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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.

Engineers at building site

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. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

  8. What do Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduates earn?

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

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Similar subjects to Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering

  12. 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.

Take a look at the university league tables for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering.

What Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degrees can you study?

There are various degree options for this subject area including focusing on Aerospace and Aeronautics separately or combining it with another area of engineering. Some examples of undergraduate courses:

Aerospace Engineering BEng/MEng

Develop the engineering skills for a career in the aerospace industry by specialising in aerospace design, performance, analysis and systems. Areas covered include aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion, structures and performance among others.

Look for Aerospace Engineering courses.

Aeronautical Engineering BEng/MEng

Learn more about how aircraft are designed, constructed and powered, how they are used and how they are controlled for safe operation.

Discover Aeronautical Engineering courses.

Aeronautics and Astronautics BEng/MEng

Aeronautics and astronautics courses focus on fast-moving aircraft and spacecraft in the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. It covers core engineering science and aerodynamic theory and practice for the design of vehicles, wings and propulsion systems.

See Aeronautics and Astronautics courses.

Aerospace Systems BEng/MEng

Aerospace systems focuses on the design and use of onboard systems found on most aircraft and spacecraft. Explore how these systems may be used to improve the operation and performance of aerospace vehicles.

Search for Aerospace Systems courses.

Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics BEng/MEng

A degree that bridges the divide between aeronautics and mechanical engineering giving a cross disciplinary approach to one of the most challenging engineering fields.

Find Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics courses.

Other options

Many universities offer the chance to spend a year studying abroad as part of the course. Others may include an integrated foundation year or a professional placement.

  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?

Must have

Typically, entry requirements for an Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering degree at university range from 80 to 200 UCAS points. This could include:

  • 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)

Good to have

  • Studied Physics, Engineering Science or another science
  • Work experience or shadowing in an engineering environment
  • Further research on topics of interest in engineering journals, TED talks, podcasts or online courses/MOOCs
  • If eligible, STEM summer school like the Sutton Trust or UNIQ
  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. Reasons to study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering?

Some universities offer students scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage diversity. It’s worth asking if you are eligible, how to apply and what the money covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs. 

What do Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering graduates earn?

You’re likely to get a good starting salary of £21,000–£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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