How does Uni in the UK work? + Advice needed for Aerospace Engineering

Hi! This is my first post so forgive me for any mistakes.
I'm born and also living outside of the UK and hoping to join a UK University in 2026.
I plan to become an Aerospace Engineer, and I heard that BEng in Mechanical Engineering and a MEng in Aerospace Engineering is a possible pathway but I'm unsure if this is optimal so I would appreciate advice on this (The reason I chose this pathway is that I heard a BEng in MechE will let me get a job easier than a BEng in AerospaceE).

My main question is, if I were to do this, would I spend 3 years on the MechE Bachelors, and then need to spend an additional 4 years for the AerospaceE Masters (For a total of 7 years)? Or would it take less time somehow? I'm confused because AFAIK Aerospace Engineering is a sub-field of Mechanical Engineering and they have a lot in common so would I be learning the same content all over again? Or is it dependent on the Uni I choose?

Many Thanks.

Reply 1

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by QuiteBizarre

Hi! This is my first post so forgive me for any mistakes.
I'm born and also living outside of the UK and hoping to join a UK University in 2026.
I plan to become an Aerospace Engineer, and I heard that BEng in Mechanical Engineering and a MEng in Aerospace Engineering is a possible pathway but I'm unsure if this is optimal so I would appreciate advice on this (The reason I chose this pathway is that I heard a BEng in MechE will let me get a job easier than a BEng in AerospaceE).
My main question is, if I were to do this, would I spend 3 years on the MechE Bachelors, and then need to spend an additional 4 years for the AerospaceE Masters (For a total of 7 years)? Or would it take less time somehow? I'm confused because AFAIK Aerospace Engineering is a sub-field of Mechanical Engineering and they have a lot in common so would I be learning the same content all over again? Or is it dependent on the Uni I choose?
Many Thanks.

To be honest either mechanical or aerospace or aeronautical engineering are largely going to be treated very similarly by employers, employers are trying to recruit the best graduates for them (which is largely be identifying people who are talented, passionate but also demonstrate the right values and fit), they would probably consider mechanical & aerospace as very interchangeable.

You can apply via either the MEng route or the BEng + MSc, either is fine. Note in the UK the MEng is an integrated masters so you cannot do BEng+MEng it would have to be BEng+MSc.

I would also note you can join the aerospace industry with more than just mechanical or aero and other options include electrical engineering, materials science, software engineering. It’s a highly multidisciplinary industry to deliver the technology.

I would focus on finding the right course for you which has the best modules you care about regardless of what are largely semantics at the undergraduate level.

Reply 2

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post

by QuiteBizarre

Hi! This is my first post so forgive me for any mistakes.
I'm born and also living outside of the UK and hoping to join a UK University in 2026.
I plan to become an Aerospace Engineer, and I heard that BEng in Mechanical Engineering and a MEng in Aerospace Engineering is a possible pathway but I'm unsure if this is optimal so I would appreciate advice on this (The reason I chose this pathway is that I heard a BEng in MechE will let me get a job easier than a BEng in AerospaceE).
My main question is, if I were to do this, would I spend 3 years on the MechE Bachelors, and then need to spend an additional 4 years for the AerospaceE Masters (For a total of 7 years)? Or would it take less time somehow? I'm confused because AFAIK Aerospace Engineering is a sub-field of Mechanical Engineering and they have a lot in common so would I be learning the same content all over again? Or is it dependent on the Uni I choose?
Many Thanks.

Hi there,

I am currently doing my integrated masters at Coventry university in mechanical not aerospace engineering but they both have the same course setup usually for progression.
There are two options
You can do a BEng in aerospace ( 3 years) and then a MSc in aerospace engineering (1 year) = 4 years for masters level
or you can do an integrated masters MEng in aerospace ( 4 years) and the MEng is equivalent to the bachelors and masters degrees.

So both typically take 4 years - there are different positives and drawbacks for both routes which you can research or post a question on here about if interested but neither should take 7 years.

Hope this helps
Amber
Coventry University Student Ambassador