How Do I Get a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering?

There are several types of manufacturing engineering degrees, from two-year degrees to bachelor's degrees and postgraduate degrees. Some colleges offer online, part-time or distance-learning degrees. Prospective students need to pass the admission criteria, which include previous exam results and appropriate prior subjects. To get a degree in manufacturing engineering, students who have been accepted into the program must take all of the necessary courses, pass written examinations and learn practical laboratory skills if necessary.

A prospective student should research the degrees available. Generally, colleges have websites that list their degrees and describe the areas of specialization that the degrees cover. Colleges also will usually send prospectuses to interested people and usually will describe the type of careers that a graduate can obtain. A college's website will also list the entry requirements for a degree, so students can use this information to gain the appropriate qualifications in advance.

Any student who wants to get a degree in manufacturing engineering should ensure that he or she has studied the necessary subjects and achieved a examination score that is higher than the minimum in that subject. For example, common entry requirements or recommended subjects for degrees include math and science. In some countries, students need to have a minimum score in a college-entry math test or a minimum grade average. Miscellaneous requirements for entry into a degree in manufacturing engineering might include tests of reading, writing and language.

A two-year degree qualifies graduates to work as manufacturing engineering technicians. Entrants might need to have good exam results in appropriate second-level subjects or might have to have a previous engineering qualification such as a certificate. For some colleges, a student who has relevant experience is excepted from these requirements.

In some countries, students who wish to gain a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering need to have passed previous college courses to a minimum standard. These students need only to have passed the university's requirements for general admission to get into the first year of college. In other countries, students can enter directly into the degree program. All students need to pass examinations, continuous assessment and perhaps laboratory tests to a minimum level to progress through the program and earn a degree.

Students who hold a bachelor's degree can also apply for a postgraduate degree in manufacturing engineering. This type of degree generally is more specialized than the undergraduate degree. Entry into a postgraduate degree program typically depends on a good standard of undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate degrees include master's degrees, which typically take one or two additional years, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, which take an additional three years or more. Master's degrees can be pursued through coursework or through a research project, and the degree generally is awarded upon completion of a dissertation. PhDs generally are research-based, and the student must finish a dissertation to an acceptable standard.

A student who wants to get a degree in manufacturing engineering also should take into account the cost of pursuing a degree. In certain countries, such as Ireland, free third-level undergraduate study is offered to citizens, but in other countries, fees are charged each year. A student should look into potential scholarships to cover the cost, grants for living expenses or low-cost student loans.