Engineering has so many different levels of entry. You first need to consider the subjects that are relevant to your engineering discipline. You should also decide which route you feel best suits you.

At GCSE level you will need at least 4 passes at grades A-C including Maths, English and Science/Technology. There is also a new Engineering GCSE being introduced that is an excellent start to your career.

There are a number of routes into engineering. With suitable GCSEs you could enter a Modern Apprenticeship Programme. The Apprenticeship lasts 3-4 years and you gain practical experience with a local employer as well as achieving a number of qualifications.

Click Modern Apprenticeships to find out more.

Another option is to remain in Full Time education by enrolling on a BTEC National course at college. From there you can progress onto a Higher National Diploma (HND). With at least one A Level in Maths, Science or Technology you could go straight onto a full-time HND course. Good results in college exams at the right level can lead to a place on an Engineering degree following a Modern Apprenticeship or full-time studies.

In terms of the more traditional route of A levels, the subjects which are a 'must' for an engineering degree are Maths and Physics/Physical Sciences. Generally you need 3 A levels in total to progress onto a degree programme. Your choice of a third subject may depend partly on whether you have a particular branch of engineering in mind. For example if Chemical engineering interests you then Chemistry would be the obvious choice.

Other relevant subjects include Information Technology, Economics and Business Studies - especially if you want to combine engineering with Management.

Entry requirements for Engineering degrees will vary from University to University and from course to course.

For information on Engineering courses available in Northern Ireland click on our Course Database to search for your course.