8 Unusual Engineering Degrees… With Strong Career Prospects

Just because you’re not keen on building bridges, firing up airplanes or digging oil wells doesn’t mean engineering isn’t for you! Along with leaps in tech and evolving planetary needs, there are many sub-branches of engineering to specialize in. So, if you’re looking for something a little different to the conventional civil/electrical/mechanical engineering degree, but still want a promising career trajectory, here are eight engineering courses to consider…

1. Environmental engineering

Interested in product and process design, management or consultancy, and solving key environmental concerns? Fancy working as a water resource engineer, air quality specialist or director of waste management? Then you might want to consider doing a BSc in environmental engineering. Topics covered in most environmental engineering degrees include thermodynamics, environmental safety, civil engineering, and water resources.

2. Robotics engineering

Do you know your C2P0 from your BB-8? Studying and working in robotics, you would be designing robots and robotic systems to help humans perform duties they are unable or reluctant to complete. One of the most exciting areas of engineering today, robotics has experienced a massive investment boom over the past couple of years, with The Financial Times forecasting that robots are just about to “roll or walk out of the labs”.

3. Energy engineering

The branch of engineering concerned with the management and usage of sustainable sources like biofuel, wind and solar power, energy engineering is booming! As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainable energy supply, there’s growing demand for energy engineers, with roles in environmental and energy consultancies, the motor industry, charities and the manufacturing sector. This really is a chance to be part of the solution.

4. Biomedical engineering

Would you like to contribute to medical breakthroughs like biocompatible prostheses or regenerative tissue growth? Are you interested in how technology can transform healthcare? Keen to use your expertise to help facilitate diagnosis, monitoring and treatment? If you answered yes to all three questions, then you might want to check out degrees and careers in biomedical engineering…

5. Nanotechnology engineering

For those motivated to find solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as energy supply or climate change, another great option is an engineering degree specialized in nanotechnology. Learning how to manipulate atoms and molecules to build extremely small devices (on the scale of a nanometer), your work could have a huge range of applications – from cosmetics to solar power, and sportswear to healthcare.

6. Information systems engineering

Are you known for your data-crunching prowess? Fascinated by news stories involving hacking and leaks? Taught yourself several coding languages, and got a spreadsheet-based solution for everything? Sounds like your ideal engineering degree would be in information systems. Giving you in-depth expertise in the design and management of information systems, this degree could lead to career paths ranging from nationwide cybersecurity to corporate software.

7. Sports engineering

Want to combine your passion for sport with high tech? As a sports engineer, you could help design the next generation of innovative sports clothing, equipment and tracking devices. With competition ramping up, both national and private organizations are investing huge amounts in ensuring their athletes have the fastest, lightest, most streamlined equipment possible. With a sports engineering degree, your expertise could make all the difference between gold and second best…

8. Agricultural engineering 

Believe it or not, agricultural degrees are really in right now. There’s a lot of technological innovation transforming the farming industry, as the sector adapts to meet challenges in supply, climate change and population growth. Helping to solve practical problems and develop new technologies, you could help farm and fishery managers implement more sustainable, effective, eco-friendly and compassionate practices.

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