Program Overview

Aerospace Engineering BEng

The Aerospace Engineering BEng course is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in aerospace engineering, including the research, design, development, construction, and flight of aircraft. Students will learn how to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of engineering disciplines.

Course Description

The course focuses on project-based learning, integrating engineering science with practical projects. Students will design, build, and fly complex air systems, such as drones, rockets, and quad planes, and participate in national and international competitions. The course is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Modules

The course includes a range of modules, such as:

• Aerospace Design 1
• Avionic systems and control
• Aerospace Materials 1
• Aeromechanics 1 (statics and aerodynamics)
• Mathematics (Electrical and Aerospace)
• Electrical fundamentals

In the second year, students will continue to build their fundamental knowledge of core subjects, including avionics and electrical energy, aerospace materials, and aeromechanics. In the third year, core modules will include aircraft design, aero propulsion, and an individual investigative project.

Learning and Assessment

The course uses a range of learning and teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Practical activities
• Coursework assignments
• Individual investigative project
• Design projects
• Online resources

Assessment methods include:

• Examinations
• Coursework assignments
• Lab work
• Online tests
• Reports
• Group projects
• Presentations
• Design projects
• Dissertations

Entry Requirements

The standard offer for this course is A*AA, including Maths and a science. Alternative qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate, BTEC Extended Diploma, and Access to HE Diploma, are also accepted.

Graduate Careers

Graduates from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering are in demand internationally and go on to success in some of the world's leading engineering companies. Employers include Airbus, BAE Systems, BP, Ernst & Young, Jaguar Land Rover, Ministry of Defence, Nissan, Rolls-Royce, PwC, Royal Air Force, and Shell.

Department

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering is ranked 1st in the Russell Group for aerospace engineering and 3rd in the UK for aerospace engineering. The school has strong partnerships with industry leaders, including Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Boeing, EADS, Qinetiq, and Rolls-Royce.

Facilities

The school is located in the Grade II listed Sir Frederick Mappin Building and the 1885 Central Wing, with additional teaching space and labs in the new state-of-the-art Engineering Heartspace. Facilities include four Merlin static flight simulators, six X-Plane based flight simulators, seven commercial drones, and a Turbine Solutions jet engine test bench.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been confirmed, but the 2025 annual tuition fee is £9,535 for home students and £30,570 for overseas students. The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help fund study, including automatic scholarships worth up to £10,000 for overseas fee-paying students.

Placements and Study Abroad

Students may have the opportunity to add an optional placement year as part of their course, converting the three-year course to a four-year Degree with Placement Year. The university also offers study abroad opportunities, with over 250 University partners worldwide. Popular destinations include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.