Mechanical vs Aerospace Engineering? How to choose?

Hello guys, I'm getting closer to the time when I will have to choose courses at university to apply to and I have decided to choose an engineering degree simply because I really enjoy maths and the mathematical physics we do in school and I am very curious and think this would be a perfect degree for me. However, I've been researching a lot and have narrowed it down to mechanical and aerospace because they are the ones that deal the most with forces and mre tangible things which I like.

BUT, I have also discovered that in mechanical engineering there are certain areas which don't seem too interesting to me, at least not now, such as hvac systems or manufacturing processes and techniques which I see their importance but wouldn't want to do as a job for the rest of my life. On the other hand I look at aerospace and it looks a lot more advanced and it uses really cool physical theories like aerodynamics or propulsion. Aerospace engineering just seems that tiny bit more futuristic and "cool" if you know what I mean.

The only problem I have with aerospace is that I don't know if it is too focused or to specialised and maybe there will not be as much opportunity for jobs in the future. But on the other hand, even though mechanical engineering is much more broad and maybe useful when looking for a job I just have a feeling that it is going to be very tedious/boring at times for some reason.

Well, what do you guys think? Anyone here with any of these degrees or in a similar situation that could let me her their opinion?

Thanks very much!

Hello guys, I'm getting closer to the time when I will have to choose courses at university to apply to and I have decided to choose an engineering degree simply because I really enjoy maths and the mathematical physics we do in school and I am very curious and think this would be a perfect degree for me.

Hello guys, I'm getting closer to the time when I will have to choose courses at university to apply to and I have decided to choose an engineering degree simply because I really enjoy maths and the mathematical physics we do in school and I am very curious and think this would be a perfect degree for me. However, I've been researching a lot and have narrowed it down to mechanical and aerospace because they are the ones that deal the most with forces and mre tangible things which I like.

BUT, I have also discovered that in mechanical engineering there are certain areas which don't seem too interesting to me, at least not now, such as hvac systems or manufacturing processes and techniques which I see their importance but wouldn't want to do as a job for the rest of my life. On the other hand I look at aerospace and it looks a lot more advanced and it uses really cool physical theories like aerodynamics or propulsion. Aerospace engineering just seems that tiny bit more futuristic and "cool" if you know what I mean.

The only problem I have with aerospace is that I don't know if it is too focused or to specialised and maybe there will not be as much opportunity for jobs in the future. But on the other hand, even though mechanical engineering is much more broad and maybe useful when looking for a job I just have a feeling that it is going to be very tedious/boring at times for some reason.

Well, what do you guys think? Anyone here with any of these degrees or in a similar situation that could let me her their opinion?

Thanks very much!

Have you thought about General Engineering or Integrated Engineering? They basically allow you to do different engineering branches, and specialise in your last year.

I'd suggest looking at the course modules of each uni you're applying to, which will help you decide. The first year of engineering are pretty much the same for all engineering branch.

Hey man, I am a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering is indeed very broad, in fact the broadest from all the engineering disciplines. Usually the aero classes that you are interested in, you might be able to chose them from a mechanical engineering degree, doing an aero concentration if you may. From my experience Aero and Mech students do target similar jobs and you might have a slight advantage or disadvantage over the others, but it all comes down to your personality and competencies! I would suggest that you choose a degree where you can switch after year 2 ( I know that Leeds allows you to do that), as the first 2 years are similar. Or look into a General Engineering degree, where you can specialize in what you won't to do. The decision is your alone, but I believe that you will not have major issues in finding your desired job in the future, with any of the two. Make sure you look carefully into what modules every Uni offers and that you can chose the ones you want!

Maybe you should be looking at a physics degree of some sort, if it's primarily applied maths that you are interested in.

If you havent given aerospace much thought in the past then its probably better to go for mechanical engineering. Some uni's do have a mechanical + aerospace stream where you do some aerospace modules so you could look into that. Overall if you don't have an aerospace degree you can still go into aerospace companies because they need electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, structural etc. but if you wanna build S*** that fly do aero

Yeah I see the benefit of doing mechanical engineering as it is so broad. My fear is that, because it is so broad you might end up doing work on areas or topics that you don't really like. Whereas in aerospace engineering even though there are less jobs, you still have a pretty good idea of what you'll end up doing after you graduate. For example after I graduate as a ME I may be lucky and find a job where I help design and test parts for an engine ( just an example) or I may not be so lucky and end up in a job where I have to do maintenance to some machinery. However when I think of AE jobs it seems like they all work on the newest technologies available and the jobs seem much more innovative and cutting edge. Am I getting the wrong idea about each degree?

My fear is that, because it is so broad you might end up doing work on areas or topics that you don't really like.

However when I think of AE jobs it seems like they all work on the newest technologies available and the jobs seem much more innovative and cutting edge. Am I getting the wrong idea about each degree?

You probably will study modules that you do not like, however given the similarities between the two degrees, the modules that you do not like will probably be in aero too, to some extent.



I think you are overestimating certain parts of the aero industry. I've worked with someone from that industry and from what he described it wasn't like that. Don't get sucked into thinking that if you study aero engineering you will have a "cutting edge" job (whatever that means).

Aerospace Engineering seems to contain a lot of computer systems, sensors, communications, avionics etc modules which are very related to electronic engineering and computer stuff

yes I have done more research into the subject and I have noticed that Aerospace Engineering seems to contain a lot of computer systems, sensors, communications, avionics etc modules which are very related to electronic engineering and computer science and tbh they don't attract me all that much since I am more interested in forces and mechanics and physical topics so maybe Mechanical Engineering will be the best option... still thinking about it obviously!

yes I have done more research into the subject and I have noticed that Aerospace Engineering seems to contain a lot of computer systems, sensors, communications, avionics etc modules which are very related to electronic engineering and computer science and tbh they don't attract me all that much since I am more interested in forces and mechanics and physical topics so maybe Mechanical Engineering will be the best option... still thinking about it obviously!