[StezZ]

Hi guys,

I have a dilemma.... architecture or engineering, which one!? Here's my situation- I have wanted to do architecture for a looonng time and I have been accepted to study it at university later this year, but I have been put off by the lack of jobs and poor/average money. I have now thought about studying engineering because of the availability of jobs, good pay and the option to travel. Problem is I would probably have to start studying it at college because I have never done physics before and I'm not sure if I want to post-pone further education for another year...

I basically need some advice, what would you do? What is involved in engineering (mechanical)?

[Smack]

(Original post by StezZ)
Hi guys,

I have a dilemma.... architecture or engineering, which one!? Here's my situation- I have wanted to do architecture for a looonng time and I have been accepted to study it at university later this year, but I have been put off by the lack of jobs and poor/average money. I have now thought about studying engineering because of the availability of jobs, good pay and the option to travel. Problem is I would probably have to start studying it at college because I have never done physics before and I'm not sure if I want to post-pone further education for another year...

I basically need some advice, what would you do? What is involved in engineering (mechanical)?

I don't study architecture, but I used to live with people who did, and it appeared to be a long course with a high attrition rate and poor job prospects and salaries at the end - and that's what people were saying before the global financial crisis and recession!

I do study engineering - and mechanical too - and can confirm that currently graduates from universities in Aberdeen are having no problems finding job offers, getting excellent starting salaries and many are also getting good opportunities to travel as well.

But unfortunately I cannot help you with your dilemma; only you can decide whether it's worth studying engineering for the job prospects rather than studying something you've wanted to do for a long time.

[bestofyou]

why not do civil engineeringm? it is quite construction related. There are courses such as civil and stuctural engineering and are probably better than an architecture degree. Plus with a civil engineering degree I'd be sure there is some kind of architechure post-grad type course you can do. Or even Civil engineering with Architecture prehaps, though I'm not sure how the major/minor engineering degree may affect the BEng/MEng's accreditation.

as for the physics some unis accept other sciences in its place. So if you have Maths and even say geography you may have a chance. That said some state the prefer physics and even more ask for it for the MEng. But as you would maybe need to take a year out to reapply, you can just take physics at college.

I'm taking both Maths and physics this year, so count yourself lucky I guess

[Tackla]

I would choose Engineering because wherever you go its good pay and also job opportunities, wheres architecture is different. In some countries you are super pay and in some you dont get much.

[4RealBlud]

You can transfer to an engineering course. Why not contact your uni and ask if it would be possible to transfer? The sooner you do it the better. You could ask them now and then ask again at freshers? You dont necessarily need to take out a year unless they dont let you to transfer and you're dead set on engineering.

Engineering has better job prospects and salary. From my understanding, you dont actually earn the big bicks in architecture until your a little older..

Civil engineering is the closest thing to architecture, within engineering.

[ThumbsUp]

my dad is an architect, he has lots of work and has done for the past 30 years. He complains that sometimes its hard to because of all the planning permission he has to go through to just design an extension. However, if you were to go abroad to say the far east, south america etc you would earn possibly 10 fold what you earn here, they are crying out for well educated British architects out there!

[StezZ]

So the general conclusion is do engineering? hmm...

(Original post by ThumbsUp)
my dad is an architect, he has lots of work and has done for the past 30 years. He complains that sometimes its hard to because of all the planning permission he has to go through to just design an extension. However, if you were to go abroad to say the far east, south america etc you would earn possibly 10 fold what you earn here, they are crying out for well educated British architects out there!

Really? that's promising.. I do quite want to do architecture.

Thanks anyway guys I will delay my decision for a bit, still have no idea.

[Shelly_x]

If you want to do Engineering then look at the engineering foundation years, loads of unis have them and they are designed for people who haven't done maths or physics at a level.

[StezZ]

(Original post by Shelly_x)
If you want to do Engineering then look at the engineering foundation years, loads of unis have them and they are designed for people who haven't done maths or physics at a level.

That would make life easier! I will look in to that, thank you!

[llys]

(Original post by StezZ)
So the general conclusion is do engineering? hmm...



Really? that's promising.. I do quite want to do architecture.

Thanks anyway guys I will delay my decision for a bit, still have no idea.

You could easily combine both. There are a lot of "Civil/Structural Engineering with Architecture" courses. For examples check out Sheffield, Bath or City, but I'm sure there are others.

For some of those courses you may not even need Physics A-Level - it's pretty much required for mechanical or electrical engineering degrees but for some civil engineering degrees it is not required, and your lack of Physics may be compensated for by Maths Mechanics.

Example1 Example2

[StezZ]

(Original post by llys)
You could easily combine both. There are a lot of "Civil/Structural Engineering with Architecture" courses. For examples check out Sheffield, Bath or City, but I'm sure there are others.

For some of those courses you may not even need Physics A-Level - it's pretty much required for mechanical or electrical engineering degrees but for some civil engineering degrees it is not required, and your lack of Physics may be compensated for by Maths Mechanics.

Example1 Example2

Thanks for the reply, I'm based in Scotland and haven't seen courses like that, but I will keep a look out.

[Julii92]

(Original post by StezZ)
Thanks for the reply, I'm based in Scotland and haven't seen courses like that, but I will keep a look out.

I believe Edinburgh uni offers a structural engineering w/ architecture course.

[StezZ]

(Original post by Julii92)
I believe Edinburgh uni offers a structural engineering w/ architecture course.

I just had a look and it does do structural engineering and architecture BUT you need physics.....
Thanks anyway