engineering

is a BTEC extended diploma better than doing Alevel for someone looking into Mechanical Design Engineering(CAD stuffs)
I plan on doing a level 4 apprenticeship after the two year
i just finished year 11

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Depends on your route into engineering. For going into a degree at a university directly, A-levels are often the typical route and BTEC courses may not be accepted by all engineering degrees (although many do). For going into an apprenticeship a BTEC might be quite good preparation though :smile:

Reply 2

Rhodie72

Original post by tegizco

I suggest not.What is important is your grasp of mathematics at A level as engineering maths is extremely intense and technically challenging. I speak from experience as a civil engineering undergrad having achieved a 1st class pass in it. Getting you understanding of physics up to scrath is very important as this will help with the mechanics of materials side of the modules. Geometry is a massively important too and understanding the fundamentals of principle shape design can make like far easier on the courses.

As for CAD "stuffs" (sic), you'd be better off just doing professional courses with AutoDesk in AutoCAD and Civil 3D. CAD skills are relevant accross most industries that use it and doing a CAD design course that costs £2000 for each kind of course is far more useful than a 3 year degree and then doing the CAD course anyway. I am a civil engineering CAD engineer and I have got the mechanical and civils qualifications but the AutoCAD training works for both.

The computer training teaches how to get various elements of drawing components onto the screen. Education will tell you where to place those elements and raise issues when those elements present a conflict.

I would stay the hell away from apprenticeship courses as they have major issues you will need to deal with while under 25. The wages are jus £5/hr whilst everyone else's wage aged 25+ is £11.44. Then there's the endpoint assessments... you never have a break from uni all year except Christmas and Easter on apprenticeships but full-time students get a whole summer off.

Doing a part-time course and working while you pay your owwn course is worth the extra effort and believe me when I say it is extra effort. 40 hours working and 16 hours uni with another 32 hours studying (78 hours) a week during semester then down to 40 hours work during the summer feels like a major holiday.

Reply 3

tegizco

Original post by Rhodie72

I suggest not.What is important is your grasp of mathematics at A level as engineering maths is extremely intense and technically challenging. I speak from experience as a civil engineering undergrad having achieved a 1st class pass in it. Getting you understanding of physics up to scrath is very important as this will help with the mechanics of materials side of the modules. Geometry is a massively important too and understanding the fundamentals of principle shape design can make like far easier on the courses.
As for CAD "stuffs" (sic), you'd be better off just doing professional courses with AutoDesk in AutoCAD and Civil 3D. CAD skills are relevant accross most industries that use it and doing a CAD design course that costs £2000 for each kind of course is far more useful than a 3 year degree and then doing the CAD course anyway. I am a civil engineering CAD engineer and I have got the mechanical and civils qualifications but the AutoCAD training works for both.
The computer training teaches how to get various elements of drawing components onto the screen. Education will tell you where to place those elements and raise issues when those elements present a conflict.
I would stay the hell away from apprenticeship courses as they have major issues you will need to deal with while under 25. The wages are jus £5/hr whilst everyone else's wage aged 25+ is £11.44. Then there's the endpoint assessments... you never have a break from uni all year except Christmas and Easter on apprenticeships but full-time students get a whole summer off.
Doing a part-time course and working while you pay your owwn course is worth the extra effort and believe me when I say it is extra effort. 40 hours working and 16 hours uni with another 32 hours studying (78 hours) a week during semester then down to 40 hours work during the summer feels like a major holiday.

Thanks man . That's exactly what I needed .
What University do you attend ??

I am also searching for some good engineering Universities that have connection with the engineering industry, So that it will be more easier to get a job once I am done with my degree

Reply 4

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

For a conventional undergraduate degree definitely recommend A-levels. For degrees apprenticeships I think it’s more open.

Another commenter has posted quite a dim view on degree apprenticeships (a position I once held, but have slowly been warming to them.. they are getting better with time ).

Im sure time & finances aren’t perfect but they are still a great deal. Start on a salary of low £20ks moving to mid £30ks towards the end of your degree plus no debt. It’s worth noting it’s very possible as an engineer you very very well end up paying the government back thousands in student loan repayments every year. It is a huge hidden tax.

My opinion now is if you want to pursue something like design or manufacturing engineering ie fairly practical roles the degree apprenticeships in big multinational companies is the better route. If you are interested in the more scientific & analysis areas of engineering university is still probably a better path.

Reply 5

Rhodie72

Original post by tegizco

Thanks man . That's exactly what I needed .
What University do you attend ??
I am also searching for some good engineering Universities that have connection with the engineering industry, So that it will be more easier to get a job once I am done with my degree

Engineering is a vast field. There are two types:
Military Engineering and Civil Engineering.
Forget about military engineering, you go the military for that and it is a lifetime's career with danger and fitness thrown in to boot.
Civil engineering has multiple disciplines: Built Environment, Mecanical Machine, and Environmental
When people talk about civil engineering it is such a broad scope. Narrowing it down to one specialism is hard but the undergraduate degree helps you work out what you are good at for deciding on your masters degree which is always a good idea if you are young and can achieve your BEng (hons) with at least a 2:2 pass

Reply 6

Rhodie72

Original post by mnot

For a conventional undergraduate degree definitely recommend A-levels. For degrees apprenticeships I think it’s more open.
Another commenter has posted quite a dim view on degree apprenticeships (a position I once held, but have slowly been warming to them.. they are getting better with time ).
Im sure time & finances aren’t perfect but they are still a great deal. Start on a salary of low £20ks moving to mid £30ks towards the end of your degree plus no debt. It’s worth noting it’s very possible as an engineer you very very well end up paying the government back thousands in student loan repayments every year. It is a huge hidden tax.
My opinion now is if you want to pursue something like design or manufacturing engineering ie fairly practical roles the degree apprenticeships in big multinational companies is the better route. If you are interested in the more scientific & analysis areas of engineering university is still probably a better path.