Program Overview

Overview of the Aeronautical Engineering BEng (Hons) Degree

The Aeronautical Engineering BEng (Hons) degree at Loughborough University is designed to prepare students for a career in the aerospace industry of the future. This course will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to tackle the challenges facing the aviation industry, from finding environmentally sustainable methods of propulsion to increasing automation that allows unmanned aircraft to complete an ever-increasing range of tasks.

Course Structure

The course is offered as a 4-year full-time program with a placement year or a 3-year full-time program. The typical offer for this course is AAB, including Maths and Physics, at A Level. The fees for the course are £9,535 for UK students and £30,700 for international students per academic year.

Course Content

The course covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Aircraft Systems and Performance
• Introduction to Aircraft Design
• Thermofluids
• Mechanics
• Materials and Manufacturing
• Computing
• Engineering Design and Manufacture
• Aircraft Systems, Performance, and Design
• Engineering Mechanics and Structures

In the final year, students will work on a project that will take the full year, and they will also study modules such as Aircraft and Gas Turbine Design. Students can choose specialist modules such as Sensor Fusion, Spacecraft Engineering, and Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the course include:

• AAB at A Level, including Maths and Physics
• 35 (6, 6, 5 HL) including Maths and Physics at HL in the IB
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering: DDD plus A Level Maths at Grade B
• GCSE English Language grade 4/C

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the course are:

• £9,535 per academic year for UK students
• £30,700 per academic year for international students

Career Opportunities

This course will equip students for careers in all branches of the aerospace industry, airline operators, Government research establishments, and appropriate branches of the armed forces. Internationally, the aviation industry is forecasted to double in size over the next 15 years, providing a wide range of career opportunities for graduates.

Facilities and Resources

The university has extensive laboratories and facilities, including:

• Wind tunnels
• Anechoic chamber
• Indoor UAV testing
• Structures testing facilities
• Gas-turbine engines
• Eight purpose-built automotive engine test cells
• Hawk aircraft
• 6-axis of motion road and aircraft simulator
• Chassis dynamometer, high and low-temperature fuel cell testing facilities
• Numerous instrumented test vehicles

Placement Year

The course includes the option to complete a paid year working in industry. The university has close links with industrial partners, enabling students to gain real-world experience and apply the knowledge from their degree in practice. Many students return with a much better understanding of the wider context of the modules they have studied and generally perform better in their final year(s) of study.

Additional Awards

By undertaking a year on professional placement or working in industry, students will gain an additional award alongside their final qualification. If students undertake a professional placement year, they will gain a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS), or if they complete a year in industry, they will gain a Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS).

Study Abroad

The course comes with the option to study abroad for a year, at the end of which students will gain a Diploma in International Studies (DIntS). This is an additional award to the final qualification students will receive once they have successfully completed the course.

Language Programme

Students can give their degree an international edge by taking credit-bearing language modules as part of their course. The University Language Centre provides a range of modules in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese from beginners' level upwards.

Assessment

Students will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and written examinations. Design-orientated work is assessed by oral presentation, project work, and group assignments. The individual project is assessed by oral and video presentations and a written report.

International Students

The university welcomes international students and has a range of support services to help them settle into university life. International students can find information about the entry requirements, tuition fees, and scholarships on the university's website.

Research Areas

The university has a strong research focus, and students will have the opportunity to work with experienced researchers in their field. The research areas include:

• Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Alumni

Many of the university's alumni have gone on to have successful careers in the aerospace industry, and some have even started their own companies. The university has a strong network of alumni, and students can connect with them through the university's alumni association.

Conclusion

The Aeronautical Engineering BEng (Hons) degree at Loughborough University is a comprehensive program that provides students with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the aerospace industry. With its strong research focus, excellent facilities, and opportunities for placement and study abroad, this course is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a career in aeronautical engineering.