Engineering degrees question

Original post by waschlappen

Sorry if this was already asked a thousand times, I couldn't find anything. And sorry if this is the wrong forum^^

My question concerns engineering degrees in the UK. I'm from Germany, looking forward to start studying in the UK in 2011. I am applying for Environmental Engineering and Energy Engineering courses, and I'm a bit confused about the degrees. I don't know yet if I wanna leave with a BEng and then do a MSc in something related, but more science-like, or if I wanna go straight to the MEng or just the BEng. I understood that almost every MEng is an undergraduate degree, but when I do apply for a MEng, can I still switch to the BEng and leave with it later? UCL says "if uncertain, apply for the Master", so I think I can still switch, but is it the same at every university? Every course I'm applying for is a 4FT MEng so far. And how long do I have the possibility to switch to a Bachelor?
Thanks

Some universities will let you switch to BEng and graduate earlier.

But MEng is better, since it qualifys you for the Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Hard to find a MSc that is accredited these days.

But if you want to be a Scientist than do a "BSc/MSc" otherwise do "BEng/MEng" both are different, so make your choice carefully.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by Dr. Manic Mechanic

Some universities will let you switch to BEng and graduate earlier.

But MEng is better, since it qualifys you for the Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Hard to find a MSc that is accredited these days.

But if you want to be a Scientist than do a "BSc/MSc" otherwise do "BEng/MEng" both are different, so make your choice carefully.

And how can I find out, if they do let me switch courses? I was happy that UCL posted it on their ucas-site for the course, but I couldn't find anything for the other universities. Should I just call them?
Well I think If I can still switch, I got some time to think about the BEng and MSc combothing while studying. But based on what I read so far, its also possible to become a Chartered Engineer with a BEng/MSc combination. So if I found accredited MSc courses that might still be a possibility, cause I dont wanna miss the scientific parts, though I think a complete BSc/MSc degree isnt the right thing for me.

Reply 3

Original post by waschlappen

And how can I find out, if they do let me switch courses? I was happy that UCL posted it on their ucas-site for the course, but I couldn't find anything for the other universities. Should I just call them?
Well I think If I can still switch, I got some time to think about the BEng and MSc combothing while studying. But based on what I read so far, its also possible to become a Chartered Engineer with a BEng/MSc combination. So if I found accredited MSc courses that might still be a possibility, cause I dont wanna miss the scientific parts, though I think a complete BSc/MSc degree isnt the right thing for me.

If students are failing the standards of MEng then they will be dropped into the BEng level of the program (degree).

Whether you're supposed to do just science or combination of both, it will entirely depends on the your job and the market state of the kinds of jobs you're looking for, really.

But you could the following:

BEng > MEng > PhD or DEng
BEng > MSc

The typical course of MEng consists of:

Year 1 - BEng
Year 2 - BEng
Year 3 - BEng (You can move to MEng only if your standards were good in BEng)
Year 4 - MEng (you have to do an additional year to get the MEng degree.)

If you get into MEng straight away, then you automatically qualify for the MEng degree, but you still have to maintain the standards of an MEng degree. You will be dropped into BEng if you don't meet the required grades though.

MEng is harder to get into than BEng, therefore, you're more likely to up to the standards of an MEng if you meet the higher entry standard for MEng at start.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Dr. Manic Mechanic

If students are failing the standards of MEng then they will be dropped into the BEng level of the program (degree).

Whether you're supposed to do just science or combination of both, it will entirely depends on the your job and the market state of the kinds of jobs you're looking for, really.

But you could the following:

BEng > MEng > PhD or DEng
BEng > MSc

The typical course of MEng consists of:

Year 1 - BEng
Year 2 - BEng
Year 3 - BEng (You can move to MEng only if your standards were good in BEng)
Year 4 - MEng (you have to do an additional year to get the MEng degree.)

If you get into MEng straight away, then you automatically qualify for the MEng degree, but you still have to maintain the standards of an MEng degree. You will be dropped into BEng if you don't meet the required grades though.

