Unlike other types of Master’s programmes, the M.Eng. degree is a bit special because it means different things depending on the country where you study. In the UK, a Master of Engineering is actually an integrated programme which takes 4 years to complete, to which you can apply once you finish high school or after a Bachelor’s.
In the rest of the world, the M.Eng. degree is a 2-year programme, following a Bachelor’s. Either way, an M.Eng. is typically only available in Engineering or tech-related study areas. So, it makes sense the requirements for applying to an M.Eng can be different from other degree types.
What is an M.Eng. degree?
The M.Eng. (Master of Engineering) is a highly specialised professional degree, often chosen by students who want to become professional engineers.
The format of M.Eng. degrees is different from one country to another. However, all Masters of Engineering are usually offered by a specialised institution or faculty within a larger university. In certain European countries, you need to enrol at Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) or Universities of Technology to study an M.Eng. degree.
In some countries, the M.Eng. is a postgraduate degree, which takes 2 years to finish. In others, it is an integrated degree, starting at undergraduate (Bachelor's) level. Integrated M.Eng. degrees take 4 years to complete and are popular in the UK and other European countries.
Depending on the type of M.Eng. degree (integrated or postgraduate), your courses will have a different focus. Integrated M.Eng. programmes start at undergraduate level, taking you through the fundamental principles of Engineering and moving to more advanced courses later on.
The postgraduate M.Eng. already assumes that you master the basics and will focus on further advancing your knowledge and skills of your chosen Engineering specialisation.
Choose the right M.Eng. degree based on destination
Before we jump to the specific entry requirements for a Master of Engineering, you should know that some of the most popular countries to study this type of degree are:
- M.Eng. degrees in the United Kingdom
- M.Eng. degrees in the USA
- M.Eng. degrees in Australia
- M.Eng. degrees in Canada
- M.Eng. degrees in Germany
- M.Eng. degrees in France
How to apply for an M.Eng. degree in the UK
Because in the UK the M.Eng. degree is an integrated programme including both Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, the application process is a bit different than in the rest of the world.
Typically, you will need to prove that your high-school curriculum focused on relevant courses such as science, mathematics, computer science, etc. You will also need the following:
- GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C or above
- A Levels - A*AA (Including an A in Mathematics, or equivalent international qualification). Note that General Studies are not usually accepted as one of the three A levels
If you are not applying right after high school, some universities will ask for a completed preparation course or foundation course to prepare you to pursue a Master of Engineering.
You will also have to prove that you have proficient English language skills with test scores such as TOEFL 547, or IELTS 6.0.
Note that the United Kingdom has a centralised application system, called UCAS so you should apply using the UCAS application website. The general list of application documents you have to submit includes:
- A completed on-line application form
- Transcripts
- Reference Forms
- A Resume and Personal Statement of Interest
- Test Scores ( A*AA levels, English language scores, GSCSE)
- Application Fee
Some British universities offering Master of Engineering programmes are:
- University of Portsmouth
- University of Southampton
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Leeds
How to apply for an M.Eng. degree in the rest of the world
In order to apply to a Master of Engineering abroad (UK excepted), you’ll have to match a few very important admissions criteria.
Just before you jump to the details of the application, here are some universities offering M.Eng. degrees:
- University of Colorado Denver, in the USA
- Hochschule Bremen - International Graduate Center, in Germany
- University of Regina, in Canada
- Paris-Saclay University, in France
First of all, most universities and colleges will require you to have completed a 4-year Bachelor’s, preferably in a closely related subject as the Engineering degree you are applying to. Note also that most universities demand that you have above average grades.
If your first language isn’t English, you must provide evidence that your English level is good enough to meet the specific demands of their study.
Programmes with a more professional focus might require you to have been employed in the relevant engineering area.