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How to become an electrical or electronic engineer

Electrical and electronic engineers design, build and maintain electrical systems, machines and electronic equipment — from power networks and renewable energy to circuit boards and control systems.

You could work in energy, transport, manufacturing, telecoms, defence, building services or consultancy.

You could start through a degree, a degree apprenticeship, a higher apprenticeship or a college HNC or HND (Higher National Certificate or Diploma). This is a different career from electrician, which is a skilled trade with its own rules.

  • Multiple routes
  • Earn while learning possible
  • Protected titles: CEng, IEng

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    Accredited electrical or electronic engineering degree, then work towards chartered status

    For those who want to study electrical or electronic engineering at university first, with the option of a placement year, graduate schemes and a direct academic route towards Chartered Engineer.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; the National Careers Service says a degree usually needs 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent, including maths and a science
    • Check that the course is accredited if you want the most direct route to CEng or IEng
    • After graduating, a graduate engineer job or graduate scheme

    Pathway outline

    1. Study an accredited electrical or electronic engineering degree (BEng, or an integrated MEng)
    2. Look for a placement year or summer work experience
    3. Apply for a graduate engineer job or graduate scheme
    4. Join a licensed institution such as the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and build your experience against UK-SPEC
    5. Apply for IEng or CEng when your institution agrees you are ready
    Estimated duration
    3 years for a BEng (4 for an integrated MEng), then work-based development
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. The Engineering Council does not set a fixed time from graduating to CEng or IEng — it depends on your experience.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,370Paid up front by you: £0Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students take a paid placement year or part-time work.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Electrical and electronic engineer degree apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want to earn a wage and gain an electrical or electronic engineering degree, with training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says degree apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for the Level 6 Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) apprenticeship
    2. Work and study; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the degree and the end-point assessment
    4. You could apply for IEng, or build towards CEng
    Estimated duration
    About 3½ years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) at 42 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £27,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CApprenticeship

    Electrical power networks engineer higher apprenticeship (Level 4)

    For those who want a shorter, paid route into engineering work on the electricity network, at a level equal to an HNC (Higher National Certificate).

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job with a network operator or contractor; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training
    • Only 7 training providers were listed when we checked, so vacancies may be limited and vary by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for the Level 4 Electrical power networks engineer apprenticeship
    2. Work in an engineering team maintaining and repairing electricity network assets
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. Work in a role such as planning, design, control or project engineer
    5. You could study further towards a degree and IEng
    Estimated duration
    About 2½ years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Electrical power networks engineer (level 4) at 30 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £27,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

  • CEng (Chartered Engineer), IEng (Incorporated Engineer) and EngTech (Engineering Technician) are protected professional titles awarded through a licensed engineering institution. The Engineering Council does not describe registration as a requirement to work as an engineer; some employers ask for it or support you towards it.Source: Engineering Council, Professional registration (opens in a new tab) · checked 14 Oct 2026
  • We could not verify IET membership fees from the IET's own pages, so no figure is shown. Check current fees with the IET.Source: National Careers Service, Electrical engineer job profile (opens in a new tab) · checked 14 Oct 2026
  • Electrician is a different career (a skilled trade). This page covers engineers who design and manage electrical and electronic systems.

Questions people ask

Is an electrical engineer the same as an electrician?

No. Electricians install and repair wiring and equipment as a skilled trade. Electrical engineers usually design, plan and manage electrical systems, and often study to degree level.

Can I become an electrical engineer without a degree?

You could. The National Careers Service lists college HNC or HND courses followed by a trainee engineer job, and a degree apprenticeship gives you a degree while you work. Requirements vary by employer.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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