Should I take a masters in Mechanical Engineering?

Question

Im currently studying for a BSc in mathematics at queen mary (london). Ive just completed my second year and will (most likely) graduate with a first class honours. Ive taken an interest in engineering over the past few months, but know little about the field.

I will be able to spend a few weeks THIS summer with a family friend who runs a small civil engineering business. I intend to learn a bit about that aspect of engineering (although it is not my first choice engineering field), but in particular be introduced to CAD.

My two options once i graduate are to either study for a Masters in mechanical engineering (at Imperial if I could get in), or to just go straight into getting experience. However with 'just' a maths degree and no real studying of engineering (bar one or two modules in my maths degree) I dont know whether companies would take me on at all. My question is..should i start looking into taking a Masters in mechanical engineering, or should i get experience?

Answer 1

Getting a masters in mechanical engineering while having no prior engineering experience is going to be rather tough. If you've ever seen the undergraduate curriculum for mechanical engineering, you'll know why. You'd be expected to already know a tremendous amount of material.

Still, it can occasionally be possible. For example, my school here in the US has a program where you can get a Bachelor's in physics, and then a Master's in mechanical engineering. However, part of that program involves taking a few engineering classes as an undergrad.

If I may flip-flop yet again, by getting a BS in math you would definitely have the mathematics skills required for engineering... It's just all the structural/mechanical/thermal course content you'd be lacking, which is still quite a bit of what makes up engineering.

In summary, I have no clue what you should do... But maybe I offered some insight. Good luck!

Answer 2

In masters program you will specialize your field into any of these groups, power, renewal energy, engineering management, CAD, tribology, control and much more. Therefore, it might not be as stressful as it sound.

However, not sure in UK, but in most countries, engineers are recognized as engineers based on your basic degree, which is the Bachelor.

Therefore, you might face some problem to get an engineering job even if you have a master in engineering.