The Engineering Council sets the overall requirements for the Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) in engineering, in line with the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment (UK-SPEC).
AHEP sets out the standard for degree accreditation. It also outlines the purpose and application process for universities that wish to secure or maintain accreditation of their programmes. The standard for engineering degrees has been developed through consultation with the engineering profession and includes input from employers and academics.
Degree accreditation is undertaken by sector-specific Licensed Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) from the Engineering Council. These institutions interpret the standards as appropriate for their own sector of the profession and use them when deciding whether degree programmes meet the requirements to be awarded ‘Engineering Council accredited degree' status.
Accreditation of different types of degree
Programmes may be accredited as fully or partially meeting the education requirements for registration as either an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
AHEP sets out the output standards expected from each of the following:
- Bachelors and bachelors (Hons) degrees (accredited as fully meeting the education requirements for IEng registration)
- Bachelors (Hons) degrees (accredited as partially meeting the education requirements for CEng registration)
- Further learning to Masters level is required to fully meet the education requirements for CEng registration
- Integrated Masters (MEng) degrees (accredited as fully meeting the education requirements for CEng registration)
- Other master’s degrees (accredited as partially meeting the education requirements for CEng registration)
Technician Registration Initiatives
A range of technician registration initiatives has therefore emerged in recent years, to tackle the national shortage of professionally registered technicians with the title Engineering Technician (EngTech) or Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech).
The Engineering Council is working on many of these initiatives with partners, including government and charity funded campaigns, professional engineering institutions, employers, Awarding Organisations and other relevant organisations and societies.