Introduction to Engineering

What is an engineer?

Engineers help shape the world. Whatever you use and wherever you go, an engineer's been there first, designing, creating, improving. Engineers thrive on challenges - they use their knowledge of science and technology to find solutions to everyday problems. At Harper Adams we specialise in land-based engineering. Vehicles, machines and equipment have revolutionised agriculture and food production, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Land-based engineers are at the heart of this progress, designing and developing ever more efficient vehicles, machinery and buildings for the agricultural, off road and associated industries.

Engineering students

The emphasis on projects, teamwork and placement helps students prepare for the graduate workplace and learn from each other, as well as making valuable professional contacts for the future. Students are encouraged to compete for in-house and national prizes, many of which are sponsored by industry and involve solving real problems. Others embark on projects which attract interest far beyond the University College. One student drove a car he rebuilt himself 8,000 miles from London to Mongolia for charity. Another's final year project, designing off road wheelchairs for people with mobility impairments, later became the basis of a successful company (www.moltenrock.co.uk).

Courses

Careers

The engineering industry is massive, with a huge shortfall of suitably qualified people, so engineers are in great demand in the UK and worldwide. Our graduates have an excellent rate of employment; many are offered their first job by their placement employer. They can be found working as test and development engineers, designers, consultants, project managers, product specialists and machinery journalists. Others work for dealerships or distributors, in sales and marketing, or set up their own businesses. An engineering degree is also classed by employers as one of the best general degrees, so if you'd rather work outside the land-based industry, what you learn at Harper Adams can just as easily be applied to other fields of engineering. Just don't expect to be sitting behind a desk in a stuffy office where every day's the same!

Links with industry

We have developed strong relationships with some of the biggest names in the sector including JCB, Claas, John Deere, New Holland, McConnel, Redrock Engineering, Land Rover and McCormick, many of which also offer scholarships. Most of our scholarship students will spend their placements and holidays working with these employers, have their final year projects sponsored, and then go on to develop successful graduate careers with them.

Staff

The engineering department has around 20 academic staff, technicians and visiting lecturers. Academic staff are professional engineers with expertise across a range of specialisms, including terramechanics, vehicle and machine design for off-road and agricultural engineering, electronics, hydraulics, farm machinery, CAD and 3D modelling. A dedicated member of the team provides maths support, and the technical and support staff have a wealth of experience and hands-on skills.

What are Incorporated and Chartered Engineers?

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) describes an Incorporated Engineer as an applications-based engineer who works with the technology that is available, while a Chartered Engineer specialises in analysis, creating the technology of tomorrow. All professionals belong to a sort of club or institution so that employers and customers can see that they are properly trained and qualified for the job. Depending on the level of their qualification, they are 'accredited' by this organisation. There are many different organisations for professional engineers, but ours is the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE). You will get free membership of both IAgrE and IMechE, if you wish, when you enrol at Harper Adams, and both will provide a good source of information and support. Upon completion of their course students may opt to register as a professional engineer through either the IMechE or IAgrE.