Masters in Automotive Engineering with Electric Propulsion or Mechanical Engineering?

My advice would be to focus on you and your own interests. Your experience and performance will matter more than the specific degree, and picking something you enjoy will help...

First, check that the degree is accredited so it doesn’t hinder your ability to obtain CEng status later.

Second, have a look at what relevant research is coming out of the universities and how this aligns with your own interests.

Third, identify their industry links. They may already have strong ties to aerospace companies, which means your project might actually be part of a funded research project for an aerospace employer.

We often have graduate applicant’s exciting and relevant projects be informally discussed around my office. What degree they studied is often last on our mind.
I don’t foresee any issue with electrical propulsion given it satisfies your requirements as above.

Yes, both are very good universities and their degrees are accredited. I do like both courses, although I would like to go into the aerospace sector rather than work on cars and vehicles. But at the same time, there is much overlap between aerospace and automotive. Electric propulsion is definitely a target for both Automotive and Aerospace, so perhaps this course could be useful in that aspect. What I have read is that Mechanical Engineering can open doors to both Automotive and Aerospace, but Automotive Engineering is more specialised in a particular area, although that area is not really the one I want to go to in the end. But that is a good idea, that I should ask to see what the industry links both courses have to help me in my project Thank you.

Yes, both are very good universities and their degrees are accredited. I do like both courses, although I would like to go into the aerospace sector rather than work on cars and vehicles. But at the same time, there is much overlap between aerospace and automotive. Electric propulsion is definitely a target for both Automotive and Aerospace, so perhaps this course could be useful in that aspect. What I have read is that Mechanical Engineering can open doors to both Automotive and Aerospace, but Automotive Engineering is more specialised in a particular area, although that area is not really the one I want to go to in the end. But that is a good idea, that I should ask to see what the industry links both courses have to help me in my project Thank you.

Hello,

I have received offers for MSc Automotive Engineering with Electric Propulsion at The University of Bath and MSc Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough University, after having received a 2.1 degree in BEng Hons Aerospace Engineering from The University of Nottingham. There are not many Aerospace programmes available so I have to decide between Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. I do want to pursue a career in the aerospace industry, so which Masters MSc degree would aerospace companies favour more? Thanks and much help appreciated!

Hello,

I have received offers for MSc Automotive Engineering with Electric Propulsion at The University of Bath and MSc Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough University, after having received a 2.1 degree in BEng Hons Aerospace Engineering from The University of Nottingham. There are not many Aerospace programmes available so I have to decide between Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. I do want to pursue a career in the aerospace industry, so which Masters MSc degree would aerospace companies favour more? Thanks and much help appreciated!

Hi @One Time User

Congratulations on your offers and for receiving an offer to study MSc Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough!

There's lots of factors to consider when it comes to making a university decision. Perhaps have a think and weigh up the importance of each to you and what it is you want from a university, to help narrow down your decision These factors could include...

Course - look carefully at the topics and modules you will study on the programme. Would you be happy studying all of them? A degree is a big commitment, so it's important that you will be happy studying the course for its entire duration. You might also consider the course's reputation, facilities, accreditation and career opportunities post-study.

Our graduates from this programme have gone on to work for a variety of reputable companies including Airbus, BAE Systems, Caterpillar, Chicago Bridge and Iron and Jaguar Land Rover in a variety of roles, including:

Student support - take a look at the support services available at the university to ensure they have everything you need to succeed during your studies and beyond. In terms of employability, Loughborough ranked 1st in the UK and in the top 20 globally for employer-student connections in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020, due to the relationships we have developed with all kinds of businesses from across the world. We also have a superb Careers Network team that can help you develop your skills, understand your strengths and explore your career options across a wide range of industries, both in the UK and internationally.

Our services and resources include:

Location - Would you prefer a city or a university market town like Loughborough? What are the transport links like if you want to travel? Loughborough is well-connected by road, rail and air, and offers everything you need as a student and more within easy reach, offering a friendly, close-knit community environment.



Campus - linked to location, what sort of campus would you prefer? At Loughborough, we have a stunning 440-acre single-site campus to call home, with everything you need as a student and more, including green open spaces, landscaped gardens, woodlands, academic buildings, accommodation, sports and leisure facilities, the Students' Union, and a variety of restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.



