Program Overview

BEng (Honours) Aerospace Engineering

Course summary

Join the next generation of aerospace engineers – gaining the scientific knowledge and practical skills you need to solve challenges at the forefront of air and space transportation.

How you learn

On this course you’ll take an active, research-informed approach to learning, preparing for future aerospace challenges within a diverse student community.

You’ll gain skills and confidence through a variety of teaching and learning activities, including:

• Lectures with interactive sessions aimed at emphasising peer collaboration.
• Tutorials to practise and apply your knowledge ahead of assessments.
• Hands-on lab experience including computational modelling and simulation using a wide range of industry-standard software.
• Seminars with examples of real-world applications and case studies
• Q&A and discussions for self-assessment and understanding.
• Support sessions for receiving feedback and preparing for assessments.
• Teamwork activities for collaboration in an innovative environment.
• Project-based learning (PBL) activities with integrated work experience to apply your knowledge, creativity, design, critical analysis and professional skills to real-world projects.

Course topics

You’ll apply your learning to solve real-world problems across core subject areas – including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, structures, propulsion, flight dynamics and control, systems and avionics. You’ll also explore case studies within the aerospace industry – insightful examples of ongoing research and industry practice.

Further themes of the course range from fluid mechanics and aerospace materials to aircraft design, numerical methods, modelling and simulation.

Modules

Year 1

• Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 50%, Exam 50%
  • This module develops your understanding of the fundamentals of thermodynamics, mechanics and electrical engineering and provides opportunities for you to analyse well-defined engineering problems and apply appropriate methods to solve them.
• Materials, Manufacturing And Design For Transportation
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 75%, Practical 25%
  • This module will introduce you to the principles and practice of aerospace and automotive engineering design and the properties and characteristics of key materials and manufacturing processes used in the sector.
• Maths And Engineering Science For Transportation
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
  • This module aims to build a strong mathematical foundation which can then be applied to engineering problems.
• Sustainable Engineering And Interdisciplinary Practice
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
  • In this module you will develop the professional and personal skills necessary for your future career as a graduate engineer.

Year 2

• Applied Thermodynamics, Aircraft Systems And Manufacturing
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 70%, Practical 30%
  • The aim of this module is for you to develop fundamental knowledge, analysis and computational skills to solve broadly-defined problems related to thermodynamic systems and their applications in aerospace vehicles, aircraft systems, avionics and instrumentation.
• Numerical Methods And Applications
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Practical 100%
  • This module builds on the learning in the previous year and aims to equip you with knowledge of relevant numerical techniques and computational skills for the solution of broadly-defined problems in aerospace and automotive engineering applications.
• Structures, Aerodynamics And Flight Mechanics
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 50%, Exam 50%
  • Building on the fundamental concepts learned previously, in this module you will apply the physical principles of fluid mechanics, solid mechanics and dynamics to develop a more advanced knowledge of aerospace structures and materials, aerodynamics and flight mechanics, making use of analytical methods for the solution of broadly-defined problems in these areas.
• Systems Modelling And Simulation
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
  • This module will introduce you to the systems engineering philosophy and the fundamentals of systems engineering theory.

Year 3

• Advanced Aerospace Engineering And Design
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 50%, Exam 50%
  • Building on the knowledge learned in the previous year, in this module you will develop an understanding of advanced scientific concepts and analytical methods for the solution of complex problems in compressible flows, aerothermodynamics, aerospace propulsion, flight dynamics, stability and control.
• Aircraft Design And Simulation
  • Credits: 40
  • Assessment: Coursework 50%, Practical 50%
  • This module aims at developing your knowledge and understanding of the aircraft design process, simulation and structural dynamics and integrity.
• Project: Implementation
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
  • Your individual final year project is the apex of your academic journey, offering a platform to apply the wealth of knowledge and skills gathered throughout your degree to real-world linked problems.
• Project: Management And Scoping
  • Credits: 20
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
  • Develop solid foundations for undertaking a self-managed academic research project.

Future careers

You’ll graduate as a highly skilled aerospace professional, ready to navigate future challenges of the industry.

This course prepares you for a career in:

• The aerospace industry
• Civil and military aviation
• Aeronautical roles
• Space and defence technology
• Aerospace research centres and agencies
• Academia
• Automotive roles
• Mechanical roles
• Energy and thermal power engineering
• Systems and control
• Computing and software development
• Manufacturing
• Management

Equipment and facilities

We have excellent teaching facilities, including an impressive range of professionally equipped laboratories for tutor-led, group and independent project-based learning and research.

You’ll work within dedicated laboratories for:

• Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
• Aerodynamics (wind tunnels)
• Flight simulation
• Mechanical and thermal properties of materials and structures
• Electronics and communications (digital oscilloscopes, function generators, power supplies and spectrum analysers)
• Computer-aided design
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Finite element analysis
• Simulation and modelling software (SolidWorks, Ansys, Abaqus, MATLAB/Simulink)
• Control systems– PLCs, pneumatic and hydraulic kits with software for monitoring and control
• Manufacturing workshops

Entry requirements

• UCAS points: 112-120
• GCSE: English Language at grade C or 4, Maths at grade C or 4
• GCSE equivalents: Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English, Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
• Foundation: pass from our Extended Degree Programme Engineering and Mathematics, dependent on academic performance, or from another suitable science or technology foundation course containing an appropriate level of mathematics.
• Access: an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a mathematics-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
• IELTS: 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

Fees and funding

• Home students: £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
• International students: £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)