I found this trend very interesting. In UK and other countries Chartered Engineer is a professional recognition of a person by accredited body (registered with ECUK) It was sufficient to hold first degree - BS in Engineering and qualifying experience in order to be registered as CEng. Today an Engineer needs Masters degree MS in Engineering in order to qualify for CEng title. Many other countries followed and upgraded the requirements. My question is why? Is BS degree become inferior? Why was the bar raised?
My guess is that it is economic. Perhaps the market was becomming too saturated with professional engineers. By making it more difficult to become one, you will keep the numbers in check and maintain a higher salary level. Just a guess though.
Basic 1st degree got changed to the MEng -- still a 1st degree -- to reflect the extra year in the (English) degree course. Same with maths -- the basic English degree is the MMath. No saturation required. Or bar raising.
