MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering vs MSc Computer Science

Hi Everyone, I'm in a dilemma between studying Advanced Chemical Engineering or Computer Science.

I have graduated with a 1st class honours in Chemical Engineering from the university of Sheffield. I have really enjoyed programming modules such as Matlab and python, but I wouldn't say I have strong knowledge or adequate knowledge to study advanced computer science for my masters.

I have been offered a place from Cambridge for MPhil Advanced Chemical Engineering however it is not accredited. I've also been offered a place for for the MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering at Imperial which is accredited.

The computing programme offered at Imperial however is not accredited. I would like to get into the tech industry and so I'd like to have a masters ideally in Computer science. I'm just unsure about the importance of having a masters degree that's accredited.

Does anyone have any thoughts about this?

Reply 1

Smack

Volunteer Team

Original post by Chemisathtics

If you want to get into the tech industry, then surely a masters in computer science would be far more useful? I don't see the purpose of doing a masters in chemical engineering unless you're specifically looking at engineering.

Reply 2

Chemisathtics

Original post by Smack

You're right, but the masters for computer science is not accredited. I don't know if employers will accept this as a masters

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/computing/prospective-students/pg/msc-computing/

Reply 3

Compost

Accredited degrees are mainly important if you want to get chartered. The simplest way to satisfy the academic requirements for chartered engineer are to have an accredited MEng or accredited BEng and MSc. However, even if you don't it's still possibly to get chartered -as there are other way of providing the evidence you have gained the necessary academic background.

I don't think the fact that the degree isn't accredited it significant, it sounds as though it's a conversion Masters for people who haven't taken a first degree in Comp Sci (rather than Advanced Comp Sci) and so wouldn't qualify a masters degree for accreditation - that doesn't stop it being an excellent course (I don't know either way).

Reply 4

Chemisathtics

Original post by Compost

Thank you for this, I appreciate it. I do want to be chartered eventually if I go into the tech industry. This year, I'll be undertaking independent courses on Udemi and see if I can apply for the advanced computer science. Either way, I most probably will accept the Imperial computing programme.

Reply 5

Smack

Volunteer Team

Original post by Chemisathtics

Is chartership even a thing in tech?

Reply 6

Compost

Original post by Smack

Is chartership even a thing in tech?

Yes https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/become-chartered/ but I don't think it has the same importance as for most engineering

Reply 7

AndyChow

ChemEng dead subject with no jobs
In CS, accreditation means close to absolutely nothing. It's so broad, if you apply for Java roles they will want OCP certificate not accreditation, if you apply for AWS roles they want AWS certificates.

Reply 8

AndyChow

Original post by Chemisathtics

Imperial only lets you do 1 application a year.

Reply 9

Cyclate

Original post by AndyChow

ChemEng dead subject with no jobs

With all due respect, I don't think you understand ChemEng

Reply 10

AndyChow

Original post by CaptainSkyston

With all due respect, I don't think you understand ChemEng

Ok then, because I know a really smart person who did chemeng at Cambridge and he converted to CS because no jobs.

if chemeng has a bright future I wonder why is so many of ChemEng graduates are converting to cs degree then? Because MPhil at Cambridge is more prestigious and highly regarded in comparison to a conversion degree

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 11

Cyclate

Original post by AndyChow

Ok then, because I know a really smart person who did chemeng at Cambridge and he converted to CS because no jobs.

if chemeng has a bright future I wonder why are you doing a conversion cs degree then? Because MPhil at Cambridge is more prestigious and highly regarded in comparison to a conversion degree

I'm actually here during a key term search for Chem Eng. While the UK is poor on the jobs (As far as the UK goes, we all are), internationally Chem Eng is one of the most lucrative fields going. Since Chem Eng is industrialising new processes, there will never *not* be a demand for chem eng, it just depends where your priorities are.

Reply 12

AndyChow

Original post by CaptainSkyston

Looking at your comment history it seems like you are an A-Level student applying for MEng Chemical engineering 2021.
In which case I recommend you to finish your 4 year studies in 2025 and then we can discuss in further detail.
Because even though you may be correct, your limited life experience does not give your arguments any weight.
We both seems to be in consensus that ChemEng has no jobs, in the UK, which should settle any disagreements
I wish you the best of luck in your UCAS applications

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 13

Chemisathtics

Original post by AndyChow

I strongly disagree with this. The prospects and job markets available for Chemical Engineers is huge. There will always be a requirement for chemical engineers for the environment, water treatment, pharmaceuticals, energy, nuclear, finance, investment banking (even though finance and banking isn't traditionally chemical engineering, both sects absolutely love chemical engineers), and many more. Everyone I know who has studied Chemical Engineering has found a job in process, pharmaceuticals, energy etc. I personally chose to lean towards technology because I enjoyed undertaking programming modules at university. Everyone is different. The only aspect of chemical engineering which is dying in the future is oil and gas, however this places a focus on chemical engineers to produce new and innovative forms of energy. The increase in population will require more and more energy, and it's chemical engineers who are traditionally required to meet those demands. Inevitably, there is and always will be a steady increase in demand for chemical engineers. The only edge computer science has over chemical engineering is a larger job market.

Reply 14

AndyChow

Original post by Chemisathtics

The only edge computer science has over chemical engineering is a larger job market.

/closed

I made a mistake calling it dead, it's just oversaturated and a lot of competition for the available jobs. It's a simple supply vs demand thing. Huge and growing demand for biomedicine too but the volume of undergrads has lead to heavy credentialism. Finance & investment banking, those are jobs every STEM (and non-STEM) student goes for when they can't find relevant jobs, ChemEng is not even that high up in the IB hierarchy.

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 15

tariqhuss123

Hey ! I know this is not even remotely related to your post but i was wondering how long the whole application process took you ?thanks :smile:

Reply 16

studentgrad1

Hey, I'm so glad I found this thread. I was wondering whether anyone in the world was in the same position as me, wondering whether to apply for a ChemEng MSc versus a Computer Science conversion MSc. 10 months on, I'm wondering what the outcome has been for you? I was also looking at the MSc Computing at Imperial, but I sadly don't satisfy the requirement of a first as I got less than that in the American equivalent. However, I can apply for MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering at Imperial vs MSc Computer Science at a place like Bath or Birmingham. So I'm in the dilemma of staying in ChemEng but going to a better uni, or going into CS and later tech but from a less reputable uni. Hope you can offer some advice! Thanks!

Reply 17

theDanielIbeh

Original post by studentgrad1

Hi, I am also applying to the Imperial College London. I have created two applications but I do not know which to submit, MSc. Chemical Engineering or MSc. Computing. I did get a first-class degree though but it's still difficult to choose. I think it might be the sunk cost effect or fear of the unknown. To answer your question, I don't think you should focus on the school's reputation but on the courses in the conversion program. I have seen a couple of programs which I didn't think were very good. If you are absolutely sure and confident of making the switch, then go for it. Also, I'm guessing we are both currently applying and facing the same dilemma. Maybe we can help each other. Do you have any advice for me? Also, what is your reason for making the switch?