Archive (SARTOR) - Executive Summary

Since publication of UK-SPEC, SARTOR has been superceded. However many registrants and intending registrants were assessed under this standard so the details are retained on this site for reference only.

Standards and Routes to Registration (SARTOR)

Executive Summary 3rd Edition published 1997

This edition of SARTOR announced raised standards for registration as:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
• Engineering Technician (EngTech)

SARTOR is published in two Parts:

Part 1 defines the criteria and main pathways to registration for the whole profession. It is not expected to change, except after a thorough and infrequent review.

Part 2 is issued as three separate sets of documents: one each for CEng, IEng and EngTech. It is intended to give a detailed picture of the current registration procedures and requirements. Part 2 also takes account of the changing contemporary scene and will, therefore, need revision more often than Part 1. All documents within Part 2 are currently at Issue 1. As updates take place, the version control details will be available by a link from this page.

SARTOR is set in the context of the English and Welsh Educational system. The full document makes appropriate references to the Scottish and Northern Ireland education systems and to non-UK qualifications.

Registration Requirements

Candidates who wish to become registered with the ECUK must first become members of an Licensed Member recognised by the ECUK. In order to do this, they must provide evidence of:

• a satisfactory Educational Base - preferably by means of an accredited course
• Initial Professional Development (IPD) - preferably by means of an accredited programme involving the building of competence and professional breadth inclusive of the business aspects of engineering
• a Professional Review (PR) - an assessment of competence and commitment

Changes Compared with the 1990 Edition

A major revision of the 1990 edition of SARTOR has become necessary because of the changed national and international circumstances, including:

• operation in a global market for goods and services, underlining the need for internationally recognised qualifications
• changes in the schools curricula in mathematics and other subjects relevant to the needs of engineering
• change from a selective to a mass system of higher education and a consequent need for universities to provide courses of different types and levels
• doubt about the equivalence of output standards from different universities
• the increasing use of 'occupational standards' by employers

To ensure UK engineering qualifications continue to compare with the best internationally, major changes have been made to the policy document 'Standards and Routes to Registration' (SARTOR). The result is broadly compatible with the recent report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (The 'Dearing' Report).

The main changes in SARTOR, compared to the 1990 edition are:

• The Educational Base
  • four years' academic study for Chartered Engineers instead of three as the educational base. The requirement can be met by a 4-year accredited MEng degree or equally by a 3-year accredited BEng(Hons) degree plus a ' Matching Section '
  • three years' academic study for Incorporated Engineers instead of two as the educational base. The requirement can be met by a 3-year accredited IEng degree or equally by a 2-year HND plus a ' Matching Section '
  • the introduction of entry standards into criteria for accreditation of MEng, BEng(Hons) and IEng degree courses in order to ensure a cohort of sufficient intellectual capability to support a high standard of course content. These requirements are being "ramped-in" over four years from 1999. When improved arrangements have been made nationally to ensure the quality of output, the need for entry requirements could be modified.
    
• Initial Professional Development
  • expansion of Initial Professional Development to improve the acquisition and development of the skills, specialist knowledge and competence needed to practise in a specific area of engineering.
  • the requirement that IPD should be recorded by the trainee and certified by a supervisor or mentor and be subject to assessment.
• The Professional Review
  • the competence achieved through IPD is demonstrated and assessed in a more stringent Professional Review process, the final step before registration. The assessment will be based on evidence of professional competence set against agreed criteria for the type of work. This will require a written report from all candidates and an in-depth interview by two suitably qualified Chartered or Incorporated Engineers, for CEng or IEng candidates.
  • the Professional Review will require the candidate to demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and to the Code of Conduct and relevant Codes of Practice.

Chartered Engineer

Chartered Engineers are concerned primarily with the progress of technology through innovation, creativity and change. They develop and apply new technologies; promote advanced designs and design methods; introduce new and more efficient production techniques and marketing and construction concepts; and pioneer new engineering services and management methods. They may be involved with the management and direction of high-risk and resource intensive projects. Professional judgement is a key feature of their role, allied to the assumption of responsibility for the direction of important tasks, including the profitable management of industrial and commercial enterprises.

The 'Matching Section' Concept and Alternative Pathways

The Matching Section required by BEng (Hons) graduates to complete their educational base for Chartered Engineer must include the learning equivalent to one further academic year of study. The main aim is broadening to achieve equivalence with MEng graduates, both in foundation learning and specialist enhancement. There are a number of possibilities such as full or part-time post-graduate courses, distance tuition and work-based learning.

Other pathways to Chartered Engineer registration not shown on the diagram also exist. They include progression from Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician registration, routes based on the achievement of Occupational Standards and a Mature Candidate Route.

Incorporated Engineer

Incorporated Engineers act as exponents of today's technology and, to this end, they maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology at the highest efficiency. Incorporated Engineers require a detailed understanding of a recognised field of technology, so they can exercise independent technical judgement and management in that field. They provide, independently and as leaders, a significant influence on the overall effectiveness of the organisation in which they work, often in key operational management roles.

The 3-year IEng degree

Many 3-year Incorporated Engineer degrees already exist. There is the potential for a great variety of new IEng degrees to be developed. These degrees slot conveniently into the Higher Education Qualifications framework proposed in the Dearing Report

The 'Matching Section' Concept and Alternative Pathways

The bridge the educational gap between HNC/D and IEng degrees, candidates will need to undertake further learning, equivalent to one or two academic years of study depending upon the type of Higher National Award obtained. There are a number of ways in which this can be accomplished by courses or work-based learning.

Other pathways to Incorporated Engineer registration not shown on the diagram also exist. They include progression from Engineering Technician registration, routes based on the achievement of Occupational Standards and a Mature Candidate Route.

Engineering Technician

The roles of Engineering Technicians involve them in the application of proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical problems. They carry a measure of supervisory and technical responsibility and are competent to exercise creative aptitudes and skills within defined fields of technology, often under the guidance of Incorporated Engineers.

They contribute to the design, development, manufacture, commissioning, operation and maintenance of products, equipment, processes and services. They apply safe systems of work.

Modern Apprenticeships and programmes leading to the award of vocational qualifications can provide progression to Engineering Technician registration.

Development of the new edition of SARTOR

The development of this edition of SARTOR has been a collaborative effort between the ECUK and the Engineering Institutions in their role as nominated and licensed bodies. A nominated body is one which is recognised by the ECUK to propose suitably qualified persons for registration.

Licensed bodies may, in addition, accredit educational courses and arrangements for initial professional development which meet the Council's criteria and assess individual candidates with non-standard backgrounds.

Further Information

If you are interested in becoming registered with the ECUK, it is essential that you first become a member of the relevant Engineering Institution.

For information about the membership requirements of any Engineering Institution , please contact the particular institution.

21 Aug 2008

© 2008 ECUK, All rights reserved. Registered Charity No. 286142 | Disclaimer Disclaimer All information is provided in the utmost good faith based upon the best information available to ECUK at the time, errors and omissions excepted. No information in this publication shall render the ECUK liable to indemnify the Users in respect of any loss and/or liability of any kind incurred by the Users or any other persons. Where necessary, the accreditation status of current academic programmes should be confirmed by checking with the accrediting engineering institution. It should be noted that the titles of academic programmes may change. | Accessibility Statement |