So long as students have the intelligence to cope with the course material it doesn’t matter if they have A-levels or not. The exams are just a handy indication of whether they are likely to be able to handle the course content.
Paul Northover, Herefordshire
When I undertook my degree in 1972 half the intake did not have any A-levels and were given additional maths studies. The other half, who did, had extra ‘engineering’ studies. It all worked out.
Dave Leggett, Bristol
No. If Civils are happy to devalue their brand, that is up to them (although we should encourage them to think again). We should raise university entry requirements, instead of spending half the university course doing remedial work that the schools have failed to do, and then graduating half-trained engineers.
Len Stanway, Basildon
This is the road to ruin, as both these disciplines are key to mechanical engineering. This will potentially lower the quality and standard of engineers.
David Mee, Newcastle upon Tyne
No. It would be interesting to know what they require instead of physics and maths A-levels. A strong interest in the subject combined with good results in business studies, for example, might be sufficient.
Chris Greatrix, Gloucester
It will be OK so long as the students are sufficiently numerate and have the ability to ‘feel’ the validity of the answer produced by the computer. It is impossible to take an informed view without some detail about how this will be tested before, during and at the end of the course.
Roger Crook, Swindon
It’s good that they are trying to widen the catchment of potential engineers but it should only be done to obtain entry to a foundation course. Reducing the academic requirements means that graduates require more training when entering the workplace and this puts more onus on employers.
David Scott, York
Increasing uptake of engineering is a good idea, provided that the student can get up to speed with the necessary understanding. This may mean additional classes during term time or perhaps a summer school.
Neil Dinmore, Derby
An inclusive approach for the university may be all well and good for getting ‘bums on seats’. However, engineers who can’t count or don’t understand how the world works won’t be of much use.
Dave Hughes, Wrexham
This does not add up at all. Engineers need core skills such as maths and physics. However, as many educational establishments have moved from centres of learning to become income-generating businesses, the move is not surprising as it gets more people through the doors.
Paul Harper, Isle of Man
In my day our thick sandwich started with the first of two pre-course maths modules in recognition of the fact that not all maths A-level courses were equal. They were designed to ensure that all students were up to the same level by the end of that first year spent in industry – and we really needed them! How are you going to get students up to speed with two years’ worth of maths and physics in the summer before they start their courses? It sounds like a gimmick.
Anonymous
Anyone starting an engineering course without A-level physics and maths will be at a severe disadvantage. When I started my course in 2001 I had a high A in A-level maths. I found the engineering maths challenging. I studied hard and obtained a first in the engineering maths modules.
Daniel Harris, Feltham, Middlesex
Excluding the requirements for a maths and physics A-level will just ensure that engineers will be held in even less esteem in the UK.
David Sawyer, Suffolk
You call it an “inclusive approach” which is about as soggy a description as it can be. It looks to me as though, once again, quality is at risk of being sacrificed for the sake of quantity, no doubt to appease misguided political pressures.
David Odling, Altrincham
Physics and maths are natural foundations for engineering. It is difficult to see how the decision will maintain the quality of graduate engineers, even though it might increase the quantity. I don’t think this is the right solution for closing a skills shortage.
Dan Aldridge, Cambridgeshire
As long as you can pay they will let anyone on any course!
Craig McInerney, Staffordshire