Program Overview

Aerospace Engineering MEng

The Aerospace Engineering MEng course at the University of Sheffield is a four-year program that provides students with a comprehensive education in aerospace engineering. The course is designed to give students a broad and deep understanding of the subject, as well as practical skills and project management experience.

Course Description

The course covers a wide range of topics, including propulsion, instrumentation, computation and design of aerodynamics and aircraft control. Students will learn about the principles of flight, aircraft design, and the materials and manufacturing processes used in the aerospace industry. The course also includes a strong focus on project-based learning, with students working on real-world engineering problems and designing, building, and flying complex air systems such as drones, rockets, and quad planes.

Modules

The course is divided into four years, with each year building on the previous one. The modules covered in each year include:

• First year: Aerospace Design 1, Avionic systems and control, Aerospace Materials 1, Aeromechanics 1 (statics and aerodynamics), Mathematics (Electrical and Aerospace), and Electrical fundamentals.
• Second year: Students will continue to build their fundamental knowledge of the core subjects needed to be a successful aerospace engineer. They will carry out a year-long design project involving the design, manufacture, and flight testing of both a quadcopter and a rocket.
• Third year: Core modules will include aircraft design, involving the design in groups of a full passenger aircraft, followed by simulation and flight data analysis using simulators in the Diamond, along with aero propulsion, where students will learn about jet engines, rockets, and ramjets, as well as advanced thermodynamic cycles.
• Fourth year: Students will undertake a group air system design project, involving the design, manufacture, and testing of an autonomous unmanned air system to be flown outdoors in the Peak District. They will also have a professional practice module to prepare them for the world of work and gain advice on securing graduate jobs and passing interviews.

Learning and Assessment

The course uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, practical activities, coursework assignments, and individual investigative projects. Students are assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework assignments, lab work, online tests, reports, group projects, presentations, design projects, and dissertations.

Entry Requirements

The standard entry requirements for the course are A*AA at A Level, including Maths and a science. Alternative qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate, BTEC Extended Diploma, and Access to HE Diploma, are also accepted. English language requirements include GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or an IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

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. Some students continue onto further study or research.

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.

University Rankings

The University of Sheffield is a world top-100 university, ranked 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is also ranked as the University of the Year for Student Experience and has a number one Students' Union in the UK.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the course are £9,535 for home students and £30,570 for overseas students. There are also additional costs, such as flying lessons for students on the Aerospace Engineering with Private Pilot Instruction course. The university offers 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 four-year course to a five-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.