Is MSc worth it over BEng and Experience?

[Conor D]

I wanted to ask this question but I will keep it separate from the other thread I have going about a job offer.

I have just graduated from University with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering. I already have one job offer for a Graduate Design Engineer and I am in the application process for two other similar roles.

Along with this I applied for an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering and I have an offer for a place at a University belonging to the Russell group - which my graduating university is not. I'm unsure whether spending an additional year doing an MSc is really going to be worth it in the long run (£5,000 fees + living costs for the next 12M) such as a better graduate job, increase in salary, general better academic understanding.

I feel now if any would be a good time to complete an MSc rather than going back in a few years if I did indeed need it.

So my question is really if a BEng along with a year of Experience will in reality leave me in a better position than a BEng, MSc and no graduate experience (I do have an industrial placement during University). The main difference for me would be paying out £15k~ vs making around £22k~ for this next year..

Any thoughts?

Edited by Conor D on Monday 18th August 15:25

[a311]

Chartership IME=Masters. Integrated Masters courses (MEng) seems to be common place with our latest grads as the courses were specifically designed with this in mind.

I can't really help as my Masters was funded by work which if an employer is offering to pay your fees and time is a no brainer!. It made the chartership straight forward. Has either made a difference to my career progression? Can't say it has. If I picked up a CV would I be more keen on the guy with experience over the MSc? Definitely.

I totally see where you're coming from, if you don't do it now you might never do it. But you have a job offer so I'd say take it. Did you ask about sponsorship for this sort of thing in the recruitment progress? If you show you're a good working a worth investing in your new employer may pay for it in the future.

Russell group thing I was largely ignorant of that tbh. Didn't even realise my old Uni was in 'the group' until recently.

[Conor D]

Thanks for your thoughts.

a311 said:

Chartership IME=Masters. Integrated Masters courses (MEng) seems to be common place with our latest grads as the courses were specifically designed with this in mind.

I can't really help as my Masters was funded by work which if an employer is offering to pay your fees and time is a no brainer!. It made the chartership straight forward. Has either made a difference to my career progression? Can't say it has. If I picked up a CV would I be more keen on the guy with experience over the MSc? Definitely.

I was under the impression that Chartership was also possible with a BEng accompanied with demonstrating practical experience equivalent to masters level.

I already have a great 12M experience from the placement during my Undergraduate which I imagine with continued experience now would leave me in good stead in the future.

a311 said:

I totally see where you're coming from, if you don't do it now you might never do it. But you have a job offer so I'd say take it. Did you ask about sponsorship for this sort of thing in the recruitment progress? If you show you're a good working a worth investing in your new employer may pay for it in the future.

Russell group thing I was largely ignorant of that tbh. Didn't even realise my old Uni was in 'the group' until recently.

I would consider deferring the MSc admission until 2015/16 that if I do decide I can potentially return to do it then.

The Russell Group thing is something that's on my mind but I think this will only really come into play if I do apply for any larger firms in the future. Regardless I have a lot to consider.

[a311]

Conor D said:

I would consider deferring the MSc admission until 2015/16 that if I do decide I can potentially return to do it then.

The Russell Group thing is something that's on my mind but I think this will only really come into play if I do apply for any larger firms in the future. Regardless I have a lot to consider.

Yes you can still get chartership it's just not as straight forward.

I'm an engineering manager, our organisation has pay band/scales- as a graduate you'd come in on the same pay scale regardless of having a masters or not. If you had prior experience you'd get in at a higher band most likely. It's a tough decision would be interested to hear what having an masters offer in terms of potential earning over a bachelors degree only.