Articles
University College London partners with Primary Engineer to bring Special Leaders Award to London Schools
The Faculty of Engineering Sciences at University College London (UCL) is one of the EPC member organisations that has been working with Primary Engineer to run the Special Leaders Award programme....
IET's Engineering and Technology magazine: "Brexit: science, engineering and technology says no"
The IET's Engineering and Technology magazine reported on the EPC's and Campaign for Science and Engineering (Case) report, published in December, this week following attendance at EPC's AGM last week,...
Engineering Professors' Council President's Prize 2016
Over 50 senior staff from university engineering departments across the UK gathered for the Engineering Professors' Council's Annual General Meeting yesterday (6th April, 2016) at Senate House, University of London...
OfQual AS and A Level Electronics consultation on Conditions and Guidance
This consultation ran from February to March 2016. This consultation is about the rules and guidance we plan to put in place for new GCSEs, AS and A levels in...
Engineering UK: State of Engineering 2016
Engineering UK has published its annual round-up of “the State of Engineering”. Its three overriding messages are: that engineering and skilled engineers make a significant contribution to the UK economy and its...
Our position on the TEF
Thanks to all those who took the time to let us have their thoughts on the proposals for the Teaching Excellence Framework - and particularly to those who took part...
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – Higher education: teaching excellence, social mobility and student choice
This consultation ran from November 2015 to January 2016. This green paper sets out proposals to change the higher education landscape. The Department for Business. Innovation and Skills sought to...
OfQual AS and A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics consultation on Conditions and Guidance
This consultation ran from December 2015 to January 2016. This consultation is about the rules and guidance we need to put in place for new AS and A levels in...
AS and A level reform: regulations for maths and further maths
Earlier this month, OfQual launched one of a series of consultations on AS and A level reform - specifically on maths, further maths and design and technology. This consultation is...
EPC December newsletter now available...
Download pdf
The role of EU membership in UK science and engineering research
The Engineering Professors' Council and CaSE launched a joint report in December, 2015 on the ‘Role of EU membership in UK science and engineering research’. Download the press release. The full report...
Comprehensive Spending Review
Quick summary of today's CSR The government will protect the £4.7 billion science budget in real terms over the Parliament. Engineering mentions: Support will be provided to secure launch funding...
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry on the influence of EU membership on UK science
This call for evidence ran from September 2015 to November 2015. The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Selborne, conducted an inquiry into...
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Inquiry into quality assessment in Higher Education
The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee launched an inquiry into quality assessment in Higher Education (HE). The inquiry looked into proposed changes to quality assessment in universities and the...
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) - have your say
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) As we write, we’re still waiting for the much-trailed Green Paper from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which, alongside other issues which we’re...
The public PhD viva
In his article in the Times Higher on 22nd October, UCL’s Professor of Chemical Engineering and Head of the Doctoral School, David Bogle, examines the concept of the public PhD...
Engineering conversion course pilot scheme – Invitation to bid for funding
HEFCE is inviting applications for new funding to support the development of conversion courses in engineering (England only). This pilot scheme aims to help the higher education sector develop more...
EPC former President Helen Atkinson meets Will.I.Am
September 15/16 2015 The Chinese Academy of Engineering recently hosted a major international summit on Global Grand Challenges, a series inspired by the NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering , 14 ambitious goals...
The European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) invites feedback on position paper on engineering skills
SEFI invites comments and feedback on this Position Paper and a longer discussion paper which will be available at www.sefi.be from October. Input will be reviewed by the SEFI Working ...
HEFCE: Future Approaches to Quality Assessment
This consultation ran from June to August 2015. This consultation sought to attain views on the proposals of the three higher education (HE) funding bodies in England, Wales and Northern...
Programme analysis of HEFCE’s Postgraduate Support Scheme: Final report published
HEFCE has now published its report on the Postgraduate Support Scheme pilot. EPC members will recall that Paul Wakeling of the University of York was commissioned to conduct an evaluation...
Consultation on GCSE and A level Statistics
Dear all Consultations are also open on GCSE and A level Statistics. Please find links to both below: Ofqual consultation DfE consultation
Consultation on reform of GCSE, AS and A level Electronics qualifications
Dear all, It was announced this morning that DfE has confirmed that the development work for the reformed GCSE, AS and A level Electronics qualifications will continue through to the...
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry on the science budget
The Science and Technology Committee undertook an inquiry into the Science Budget, and to report ahead of the Spending Review. The committee began by taking oral evidence in July 2015...
Children as Engineers - inspiring a generation...
“I've really enjoyed this project because not only did I feel like I was teaching a class, I felt like I was teaching a generation.” Student Engineer At its 2014...
