What qualifications and knowledge do you need to become professionally qualified?
To become a technician engineer (EngTech)
If you have an approved level 3 diploma or an HND or foundation degree or above you already have the qualifications you need for EngTech. Achieving the EngTech qualification shows your competence as a technician engineer and your commitment to professional standards.
To become an incorporated engineer (IEng)
If you have an accredited bachelor's degree, you already have the qualifications you need for IEng.
If you don't have a bachelor's degree, but you have a foundation degree, HNC or HND, you can work towards becoming an incorporated engineer (IEng). You can either follow the technical report route or you'll need to do a period of further learning to bring your qualifications up to the level of education required for IEng, but it's definitely worth it. The IEng title is protected by law, and becoming IEng-qualified shows your current and future employers, clients and peers that you're a competent engineer. It also highlights that you're committed to professional standards.
To become a chartered engineer (CEng)
Chartered engineers need to be highly qualified in their fields. The title CEng is protected by law, as is the title chartered civil engineer, and is one of the most recognisable international engineering qualifications. This means that the educational requirements are demanding.
What qualifications do I need for CEng?
If you have one of the following, you already have the qualifications you need for CEng:
- An accredited four-year integrated MEng degree
- A bachelor’s degree which is accredited as CEng with further learning, plus an accredited master’s degree
A course is accredited after the Joint Board of Moderators formally visits the university that offers the course. These visits ensure that courses are at the right standard and that the college or university covers core subjects – such as materials, geotechnics, fluid mechanics and structures.
Unsure whether you have the right qualifications for CEng? Contact us on +44 (0)20 7665 2247 and we'll be happy to advise.
How can I check if my course is accredited?
If you went to a UK university or college, simply search for your course on our online database and we'll tell you straightaway if it's accredited by JBM (Joint Board of Moderators). You'll also find details of courses that are covered by international agreements like the Washington Accord, FEANI and EUR-ACE.
Search for your course
My course isn't accredited – what now?
Don't worry, it doesn't mean that your qualifications won't count. We have another way of checking – by asking you to apply for an Academic Assessment. Our panel of experts will assess your qualification against the Engineering Council's requirements and we'll let you know the result by email.
If your qualifications don't meet the requirements, we'll give you advice on how you can top them up, or suggest other ways for you to qualify.
I don't have a master's degree – can I still become chartered?
Yes. If you have an accredited undergraduate degree – either a BEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) – you can become chartered. But you'll need to do some 'further learning', or you can use the technical report route.
Further learning is the extra work you need to do to bring your education and experience up to the level for CEng. You can do this in two ways:
- Further learning in education – this means doing an accredited master's (MSc) course
- Further learning at work – this involves adding to your knowledge in the workplace. You can do this with support from your employer (ask your employer if they offer an employer-managed further learning programme). If your employer doesn't have one, you can do it independently and we'll track your progress
Work experience
Find out more about the next step in becoming professionally qualified.
Step 2 - work experience