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Study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering, why & how to study

Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering is all about how aircraft and aerospace vehicles are designed, manufactured and powered.

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CONTENTS

  1. What’s Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

  2. What Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree?

  4. What topics does an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

  7. What do Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduates earn?

  8. What jobs can you get as an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduate?

  9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  10. Similar subjects to Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering

  11. Have any questions?

What’s Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering is all about aircraft and aerospace vehicles – what gets them off the ground, what keeps them there, what allows them to turn and accelerate, what causes them to gain and lose altitude, and so on. This includes anything from planes to helicopters, drones and satellites.

This subject area is demanding, combining physics and mathematics, computer and materials science, all wrapped up in strong design.

What Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering include:

  • Aerospace Engineering BEng/MEng
  • Aeronautical Engineering BEng/MEng
  • Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng/MEng
  • Aerospace Systems BEng/MEng
  • Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering BEng/MEng

Options may include an integrated foundation year, industrial experience, or a year abroad.

  1. GO TO 
  2. Find an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering undergraduate degree 
  3. Types of undergraduate degrees 

What do you need to get onto an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree?

Entry requirements for an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree at university range from 80 to 200 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

  • A Level: A*A*A*–CDD
  • BTEC: may be accepted in combination with A Levels
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–AABB (or Advanced Higher AAA–AB)
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: 40–32
  • Universities will usually ask that you have studied mathematics at an advanced level (A Level or Scottish Advanced Higher)

Other good subjects to have studied include:

  • Physics or engineering science
  • Further mathematics
  • Other sciences
  • General studies and critical thinking may not be acceptable

Other requirements for this subject include:

  • Pass in the practical element of sciences
  1. GO TO 
  2. Entry requirements 
  3. About UCAS points 
  4. Alternatives to A Levels

What topics does an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • Aerodynamics and/or flight dynamics
  • Aircraft systems and performance
  • Design (engineering, aircraft, aerospace vehicles)
  • Mathematics and engineering mathematics
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Structures and materials
  • Solid mechanics

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Observed practical performance
  • Presentations (alone or group)
  • Essays
  • Reports

Why study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering is a highly vocational subject, giving you the skills and experience to enter employment in the sector.

Career-specific skills:

  • Computing
  • Systems engineering
  • Aircraft design and manufacture
  • Practical lab work
  • Flight testing

Transferable skills:

  • Computer literacy
  • Project management
  • Analytical skills
  • Teamwork
  • Working to client briefs

Professional accreditations:

  • Degrees may be accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
  • Graduating in this subject may include registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partial registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)
  1. GO TO
  2. Read Reasons to study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering

What do Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduates earn?

You’re likely to get a good starting salary of £20,000–28,000 as an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduate.

Once established in your career, particularly if you’ve gained Chartered status, Aeronautical & Aerospace engineers can earn a salary of £45,000–60,000 or more.

  1. GO TO 
  2. See what students do and earn after graduation 

What jobs can you get as an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduate?

Employment opportunities range from the military to space exploration, satellite design to drone manufacture.

  • Aeronautical or aerospace engineer
  • Aerodynamics engineer in F1 racing
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Engineering consultant
  • Wind turbine engineer
  • Mission specialist (space exploration)

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at the postgraduate level include:

  • Advanced Aeronautical Engineering MSc
  • Aerospace Materials MSc
  • Aerospace Computational Engineering MSc
  • Advanced Control and Systems Engineering (with Industry) MSc
  • Materials Engineering PhD

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