Program Overview

MSc Aerospace Engineering

Overview

The MSc Aerospace Engineering programme is designed for engineering graduates wishing to develop knowledge of advanced aerospace engineering topics, and hone skills required to make them succeed in industry. Students graduating from this programme will have the knowledge and skills required to tackle the big questions facing the aerospace sector, and would be looking to lead in developing next-generation solutions.

The programme is for graduates who have a first degree in either Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or another engineering topic that contains a good amount of aerospace content. All students will be able to hone their existing engineering knowledge, and develop a higher understanding of aerospace engineering. For those with a more general engineering degree, this programme will allow them to specialise in aerospace engineering meaning they can transition to working in the aerospace sector. All students will be joining the University of Bristol, which has a long history of nationally-leading aerospace teaching. The City of Bristol is also the centre of aerospace engineering in the UK, with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN, Leonardo and Boeing (to name a few) within a few minutes of the University.

Uniquely, this programme allows students to either tailor their degree around a specialism they find interesting, or remain general. Optional units that reflect the research expertise at Bristol means students could specialise in, for example, aerodynamics or composites, or remain more general by taking broader options in, for example, space engineering or wind energy. As well as this, students will work on a group multidisciplinary design task, with a brief that mimics industrial design problems. Students will apply their advanced aerospace engineering knowledge, and develop key soft skills such as communication and team-working to perform the conceptional design of an aircraft. The knowledge and skills that students will develop during the degree will put them on the path to success in their future careers.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

The MSc Aerospace Engineering programme is an advanced degree that covers a broad range of subjects in Aerospace. The programme combines several core units with a range of optional units, and uniquely allows students to tailor their degree around subjects they find interesting.

In the first term, students will choose one foundational unit in either aerodynamics, structures, control or space. This is supplemented with two additional optional units that span the breadth of aerospace engineering and are informed by the cutting-edge research at Bristol in aeroacoustics, composites and control.

In the second term, students will be able to choose a final optional unit that is led by one of our world-leading researchers. A major aspect of this term is the group design project. This multi-disciplinary project will see students apply the concepts they learn in their academic units to the design of a full aircraft, with a brief mimicking a typical industrial problem. They will develop fundamental team-working and communication skills that will see them succeed in industry.

Finally, the research project will see students work within one of the world-leading research teams at Bristol. Here, students will be working on a cutting-edge research project, and pushing the boundary of the state-of-the-art. For example, this could be trying to understand how to reduce noise produced by aircraft wings, developing simulation methods for the next generation of large wind turbines, or designing deployable structures for space applications.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• OR
• If your degree subject is not listed above, you will need a degree in another Engineering subject and to have studied units in Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Aerospace Structures with 40% or above (or international equivalent) in each unit.
• If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
• We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
• We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
• If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
  • Evidence of a minimum of one year paid work experience in the aerospace industry, including: civil aerospace, defence aerospace, consultancy work with an aerospace company, or other aerospace-aligned business.
  • A relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Specific module requirements would still apply.
• See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Admissions Statement

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £15,500 per year
• Overseas: full-time £33,900 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

This programme will provide you with key knowledge and skills to succeed in industry. You may choose to work for one of the many large, medium or small aerospace engineering businesses in the Bristol area. Alternatively, you may choose to work in the automotive sector, perhaps in Formula 1, which an aerospace degree can open doors to.

An engineering degree provides you with a broad skill set, with skills such as problem solving, team working, and communication. These skills mean engineering graduates are highly employable in a range of areas, including finance, consultancy and project management.