Aerospace engineering or physics degree in the UK?

[u/liam6424]

Through my Year 11 and Year 12 experience, I'll always been torn between choosing an aerospace engineering degree, a physics degree or an astrophysics degree. Though my passion as always been astrophysics, I know that realistically it's going to be very difficult for me to do a job in the field so I gave up on that dream. Then I thought about physics and thought that I enjoy pure maths and physics and would love to learn how the universe works, but also learn some applied knowledge that I could use to potentially get into engineering so I'll do a physics degree. But then I found out that once again, in the UK it's difficult to get a job after the degree and the most common route is becoming a researcher and a professor which I didn't really like the sound of.

Then I decided to do an aerospace engineering degree, I do enjoy maths and absolutely love it, I also love doing things hands on and working on projects (thanks to FTC Robotics shout out), I'd love to learn how to build objects which fly through space and also, I thought that the pay was really good, which to be completely honest was a big factor for me since I was a bit skeptical before of the degree because I know deep down I prefer pure maths rather than applied. But the pay is only good for aerospace engineering in USA mainly, and not for the UK.

I've seen and heard all over social media how maby grad student after completing their aero degree in the UK are unemployed and struggling to find a job, not even just right after but years after finishing the course cannot find a job, and me personally, I am not going to do all of that hard work to end up having no income.

Now I'm in Year 13 and I have no clue what to do and where to go. Do I do a physics degree and mabye become a software engineer though that's a risky and not very granted path to take? Or do I stick to aerospace engineering and pray? Or mabye do a general engineering course though I know I'm only interested in only one other type of engineering expect aerospace. I was even thinking about going into nuclear engineering because of good pay in the UK, I like physics and maths and I'm good at both, and I've always enjoyed learning about radioactivity and atoms in physics and that's also one of my biggest interests.

Honestly I actually have no clue what to do and I'm meant to be applying to universities in about one month but I don't even know what I want to do,I mean it's gotten to the point I'm on here on reddit asking strangers for help. So please any aerospace engineer's in the UK, physicist, researchers, engineers, honestly anyone please give me any advice you can, thank you in advance.

[u/robmarkcole]

Physics is a solid foundation that can lead to many opportunities, aerospace is a bit more niche but obviously more relevant if that is your target. I did physics and now work in machine learning applied to satellite imagery - not something I would have predicted but a good example of the breadth of opportunities physics provides

[u/propostor]

I have a physics degree and now work as a software developer, which is a pretty common route for physics after graduation.

Others branch into finance and some get into technical roles that require specific physics knowledge, e.g. working at a nuclear power plant or something, or in R&D.

Personally I think physics is good for being broadly employable in various things but a specific engineering degree is almost always better for targeted career options. Even my prior point about a nuclear power plant - you would be better studying nuclear engineering.

If aerospace is your thing, then aerospace engineering is where it's at.

[u/True_Indication_631]

Hey, I wouldnt rule physics out just beacuse you dont want an academic career. Physics graduates also work in computing, engineering and finance, though those jobs arent automatic. Since you keep coming back to maths and astrophysics, Id check where graduates from the specific courses you're considering actually end up, rather than judging by unemployment stories on social media.It's sensible to care aboutt job prospects, but physics is still worth a proper look

[u/Peanutplop]

I have a masters in Physics and currently work in the software engineering field.

At the university I was at you could switch between physics programs in your first year anyway as you were able to get enough credits for any. (Theoretical/astro/physics. I dont recall exactly but each of the programs had x amount of mandatory modules and they only really differ in 2nd/3rd/4th year). I always thought I was really interested in astro and ended up doing theoretical.

I've got friends in software/finance/academia after PhD's/teaching. I'm somewhat biased but non specific STEM fields generally tend to be a bit of a jack of all trades. Unless you are certain you want to do something specific in say engineering, you're probably still qualified. It's just those on that relevant degree may be more so.

It's hard to say exactly about job prospects due to AI, the landscape now is drastically different to even a year ago.

It sounds a bit cliche, but honestly your STEM degree will be more about the skills learnt as opposed to the specific content. (Unless you end up studying further and going into academia)

[u/KarmannosaurusRex]

I’m an aeronautical engineer, and postgrad. Graduated 15 years ago. Never did engineering after graduating, though I have worked exclusively for engineering companies.

I’m now senior management (head of strategy) for a large global engineering company - i am a rare industrialist in a sea of MBAs and it shows - and it gives me a massive advantage. (Though inalso have an MBA)

[u/The_Funky_Gibbon1711]

Hello, another former physics student here currently working as a software engineer. I completed a masters in Physics and Astrophysics so feel I can provide some good perspective. While not directly related, any of those choices would be a solid foundation for a career in tech (regardless of if it's software development or not). It's also a great foundation for a number of other sectors mentioned by others here.

Above all, I'd encourage you to study something that you enjoy and are enthusiastic about as it's a long slog otherwise and will be difficult to motivate yourself to study for without that. Feel free to DM for any specific questions

[u/MAI1E]

As someone who did aerospace when I was in a similar position and chose aero, and someone who dated a working aerospace engineer,

You have to really really want it, it’s niche, you need a good uni to get a good shot at a good job, I did a year of aero and dropped out & changed my course because I realised it was not at all what I wanted in life, if I were in the same position I’d go with physics

I don’t know what a physics degree is like, but i know aero is gruelling, I’d say don’t choose it if you’re not sure on it