What is Engineering?
What is engineering?
Discover what engineering is, what engineers do and what careers in STEM you could get into!

What do engineers do?
Engineering is integral to every aspect of our lives. It’s the clothes we wear, food we eat, places we live.
From medicines to satellites, water systems to electric cars – engineers are the innovators behind many of the products or processes that make our journey through life that much easier.
They take on the biggest challenges we face globally – and are helping build a better world for us all.
And you could be a part of it.
Find the right discipline for you
Find out more about the different areas of engineering to see which one could be a good fit for you!
What is chemical engineering?
What is mechanical engineering?
In simple terms, mechanical engineers got us moving.
From the invention of the wheel to the advancement in engines, they’re how we can get to places and explore the world – whether that’s by land, sea or air.
But that’s just the tip of the aircraft propeller, so to speak...
They’re also pioneers in everything from renewable energy structures to modern-day robotics, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
What is electronic and electrical engineering?
Sounds obvious but if it uses electricity, it’s probably been designed by an electrical engineer.
But even Alexander Bell himself could probably never have predicted that the telephone would evolve into something we all couldn’t live without now.
In this modern age of technological advancement, electronics have become invaluable in almost every aspect of our lives.
From the smart devices we use to the software that literally keeps airplanes in the air, the innovations in this field are truly remarkable – with scope for much more in the future.
What is civil engineering?
Bridges, buildings, roads – civil engineers are known for developing the infrastructure we see everywhere.
But beyond that, they’re also responsible for creating clean water and sewerage systems that we all so heavily rely on.
Using the innovations in computer science and AI has helped launch civil engineers and architects into the future – being able to design sustainable solutions and predict their effectiveness without harming the built and natural environment we live in.
Industry-leading engineering facilities
Practical work is so important to really get your head around the theory as an engineer. Check out the facilities we offer at Leeds that'll set you up with all the skills you'll need in your career.
Top 100
in the world for Engineering and Technology
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Supporting your career
From day one, we'll help you get on the right path to becoming the engineer you want to be. We'll support you in any way we can - both academically and professionally.
Dedicated Employability Team
Our dedicated Employability Team give our students the platform to prosper professionally with support in CV writing, applying to placements, job applications - plus much more.
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Industry links
Leeds has a longstanding relationship with some of the top employers, which informs our taught curriculum and gives you the chance to get your foot in the door with these companies before you graduate.
Research-informed curriculum
Our curriculum is directly informed by our 'world-leading' research conducted across all of our engineering Schools - so you know, at Leeds, you're learning the latest innovations in modern engineering.
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Specialist academics to learn from
You'll be taught by - and have first-hand support - from academics and industry experts who have a wealth of experience across modern-day engineering.