Open University or Traditional University for Engineering Degrees?

I am wanting to become an automotive engineer and would like to know which would be the best route to getting a degree, hopefully to masters level. Studying for 2 years at college to get the grades at a-level to do a 5 years masters in automotive engineering at a university such as Loughborough or Leeds, or study for a mechanical engineering degree through the open university and trying to get some work experience (even if it has to be unpaid) at the same time that could take 2 to 8 years depending on changing/unforseen circumstances?


Ideally the career i want is in engineering car design, either chassis or powertrain.


Many Thanks|||For engineering always look at Brunel and Bristol as well as others. For engineering they are some of the best this country has to offer.


In terms of the OU BEng and MEng, I would consider them secondary degrees, in that, say you are an accountant for an engineering company and they/you want you to be more familiar with the operational side then you could get a basic background in engineering. They dont really compare technically with other degrees.


This is not to put the OU down at all, its got me doing physics or aerospace engineering and will get me into another 'proper' uni to graduate.


Its brilliant for non-practical degrees like history or maths etc. but not good when your career will require you to design, build or test real life mechanical systems.





Always do a sandwich year course. It will benefit you immensely in any career you embark on afterwards and could even guarantee you a job with that company when you graduate.





If I were you, do A-levels or an access course make sure your uni will accept you and what grades you require. You could do physics and maths courses with the OU and see if that would get you in. It works for me.|||At Leeds you have to do the work. With OU, you just send your fees payment in time. Employers know the difference. Your choice.