Here’s How to Find Out Before University
Engineering is the application of science, maths, and creative problem-solving to design and build everything from autonomous vehicles to sustainable cities but most high school students have very little idea what it actually involves.
You like maths. You’re good at physics. Someone’s probably already told you to “go into engineering.” But do you actually know what engineers do every day?
Most students don’t. School teaches you the theory, but it rarely shows you what engineering looks like in practice. The gap between enjoying problem-solving and committing to a four-year degree is bigger than most people realise.
So how do you close it?
Engineering Is Bigger Than You Think
When most people hear “engineering,” they picture bridges or buildings. But the field of engineering has evolved far beyond that. Today’s engineers are designing autonomous vehicles, building AI systems, programming factory robots, and developing sustainable technologies to tackle climate change.
Mechanical, aerospace, civil, software, biomedical, robotics these are just a few of the many types of engineering careers, and each one looks completely different in practice. The challenge is that you’ll rarely encounter any of this in a school curriculum. So if you’re going to make an informed decision about your degree, you need to go looking for it yourself.
At the Oxford Scholars Programme, our
Engineering & Robotics Career Exploration
gives high school students aged 14–18 access to institutions like the BMW MINI Plant,
The Royal Society, and hands-on workshops with
industry leaders — designed to help you explore engineering before university.
How to Start Exploring Engineering Before You Apply
You don’t have to wait until university to figure this out. Here are a few ways to get real exposure early:
- Visit real engineering workplaces : factories, robotics labs, aerospace facilities, design studios. Engineering career exploration programmes that include industry visits are worth their weight in gold.
- Seek out hands-on workshops: building, testing, and problem-solving will tell you more about engineering than any textbook. Engineering summer programmes for high school students that offer practical project work are ideal.
- Talk to working engineers : ask about their day-to-day, not just their qualifications. It’s the fastest way to figure out whether engineering is right for you..
- Explore the subfields early: don’t default to “mechanical” because it sounds familiar. Look into robotics, AI, sustainable design, and emerging fields like autonomous systems and biomedical engineering..
The earlier you explore, the clearer your path becomes — and the stronger your university application will be for it.