Accommodation - would you prefer to live on or off campus, and what options are there? At Loughborough, we have three self-catered halls of residence available for postgraduates, either on or a short walk from campus. There's also a wide range of private accommodation available too within easy reach of campus.

Student experience - what extra-curricular activities and opportunities are there for you to get involved with to meet new people and develop your skills? For example, we have lots of opportunities available with the Students' Union, LU Arts and Loughborough Sport.

I hope this helps! You'll find lots more information at our online prospectus, including reasons to study here and student stories. You can also find independent student reviews on StudentCrowd.

All the best!
-Dan

Hi Dan, thank you for your email To be honest, both universities Bath and Loughborough are amazing and I honestly don't mind the location. Both cost around the same train ticket price to get to, although Bath is more expensive overall due to accommodation. I heard it is a very pretty place. I am solely basing my decision on the job prospectus for both courses. How is the MSc Automotive Engineering course like at Loughborough University? I know the job prospects of that programme are geared towards cars and vehicles, but would MSc Automotive Engineering or MSc Mechanical Engineering get me further into working in the aerospace industry? Thanks.

Hi @One Time User

I would advise contacting the department directly with those questions about our MSc Mechanical Engineering - you can email them at [email protected].

I hope this helps!

All the best,
-Dan

Hi Dan, Yes I have sent an email to both the Automotive and Mechanical Engineering departments regarding the job prospects of both programmes, and have yet to receive a reply. By the looks of it, I think I'm going to Loughborough University as I read that a Mechanical Engineering degree is more respectable than an Automotive Engineering degree, which only Loughborough University can provide. Thank you, Martin.

Mech Eng and Automotive Eng are very similar in terms of “respect”. Automotive Eng is essentially Mech Eng.

For Aero you ideally want to get on an Aero program. You don’t need an Aero Eng degree to work in aerospace you can even work in there with a Computing degree.

Worse thing is doing a degree which provides no tangible benefit to employment prospects. Universities are there to sell you a course. When it comes to applying for jobs you will be pretty much on your own although you can consult with the Careers Service.

Imo if you really want to be aeronautical engineer you are better off applying to top notch postgrad Aero Eng program for next year if this year is full up. Get a job of some sort between now and then. Don’t waste your time doing a engineering degree that you aren’t interested in. Imo.

I have tried, but there are just not that many Aero Master's courses available. I got rejected from Imperial and Leeds , got an offer from Sheffield, but I don't really want to go there, also that Leeds and Sheffield are too far. And all the others are not as prestigious as the ones I applied for. I read that a degree in MSc Mechanical Engineering does open a lot of doors, including aerospace, as mentioned in the past graduate destinations of Loughborough University's programme. I am essentially basing my decision on the University's prestige and how much the degree is relevant to my intended career, which I hope it does. Unless anyone has a better idea? Thanks.

Have u applied to Cranfield ? Location is crap but the course is highly respected.

Southampton, Bristol, Bath are also great for aero. Loughborough is too.

Mech Eng you can work in aero but for really specialist aerodynamics roles it won’t prepare you for that. If you wanted a specialist aero role then look into postgrad aero.

Regarding getting not getting an offer this time round. If you really want a place on that course don’t give up and you can always reapply next year and it is possible to get in if you can work out where you got turned down and how to improve application. Look into Cranfield though.

Nah, Cranfield is pretty crap location wise and there's no life. Southampton is good, although the courses are VERY specific. I like the courses there, and I believe the University is pretty respectable, but I am not sure about the career prospectus for MSc Propulsion & Engine Systems Engineering at Southampton. Maybe I could look into that? Their Master's courses are quite untraditional. Bristol only has MSc Engineering with Management so it's a bit too generic. I was considering between Bath's MSc Automotive Engineering with Electric Propulsion course and Loughborough's MSc Mechanical Engineering, but I don't really want to be fixed towards cars. I like planes Warwick might be good. Should I give that a try? Although I'm not exactly sure if I'd like Warwick location-wise.

Cranfield is **** location but whatever you do at postgrad you will be working hard that you won’t be able to enjoy yourself much. Cranfield is well respected as much as Imperial in aerospace and automotive. Imo.