These questions are always tough, because there's no “right” answer, all anyone can do is describe what the various options are like to work in to help you decide what most fits what you'd like out of a role.

But I did just want to pick up on one point: don't use “aspirations of gaining a CEng” as a guide to which course (or which ultimate role) to aim for, if the role you end up in is a “CEng-type role” then you will be able to get CEng, with or without a Masters (of course provided you can show you're competent in that role!).  In fact it's quite possible you may be eligible for CEng now, depending on what your responsibilities have been in your current role.

Hopefully you're asking this same question on the Institution of Civil Engineers forum (assuming they have one)? There may be more people there  who can describe what the various roles you're interested in actually involve, and what qualifications / experience will help you get there.

Good luck, Andy

Karl,

You might have already looked at these on the ICE website, but it might be useful to provide the following links below just in case:

Out of interest I was looking at their membership subscription fees. They have a complicated structure, and pay more than IET members do. Suffice to say that I'm not including a link to their subscription page, as I don't want the IET to get any ideas. It does explain why civil and structural engineers are opting to join the IET. ?

Oh and I couldn't find a members forum page anywhere; maybe it requires login credentials first to appear?

Cheers,

Thanks Andy,

Your right, it really is a minefield selecting a MSc! I've arranged a chat with someone from ICE this week but as far as I can see they don't have a forum like this unfortunately. The more research I do the more questions I seem to be uncovering. 

Thanks again

Karl

Thanks mbirdi,

The IET was recommended to me for the exact reasons you've mentioned. I will have a look over the links.

?

Karl,

I've checked the IET list of accredited degrees, and there's no match for the subjects in question. But there are a number of MSc courses available for part-time study. You didn't specify if you were looking for part-time attendance, or distance learning?

You can do an online search for the subject choice you're interested in. I include examples from several universities below:

Cheers,

As previously stated, there is no right answer. 

As I see it Facilities Management is mainly operational/managerial and an MSc may equip you with some additional tools and techniques, but it probably doesn’t fit the model of a Chartered Engineer as a “specialised technical expert” so well. 

Coastal Engineering is potentially more niche, but could be a good choice if you want to become a specialist “consulting engineer”. In my past experience, including some FM and 170 infra Sp TA, but not recent. Chartered Engineer isn’t generally expected in FM, but it is in Engineering Consultancy or Contractor’s Design Departments at senior level. I assume that there are some “pick and mix” options for the general Civil Engineering Course?

If you are a service leaver, you may want to establish a civilian career direction, before investing in an MSc. The lack of an MSc in unlikely to be a “block” on gaining CEng (with the IET at least). I don’t know if finance is being offered now, which may of course be a factor?