How to Become a Chartered Engineer (CEng) After Your Degree

To become a Chartered Engineer (CEng), you join a licensed professional engineering institution, build your competence at work, often on an accredited graduate scheme, and then pass a professional review against the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC standard. An accredited MEng, or an accredited bachelor’s degree plus further learning to Master’s level, covers the academic requirement.

What is a Chartered Engineer?#

CEng is a professional title awarded through the Engineering Council. It describes Chartered Engineers as people who develop solutions to engineering problems using new or existing technologies, or who take technical responsibility for complex systems with significant risk. The Engineering Council calls it the highest level of professional registration.

There are other titles too, such as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech). The UK-SPEC standard sets out the competence and commitment needed for each.

Which degree do you need?#

The Engineering Council lists the exemplifying academic qualifications for CEng. They include an accredited integrated MEng, or an accredited bachelor’s degree with honours plus an appropriate Master’s degree, EngD or further learning to Master’s level. You can check whether your course is accredited using the Engineering Council’s course search.

These qualifications make the process more straightforward, but they are not the only route. The Engineering Council says you can still become a Chartered Engineer without them, through an individual assessment of your learning.

Step 1: Join a professional engineering institution#

Your first step is to join a licensed professional engineering institution (PEI). There are over 40, each with its own specialism, such as the IMechE, the IET or the ICE. The Engineering Council says student membership is low cost or even free, so join while you are still studying.

Some institutions also offer interim registration, which confirms that you have the underpinning knowledge for your chosen title. It shows employers you are committed to registration. Not all institutions offer it, so ask yours.

Step 2: Build your competence at work#

After your degree you need to show you can apply your knowledge at work. This stage is called initial professional development. Many graduates do it on a structured graduate scheme that an institution has accredited or approved, which means the scheme’s objectives match the standard.

• Ask employers whether their graduate scheme is accredited, and by which institution.
• Ask whether you will have a mentor. Arup, for example, says everyone interested in chartership has a dedicated mentor.
• Record your development as you go. It makes your application much easier.

Step 3: Pass the professional review#

When you are ready, you apply to your institution with evidence of your competence. At the IET, for example, most applicants then have an interview with trained assessors. It lasts about an hour, including a presentation of about 15 minutes, and a panel makes the final decision. The IET says most engineers take a minimum of about four years to build the required experience.

How do engineering graduate schemes recruit?#

Processes vary, but most use online tests and a final assessment:

• Arup describes three short assessments (personality, plus timed numerical and logical reasoning), then an online assessment centre with an interview, a technical exercise and a case study exercise.
• AtkinsRéalis describes an online application, an online immersive assessment of about 45 minutes, and interviews over Microsoft Teams.
• Both say you can submit only one application per recruitment cycle, so choose the role that fits you best.

Prepare a clear account of your final-year project, a technical problem you solved, and why you want that discipline and that employer.