[Hardell]

Hello.

THE TITLE SHOULD BE MSc vs MEng. I'm sorry.


I've read several comparisons of these degrees, but I'd really like to hear other opinions.

I am going to study Computer Science at Bristol uni, MEng 4-year course to be specific. Since I'm not from the UK and the degrees in my country are different, I can't see if MSc is better than MEng or vice versa.

From what I know, MEng is a professional and MSc is an academic degree, which means that MSc is aimed to prepare people for PhD and MEng for a job.

I am thinking of doing a PhD in CS, but it's still many years until I get to that point, so now I can't decide if I should do MSc instead of MEng.

If I stick with MEng, will I be considered different than someon with MSc?



Thank you.

[lex25288]

An MEng is just a BSc plus an MSc in the same course.
Basically you'll be studying the same things other people who have chosen to do them separately will. On top of that, once you finish your degree you'll be a Chartered Engineer :-)

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Galaxy Nexus

[kka25]

Since you're an international student, does your country recognized the MEng? Some countries don't and they would just recognize it as a UG degree, not a 'Masters' UG degree like in the UK.

If you're planning to do a PhD in the UK, then I don't see no problems, but if you're planning to do a PhD somewhere else, check their requirements.

[helen-a-ravenclaw]

(Original post by lex25288)
An MEng is just a BSc plus an MSc in the same course.
Basically you'll be studying the same things other people who have chosen to do them separately will. On top of that, once you finish your degree you'll be a Chartered Engineer :-)

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Galaxy Nexus

That part isn't actually true.

If you do an MEng degree, it needs to be accredited by an Engineering Institute (IMeche, IET, etc). Then once you've completed your MEng degree, you need to have at least 4 years experience working in industry and be able to demonstrate the work you've done, present to a panel of judges and provide sufficient evidence that you deserve the status.

[Hardell]

First of all, thank you for the responses.

(Original post by kka25)
Since you're an international student, does your country recognized the MEng? Some countries don't and they would just recognize it as a UG degree, not a 'Masters' UG degree like in the UK.

I am not sure, I'll try to find out asap.

(Original post by kka25)
If you're planning to do a PhD in the UK, then I don't see no problems, but if you're planning to do a PhD somewhere else, check their requirements.

I am not sure if I'll do a PhD, it depends on how a few of my next years will develop. However, if I decide to do a PhD, I'm sure it'll be in the UK, so I see no problems in this as well.

(Original post by helen-a-ravenclaw)
That part isn't actually true.
If you do an MEng degree, it needs to be accredited by an Engineering Institute (IMeche, IET, etc). Then once you've completed your MEng degree, you need to have at least 4 years experience working in industry and be able to demonstrate the work you've done, present to a panel of judges and provide sufficient evidence that you deserve the status.

Until now, I've had no idea what "being a charted Eng" meant but I did some googling so I got a rough picture. I've checked the IMeche and IET lists of accredited degrees and unfortunately, there's not a single Computer Science degree listed. I'll look more into this in the morning.

[helen-a-ravenclaw]

(Original post by Hardell)
Until now, I've had no idea what "being a charted Eng" meant but I did some googling so I got a rough picture. I've checked the IMeche and IET lists of accredited degrees and unfortunately, there's not a single Computer Science degree listed. I'll look more into this in the morning.

Ah, I should have made myself clearer. The IMeche is for Mechanical Engineering course, IET for broader based engineering and leans towards design more.

Maybe have a look on the BCS (British Computer Society) or other similiar institutes and that'll give you an idea of what course will be accredited.

A good way to find out what institutes there are for Computer Science courses is to look at MEng courses at top universities, which will most likely be accredited by some sort of organisation.

Any other questions, and just pm me and I'll try my best to help!