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 BEng.

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 the Arts would be granted BA status, BEng refers to Bachelor of Engineering. 

It goes without saying that graduating with an engineering degree has plenty of merits in the job market. But is it the only route into this fast-growing sector? Certainly not – 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, don’t panic. It’s possible to specialise in Engineering with a BSc degree such as a chemistry, biology or mathematics. While some graduates choose to start a BEng afresh, many simply take a relevant Masters instead.

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

It’s also worth noting the rise of apprenticeships means you don’t even 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 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 the entry barriers much lower for 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 institution, 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. Are there any other skills and attributes they need?
5. Will you gain new skills or qualifications on the job, such as chartered status?

As we have 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 your engineering dreams haven’t been scuppered by your further education choices. 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.