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Are there any FLEXIBLE Engineering degrees out there?

Are there any other universities out there in the uk that allow a general first or second year of Engineering, and you are able to switch and specialise to whichever you prefer after that?

I know Exeter University does a General first year, and you can choose which branch in the 2nd year. Cambridge does a General first 2 years. I think Durham also does general engineering and you get to specialise after that.

Are there any other universities like that? I prefer flexibility like that, if you have any suggestions it would be appreciate asap.

TL;DR : I'm indecisive and don't know what branch of Engineering I want to do, is there any unis out there that have general engineering as compulsory for starter years, with the option to specialise in later years? E.g. Mechanical engineering to start, I want to make spaceships, graduate with astronautics degree. Is this a thing?
I think the UK is generally more known for their inflexibility, if you will, where you need to know your courses so you can immediately start specialing. I'd suggest looking at American universities or Canadian universities if you want to have the first or second year of just exploration. That's what research on UK universities and talks from my counselors has turned up for me in aerospace engineering :smile:
Original post by I ASK QUESTIONS
Are there any other universities out there in the uk that allow a general first or second year of Engineering, and you are able to switch and specialise to whichever you prefer after that?

I know Exeter University does a General first year, and you can choose which branch in the 2nd year. Cambridge does a General first 2 years. I think Durham also does general engineering and you get to specialise after that.

Are there any other universities like that? I prefer flexibility like that, if you have any suggestions it would be appreciate asap.

TL;DR : I'm indecisive and don't know what branch of Engineering I want to do, is there any unis out there that have general engineering as compulsory for starter years, with the option to specialise in later years? E.g. Mechanical engineering to start, I want to make spaceships, graduate with astronautics degree. Is this a thing?


Leicester offer BEng/MEng in General Engineering. @Doonesbury might know of others.
Original post by FlyingStars
I think the UK is generally more known for their inflexibility, if you will, where you need to know your courses so you can immediately start specialing. I'd suggest looking at American universities or Canadian universities if you want to have the first or second year of just exploration. That's what research on UK universities and talks from my counselors has turned up for me in aerospace engineering :smile:

So I have to go to America or Canada just to be able to have flexibility within a course? Bruhh, I'll rather just do mechanical engineering at a uk uni in that case, as I think employers see mech eng as being the "general" degree, I've heard that it's easy to get into aero/astronautics/materials/electronics and even chemical eng jobs with a mech eng degree but it's much harder doing it vice versa.
In addition to those already named, Warwick and Oxford both offer courses that start off general and then become specialised.
In addition to the previously mentioned, the University of Aberdeen also offers a general course in the first two years, with students selecting their specialism in the 3rd.

Original post by I ASK QUESTIONS
as I think employers see mech eng as being the "general" degree, I've heard that it's easy to get into aero/astronautics/materials/electronics and even chemical eng jobs with a mech eng degree


That's not generally the case, with perhaps the exception of aeronautical/aerospace engineering, which is kinda really a subset of mechanical, like automotive (both then both of those respective industries are vast and employ engineers from all the main disciplines anyway, into various roles).
Original post by I ASK QUESTIONS
So I have to go to America or Canada just to be able to have flexibility within a course? Bruhh, I'll rather just do mechanical engineering at a uk uni in that case, as I think employers see mech eng as being the "general" degree, I've heard that it's easy to get into aero/astronautics/materials/electronics and even chemical eng jobs with a mech eng degree but it's much harder doing it vice versa.


materials and electronics are not "easy" pathways from mechanical. they are totally different engineering disciplines.

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Original post by I ASK QUESTIONS
Are there any other universities out there in the uk that allow a general first or second year of Engineering, and you are able to switch and specialise to whichever you prefer after that?

I know Exeter University does a General first year, and you can choose which branch in the 2nd year. Cambridge does a General first 2 years. I think Durham also does general engineering and you get to specialise after that.

Are there any other universities like that? I prefer flexibility like that, if you have any suggestions it would be appreciate asap.

TL;DR : I'm indecisive and don't know what branch of Engineering I want to do, is there any unis out there that have general engineering as compulsory for starter years, with the option to specialise in later years? E.g. Mechanical engineering to start, I want to make spaceships, graduate with astronautics degree. Is this a thing?


Warwick does general engineering
Original post by I ASK QUESTIONS
So I have to go to America or Canada just to be able to have flexibility within a course? Bruhh, I'll rather just do mechanical engineering at a uk uni in that case, as I think employers see mech eng as being the "general" degree, I've heard that it's easy to get into aero/astronautics/materials/electronics and even chemical eng jobs with a mech eng degree but it's much harder doing it vice versa.


I think that is a good way to go if you are unsure of which engineering branch you want to do. I know some people that did mechanical engineering but are now working in more specialized branches because of their "general" usability. Up to you

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