London Universities for Aero Eng, City & QMUL

[Airbusboy]

So I have been offered two places from City Uni - Aeronautical Eng, and QMUL - for Aerospace Eng

Has any one studied these courses at these universities? Socially speaking I like both unis. I am just undecided. Queen Mary is 41 on the Times Top Universities 2007 League Table. City is 53rd. If I wanted to get a job at a company like Airbus, or BAE systems (for example) or pursue a career as a pilot(Cadet Pilot Sponsorship Schemes or Cabair), would the Aerospace industries or airlines prefer graduates from a specific uni with a higher repuation? (But in my case not talking about Imperial!)

My understanding is QM is a university of London, and such a degree would be much more internationally acknowledged by companies? Yes? No?

Any advice, thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[Genghis the Engineer]

I'd not read much into the ratings, nor whether QMW is part of UofL. City has a world class reputation, so has UofL.

Look at the courses, work out what you really want to study, and all else being equal, pick that one.

That said, I come across people from both fairly often in my work, and of the two, personally have a higher regard for City, but that's largely subjective to be honest; both are good.

I don't have the current info, but I believe that BAE(S) had a preferred universities list which comprised of Southampton, Glasgow, Loughborough, Bristol and possibly Bath.. I don't think that any of the London colleges were on the list, but wouldn't worry about that - if you've got a good degree, it ultimately comes down to your own qualities.

G

['India-Mike]

Genghis is right about choice of Uni.

Also, don't worry too much about industry preferring graduates from certain establishments - so long as the degree is accredited by one of the professional bodies your qualification will be just fine.

My own establishment has 'BAE preferred' status (it's one of the ones on 'G's list), but in my own experience such preference doesn't give our graduates any advantage relative to those from other institutions.

Good luck

[Airbusboy]

Very much appreciated. I have till August to decide anyway. :)

[D120A]

Ghengis is absolutely right. Choose the one that suits you best and you'll do brilliantly there.

And make sure that you join the University of London Air Squadron. Not only will you get 30 hours or so flying over three years, towards your PPL, but you will develop as a person with all the leadership training and expedition opportunities on offer. And you'll make friends that will last a lifetime.

Last, congratulations on getting the offers; all the hard work so far has paid off, and all the equally brain-bending stuff in the future will as well. I really envy you; it's how I started and I'd do the last 45 years all over again with pleasure.

D120A

[Airbusboy]

WoW, thanks I was in the Air Training Corps for 2 years, and recently stopped because of studies. But no one every told me about University of London Air Squadron! Just saw their website and damn! 30 Hours is not bad at all. I'll definitely join them.
Last, congratulations on getting the offers; all the hard work so far has paid off, and all the equally brain-bending stuff in the future will as well. I really envy you; it's how I started and I'd do the last 45 years all over again with pleasure.
D120A
Thank You! Yeh I can't wait, enjoy uni life, get a degree and start a career in the Aeronautics field. Most probably a pilot!

[portsharbourflyer]

Airbusboy,
It is good to see that you have selected aeronautical engineering as a degree subject, there is certainly a shortage of certain specialisations in the aerospace industry but be aware of the following;
1) Though five of my course colleagues secured airline sponsorship none of these schemes exist now.
2) Airlines in general will give you little or no credit for having an aeronautical engineering degree if you self sponsor, (I was interviewed for the Qatar Airways SO scheme; the aero degree may have secured the interview in this case, that is only instance in two and a half years where it has).
3) The only sense that the degree will help is the subsequent employment can be used to fund your pilot training.
If you're primarily interested in flying then consider the new course at BCUC/Cabair, which combines aviation studies with training for the frozen ATPL; at the end of three years you will have both a BSc degree and the flight training. It is expensive but at least it compounds the debt of university and flight training into one lump. Remember an aeronautical engineering degree is essentially a mechanical engineering degree.
You will finance a flying career far easily by using the aero degree to work in the financial sector; finance companies recognise that the analytical skills from engineering transfer well into the finance field, I know of several aero grads that have taken this route.
D120, judging by your comment about 45 years then I would say you were very lucky to work in the industry while the UK sector was diverse and expanding with a variety of independent aerospace companies, where as now we just have trans-european conglomerates. Any of the interesting aerospace projects in the UK in the last ten years (Farnborough F1, Centaur Seaplane, CMC Leopard) have folded or moved to US bases.
Whatever you decide good luck.