Mechanical engineering vs aerospace engineering in University of Bristol

Hello, I'm currently pursuing my AS level and I'm am super interested in aerospace engineeringBut, I've heard that the job prospects for aerospace engineers aren't looking too good due to the pandemic and I'm not sure how long it would take to recover.So, I don't think it would be wise for me to narrow my options to just aerospace engineering..would it be better to get into mechanical engineering and then specialize in aerospace later on in your career?

Hi,
the consumer aerospace industry is certainly contracted this past year which has nock on effects to aircraft manufacturers & suppliers etc.

But a couple things to note. Studying aerospace engineering is not the same as working in aircraft supply chain, their is a wider job market for these graduates (although of course aerospace is the most obvious path).

Your in year 12meaning a year and half from starting a degree which will likely be 4-5 years (4 for masters, 5 with placement year). So potentially 6 & a half years away from a graduate role. A LOT will change in this span, you would hope the consumer air travel market would recover in that time.

Additionally market contractions are normal and will inevitably always crop up, companies naturally have waves where they get stronger and then where they need to reduce overheads, this can happen in any sector.

Mechanical is certainly a more broad degree, it will keep the aerospace options open, and of course should you wish to specialise you can do an aerospace MSc with a mechanical BEng.

After I graduate I hope to move to the US to find a job there, will a BEng in mechanical and MSc in aerospace be recognized outside UK?
I also heard that one can only qualify as a chartered engineer if they have studied MEng..is that true?
Thanks a lot for the quick reply

So you can charter with an MSc+BEng if both courses are accredited by an engineering council institution.

Id think a UK accredited masters would be reputable for the US. I think the much more difficult problem is getting the right to work in the US (unless you are a US citizen). Getting a green card is notoriously difficult.

But I would like to work for a few years before doing my MSc in aerospace engineering so I can financially support myself...so to get a job as a mechanical engineer in the meantime is it advisable to do MEng in mechanical engineering instead of just a BEng in mechanical?