Electrical engineer

You can do a foundation degree or degree in electrical or electronic engineering. You may also be able to get into this career with a degree in:

• electromechanical engineering
• building services engineering
• applied physics
• aeronautical engineering
• mechatronics

Look out for courses that offer work experience opportunities during your studies, such as:

• internships
• sandwich course placements
• Easter and summer vacation schemes

These can give you an advantage when applying for jobs or graduate training schemes . Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a higher national certificate or diploma in electrical and electronic engineering at college before looking for a trainee engineer position with a company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice for higher education courses in college|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship, for example:

• Electrical or Electronic Technical Support Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Electro-Mechanical Engineer Level 6 Apprenticeship, which can lead to professional certification

These apprenticeships take up to 5 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

You could start as an electrical engineering technician and do training on the job to become an engineer.

You can apply for jobs if you've got qualifications and several years' experience in a related area of engineering, for example electronics or power generation.

Career Tips

Many courses and apprenticeships aimed at specific industries, such as aerospace, energy and defence, include electrical engineering as part of their training. It's worth looking into these as another route to becoming a qualified electrical engineer.

Further Information

You can find more details about careers in the electrical industry from The Institution of Engineering and Technology and Electrical Careers .

As an electrical engineer, you could:

• draw up project plans and technical diagrams, using engineering design software
• estimate costs and project timings
• test installations and systems, and analyse results
• make sure projects meet safety regulations
• co-ordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
• oversee inspection and maintenance programmes

We've identified this as a potential green job

For an electrical engineer to be a green job, you could:

• develop battery storage systems that store renewable energy
• carry out audits to make electrical systems more energy efficient
• work on renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a factory, at a power station, in a workshop, at a research facility or in an office.

Your working environment may be at height.