Engineering

How to become a CAD technician / design engineer

Turns engineers' and designers' ideas into accurate 3D models and drawings that can be manufactured or built.

What the job involves

  • 3D modelling in CAD
  • Producing drawings to British Standards
  • Updating designs after changes
  • Checking models fit together

Useful school subjects

Graphic Communication, Design & Manufacture, Engineering Science. Higher Maths and English help with most routes.

How to get in

Modern Apprenticeship, HNC/HND in engineering or CAD, or a degree.

Scottish courses

Grades checked October 2026. Requirements change every year, so always check the course page.

University · University of Edinburgh

Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H300

StandardAAAAWidening accessAABB
Subjects
Maths at A and a science (Engineering Science or Physics preferred); N5 Engineering Science or Physics at B; N5 English at C
Notes
Standard: by end of S5 preferred. MEng (H303) has the same requirements.

2027 entry Course details ↗

University · University of Edinburgh

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS HH36

StandardAAAAWidening accessAABB
Subjects
Maths and a science (Physics or Engineering Science preferred); N5 Engineering Science or Physics at B

2027 entry Course details ↗

University · University of Strathclyde

Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H300

StandardAAABWidening accessABBB
Subjects
Standard: Maths and Physics at A. Widening access: Maths and Engineering Science or Physics. N5 English
Notes
A Foundation Apprenticeship can replace a non-essential Higher.

2027 entry Course details ↗

University · University of Glasgow

Mechanical Engineering

BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H300

StandardAAAAAWidening accessAABB
Subjects
Maths and Engineering Science or Physics at AA
Notes
Standard: AAAAA by end of S6, at least AABB after S5. Widening access: AABB or BBBB plus a pre-entry programme.

2027 entry Course details ↗

University · Heriot-Watt University

Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering

MEng, 5 yrs · UCAS HH38

StandardAAABWidening accessBBBC
Subjects
Maths and Engineering Science or Physics; N5 English

2027 entry Course details ↗

University · Heriot-Watt University

Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems

BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS HP71

StandardAABBWidening accessBBBC
Subjects
Maths and one of Computing Science, Engineering Science or Physics; N5 English

2027 entry Course details ↗

All 11 mechanical, design & robotics engineering courses →

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