MEng is harder to get into than BEng, therefore, you're more likely to up to the standards of an MEng if you meet the higher entry standard for MEng at start.

So do you wanna say I can't go

BEng > MSc > PhD ?

And now which course should I rather apply for? The BEng or the MEng version of it? Cause if I can switch between them still while studying, wheres the difference? As for example UCL says:
"There is common admission to the BEng and MEng versions of courses. Apply for either the BEng or the MEng; if uncertain, apply for the MEng."
But anyway, thanks so far

Reply 5

Original post by waschlappen

So do you wanna say I can't go

BEng > MSc > PhD ?

And now which course should I rather apply for? The BEng or the MEng version of it? Cause if I can switch between them still while studying, wheres the difference? As for example UCL says:
"There is common admission to the BEng and MEng versions of courses. Apply for either the BEng or the MEng; if uncertain, apply for the MEng."
But anyway, thanks so far

Yes, you can do BEng > MSc > PhD, but that will make you a "Scientist" instead of an "engineer".

The difference between MEng BEng is that MEng is an undergraduate Masters degree while BEng is an Bachelors.

MEng meets all the educational requirements to become an "Chartered Engineer" while with an BEng, you will need to do an additional year to meet all the educational requirements for an "Chartered Engineer" status.

So, get into MEng degree, and you will be on the safer side....in that way, you will have a choice or DEng or PhD.

If you wish to finish earlier, then you could switch to an BEng degree, and then do the accredited Masters degree (MSc)

Reply 6

OP

Original post by Dr. Manic Mechanic

Yes, you can do BEng > MSc > PhD, but that will make you a "Scientist" instead of an "engineer".

The difference between MEng BEng is that MEng is an undergraduate Masters degree while BEng is an Bachelors.

MEng meets all the educational requirements to become an "Chartered Engineer" while with an BEng, you will need to do an additional year to meet all the educational requirements for an "Chartered Engineer" status.

So, get into MEng degree, and you will be on the safer side....in that way, you will have a choice or DEng or PhD.

If you wish to finish earlier, then you could switch to an BEng degree, and then do the accredited Masters degree (MSc)

I know the difference between Bachelor's and Master's degrees, but when I can switch during my study, where is the difference in applying for either the MEng or the BEng? After all, I can still decide which to do after having applied for one of them. Hope you know what I wanna say.

Reply 7

Original post by waschlappen

I know the difference between Bachelor's and Master's degrees, but when I can switch during my study, where is the difference in applying for either the MEng or the BEng? After all, I can still decide which to do after having applied for one of them. Hope you know what I wanna say.

The entry requirements for an MEng is higher. Thats all I know at the moment.

When can switch between an BEng and MEng is upto university.

Some will let you switch after 2nd year some will be 3rd year. You best contact them and ask.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 8

OP

Original post by Dr. Manic Mechanic

The entry requirements for an MEng is higher. Thats all I know at the moment.

When can switch between an BEng and MEng is upto university.

Some will let you switch after 2nd year some will be 3rd year. You best contact them and ask.

Okay thank you. Ive got to contact them anyway, got some accreditation issues because some of my chosen courses are just accredited until 2010 or 2008 or so.

Reply 9

Hunaid

Original post by Dr. Manic Mechanic

Some universities will let you switch to BEng and graduate earlier.

But MEng is better, since it qualifys you for the Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Hard to find a MSc that is accredited these days.

But if you want to be a Scientist than do a "BSc/MSc" otherwise do "BEng/MEng" both are different, so make your choice carefully.

Hi
I got offer from
Sheffield University- M.Eng in Energy and Environment Eng./ M.Eng Process Safety and Loss Prevention.
Southampton University- MSc Sustainable energy Technology.
Queen Mary University London-MSc Sustainable Energy Systems.
Loughborgh University- MSc Renewable systems Technology.
I am findin it hard to choose
What are the job prospects in energy sector after doing MS in energy field. Are they better then just doing a B.Eng in Chemical eng? I wanted to know about the value addition.
I also want to know if ther is any difference between MSc and M.Eng courses.

Reply 10