The Student Room Group

engineering as a degree

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. It’s been 4 weeks into my a levels in year 12 and the sudden changes have me really thinking about my future. Up till now I have been very set on engineering , and I honestly still am but I fear that I have been looking at it through rose tinted glasses, romanticising it based on what I see online and fun projects my school has offered me in the past. Now I realise the engineering iceberg goes way beyond arduino and building etc that inspired me to choose this path from the start. Thats why I just wanted to ask - how is an engineering major like? What is the content like, tests, future prospects, etc. I know it is a broad subject and the answers will vary all around the industry, but I feel getting a general gist of the field will help me solidify my choice. I did decent in my GCSEs, getting 998 in physics chem and maths, and have now taken those subjects (+ further maths) to carry on and I really enjoy them, even though the new content is frying me. Which is why im still sceptical. Thats why id really appreciate it if someone could give me an honest, clear representation of Engineering as a subject!

Reply 1

Hi there,
I'm going to answer this from a mechanical engineering side so I hope it can give you an insight into one area of this subject! No matter which type of engineering you choose, there will always be an element of maths involved so it's important to be able to demonstrate a good ability in this. As for learning content and modules, personally it's been a balance of both tests (mini and end of semester) and coursework (both individual and group) for me. Some universities also offer the chance for an industrial placement or a year abroad, which gives you a chance to apply what you've learnt in industry and see what sort of roles you want to apply for once you've graduated.
If you're starting to look at engineering degrees at university, make sure to check if the courses are accredited or not. An accredited coursed has been checked and verified by the relevant institution, which means that it has been approved by industry experts so they ensure you learn key transferable skills that you will need for a career in this field.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Wishing you all the best,
Ams - LJMU Student Rep

Reply 2

Original post
by studious_
Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. It’s been 4 weeks into my a levels in year 12 and the sudden changes have me really thinking about my future. Up till now I have been very set on engineering , and I honestly still am but I fear that I have been looking at it through rose tinted glasses, romanticising it based on what I see online and fun projects my school has offered me in the past. Now I realise the engineering iceberg goes way beyond arduino and building etc that inspired me to choose this path from the start. Thats why I just wanted to ask - how is an engineering major like? What is the content like, tests, future prospects, etc. I know it is a broad subject and the answers will vary all around the industry, but I feel getting a general gist of the field will help me solidify my choice. I did decent in my GCSEs, getting 998 in physics chem and maths, and have now taken those subjects (+ further maths) to carry on and I really enjoy them, even though the new content is frying me. Which is why im still sceptical. Thats why id really appreciate it if someone could give me an honest, clear representation of Engineering as a subject!

Hey there,

It’s great that you’re thinking critically about your future. Engineering at LSBU is both challenging and rewarding, combining advanced maths and physics with problem-solving. You’ll study topics like design, materials, and systems while developing strong analytical and practical skills through labs and projects.

Assessment is a mix of exams, coursework, and team-based assignments, all geared toward preparing you for industry. It’s a demanding degree, but the career prospects are excellent, and the transferable skills you gain open doors in many technical and management roles. Your passion for maths and physics is a strong foundation and it sounds like you’re well-suited to succeed.

You can also chat directly with our current students on Unibuddy if you’d like to ask questions about their experiences or get insights into life at LSBU https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat

I’d really encourage you to join us at our Open Day https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days on the 15th November as you’ll be able to chat with our lecturers, current students, and admissions team to get a real feel for the course and career path.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador

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