One of the broadest of subjects at university, general engineering embraces everything from electronics to infrastructure projects.
What qualification do you leave with?
You have a choice of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Master of Engineering (MEng) courses.
How long is the degree?
Outside of Scotland, BEng courses last three years, while MEng degrees take four. In Scotland, both courses last a year longer.
What does it cover?
General engineering is a creative as well as an analytical subject, and its spread is vast: from the microscopic intricacy of nanotechnology or the civil engineering challenge of designing a hydroelectric dam to the more everyday problems of constructing efficient lawnmowers or washing machines, the engineering of new materials used in sports equipment or space suits, or the field of software engineering.
Engineering courses of all kinds tend to place the emphasis on mathematical and scientific knowledge, on putting that knowledge into practice through design projects, on links with industry and often on building background skills that will be useful in the workplace, such as teamwork and management capability.
Most degrees with "engineering" in the title are specific to a particular branch of the subject, with the student choosing the field in which they want to specialise from the start. For example, courses in chemical engineering; civil engineering;
electronic and electrical engineering; materials science and materials engineering; and mechanical and production engineering lead to separate degrees which are profiled elsewhere in this guide.
Some universities, however, offer "engineering" or "general engineering" courses which allow students to keep their options open for a year or two, or indeed in some cases throughout the course if they choose, as they study topics from across these fields in this very broad discipline.
For example, the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Lancaster, Oxford and Warwick allow students to study a broad range of subjects, usually embracing at least electronic and mechanical engineering, for between half a year and two years before specialising.
A smaller group, including Cardiff and Leicester, allow undergraduates to remain on the "general" course throughout their degree, with some advertising that employers value generalists who can make links across the subject.
Whatever course they take, students achieving a Master in Engineering are able to gain Chartered Engineer status after a period in industry.
Those graduating with a Bachelor in Engineering must complete a further period of study – possibly through an MSc – and then work in industry before achieving this mark, which signals professional competence as a practising engineer.
What can you expect?
These general engineering courses give you the chance to keep your options open as you decide what type of engineering interests you. Whatever the course, expect some theoretical challenge and hands-on design and experimentation.
What are the usual A-levels you need?
At least two science or science-related subjects, often to include maths, are typically stipulated.
Do grades matter?
The grades demanded by a range of selective universities in this subject vary from A*AA to BBB.
Career prospects
Engineers tend to be in demand, with the diversity of options reflecting the scope of the subject. Links into the automotive and aerospace industry, through companies such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Airbus and BAE Systems, are strong.
Students also go on to wider jobs in management, to pursue further research and also to put their analytical skills to lucrative use in accountancy, management consultancy and the City.
Top places to study
The Complete University Guide rates Oxford, Cambridge, Surrey, Nottingham and Cardiff as the top five universities for general engineering according to an index based on student satisfaction, entry standards, an assessment of the quality of the university's research and graduate prospects.
What qualification do you leave with?
You have a choice of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Master of Engineering (MEng) courses.
How long is the degree?
Outside of Scotland, BEng courses last three years, while MEng degrees take four. In Scotland, both courses last a year longer.
What does it cover?
General engineering is a creative as well as an analytical subject, and its spread is vast: from the microscopic intricacy of nanotechnology or the civil engineering challenge of designing a hydroelectric dam to the more everyday problems of constructing efficient lawnmowers or washing machines, the engineering of new materials used in sports equipment or space suits, or the field of software engineering.
Engineering courses of all kinds tend to place the emphasis on mathematical and scientific knowledge, on putting that knowledge into practice through design projects, on links with industry and often on building background skills that will be useful in the workplace, such as teamwork and management capability.
Most degrees with "engineering" in the title are specific to a particular branch of the subject, with the student choosing the field in which they want to specialise from the start. For example, courses in chemical engineering; civil engineering;
electronic and electrical engineering; materials science and materials engineering; and mechanical and production engineering lead to separate degrees which are profiled elsewhere in this guide.
Some universities, however, offer "engineering" or "general engineering" courses which allow students to keep their options open for a year or two, or indeed in some cases throughout the course if they choose, as they study topics from across these fields in this very broad discipline.
For example, the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Lancaster, Oxford and Warwick allow students to study a broad range of subjects, usually embracing at least electronic and mechanical engineering, for between half a year and two years before specialising.
A smaller group, including Cardiff and Leicester, allow undergraduates to remain on the "general" course throughout their degree, with some advertising that employers value generalists who can make links across the subject.
Whatever course they take, students achieving a Master in Engineering are able to gain Chartered Engineer status after a period in industry.
Those graduating with a Bachelor in Engineering must complete a further period of study – possibly through an MSc – and then work in industry before achieving this mark, which signals professional competence as a practising engineer.
What can you expect?
These general engineering courses give you the chance to keep your options open as you decide what type of engineering interests you. Whatever the course, expect some theoretical challenge and hands-on design and experimentation.
What are the usual A-levels you need?
At least two science or science-related subjects, often to include maths, are typically stipulated.
Do grades matter?
The grades demanded by a range of selective universities in this subject vary from A*AA to BBB.
Career prospects
Engineers tend to be in demand, with the diversity of options reflecting the scope of the subject. Links into the automotive and aerospace industry, through companies such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Airbus and BAE Systems, are strong.
Students also go on to wider jobs in management, to pursue further research and also to put their analytical skills to lucrative use in accountancy, management consultancy and the City.
Top places to study
The Complete University Guide rates Oxford, Cambridge, Surrey, Nottingham and Cardiff as the top five universities for general engineering according to an index based on student satisfaction, entry standards, an assessment of the quality of the university's research and graduate prospects.
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