New GCSEs, AS and A levels for first teaching from 2017 - Engineering
These consultations ask for views on reformed subject content for a number of GCSE, AS and A level subjects which will be first taught in schools from 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/gcse-and-a-level-reform-content-for-teaching-from-september-2017 and...
GCSE reform: Design and Technology
This consultation seeks views on proposed subject content for GCSE design and technology which will be introduced for first teaching from September 2017. The proposed subject content requirements will become...
Pathways to success in engineering degrees and careers
The Royal Academy of Engineering has, this month, published its report "Pathways to success in engineering degrees and careers". Members will recall the author, Dr Tim Bullough, of the University...
Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation
HM Treasury has published the report "Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation" or the Government's "productivity plan". In it, the Government says it will support the "fast spreading"...
"Metrics cannot replace peer review in the next REF..."
The findings of the Independent Review of the Role of Metrics in Research Assessment and Management have been published, concluding that "no set of numbers is likely to be able...
Dowling Review of Business-University Collaboration
Dame Ann Dowling DBE FREng FRS has now published her Review of Business-University Research Collaboration, to which the Engineering Professors' Council was one of very many contributors from across industry...
Re-engineering engineering education
“Young people are like wet cement. Thinking in a systems way, thinking across disciplines and across political boundaries, is something that will be easier to teach if we start with...
BIS acknowledges work of EPC and RAEng in Perkins Review work
Asked by David Simpson (Upper Bann) Asked on: 10 June 2015 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Engineering 1985 To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans...
The Engineers Without Borders Challenge - a view from the judging panel - "I was impressed"
Like many academics, I have often struggled to know quite how to engage students so that they learn something of the essence of engineering, rather than simply turning the handle...
Wakeham Review of STEM degree accreditation and graduate employability
The announcement of the Government’s science and innovation strategy in December included a commission to establish a general review of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and a specific review...
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Postgraduate study: student loans and other support
This consultation ran from March to May 2015. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills sought to attain views on a proposed loan system for postgraduate taught master’s students. Under...
RAEng's industrial secondment success for EPC members
Congratulations to seven EPC members on securing a place in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Industrial Secondment scheme. The scheme will see them spending up to 12 months working onsite with...
Ingenious resilience: messages for a new Government
Engineering matters to the UK economy, on both a regional and national level, and the profession is vital to maintaining the UK's position in the world. It drives innovation, regional...
The role of the university Technology Transfer Office (TTO), and why TTO-investor discussions can be difficult and take time to conclude.
Added to the Members' Portal... a useful briefing note for those of you involved in spin-outs and negotiations about intellectual property. Authored by a number of sector bodies on knowledge transfer, it...
7 research areas marked by EPSRC for growth...
In case you've missed them....the EPSRC has identified 7 areas of engineering research for strategc focus and growth. For more, go to EPSRC research... Electrical motors and drives / electromagnetics...
New "Engenius Film" added...
Dr Emma Carter of the University of Sheffield was one of the two winners of the EPC's 2014 Engaging in Engineering public engagement grant awards. The latest of her series...
IP for engineers...
Intellectual property is now featured in the Engineering Council's Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) “Professional Engineering Competence Guidance”. The Intellectual Property Office have developed a useful toolkit for those...
RAEng Visiting Professors' Scheme - now open - closing date 16 June, 2015
Applications for the Royal Academy of Engineering's Visiting Professors' scheme are currently open. "This industry-into-academia initiative aims to utilise the experience of the Visiting Professors to enhance student learning as well...
Election 2015 - higher education in the parties' manifestos...
In the run up to the general election on 7th May, colleagues at the British Universities Finance Group (BUFDG) have prepared the following summary of what each political party has in...
New report published on the contribution of teaching to academic career advancement
Thanks to all members who contributed to this piece of research (and you did in numbers), published today by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The report, "Does teaching advance your...
University partners collaborate on £138M Research in Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC) project
The UK Collaboration for Research in Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC) is a £138 million capital investment that will be centred around the Olympic Park in Stratford and will include 13 university...
Pre election Budget 2015
The Engineering Professors’ Council welcomes the Chancellor’s commitment to science and innovation. Engineering has proved to be the powerhouse of economic growth (Royal Academy of Engineering - Engineering for a...
REF funding implications starting to be announced...
With the Grant letter now issued, we're awaiting the announcements about how the quality-related research funding will be divvie'd up between institutions based on the latest REF results. The Scottish...
Westminster Higher Education Forum - addressing the STEM skills gap
I was pleased to be invited to represent Engineering Professors’ Council members at the Westminster Higher Education Forum last week, on the subject of "Addressing the STEM Skills Gap". I...
Royal Academy of Engineering: Dowling Review of Business University Collaboration
A review examining how government can support the devlelopment of more effective collaborations between business and university researchers in he UK.
HEFCE: The future of quality assessment in Higher Education
The higher education funding bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland invited views on the future of quality assessment in higher education. This first stage sought to attain views on...
