An engineering degree doesn't have to be accredited. A
university decides whether or not it wishes to apply for
accreditation. In the UK, most engineering degrees are
accredited and there are several advantages of choosing one that
is:
- Some employers specifically recruit from accredited degree
programmes
- Students can be sure that their accredited degree is recognised
professionally
- Later on, the process of seeking registration as an
Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) is made more
straightforward by holding an accredited degree
- Internationally, UK-accredited degrees are more widely
recognised than those that are not accredited.
Accreditation is carried out by the individual professional
engineering institutions under licence from the Engineering
Council. A degree may be accredited by more than one
engineering institution, particularly where it spans several
engineering disciplines.
Most accredited degrees are bachelors, honours or MEng. An
increasing number of MScs are being put forward for accreditation.
Some Foundation degrees are also accredited.
The period of accreditation is typically five years, counting
from the first-year student intake date. When choosing a
degree, what matters is the accreditation status when you start. If
accredited status is removed during your degree course, you and any
other students already on that course would still graduate with an
accredited degree. Students starting a degree part way
through should check the accreditation status as if they had
entered the first year.
Holders of non-accredited degrees may also work towards becoming
Incorporated or Chartered Engineers. Their applications will
be individually assessed by their chosen professional engineering
institution. Advice will be offered about any additional
course that should be followed in order to demonstrate equivalence
with an accredited programme.
Your choice of degree will depend on other aspects in addition
to its accreditation status, such as the engineering discipline,
the breadth of coverage, the laboratory and other facilities, the
opportunity for placements in the UK or overseas, and the extent of
university-employer relationships.