Career in structural

TSR George

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(edited 6 months ago)

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Reply 1

Doones

Sounds like a very good plan.

Next question - the same uni does the same course as above but its a year longer and is a MEng degree, i beleive this is not a masters....but what is it, and why would one do this degree? Apperently it meets the requiremnts for chartered status of the engineering council?

It's equivalent to a Masters, known as an integrated Masters because it combines the Bachelors and Masters in a single, continuous course. It's a good thing. And if accredited does meet the academic requirements for the EC.

Usually you can move from the BEng to MEng if you get good enough marks in your Y1 or Y2 exams. Your uni can confirm their specific requirements for this.

You would need to check if the MEng offers final year modules that satisify the Structural Engineering academic requirements. (i.e. would be equivalent to the MSc).

Which leads me on to my next question, what organasition is it preferable to become chartered with? istructe or the engineering council?The plan is (in my mind anyway) is to do the study and eventually gain the masters....then go for chartered and hopefully resume working for myself but as a consulting structural engineer rather than a shovel jockey!

The EC is the overarching organisation for all engineering. Each specialisation has it's own body. Afaik, if you want to be a structural engineer you would seek accreditation through that specialisations body.

Im currently the managing director and sole shareholder of an establsihed construction and groundworks company and would ideally like to mantain my self employment....how easy is this to achieve? Is it possible that once i have become chartered that i can get the required insurance and go out in to the world as an engineer?

No idea! But I don't see why not... except the next bit...

Last questions...do i need any work experience to become chartered (i know it would be preferable but in reality?)

Yes work experience is needed - typically, I think, 5+ years before Chartering. You should contact istructe and ask them if your current level of experience meets their requirement and/or what further experience is need and how do they assess it.

very last one, the degree i have been looking at is a foundation entry, is this compulsory? Im thinking that beacuse i have good gcse grades from high school and ten years experience interpreting drawings on-site that maybe i would be exempt.

Many thanks for reading.Daniel.

The Foundation is a good idea - you need strong Maths and some Physics for an Engineering degree and the Foundation year should give you that. Without those subjects at A-level (or an equivalent qualification e.g. Access course) you won't get onto a standard degree.

Has your local uni already confirmed they will admit you to the Foundation?

Reply 2

Doones

So first things first... check if your local uni will accept you! Just call them and see what they say.

Then check with istructe about your professional insurance question.

Also how are you funding your degree?

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Reply 3

Doones

Good luck!

You *might* have to do an Access to HE course instead of the Foundation. I honestly don't know if they will allow you on the Foundation without any A-levels.

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Reply 4

Vikingninja

The MEng fulfills the educational requirement for chartership, BEng only partially. Also you need to have worked in consulting and contracting work in the profession for it (not sure how much).

Reply 5

Doones

Another one to ask istructe :wink:

- it may depend on the modules in the CivEng degree.

But according to this, yes - civil engineering is specifically listed first in the list of appropriate degrees.
https://www.istructe.org/education/going-to-university

Reply 6

Doones

Sounds good! What are the entry requirements?

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Reply 7

Doones

A Foundation is really for people with the "wrong" A-levels for their intended course. Not no A-levels.

As I mentioned earlier I think you will need to do an Access to HE course instead. And you might need to do A-level Maths too.

Engineering is *very* maths heavy

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(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 8

Doones

Well law isn't engineering :wink:

But your absolutely best bet is to check directly with your uni.

Reply 9

Doones

So one thing to keep on mind, the Access course should get you straight onto the main degree, without doing the Foundation.

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Reply 10

RiskVsReward

Original post by jneill

So one thing to keep on mind, the Access course should get you straight onto the main degree, without doing the Foundation.

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I am applying for foundaiton enginnering and from my research only the top unis such as Birmingham, sheffield and stuff want A-levels even some of accept BTEC alternatives.

I have seen a good few unis that don't need much qualifications as long as you can prove that you are up to for mature students like OP.

Reply 11

Doones

I'm not an expert in the Access route but I can't see you covering enough content in 5 months... and 30 credits might be for the Foundation? Definitely doublecheck with the college and the uni.

Just for comparison, Derby entry requirements for the Civil BEng are 40 credits:
http://www.derby.ac.uk/courses/civil-engineering-bsc-hons/

Reply 12

Doones

Just found that Teesside also asks for 30 credits - so perhaps UCLAN is correct :smile:

http://www.tees.ac.uk/undergraduate_courses/Engineering/BEng_(Hons)_Civil_Engineering.cfm
Access to HE Diploma (with 30 Level 3 credits from science units, including 12 Level 3 credits in mathematics, awarded at merit or higher).

But again, you need to check if you will have covered enough in your Access in that time.

Reply 13

Doones

Winner, winner, chicken dinner :smile:

Reply 14

Doones

Oh, and re your fast track Maths A-level - I think that would normally take a full year through a college (if you can find one local). But you could self-teach it as fast as you like - but don't underestimate the workload and difficulty of doing that. I think the Access route would be better *if* it covers the credits you need in the time you have... :smile:

Reply 15

Doones

No that's fine - everyone (well almost everyone) applies with "pending" and predicted grades via UCAS. e.g. school students apply in January but sit their A-levels in June for Sept uni start.

Your college will help you with the UCAS application, unless UCLAN allow you to apply direct?

Reply 16

Doones

Ah I see, and you'll need a reference too.

Definitely best to chat to the uni on Sat!

Reply 17

RiskVsReward

Oh, I don't know much about Uclan but it depends on whether you intending on moving or not, seems to me to you want to stay local.

I am somewhat in a position somewhat similar to you, I just finished college, did alright but didn't do maths. I could have either done maths in this one year or applied foundation year. I decided on doing the foundation year because as mentioned above, maths can be seriously a large workload and hard, so I didn't really want to risk it and applied for the foundation year which allows me to retake a few exams to improve my grades a little and is far far less risky but it does add 9k to my debt lol.

Whatever you do, post on here if you need anything, amazing people are on here and are willing to help you out! I hope you succeed, you really some motivated to do well and become a good engineer!

Reply 18

Doones

You need to quote that poster :wink:

But you can do a foundation without maths A-level. A foundation is aimed at people who did the "wrong" a-levels for the course they now want to study. e.g. no maths/physics for engineering.

But you usually need some A-levels, not no A-levels... :wink:

So it's something to ask UCLAN if they would take you on the Foundation with just the GCSEs and real work experience you have.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 19

Doones

Why do you need to wind it up? Can't you just make it dormant - submitting abbreviated (non-trading) accounts each year. And then resume it when you complete your degree.

https://www.gov.uk/dormant-company

(edited 8 years ago)