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Engineering Courses That Don't Require Maths?

My brother (in Year 11) wants to study Engineering at uni, but does not wish to take Maths at A-Level. My parents have contacted his school, and have been told that there exist Engineering courses that do not require A-Level Mathematics. However, I cannot find any.

Does anyone know of any such courses, or know of anywhere I might be able to find out?

Reply 1

ColinOfEdinburgh

I doubt any engineering course would be feasible without higher mathematics. It might seriously hinder his options in any case - he is certain about this?

Reply 2

Y__

Even if he would be able to get on a course that doesn't require maths, he would be at a very considerable disadvantage compared to his fellow students having taken maths at A level. Only exception to this is if he plans to teach himself A level maths.
If he hates maths, he should reconsider whether he really wants to do engineering - it's not maths only, but there are some quite mathsy parts.

Reply 3

icklebrov

**** me, the naivety of some people. He'll need A Level maths probably to get a good degree.

How about something that is engineering based but not. Like surveying or architecture, or product design or something.

Reply 4

Poutche

he will need to take maths a lvl's, after all maths and physics make up a engineering course, unless he decides to do a foundation year which is just a waste of time and money.. maths at a level is fairly easy to be honest... and retakes make it even easier, stuff you didnt know at AS is easy at A2

Reply 5

hermaphrodite

foundation engineering

Reply 6

bruceleej

hermaphrodite

foundation engineering

lol, funny stuff...I dont think you need any qualifications for that, apart from an D in AS General Studies or D in AS media studies.

Reply 7

ColinOfEdinburgh

hermaphrodite

foundation engineering

Which will take him through all of the higher mathematics required.
So he may as well do A-level maths :rolleyes:

Reply 8

v2006

Engineering without Maths? Closest degree - Industrial Chemistry.

Reply 9

BerlinBasil

Foundation Engineering is a waste of time and money. He would be better off getting a job and doing A-level mathematics in his spare time at either a night classs/ tech or with some sort of private tutor.

You cannot avoid mathematics in all engineering and physical science courses.

Even in chemistry you need a standard of at least A-level mathematics to pass. There is a huge amount of maths in physical and inorganic chemistry. Even though universities will accept you onto a chemistry course without higher level mathematics, they will teach it to you intensively during your first year.

Spending thousands and thousands of pounds for one year of Foundation Engineering would be a huge mistake. Get a job, learn maths in your spare time. Apply the following year if you're still keen on engineering.

Reply 10

unknown demon

I can't believe this thread, you need maths for such courses, doing a foundation course will make you realise the level of competence you will need to pursue engineering as you go up the academic hierarchy. If he wants to become a professional engineer he will have to do exams as well, most of which are HIGHLY mathematical.

He is better off doing A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics if he is SERIOS about pursuing engineering at university level.

Reply 11

LittleChoLo

Perhaps the Foundation course might be better for him. He loves Chemistry; he just struggles with Maths. We're trying to get him a C at GCSE. He's not an academic (I don't think that taking A-Levels in his spare time is really an option for him) but he's really enthusiastic about his ambition. He wants especially to go into Automative Engineering: he's fostered a love for cars and the way they work since he was very young. Perhaps studying Maths later rather than sooner would be an advantage.

I'm afraid that I myself know very little about any form of Engineering. I'm a Modern Languages student, and I'm just going on what I've been told by other people.

Reply 12

ChemistBoy

If he struggles with mathematics, may I be so bold as to suggest that a career in engineering isn't for him? Being a mechanic is very different to being an automotive engineer.

Reply 13

JennLlama

Most courses will indeed require A-level mathematics but there are some that don't. However, as others have said, if he dislikes maths so much that he doesn't want to study it at A-level then an engineering degree is perhaps not for him. Engineering is a pretty practical subject but a lot of the theory at degree level is maths so not taking the A-level in it just means he will have to pick it up - and a whole lot more - later on.
Has he (or your family, from the way you're phrasing it) considered a modern apprenticeship? There are many practical ways into engineering so perhaps he could start off with an apprenticeship or something similarly practical and see how he takes to it, then maybe make his way into a degree later once he's got the experience behind him if he's absolutely sure it's what he wants to do.

Reply 14

Clickers

He can't do engineering if he is getting a C in maths at GCSE, that would result in a D/E at A level, i would reconsider Engineering. My offers for civil engineering ask for a minium of a B in Maths. and the foundations course is a waste of £3k. Tell him to get a tutor, 20 quid a week or just go to the teacher every day after school, to get that A/B in maths at A level!

Reply 15

JayB23

Sorry for the huge thread revival, but I am sort of in the same situation as the OP. However, I've studied ICT and currently predicted DDD - which is good but of course only for the relevant course and I now want to do engineering.

I see you guys mention "Get a job, study A-Levels at home" - how does one go about doing this? If study is done hardcore, would it be possible to get the A-level within a year? Reason being I dont have much time to play with and was wondering if this is possible at all?

Reply 16

ChemistBoy

If you want to be an engineering I'd recommend looking at going through the technician route rather than staying in formal education, which perhaps doesn't work for you.