A few thoughts - I've a BEng (supplemented later by a PhD for the hell of it) and have been knocking around the UK aircraft industry for a couple of decades without (so far) managing to be unemployed. Incidentally, I got my CEng before they required an MEng, so that particular issue has never troubled me.
- Work experience counts for more than anything. Relevant work experience that is. Do anything you can to get it.
- If you really, really, can't get work experience (even unpaid) a relevant MSc is almost certainly the next best thing.
- A PhD sounds impressive, but only really if added to professional experience, not instead. You won't get much special treatment as Dr. inexperenced engineer compared to Mr. inexperienced engineer. This is even true if you want to work in a university - although substitute research for work experience to a large extent (+ publications record).
- Brunel courses. The Mech+Aero is basically mecheng for people who want to work in the aerospace industry. The aerospace engineering course has rather more aeronautical content, but is substantially similar. The aviation engineering course bins a lot of the more "pure mechanical" stuff in preference for much closer concentration upon the flight vehicle. All good courses, pick what suits your interests closest. Brunel hasn't much of an aero tradition, but is one of the biggest and best engineering departments in the UK, so you're unlikely to regret going there.
- Yes, do join the RAeS, but don't just join. Use the careers department, go to local branch meetings, attend headquarters lectures. In other words, learn stuff and network with people.
- The big company graduate training schemes are great - if you can get onto them. To just slot into a job, small companies will show you much more breadth. In either case, never ever send a standard application and CV. Spend days, per application tailoring it exactly to the company to whom you are applying.
G
CEng FRAeS