Choosing the right engineering discipline is a crucial step for students and aspiring engineers, as it sets the foundation for their future careers. With a wide array of specialisations—ranging from mechanical and civil to electrical, chemical, and beyond—the field of engineering offers diverse paths, each with its own focus, challenges, and opportunities.
This guide aims to provide a clear overview of the major engineering disciplines, highlighting what they involve, the skills they require, and the career prospects they offer.
Table of Contents
What are the main types of Engineering disciplines?
More specialised fields of Engineering
How to choose the best Engineering discipline
Where can you study Engineering?
What is Engineering?
At its core, engineering is the practical application of science, mathematics, and engineering principles to solve real-world problems through innovative design and effective problem-solving. Engineers create systems, machines, and technologies that make life safer, faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
Think bridges, computer systems, medical devices, plastics, power plants, and spacecraft—engineers are the brains behind them all. Many modern challenges require interdisciplinary solutions that draw on knowledge from multiple fields, including project management, biotechnology, materials science, and advanced computing. A key focus across engineering is managing the life cycle of a product or system—from design and development to operation and decommissioning.
What are the main types of Engineering disciplines?
Engineering is a vast profession made up of several core disciplines and many exciting subfields. Here are the foundational branches:
1. Mechanical Engineering
Focuses on machines, tools, and mechanical systems. Applications include automotive engineering, manufacturing engineering, robotics, and heating/cooling systems.
2. Electrical Engineering
Involves electricity, electronics engineers, telecommunications, power systems, and control technologies. Essential in energy generation, communication systems, power plants, and electronic devices.
3. Civil Engineering
Deals with infrastructure—roads, buildings, bridges, and dams. Specialisations include structural engineering, transportation engineering, and geotechnical engineering.
4. Chemical Engineering
Applies chemistry, physics, and biology to develop processes for producing chemicals, fuels, food, and pharmaceuticals.
5. Computer Engineering
Combines electrical engineering and computer science to design computer hardware and software systems, from embedded devices to cloud servers.
6. Industrial Engineering
Focuses on optimising workflows, systems, and processes in manufacturing engineering, logistics, and healthcare. Often includes elements of project management.
7. Systems Engineering
Involves coordinating complex systems that integrate mechanical, electrical, software, and human components—crucial in large-scale projects and industries like aerospace and defence.
More specialised fields of Engineering
Many subfields are rapidly growing, combining new technologies with core engineering fundamentals. They include:
- Aerospace Engineering – Includes aeronautical engineering (aircraft) and astronautical engineering (spacecraft).
- Biomedical Engineering – Develops medical devices and diagnostics by merging biology and engineering.
- Environmental Engineering – Tackles pollution, waste, and sustainable water and air systems.
- Materials Engineering – Studies and designs new materials like metals, composites, and ceramics, often based on materials science research.
- Software Engineering – Builds and maintains software systems for industries like finance, healthcare, and tech.
- Petroleum Engineering – Focuses on the extraction of oil and gas with advanced safety and environmental controls.
- Marine Engineering – Designs ship systems and offshore structures.
- Mining Engineering – Plans and manages the safe extraction of minerals.
- Geological and Geotechnical Engineering – Ensures structural safety by analysing earth materials.
- Nuclear Engineering – Works on energy production, safety engineering, and medical applications of nuclear technology.
- Biotechnology Engineering – A rising field that merges engineering fundamentals with biology to create solutions in healthcare, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
How to choose the best Engineering discipline for you
Choosing the right path starts with knowing yourself and the world around you:
- Identify your interests: Love solving environmental problems? Consider environmental or civil engineering. Interested in healthcare and biology? Explore biomedical or biotechnology engineering. Drawn to cars and innovation? Look into automotive engineering or aeronautical engineering.
- Understand your strengths: If you're analytical and detail-focused, try systems or computer engineering. If you're hands-on and inventive, mechanical, materials engineering, or manufacturing engineering could be a great fit.
- Look at job trends: High-demand areas like software, energy, and biotechnology often offer lucrative, future-proof opportunities.
- Consider interdisciplinary fields: Many engineers now work across domains, applying project management skills alongside technical expertise in areas like mechatronics or green energy.
- Talk to real engineers: First-hand insights can give you clarity about daily responsibilities, career growth, and real-world applications, and are therefore an important part of the research process.
Where can you study Engineering?
Engineering degrees are available worldwide—from bachelor's degrees to master’s degrees and PhDs—at universities, technical colleges, and polytechnics. When choosing a programme, look for:
- Strong lab access and practical training
- Industry partnerships and internships
- Options for specialisation
- Interdisciplinary learning opportunities
- Accreditation and global rankings and reputation
Top Engineering Institutions
There are lots of universities both in the UK and globally that excel in the field of Engineering. In the UK, the following institutions are particularly renowned for the quality of their engineering degrees:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- UCL
- University of Bristol
- Loughborough University
- University of Sheffield
- University of Warwick
- University of Nottingham
Globally, these are some of the best universities to study an Engineering degree:
- MIT (USA)
- Stanford University (USA)
- Caltech (USA)
- ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
- National University of Singapore (Singapore)
- Technical University of Munich (Germany)
- Princeton University (USA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (USA)
- University of Toronto (Canada)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Engineering difficult to study?
Engineering can be demanding field but not simply because it includes Maths or Physics. The real challenge lies in the way it requires you to think. Instead of just memorising information, you have to apply complex ideas to solve real-world problems—designing, building, and improving systems that actually function.
Which Engineering disciplines pay the most?
Engineering disciplines that tend to pay the most are usually those in high demand, with specialised skills or those linked to industries like technology, energy, and finance. Petroleum engineering often tops the list due to the complexity and risk involved in oil and gas extraction. Computer engineering and software engineering also offer high salaries, driven by the tech industry’s rapid growth and constant innovation. Electrical, aerospace, and nuclear engineers are also among the higher earners because of the advanced knowledge required and the industries they serve. However, salary can vary based on factors like experience, location, education level, and the specific company or sector you work in.
Can I switch disciplines later?
Yes. Many engineers shift fields or work in interdisciplinary roles thanks to a solid foundation in core principles.
What if I like more than one field?
If you like more than one field of engineering, that can actually be a great advantage. Many areas of engineering overlap, and some of today’s most exciting challenges—like robotics, renewable energy, and biomedical devices—often require knowledge from multiple disciplines.
Do I need to be good at maths?
You do need a solid grasp of foundational maths to study engineering, but arguably what matters most are qualities such as persistence, logical thinking, and a problem-solving mindset.
Summary
Engineering is one of the most dynamic, rewarding, and impactful careers you can pursue. Whether you're designing spacecraft, developing clean energy, or using biotechnology to save lives, there's a field of engineering aligned with your passion.
Find out more about which universities have welcomed Kings students for Engineering degrees
