Good morning. I have recently decided to apply for an EngTech accreditation. I completed all the applications and supporting evidence, which I sent to a PRA for review. Apart from satisfying all the criteria for EngTech, he commented that my evidence leans more towards IEng. After checking the academic qualifications, I soon discovered that you also require a degree or other forms of higher education......which unfortunately I do not hold. My question is, has anyone gained IEng status without and degree's or higher education (BEng, BSc, etc)? Kind Regards Simon
As others have pointed out, possessing the exemplifying qualification is only one way of demonstrating that you have the required level of Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding (UK&U) - your engineering and technical theory. There are plenty of successful IEng and CEng candidates who do not possess the exemplifying qualification, but if they don't, they are required to demonstrate that their UK&U is at the required standard. There is no absolute requirement for any academic qualification at all. See page 22 of UK-SPEC third edition.
When I am advising someone in your situation, I ask them to consider how they will provide evidence of UK&U at the required level in their application. Some find this relatively easy, some less so. Thus, in your application, I would expect to see you providing this evidence of UK&U in addition to the evidence that you will provide on the 17 competencies. This necessarily makes your application somewhat longer than one from someone who has the exemplifying qualification. If you don't provide this additional information in your application, you may be asked to submit further evidence of UK&U. This delays your application and having just coached someone through this, it is not an easy task as there is a tight page limit and it is much better if you can provide the evidence in your application.
In summary, it's certainly possible to gain IEng without a degree, but I suggest you work with your PRA to see how you will provide the necessary evidence that your UK&U is at the required standard. Also do consider what Roy has said about the nature of your work and your career aspirations, as, if Eng Tech will fulfil your needs, there may be little point in possibly getting out of your comfort zone in going for IEng. Only you will be able to judge this one and you can always apply for IEng at a later date if you wish.
As others have pointed out, possessing the exemplifying qualification is only one way of demonstrating that you have the required level of Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding (UK&U) - your engineering and technical theory. There are plenty of successful IEng and CEng candidates who do not possess the exemplifying qualification, but if they don't, they are required to demonstrate that their UK&U is at the required standard. There is no absolute requirement for any academic qualification at all. See page 22 of UK-SPEC third edition.
When I am advising someone in your situation, I ask them to consider how they will provide evidence of UK&U at the required level in their application. Some find this relatively easy, some less so. Thus, in your application, I would expect to see you providing this evidence of UK&U in addition to the evidence that you will provide on the 17 competencies. This necessarily makes your application somewhat longer than one from someone who has the exemplifying qualification. If you don't provide this additional information in your application, you may be asked to submit further evidence of UK&U. This delays your application and having just coached someone through this, it is not an easy task as there is a tight page limit and it is much better if you can provide the evidence in your application.
In summary, it's certainly possible to gain IEng without a degree, but I suggest you work with your PRA to see how you will provide the necessary evidence that your UK&U is at the required standard. Also do consider what Roy has said about the nature of your work and your career aspirations, as, if Eng Tech will fulfil your needs, there may be little point in possibly getting out of your comfort zone in going for IEng. Only you will be able to judge this one and you can always apply for IEng at a later date if you wish.
