Is curiosity more important than already having technical skills before university?
Whether prior technical skills or curiosity is given greater weight depends on the university, department, and admissions route. Curiosity and a willingness to keep learning can support the study of engineering, while experience with programming or making things can also be useful. Students may be able to learn from the basics at university, but they should check the mathematics, science, and other subjects or knowledge required for admission.
Key points
- Curiosity can motivate students to investigate unfamiliar systems and learn through trial and error.
- Experience with programming, electronics, or CAD can be useful, but it is not necessarily required before enrollment.
- Mathematics and science foundations, logical thinking, and persistence are also important after enrollment.
Things to check
- Check official information for the university, department, and admissions route you are considering, as required subjects, expected knowledge, and the treatment of technical experience can vary.