Tuition fee bursaries available for MScs - still time to apply
A reminder that tuition fee bursaries for aerospace engineering MScs are still available for study starting in academic year 2015-16, after which this scheme will close. Each worth up to...
Fees for PhD programmes...a question...
Fees for doctoral students (ie home / EU PhDs) seem to be about £4k pa for the few universities I have looked at. Yet, fees for home / EU undergrad...
Royal Society-CaSE Science Ministers' Debate 2015
Engineering Professors' Council incoming President Professor Stephanie Haywood and Executive Director Susan Kay attended CaSE's Science Ministers' debate at the Royal Society, on 14th January. Some lively questioning - including one...
OfQual: The assessment of practical work in GCSE science
This consultation sets out proposals for how practical work in new GCSE science qualifications due to be taught from 2016 should be assessed. This is a consultation about the assessment...
Research Excellence Framework 2014
To see how your institution has fared in each of the engineering Units of Assessment, click on the picture and download the Excel workbook (100kB). You will need Excel version 10....
Winter 2014 Newsletter now available with a round-up of the REF results for engineering...
Our winter 2014 newsletter is now available with a round-up of the year so far, an overview of the REF results for engineering, news of work on a postgraduate information...
Science and innovation policy published...
HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have today, 17th December, 2014 published their “Plan for Growth – science and innovation”. While its tone is reassuring, with a...
Engineers can become talented physics teachers...and support the profession of Engineering...and can earn £20k while they train
In July 2011, the Institute of Physics was invited to the DfE for what we thought was going to be a routine consultation on physics teacher training numbers. In the...
Parliamentary and Scientific Committee lunch - a report and a personal view from incoming EPC President Professor Stephanie Haywood
I was delighted to attend the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee's annual lunch at the House of Lords on behalf of the EPC on 26th November. We were wondering why security...
MSc Aerospace bursaries
The AeroMSc bursary scheme pays tuition fees for MScs in aerospace for study starting next academic year 2015-16. Applications are open now at www.raeng.org.uk. Please make your eligible STEM graduates...
Engineering Skills: Perkins Review Progress Report published
Last year, The Perkins Review of Engineering Skills was launched. This report aimed to unite educators and employers within the engineering field to improve the supply and quality of engineering...
The Universe of Engineering - call to action
October, 2014. The Royal Academy of Engineering has published its report: The Universe of Engineering - a call to action. The engineering profession has undergone profound changes over the past...
Engineering Professors' Council Patron receives prestigious award
Congratulations to Professor Dame Julia King, Vice Chancellor of Aston University and Patron of the Engineering Professors’ Council on the award of the Leonardo da Vinci Medal by the European...
HM Treasury and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Science and Innovation Strategy 2014
Long term strategy to make the UK the best place in the world for science and business.
UNIVERSITIES UK: Student funding panel
The reforms to higher education aimed to put students at the heart of the system and ensure quality and value for money for students. The Panel will be considering the...
Perkins Review - university-business interaction survey...please help...
The Perkins Review's Task and Finish Group on developing university-business interaction led by Professor Julia King FREng is examining how relationships might be developed to even better ensure that students are equipped...
Catherine Hobbs in The Engineer, 8 July, 2014
EPC Engineering Education and Employability committee member and Perkins Group contributor on specialist skills, Catherine Hobbs (Head of Department, UWE) was featured in The Engineer, 18 July, 2014 edition, detailing...
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS INNOVATION AND SKILLS: proposals for long-term capital investment
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills' ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to do science and research. This is why the government is...
OfQual: Completing GCSE, AS and A Level Reform
This consultation is about what needs to be settled so that the reform of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in England can be completed
Professor John Perkins' Review of Engineering Skills
Professor John Perkins FREng is the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). His Review of Engineering Skills was published in November, 2013. The review endorses the...
Lords express disappointment as Government rejects Committee's findings on immigration policies
Earlier this year, the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee conducted an inquiry into the impact of the changes to immigration regulations on international STEM students. As a...
The Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) welcomes the appointment of Greg Clark MP as Minister for Universities, Science and Cities
The Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) welcomes the appointment of Greg Clark MP as Minister for Universities, Science and Cities Professor Simon Hodgson, President of the EPC, said: "We’re looking forward...
RAEng-EPSRC study on assessing the economic returns to the UK of investment in engineering research and associated training
In the spirit of evidence-based policy development, the RAEng and the EPSRC have joined forces in a project chaired by Professor John Fisher CBE FREng, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University...
Engineers can become talented maths teachers...and support the profession of Engineering...and can earn £25k while they train
Mathematics is an essential component of an engineering education. In the past, a number of engineering students have found the application of mathematics to what is an essentially practical subject,...
Guardian league tables out today - how did you do?
