Are you fascinated by engineering and construction? Are you interested in the physical sciences and looking to pursue a career in this particular field? If this sounds like you, then perhaps you might like to consider a course in maintenance engineering.

However, as well as having a natural aptitude for the physical sciences, potential candidates should also have an interest in commerce as well as problem solving skills as this will be a crucial portion of the course content.

Similarly, maintenance engineer is a subject that requires a lot of hard work from students wishing to achieve a strong grade. As well as attending lectures and seminars, students will also be expected to conduct independent study and submit assignments for assessment.

Many graduates, who pursue a career in this particular field, do so with the intention of finding work as a maintenance engineer. With an average salary of £20,000 – £24,000 per year in the UK; however this will depend upon geographical location. There will also be the opportunities for people in this sector to specialise in specific technical areas and may provide some workers with the opportunity to travel.

Similarly, there is also the option for potential graduates to pursue a career in marketing, finance, HR and IT roles within this particular sector as throughout the course you will be encourages to understand business principled and how to liaise with decision makers in other technical areas.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career within a different sector, then you can always look at post-graduate courses such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Similarly, due to the organisation and analytical skills acquired throughout this course of study, graduates in this particular field are highly sought after in journalism and project management roles.

If you’re planning on studying an undergraduate course in maintenance studies/maintenance engineering, you’ll need to have 3 A-levels or equivalent. Ideally these should be in subjects such as maths and science. This course will build upon your previous knowledge of these subjects, so it is important that you have strong grades. The majority of undergraduate courses will last a minimum of 3 years, although for more vocational courses such as maintenance studies/maintenance engineering may be extended by a year in order to allow students the opportunity to gain industry experience.

There are also a number of post-graduate courses available to study. These will last from one to three years depending upon your level of study and whether or not you wish to study on a full-time or part-time basis. If you’re looking to pursue post-graduate study, you will need a strong honours degree (ideally with a 2:1 classification) in a related subject. Similarly, if you’re a non-native speaker of English, you will have to sit an IELTS test and score a minimum of 6.0-6.5 in order to demonstrate language proficiency.

You should always look at the entry requirements and your own finances before submitting an application to your university of choice. Do you have the right grades for entry? Are the fees manageable along with the cost of living? If you’re still struggling to secure funding there are a number of options available to you including scholarships and bursaries. Is there the possibility of securing a part-time job while you study?

Irrespective of which course you decide to study, the location of the university itself should also be taken into consideration when deciding where to study. Discovering new cultures and meeting new people is a huge part of student life and it is vital that you make the most of your university experience. Some potential students prefer to study at large campus universities situated in the heart of a vibrant city, whereas others prefer smaller establishments with a more community focus. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is important that the decision you make is the best one for you; academically, socially and emotionally.

One of the vital things to consider when you’re deciding where to study is the module options available at each of the universities alongside the expertise of your potential lecturers. Although many of the core degree modules are similar between courses, different universities will offer a number of different optional modules. If you already have an idea regarding which area of study you are interested in specialising in, it is worth investigating whether your university of choice offers you module choices that will benefit your post-graduate career.