Engineering in UK 2022: Eligibility, Cost, Top Colleges & Admission Process

Summary

Table of Contents

• Course list of the top engineering colleges in the UK
• Check out the tuition fees of your desired university
• Get to know about the eligibility and admission process

Introduction 

Engineering is one disciple that has changed the world in many ways. Various fields of engineering include mechatronics, biochemistry, electromagnetism, microbiology, nanotechnology, and so much more. An engineering degree from a world-class university can make all the difference in your career pathway.

The UK is one place that provides some of the best engineering degrees in the world, along with the USA, Australia, Singapore, and Canada. This guide is here to provide you with a list of top colleges and universities that provide – engineering in the UK, the entry requirements, admission process, tuition fee, and any other details you might need to know for your admission. 

Imperial College London

The Imperial College London is one of the very few UK universities that focuses only on engineering, science, medicine, and business courses. Named “University of the Year 2022” by The Time and Sunday Times Good University Guide, the Imperial has tons of world-class engineering courses to choose from:

• Aeronautics 
• Bioengineering 
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering 
• Communications and Signal Processing
• Environmental Engineering 
• Computing
• Design Engineering 
• Earth Science and Engineering 
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Materials Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 

All the engineering degrees are for four years, and the tuition fee costs £35,100 per year.

University of Manchester 

The University of Manchester provides a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in subject areas such as humanities, business, science, and engineering. It ranks 27th in the world in the QS World University Ranking 2021 and is part of the Russell Group, a network of research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom. The following are some of the engineering courses offered by the university:

• Aerospace Engineering 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Computer Science
• Electrical, Electronic, and Mechatronics Engineering 
• Materials Science and Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 

All the engineering degrees are for four years, and the tuition fee is £24,500 per annum.

University of Oxford 

The University of Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world. It has around 44 colleges and halls and has the largest library in the entirety of the UK. It is also ranked 2nd in the QS Global World Rankings 2022. The university provides MEng courses which are common in UK engineering schools. Instead of a simple bachelor of engineering, the MEng consists of a four-year course where the students study the core subjects for two years and an additional two years studying their specialization in one of the following branches of engineering:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Engineering Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering 
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
• Information Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

The 4-year engineering degrees cost £39,010 per year.

University of Cambridge 

The University of Cambridge consists of 31 colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 departments. According to the QS World University Ranking 2022, the University ranks 3rd in the world. Just like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge also provides 4 year MEng courses. The following are the specialisation provided by the university:

• Aerospace Engineering 
• Aerothermal Engineering 
• Bioengineering 
• Civil and Structural Engineering 
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electrical and Information Science
• Energy, Sustainability, and the Environment 
• Information and Computer Engineering 
• Instrumentation and Control
• Mechanical Engineering 

The tuition fee for each year of the engineering course is about £35,517.

University College London

The University College London (UCL) is the no.1 university in London when it comes to Research Strength and holds the 8th rank in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2022. 

UCL offers both bachelor and master of engineering degrees in the following subjects:

• Biochemical Engineering 
• Biomedical Engineering 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Computer Engineering 
• Crime and Security Science
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 

All engineering degrees are for 4 years, and the tuition fee is £31,200 per year.

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is also a part of the Russell Group of universities and is one of the largest education institutions. The faculty of engineering and physical sciences has experts in the fields of engineering such as the following:

• Software Engineering 
• Chemistry
• Chemical and Process Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Computing
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Physics
• Astronomy

All the engineering degrees cost £25,250 each year, and the total course duration is 4 years.

University of London

The University of London is one of the universities that provide both on-campus and distance learning methodology. The university also has tie-ups with different industries, thereby providing placement opportunities and career options. The following courses are available as Bachelor’s, masters, and research degrees for students: 

• Aeronautical Engineering 
• Biomedical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Construction Engineering 
• Autonomous Systems Engineering 

All the 4-year engineering courses cost around £25,150 for international students each year.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh ranks 4th in the UK and 22nd in the world according to the QS World University Ranking 2021. The university offers the following undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering in the UK:

• Chemical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering 
• Electronics and Computer Science 
• Electronics and Electrical Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Structural and Fire Engineering
• Software Engineering 

All the courses are for 4 years, and the tuition fee is £30,400 per annum.

Other Universities With Popular Courses in Engineering in the UK

• University of Hertfordshire – Automotive Engineering, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence 
• Glasgow Caledonian University – MEng Mechanical Systems Engineering 
• University of Birmingham – Nuclear Engineering 
• Edinburgh Napier University – MSc Automation & Control

General Eligibility Requirements for Engineering in the UK

• For Bachelor’s degree: Completion of high school with 95% or grade AAA in the subjects: Physics, Maths.
• For Master’s degree: Completion of Bachelor’s degree or diploma in the respective specialisation 
• IELTS Score: 6.5 ( 6.0 minimum in each component)
• TOEFL Score: 92 overall ( minimum 20 in all elements)
• Some require tests such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Physics Aptitude Test (PAT), etc.

Course-specific subject requirements

• Chemistry for Chemical Engineers
• Computer Science for Computer engineers

Admission Process

• The candidates that have completed their UCAS application form online will be reviewed based on their grades and only when they meet general eligibility requirements for the course.
• The shortlisted candidates will be notified by mail to attend an interview.
• The interview tests the candidate’s problem-solving capacity, ability to think out of the box and to know their purpose of studying the course.
• A call for an interview does not confirm acceptance.
• Some universities may require the candidates to attend an additional entrance test.
• If the candidate meets all the requirements for the course, they will get a conditional offer letter to join the university.

Conclusion

Engineering in the UK is one of the best study options besides an MBA. With the vast amount of technology development and real-world research options available during the study, the UK remains the best place to pursue an engineering degree. Leapscholar helps you ace your entrance tests with tips. So make sure to make full use of it and enter the university of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions