Outreach

School of Engineering

Rethink Engineering 

The School of Engineering at UEA has a commitment to fostering a breadth of  talent from across the region. Our Outreach work includes a range of events and resources for students, parents/guardians, and educators.

With the expertise available at the Norwich Research Park and across the region, we nurture interest in engineering with robotics and 3D games workshops, summer schools, and other events. Our Outreach work is focused on encouraging and celebrating the present and future engineers of the world.

Contact the School of Engineering

Contact UEA's Outreach Team

Pathways into Engineering

There are so many different pathways into engineering and it's never too early to start thinking about your next steps. We're producing a range of resources for young people of all ages, from primary to post-16, to help you inspire your students.

Click on any of the stages below to learn more about pathways into engineering:

Download your poster: How do I become an engineer?

How do I become an engineer?

There are lots of different ways to become an engineer. Let's think about what engineers do and what skills they need.

  • Tackle climate change.
  • Send rockets into outer space.
  • Design and make electric cars.

Can you think of other things that engineers might do?

  • Design and creativity
  • Maths and science
  • Curiosity and problem-solving

How do you think you can practise these skills?

 

Download your poster: Pathways into Engineering for KS3 Students.

There are lots of different ways to become an engineer. Here are a few key things to keep in mind.

Picking your GCSEs

  • Maths
  • Design and Technology
  • Science

Many organisations provide free support such as tutoring and workshops.

Pathways after GCSE

T-Levels offer both a technical and industrial element.

BTECs introduce fundamental concepts in a practical way.

A-Levels are widely recognised, subject-based qualifications.

Techbacc is a vocational and maths qualification.

What do engineers do?

Engineers are tackling climate change, equipping doctors with life-saving tools, and sending rockets to the far reaches of space. Even the clothes you're wearing have been engineered!

Engineers apply science to solve problems, then design practical solutions.

Curiosity

Commitment

Creativity

Communication

Starting salaries: (1)

  • After a good apprenticeship: £28k
  • Good university graduates: £32k
  • Chartered engineers: £58k (2)

Sources:

1. Rated People Ltd. "Career paths: apprenticeships vs. university", 2019 [accessed 12/08/2022].

2. Mean value sampled from 227 jobs as reported by Totaljobs Group Ltd. "What is the average salary for Chartered Engineer jobs?", 2022 [accessed 12/08/2022].

 

Download your poster: Pathways into Engineering for KS4 Students.

Thinking about engineering as a career? There are lots of ways to become an engineer. Here are a few options to consider.

Curiosity

Commitment

Creativity

Communication

Pathways after GCSE

Maths is essential. Also consider physics, chemistry, product design, or computing science.

A-Levels - widely recognised, subject-based qualifications.

Techbacc - a vocational and maths qualification.

T-Levels offer both a technical and industrial element.

BTECs introduce fundamental concepts in a practical way.

In the workplace

A National Vocational Qualification (or NVQ) offers skills-based training.

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are practical courses where you learn by doing.

Earn money in the workplace while learning at college or university.

University

Scholarships and bursaries can reduce the cost of access.

Develop fundamental knowledge before progressing onto your undergraduate degree.

Build scientific understanding at university.

Find out more about studying engineering at UEA.

Real-world engineering

Engineers apply science to understand problems, then design practical solutions.

Starting salaries: (1)

  • After a good apprenticeship: £28k
  • Good university graduates: £32k
  • Chartered engineers: £58k (2)

Sources:

1. Rated People Ltd. "Career paths: apprenticeships vs. university", 2019 [accessed 12/08/2022].

2. Mean value sampled from 227 jobs as reported by Totaljobs Group Ltd. "What is the average salary for Chartered Engineer jobs?", 2022 [accessed 12/08/2022].

 

Download your poster: Pathways into Engineering for post-16 students.

There are many different pathways into engineering. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Curiosity

Commitment

Creativity

Communication

Engineering at university

Scholarships and bursaries can reduce the cost of access for anybody.

A foundation year is a transition year between further and higher education. Develop any necessary fundamental knowledge to enrol on a degree programme.

Build scientific understanding at university and become a perceptive, reliable, and adaptable engineer. Placement years working in industry are available.

Find out more about studying engineering at UEA.

The use of additional information beyond your grades to recognise your potential to succeed.

Career engineering

Engineers are on the frontline in the fight against climate change. They arm doctors with life-saving tools and enable you to make video-calls from anywhere. Even your clothes have been engineered!

Many employers run programmes for people who have recently graduated with an engineering degree.

Chartered Engineers must hold a qualification equivalent to a postgraduate degree in engineering and demonstrate suitable professional experience.

Professional bodies offer their members exclusive access to events, publications, vacancies, funding, and training.

Starting salaries: (1)

  • After a good apprenticeship: £28k
  • Good university graduates: £32k
  • Chartered engineers: £58k (2)

Sources:

1. Rated People Ltd. "Career paths: apprenticeships vs. university", 2019 [accessed 12/08/2022].

2. Mean value sampled from 227 jobs as reported by Totaljobs Group Ltd. "What is the average salary for Chartered Engineer jobs?", 2022 [accessed 12/08/2022].

 

Request your free resource pack

We can provide a free copy of any of our Pathways Into Engineering posters for your classroom (plus a few extra engineering goodies!) 

Email us at the link below and tell us your mailing address and which poster(s) you'd like: primary, KS3, KS4, or post-16.

Request posters be sent to you

Our outreach activity: 2022/23

We have had a busy year trying new ways to explore engineering with students, teachers, parents, carers, and career advisers. Below are some of the highlights!

All our activities were free of charge for participants to remove barriers for all.

We provided groups of year 7-9 students with a kit of electronics. They developed their problem solving skills and harnessed their creativity to build their robotic Olympian, with the support of our wonderful undergraduate students. We then invited all the competing school groups to Productivity East to challenge their creations.

We delivered an accredited continuous professional development session for secondary school staff. Attendees learnt how to motivate their curriculum and inspire their students through the big societal challenges engineers are working to tackle. Filled with practical activities, fun demonstrations, and a robotics and 3-D printing tour, our session proved to be inspiring.

We were proud to have engaged with so many families at our exhibition space. We exhibited a robotic arm to fish with, a swarm of robots to play with, and Magnus’ flying cups to take home alongside engineers keen to discuss educational/career pathways or the latest technological innovations.

We gave 25 year 10 students the chance to learn more about studying Engineering and what pursuing a career in engineering could look like. Students spent a week in our state-of-the art hub, Productivity East, working in groups to tackle real-world problems posed by people currently working in industry and supported by our wonderful undergraduate students.

We joined the world in celebrating women in engineering by creating resource packs and sending these to schools. Via our social media campaign, we highlighted engineering role models and guidance on how to become an ally.

What the future holds

We are as enthusiastic as ever to continue offering schools, students, and families opportunities to explore engineering. Keep up-to-date using our social media channels and website to stay in the loop. You can also contact us at engineering@uea.ac.uk with any engineering questions or requests.

Have you heard?

There is a big engineering and technology community keen to support and encourage students. The following organisations offer lots of engineering inspiration and useful resources:

Ever Wondered? Resources

Services for Schools

Take Your Place: Activities & Funding