Masters in the UK, or the USA? (aerospace)

[RobotBernoulli]

Hey all! 

I'm not sure how many people on this site are in the same situation as me, but I think this topic may be general enough to warrant discussion. 

I'm a UK/US dual citizen, and I've been studying physics for the last 4 years in the UK. I've applied to schools in both countries (masters in aerospace engineering), and I need help weighing the pros and cons. 

US Pros:

• 2 year Masters program gives me more time to learn, and may be viewed as 'more legitimate'
• Aerospace industry is much better in the States
• After 4 years in the UK I think I'd like to spend some time in the US (also, I think I want to eventually end up living/working in the US long term)
• Easier to enter US aerospace industry from US school

UK Pros:

• 1 year Masters program will allow me to enter the industry much earlier
• UK schools are fantastic at putting graduates directly into jobs with grad placements- I would be able to quickly find a job and gain experience
• (I suspect) my current qualifications would be seen as 'more legitimate' in the UK, and I would have an easier time finding a job here.
• MUCH MUCH Cheaper

I don't believe that my top school in the US would give me a better education than my top school in the UK, or vice versa.

Luckily, as a dual citizen, I don't need to worry about Visas, but if anyone would like to extend this discussion to international applicants, feel free. 

Any thoughts?

[hippyscientist]

I'm in a different field to you but I'd chose the US. I'm just finishing up my MSc in the UK and 1 year just doesn't feel sufficient. I feel rushed and that they're trying to cram too much in to a single year. Also if you want to end up in the US better to start building those connections now. 

The UK has its own advantages but from what you've presented I would go to the US. As a US citizen you'll be eligible to apply for more funding than is usually available to uk citizens and it's surprising how little difference in price there is now. My $.02

[RobotBernoulli]

15 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

I'm in a different field to you but I'd chose the US. I'm just finishing up my MSc in the UK and 1 year just doesn't feel sufficient. I feel rushed and that they're trying to cram too much in to a single year. Also if you want to end up in the US better to start building those connections now. 

This is my biggest concern about studying in the UK. I think that I would prefer to take my time and get a really indepth education with a two year masters, like you said. 

[hippyscientist]

@RobotBernoulli The UK is one of the few places where a single year masters is prevalent. It's tough, and it's intense. Actually one of my lecturers the other day (he got his PhD in the US) said the UK MSc is the most intense and stressful year of academia. There's more stressful periods during a PhD but for shorter time spans. That filled me with a lot of comfort. I'm regularly pulling 75hr weeks to keep up and it hasn't allowed me to take on the extra research that I wanted to this year. 

If you can justify costs etc. going to the US I think you'd be better in terms of career and understanding. But I am just one random internet person! FWIW, I chose the UK masters as a bridging year - I knew I wanted to do a PhD but felt I hadn't completed sufficient in my area of interest at undergraduate level, and I also wanted to gain some more research experience before going down the PhD route. It's helped tremendously in PhD applications and I have a much greater sense of what I want to do. I've since applied and been accepted to US schools for a PhD as similarly, I want to end up on the job market there. I also prefer the structure, there's a greater investment in research in my area of interest and it's an excellent experience. 

I know you weren't asking about PhDs but I sometimes think the reasons are similar - I'm going to the US because there's going to be a longer time period to complete in. Hope that helps clarify and build upon my previous post.

[sjoh197]

I'm not in your industry, nor am I that familiar with UK education... however, just reading....

If you are really trying to get into US aerospace industry... which it sounds like from your US pro list... then the fact that UK schools are good at placing their students becomes mostly irrelevant, as the US schools will have better connections and get you in easier  to US AE industry anyways. 

Also, getting out one year earlier isn't much of a pro in my opinion. If it was the difference of a multiple year span, then it could be, but one year won't make or break your career at all. Also, it will be a lot more stressful cramming everything into one year, and I know that I personally would be incapable of properly learning what I need to in that amount of time. There is a difference between "passing" something and truly learning it... and I need time to learn. 

After reading... it kind of sounds like the only reason you are considering the UK options are due to finances. And that is obviously something I can't help with. But like hippy said above... you will have to find and justify the costs of both. 

Good luck

[RobotBernoulli]

3 hours ago, hippyscientist said:

@RobotBernoulli The UK is one of the few places where a single year masters is prevalent. It's tough, and it's intense. Actually one of my lecturers the other day (he got his PhD in the US) said the UK MSc is the most intense and stressful year of academia. There's more stressful periods during a PhD but for shorter time spans. That filled me with a lot of comfort. I'm regularly pulling 75hr weeks to keep up and it hasn't allowed me to take on the extra research that I wanted to this year. 

If you can justify costs etc. going to the US I think you'd be better in terms of career and understanding. But I am just one random internet person! FWIW, I chose the UK masters as a bridging year - I knew I wanted to do a PhD but felt I hadn't completed sufficient in my area of interest at undergraduate level, and I also wanted to gain some more research experience before going down the PhD route. It's helped tremendously in PhD applications and I have a much greater sense of what I want to do. I've since applied and been accepted to US schools for a PhD as similarly, I want to end up on the job market there. I also prefer the structure, there's a greater investment in research in my area of interest and it's an excellent experience. 

I know you weren't asking about PhDs but I sometimes think the reasons are similar - I'm going to the US because there's going to be a longer time period to complete in. Hope that helps clarify and build upon my previous post.

3 hours ago, sjoh197 said:

I'm not in your industry, nor am I that familiar with UK education... however, just reading....

If you are really trying to get into US aerospace industry... which it sounds like from your US pro list... then the fact that UK schools are good at placing their students becomes mostly irrelevant, as the US schools will have better connections and get you in easier  to US AE industry anyways. 

Also, getting out one year earlier isn't much of a pro in my opinion. If it was the difference of a multiple year span, then it could be, but one year won't make or break your career at all. Also, it will be a lot more stressful cramming everything into one year, and I know that I personally would be incapable of properly learning what I need to in that amount of time. There is a difference between "passing" something and truly learning it... and I need time to learn. 

After reading... it kind of sounds like the only reason you are considering the UK options are due to finances. And that is obviously something I can't help with. But like hippy said above... you will have to find and justify the costs of both. 

Good luck

 

Thank you both. This is some great advice

Of the US schools I've applied to, I would be happy to go to any of them. You two have definitely clarified this for me- as long as I get an acceptance (WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR?) I think moving back to the US is the right move. That being said, on the off chance that nothing comes through I don't think I will feel that bad about attending Uni in the UK for another year.

Cheers from Scotland!