree with his comment (and your comment too), he just came across as complaining :p.

A good degree still gets paid £20+ upon graduation, it is the cruddy ones that don't.

Ignoring inflation, an engineer gets paid the same as he/she would have done 30 years ago.

Whilst I am a student, I actually firmly believe that students as a whole are lazy spongers!
 
And some non-students can come across as ****s and know-it-alls just because they've been working for a few years.

Or because they're older.

Or because they've been travelling.

Or because they're just a bit of a **** and a know-it-all in general.

Or any one of a whole host of reasons.

It's not really a 'student' thing :/

For sure, but this thread has mainly been discussing degrees lol.
 
Ps, "Mucky_Pup" what uni do you attend, and what type of diploma did you get a after leaving school

I told you in my post :P Northumbria.

After school I went and did a 2 year National Diploma in Operations & Maintenance Engineering, got my apprenticeship where I did a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) over 2 years, which was the wrong course for me, but was never rectified, I then topped up my HNC to a one in Electrical & Electronic Engineering over another year, then started University on a BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering last September.

I also go multiple NVQ's throughout my apprenticeship.
 
He has a point though, since the push to get everyone into higher education happened, there's be a increase in the number of people who think they can just waltz into a £25k p.a. job as their first full time employment, "because I have a degree innit" while they lack any skills or workplace experience.

Yes, but we arent talking about any degree. Get an engineering degree from a reputable university, tagged with industry experience during your summer 12 weeks holiday (some uni's even allow work placements to be done during course time for credits) then after a little perseverance a 25k starting salary and the first steps to becoming chartered is a goal that is not unrealistic.

If you have the academic skills, I dont see the point in doing an apprenticeship, then doing a degree. Seems like a decision that will become easily regrettable.
 
You give some fresh graduate electrical engineer a task of soldering some components to pcbs and I doubt they would do a very good job.

Probably not no, but then 'electrical' engineering is aimed more at stuff like HV transmission, power generation and stuff like that.

Electronic engineering is more focussed on circuits, chips and that sort of stuff.
 
OP, if you want to be an electrical engineer then you've gotta head down the university route. I wouldn't waste your time with college and apprenticeships and just get your A Levels and get straight into a decent university. 5 years later, you'll pop out with your Masters and hopefully land a decent grad job paying well and open to many opportunities.

You give some fresh graduate electrical engineer a task of soldering some components to pcbs and I doubt they would do a very good job.

What a load of rubbish.
 
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