Engineering - chemical Engineering - civil Engineering - electronic and electrical Engineering- general Engineering-materials and mineral Engineering - mechanical ...remember, this one doesn't include any research metrics - it includes...
Reports available from Excellence in Postgraduate Education: Manufacturing, Materials and Design event
Dear All, Thank you to those of you who attended the Excellence in Postgraduate Education: Manufacturing, Materials and Design event on 8th May. Key findings from the presentations and discussions...
“Engineering graduates have been taught to pass exams rather than being given useful skills” - EPC responds
EPC responded to “Engineering graduates have been taught to pass exams rather than being given useful skills” criticism, in The Engineer, 8 May, 2014.
EPC responds to "Engineering graduates have been taught to pass exams rather than being given useful skills" criticism
Not sure how many of you picked up the story on the BBC today: Engineering group warns on skills shortage... We know a few did because some members were perturbed...
Engaging in Engineering awards 2014
As one of the initiatives to celebrate its 20th Anniversary in its current form, the Engineering Professors’ Council offered its members the opportunity to bid for funding for public engagement projects which: help share...
House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee’s inquiry into Business-University collaboration
The House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee has announced a new inquiry into Business-University collaboration.
Laura Pickard in The Engineer, 28 April 2014
EPC 20th Anniversary Award Winner Laura Pickard's winning essay was featured in The Engineer, 28 April, 2014. You can read the article here.
House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee’s inquiry into international STEM students
The Engineering Professors’ Council welcomes the conclusions of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into international STEM students. The Council presented strong evidence, both oral and written,...
Highly commended
We were delighted by the response we received to the competition which was exceedingly challenging - in terms of volume - but enjoyable to judge. In addition to our three...
Should we be paying more attention to conversion rather than recruitment?
Interesting report published today by the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB): Career Portfolios and the Labour Market for Graduates and Postgraduates in the UK’. It's the first in...
House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee's inquiry into Business-University collaboration
The House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee has announced a new inquiry into Business-University collaboration. On 28 January 2014, the Committee held a one-off evidence session on Fraunhofer...
House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology : Inquiry into impact of immigration policy on STEM students
The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Krebs, is conducted a short inquiry into the effect on international science, technology, engineering and mathematics...
Susan Kay in Nature, Feb 2014
Susan Kay, Executive Director, was interviewed for an article in Nature (Feb 2014) on the impact of changes to immigration policy on UK science and engineering.
Engineering Professors' Council position statement on Maths and Further Maths A level reform
The Engineering Professors' Council-chaired Mathematics Working Group has just published its position statement on Maths and Further Maths A level reform. Do let us have your views... Mathematics and further...
Review of UK-SPEC completed
The new edition of UK-SPEC is now available the Engineering Council’s website and can be accessed via: https://www.engc.org.uk/engcdocuments/internet/website/UK-SPEC%20third%20edition%20(1).pdf In keeping with the strong support for the previous edition, unnecessary changes...
Do YOU think your university values engineering...?
Nearly two thirds of staff said they did in the survey carried out by the Times Higher Education and published on 30 January, 2014. In fact, engineering and technology did...
The Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow
The Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow are generously supporting our student competition: the Engineering Professors' Council and The Hammermen of Glasgow Student Awards. The Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow originally...
Top tips for understanding engineering research...
Did anyone see the article “Twenty tips for interpreting scientific claims” in Nature in November (by William J. Sutherland, David Spiegelhalter and Mark Burgman)? It claimed that “this list will...
The role of teaching excellence and industry and societal impact work on academic selection and promotion
Do you have an opinion on this? Here's your chance to have your say. The Royal Academy of Engineering, supported by the EPC, is conducting a study which is looking...
SET for Britain
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, of which EPC is a member, has launched its call for submissions to "SET for BRITAIN" which will be held in the House of Commons...
UK engineering giants collaborate to support economic growth
Leading technology businesses, engineering bodies, and the government are to collaborate on a campaign to support growth in UK engineering businesses and promote engineering careers. Engineering for Growth is a partner...
Subject Benchmark Review 2013-15
The subject benchmark statement for engineering was last revised in November 2010, replacing the previous version published in June 2006. In order to ensure the continuing currency of subject benchmark...
Fellowships for Growth: Building UK Leadership in Engineering
Professor John Perkins’ review of engineering skills has now been published. He endorsed the widely accepted view that engineers add flexibility and resilience to our economy, enable people to take advantage of...
Doubling capacity in UK HE engineering departments
Thanks to the very many of you who took time out to respond to the question posed to us by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) through our...
Susan Kay in Times Higher Education
Susan Kay, Executive Director, was quoted in Jack Grove's article in The Times Higher Education, on the latest (2013/14) enrolment figures to UK engineering departments. Engineering recruitment back on track...