Tough University situation, need advice.

[EZY_FR]

Hi all,
First of all, I am not going to bother with the typical 'I have wanted to be a pilot all my life" introductions as a lot of threads here start with this type of introduction and I don't want to spam it any further ;).

I am in a bit of a predicament here regarding my university degree. I am currently in my 2nd last year of my Aeronautical Engineering degree, currently under the MEng curriculum. Getting this far I have now realised that engineering just isn't for me. I do have the option to carry out the BEng curriculum and finish next summer but I am just unsure where that would put me in terms of employment chances. According to my advisor I am currently on course to get a 2:1 result and if I work slightly harder then I could get a 1st. I am interested in taking up Flight Operations or Meteorology either as a backup career or as a graduate job until I have earned enough to afford pilot training.
Should I continue under the MEng curriculum or drop into the BEng curriculum and finish this year? This may be daft but, for non-engineering sectors anyway, is there a difference between MEng and BEng?
All responses are well appreciated.

[BerksFlyer]

If you don't want to go into engineering after graduating a BEng. should be sufficient. The MEng. tends to be aimed at those wanting to work in the field.

[ChocksAwayChaps]

IIRC, the MEng gives credits towards chartered status and the BEng doesn't...check my memory on this before relying on it...if I'm correct, the only reason to continue to MEng is because you're interested in achieving chartered status and practising as an engineer in a professional capacity.
So, no.

[kingjuansanchez13]

I also studied aerospace engineering and I also realised that it wasn't for me. If staying on for the fourth year really sounds like a year too far then I would consider graduating with the BEng, but then have a good look at the MSc options that would be available to you, you'll be surprised as to what varied non-engineering courses you are eligible for.

Having an MSc or MA in anything is certainly going to help establish a back up career, plus you get to focus on one preferred field as opposed to the broad spectrum of the MEng.

[Poose]

Collect the BEng if you don't really feel like you want to develop in engineering as a career. The MEng is only worth chasing as previous posters have said if you are after chartered status. A 2:1 with a personality and some relevant experience usually trumps a first who has neglected their entire life to secure said grade. I believe the term is a 'well rounded individual'... ;)

I'm BEng Mechanical - been in Aerospace for the past five or so years. Believe me - there's worse jobs than engineering out there...

I've worked on flight trials of large aircraft and been privy to things that complemented my modular training so well it was untrue.
When you're studying performance, but writing the aeroplane's flight manual and liaising with the Test Pilots on a daily basis for the exact flight trials that are being discussed in your performance exam... Well... it helps to keep you in the mindset and gives you an amazing level of understanding of where and why aircraft are operated as they are at CS-25 level...
Just an opinion! :ok: