Hi, The 'Master of Engineering' (MEng) degree is a Masters degree in the field of engineering and the Master of Science (MSc) is a Masters degree in the field of Science. Yes the MEng is an integrated Masters degree and is worth 480 credits. The 4th year of the MEng (The masters year) is 120 credits at level 7. Let me explain the process of an integrated Masters degree below. Each year is worth 120 credits and the awards are given as:
Level 4 = Certificate of higher education (120 credits)
Level 5 = Diploma of higher education (240 credits)
Level 6 = Ordinary degree (300 credits)
Level 6 = Honours degree i.e BEng (Hons) at 360 credits
Level 7 = Masters level (480 credits)
The MEng degree combines an undergraduate degree with postgraduate study. If you do an MEng you will get one degree out of it, not a BEng plus an MSc separately for example.
The 4th year of the MEng (Masters postgraduate year) involves studying 120 credits at level 7, where as if you were to do an MSc separately you will study 180 credits at level 7. The MSc is slightly longer than an MEng level 7 masters year. So therefore the MEng is not exactly equivalent to an MSc qualification but having said that the MEng is still a Masters degree as the title suggests 'Master of Engineering'
The important thing to remember here is that the MEng and MSc degrees are both the same academic level, level 7! The MEng is not a level 6 qualification. The MEng degree is a Masters degree but in the field of Engineering.
Important points:
If you did a Master of Science (MSc) in Aeronautical Engineering then your Masters would be in the field of Science, whereby the main element of this would be a research dissertation.
If you did a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aeronautical Engineering then your Masters would be in the field of Engineering, whereby the main element would be a major team or individual project, more practical based, less research as this is engineering. Makes sense?
The main differences really between an MSc and an MEng is the dissertation/project. These will be very different to each other.
Any other modules/exams you do will normally be the same for both MEng and MSc at level 7.
If you want to be an Engineer I would do the MEng as it will show to an employer that you are more practical based within the degree. After all Engineering is practical! The MSc is normally better for doing a research based career in engineering. Thats what I feel.
The MSc is a standalone Masters which is done separately after a Bachelors degree which must have Honours.
The choice is up to you. The MEng and MSc degrees are fantastic degrees.
If you integrated from a BEng (Hons) degree to an MEng degree you would get full student funding for the final Masters year, so you would get full funding towards living costs where as the MSc does not allow this. I think you can get MSc funding for tuition fees now but this does not include living costs. So this is a big factor to consider.
You can only transfer to the MEng once you have demonstrated excellent academic ability during the Bachelors levels.
The grading also work differently with an MSc. The MEng is normally graded using an undergraduate marking system, ie 1st, 2:1, 2:2 etc and the MSc is graded using Distinction, Merit etc. This is because the MEng is still an undergraduate degree, but remember the MEng is a degree that was integrated from a Bachelors level to Masters level. I know it is a bit confusing. The term undergraduate means you havent graduated yet with a degree, so the MEng will be your first graduation (because you integrated) makes sense doesnt it? Where as an MSc is a postgraduate because you have already graduated with a Bachelors and are doing a Masters separately. Hope this is making sense.
I have just graduated with a MEng in Aeronautical Engineering with a 2:1, which I am very proud of.
Just got for it !! If you cannot do the MSc for financial reasons and want to have a Masters level degree then do the MEng!!!
GOOD LUCK!