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Exciting Careers After Engineering University

The term 'engineering' is used in many different ways. Those looking for a career in aeronautical engineering or automotive engineering are likely to be seeking work with challenge and innovation. The aerospace industry in the UK is world-class, and is one of the most diverse and technically advanced industries to be employed in today. Automotive design, development and production are significant employers, and the UK motorsport industry is recognised globally.

Highly Regarded Training

Many UK universities offering aero and auto engineering degrees are globally distinguished - you will find more than 30 with BEng and MEng syllabuses listed. Students can also go on to do post grad work at many institutions.

It's also possible to find other engineering diplomas and fitting vocational courses. Most degree courses last from between three and five years, depending on whether the student is working towards BEng or MEng, and whether a year in industry is opted for.

Part-time sandwich training is also an option for those who prefer to split their time between studying and working. There are opportunities for some students to get sponsored whilst at university. This also usually means a work placement afterwards. As you do your research into the different training options, look for details of graduate sponsorship programmes.

Engineering - Automotive

Every facet of a motorised machine has been developed because of automotive engineering. Today, it incorporates elements not only of mechanical and electrical engineering, but also electronic, safety and software engineering. There's a lot to take on board, and new technologies are being developed all the time - often to deal with government environmental standards.

If you take the critical path of a vehicle, you have design, development and then manufacture. First comes design. These engineers have to design all the component parts and systems on a vehicle. Next come the development engineers. They are concerned with the interactions of all the systems. They may stipulate certain requirements to the design engineers. Last of all come the manufacturers, who determine how to put the vehicle together.

An automotive engineering student will be taught many product disciplines. The various elements of your training will ensure you become proficient in core automotive subjects like engine design and vehicle dynamics. Safety engineering is one of the most important disciplines for the automotive engineer, and students will learn how assessments are carried out with various methods and tools.

As well as performing well by themselves, each component and system has to work in synergy with everything else. For that reason, students must understand something about systems engineering.

This can also involve understanding tradeoffs, a process which ensures that all the vehicle attributes are delivered at an acceptable level. Development engineering is also concerned with testing and ensuring the finished vehicle will comply with legal requirements.

Once the designers and developers are absolutely satisfied that everything is ready, the manufacturing engineers take over. Engineers involved in this stage of the build use statistics and process controls to ensure every stage of the manufacture meets rigorous quality standards. This work includes project management of tools, machines, people and safety procedures.

Engineering - Aeronautical

We think of aeronautical engineering as the science of aircraft, but it also embraces space technology and missiles. Individuals interested in aeronautical engineering must be intelligent self starters with the capacity for analytical, innovative and technical thought processes. Only those who relish a challenge should consider a career in aeronautics. (Formula One design engineers use aerospace technology as well, if that appeals to you).

Contemporary flight vehicles must endure very severe conditions such as differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure. Aeronautical engineering requires a great deal of specialist knowledge, and so teams of engineers who each specialise in their own branch of science work together on projects.

University students will be introduced to aircraft design techniques early on in their training, with modules on key analytical subjects. Modules that deal with solving problems, like thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, are what we mean by analytical subjects.

Modern computing methods can now simulate the behaviour of fluid, which reduces the need for empirical testing in wind tunnels. Nonetheless, university students will still benefit from wind-tunnel experiments and other physical testing methods.

Group ventures are important when learning engineering skills. All engineering students will get the chance to contribute to a practical group assignment to create an automobile or flight vehicle. Training courses in these engineering disciplines will also introduce students to other transferable skills. Subjects to choose from might include European languages, presentation skills and teamwork.

Well paid, rewarding and financially attractive careers are available for qualified Automotive and Aeronautical Engineers. Graduate engineers can apply to Professional Institutions to become certified with the Engineering Council - an organisation that works to ensure the UK is well served by its engineering resources.