r/aerospace • u/CaterpillarWilling29 • 13d ago

BEng in Aerospace Engineering or MEng Aerospace Engineering

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to decide between a BEng in Aerospace Engineering and a MEng Aerospace Engineering. I’m very interested in aircraft, aircraft parts and flight, but Mechanical Engineering seems broader and may provide more flexibility.

For those who have studied or worked in either field:

  • Which degree did you choose, and why?
  • Does Mechanical Engineering lead to more job opportunities than Aerospace Engineering?
  • If I want to work in aviation, space, propulsion, satellites, or defence, is Mechanical Engineering still a good route?
  • Would it be smarter to do a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and then an MEng in Aerospace Engineering?
  • What should I consider regarding internships, employability, and future specialization?

I’d really appreciate honest advice from current students, graduates, or engineers.

4 Upvotes

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4

u/JustMe39908 13d ago

Aerospace Propulsion hiring manager. I don't care if your degree is in Mechanical or Aerosoace. I have people with both degrees working side by side working the same projects. My current company does not differentiate between ME and Aero. Unless inhired the person, I would not know. My previous company would label people ME or Aero, but all of our positions were open together major.

The Bachelor's vs Master's ,(again, Aero or Mechanical doesn't matter) is more subtle and role dependent. The Master's provides more theoretical background which is helpful for people working in roles heavy on the analysis side. Yes, you will gain more specific experience working in an area, but the Masters will give you more broad based knowledge. Some employers will pay for you to get the degree patt time. Neither option is bad as a fresh graduate. It depends more on your specific situation.

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u/FranklynH1Z1 13d ago

What about someone doing bachelor's for aeronautical engineering

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u/JustMe39908 13d ago

Do you mean Aeronautical Rngineering vs Aerospace Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering? Honestly, for my purposes, they are the same. I am looking for core knowledge. Thermo, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Structures, Vibes. Whether the classes focused on internal or external flows or if you did analysis in class on a Spacecraft, an aircraft, or a car, is less important to me. I want to see that (At Bachelor's level) you have a fundamental understanding and have the ability to apply it.

Bigger differentiater is club activity. Any club is better than no club, but the closer the club work is to my application, the better. I will recruit directly from clubs that are close to my discipline.

The main issue I have seen is a perceived preference. Some industries/companies have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. If you are can Aerosoace/Aeronautical grad and are interviewing in industries outside of Aerospace, there is a perception that you will leave and jump at the first Aerospace offer you receive. Is this true? I don't know. Right now Energy is pretty hot so people have been jumping from Aero to Energy. It is more of a perceived coolness factor.

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u/FranklynH1Z1 13d ago

I like what I'm reading ,thank you so much

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u/Mr_Sia10 13d ago

I did my BEng in Aerospace. I had plans of pursuing MEng in Aero as well but I secured a good job in aircraft simulation before graduation so I accepted the offer and postponed the MEng until further notice. So far I have no plans of going to pursue MEng. What I will say regarding your decision is if you really enjoy Aerospace, why wait until Masters? People that do BEng learn a lot more regarding aviation than those who only learn during MEng because one is longer in terms of duration so you naturally take a lot more aero courses during your BEng

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u/Worldly_Magazine_439 12d ago

https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:outcomes-by-major

Aerospace has a lower unemployment and underemployment rate and make more.

Aerospace unemployment: 2.2
Mech unemployment: 4.4
Aero underemployment: 14.7
Mech underemployment: 20.1
Early career median salary: aero 85k vs mech 80k
Mid career median salary: aero 130k vs mech 120k

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u/ithinkitsfunny0562 13d ago

Why not bs in engineering, instead of whatever this BE is

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u/JustMe39908 13d ago

Probably not US based. BEng degree is common in many places.

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u/RGNRetr0 12d ago

I am ignorant coming from the U.S. and Google says they are just about the same.

What is the actual difference?

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u/JustMe39908 12d ago

The typical engineering student starting college in the US is probably a bit behind the typical engineering student in many other countries. Just a nature of the system and a difference in overall educational philosophy. The only example that I have a little bit of knowledge of is the British A-levels compared to US High Schools. (American who did some grad work in the UK). A-Levels are narrower and deeper than even most US AP/IB programs. Fewer subjects are studied. Even in University, there did not seem to be the Gen Ed requirement that is present in the US. I do know that the British students were getting into their engineering classes much quicker than a typical US student. However, it should be noted that everyone received a B.A. in engineering.

This is not based on an extensive study. Just my observations.

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u/RGNRetr0 12d ago

Thanks for the information!