Mature student applying to top universities for engineering

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Reply 20

Qualified doctor isn't going to automatically land you a job in the real world businesses. In the world of business, employability is often linked to how much money you can generate for an employer.

There is not a particular shortage of doctors leaving medicine because they would prefer office hours. Those that do often have prior industry links or experience in research or product development.

No graduate of any kind should be leaving University with the impression that degree=automatic 50K PA job I'm afraid. It doesn't work that way.

Reply 21

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by imran234

Thanks a lot for the advice again once again. I don't really see myself working as an engineer as the salary prospects are poor in the UK. I think I will apply to jobs to see where I stand in the job market, if I can get something without needing another degree, I will go down that path.

Salary prospects for engineers aren't "poor" in the UK. I think you need to manage your expectations around salaries in general. You dont need to work at a hedge fund to live comfortably. And if you feel you can't be happy without a mcmansion and yacht that you can only afford working at a hedge fund then you probably need to do some work around that.

Reply 22

PG Study Chester

Original post

by imran234

Hi all,
I am a mature student thinking of applying for an undergraduate engineering degree at top universities this year as a means of changing careers. I took my A-levels in 2019 achieving A*,A*,A in Biology, Maths and Chemistry. I got accepted into medical school and went there for 5 years where I got average marks but passed everything in one go. Medicine being a pass/fail course, I simply have pass as my grade.
Now I have been working as a doctor for 6 months and if I apply this year, by the time I start my course, I will have worked as one for 2 years. I am well aware of the need to self-fund and my reasons for doing an undergraduate degree are clear.
The courses I would be applying to are:
Molecular bioengineering at imperial: A*AA requirement
Biochemical/chemical engineering at UCL: AAA requirement
I do not have time to do an access course as I am working full time with long hours and I do not want to quit my job at the moment.
Questions I have:
Do I have a good chance of getting accepted into engineering at imperial and UCL? I meet the requirements but I am just wondering if anyone has experience in applying with A-levels that were not done recently.
Does me having done medicine and experience as a doctor hold some weight in my application?

Hello,

I would suggest contacting both UCL and Imperial admissions’ departments to discuss all your questions. The admissions’ teams will know the university’s specific requirements in relation to the courses you are considering studying and can offer you tailored advice. From my own experience as a mature student the date of my A Levels was acceptable, and I am sure yours will be too, particularly as you have been working in a relevant field, although I would still check with both institutions.

I hope this helps,
Good luck with your applications and the course,

Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Reply 23

Nathanielle_

I would not advise to do an engineering degree, if you do not need it/actually want it. A medical degree is sufficient to apply for a Master or (later) and MBA or similar and any graduate degree can lead to a career in finance or consulting, at least in the UK. Or look at insurances, etc.

A PHD would be also an option, quite a lot of people use that to actually specialise and there are a lot of topics with transferable skills or interdisciplinary topics.