How to get into engineering without a BEng

Not got a BEng to your name? Not a problem. We explore how to get into engineering without a degree in this area.

Engineering is a complex field of science and technology, with so many areas of specialism that graduates are awarded their own unique status – BEng. Just as a Bachelor of Arts is granted BA status, a Bachelor of Engineering gains a BEng. 

It goes without saying that graduating with an engineering degree will stand you in good stead in the job market. But it’s certainly not the only route into this fast-growing sector – as we are about to explore, there are plenty of options available for those who haven’t taken a BEng course.

Not everyone knows what career they want to take from the get-go. You may only discover the fascinating world of engineering once you’re halfway through your university degree. 

If this sounds familiar, there’s no need to stress. It’s possible to start a career in engineering with a BSc degree such as Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics. While some graduates choose to start a BEng from scratch, many simply take a relevant master’s instead.

Even with a BEng, you’ll need to study and gain experience at a master’s level before becoming a Chartered Engineer. As such, it’s possible to further and refine your knowledge with an MSc in Engineering – it’ll help you to zero in on the specifics of this sector and prove your commitment to becoming an engineer.

It’s also worth noting that the rise of apprenticeships means you don’t actually need to have attended university to pursue a career as an engineer. A comprehensive engineering apprenticeship will give you the skills and on-the-job expertise you need to thrive in the industry. After all, work experience is just as important as technical know-how.

As engineering boasts huge diversity in terms of career paths, it’s essential to consider the routes into engineering that appeal to you and the steps you need to take to maximise your chances of employment. You might struggle to get into chemical engineering without an accredited BEng degree, but will find more relaxed barriers to entry in manufacturing or hydrology engineering.

By looking at the entry requirements of graduate schemes for the types of roles that interest you, as well as the accreditation requirements for the relevant professional institutions, you can fine-tune your expertise to make yourself more attractive to potential employers.

To ensure you have the skills and experience graduate employers are looking for before you apply, here’s a handy checklist to aid your research:

1. What qualifications and degree backgrounds do they need and/or prefer?
2. Do you need any prior experience in the sector? 
3. What does the role involve?
4. Do they need any other skills and attributes?
5. Will you gain new skills or qualifications on the job, such as chartered status?

Read about more questions to ask yourself before applying for a job.

As we’ve seen, a BEng degree isn’t the only route into engineering – but with so many alternative paths open to you, you may be wondering what steps to take next. Learn more about the leading engineering graduate schemes available.

Hopefully we’ve offered some reassurance that a future in engineering is still open to you if you haven’t taken the traditional route. Anyone with the passion and commitment to succeed as an engineer can enter this industry – you simply need to know what your preferred sector is and what employers are looking for.