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Aeronautical Engineering BEng/MEng (Hons)

Master the theoretical, experimental and computational skills required for careers in the aeronautical and aerospace industry.

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Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Aeronautical and aerospace engineering is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK, with extensive career opportunities in research and development, testing, and maintenance.

This course covers the basic principles of aeronautical engineering, including experimental and theoretical aerodynamics, aircraft design, flight dynamics and control, aircraft propulsion, flight simulation technologies, aircraft structures and computational aerodynamics.

Employment opportunities include careers in aeronautics and aerospace, namely aircraft aerodynamics, wind turbine design and maintenance, aviation management, defense sector, aircraft maintenance, repair and operation services (MRO).

You can study Aeronautical Engineering either as a three-year BEng (Hons) programme, or as a four-year integrated master’s. At the end of year three, you have the option of graduating with a BEng or continuing your studies for a further year for a MEng, subject to meeting the progression requirements.

Key features

  • Accreditation from the Institute of Engineering and Technology will help you start your journey towards Chartered Engineer status.
  • We are ranked in the Top 20 UK Universities for Aerospace Engineering in the Guardian University Guide 2025, highlighting our dedication to cutting-edge research, hands-on learning, and industry-focused education.
  • Study a range of specialist modules including Aircraft Structures and Flight Dynamics, Propulsion Systems and Manned and Unmanned Aircraft Design and Maintenance.
  • Benefit from the academic expertise of researchers who have experience of collaborating with international institutions such as the National Aerospace Laboratories India, Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute Russia and AMST-Systemtechnik GmbH Austria.
  • Our AIRFOX DISO simulator is integrated to the programme providing a first-hand experience in flight simulator technologies.
  • Use our instrumented low speed wind tunnel facility to understand the fundamentals of aerodynamics, test prototype aircraft models and acquire experimental skills relevant to aeronautics and wind tunnel testing.
  • Access industry-standard software packages used in aeronautical engineering applications and research, such as MATLAB, ANSYS and OpenFOAM, which will give you the ability to work confidently in industry. 
  • Meet like-minded people and gain hands-on practical skills by joining our student societies, such as 51Âþ»­ Flyers. 
  • Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

 

Our academic staff are engaged in international aeronautical research and having commercial flying experience bring their unique skills and industrial knowledge to modules that they deliver.

Dr Hobina Rajakaruna, Programme Leader
  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: 

BEng: H410

MEng: H403

Duration: Four years full-time, five years with placement 

Fees and funding: 

2025/26 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

 

How to apply

Order a prospectus

Book an Open Day

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: 

BEng: H410

MEng: H403

Duration: Four years full-time, five years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

How to apply

Order a prospectus

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Aeronautical Engineering news

Entry criteria

  • A typical offer is 112 UCAS points (120 UCAS points for MEng) from at least two A-levels including Mathematics or Physics at grade C, or
  • Engineering or Physics BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM (DDM for MEng)

Plus, five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Alternative qualifications include:

Pass in one of the following QAA accredited Access to HE course with at least 15 level 3 credits in the relevant subject at distinction:

  • Access to HE Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Engineering Science and Mathematics
  • Physics and Engineering
  • Physics and Mathematics

If you are studying an alternative Access course that is related to Engineering, Mathematics or Physics please contact us for more details.

English and Mathematics GCSEs are required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ points (30+ points for MEng) with Mathematics or Physics at higher level
  • T Levels Merit
  • Engineering Year Zero: Pass


Portfolio Required: No
Interview Required: No

 

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

English language

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer 

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find our more about contextual offers.

 

 

More courses like this

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessment

Accreditation

 

 

Year one

Block 1: General Engineering Tools and Principles 1

Block 2: General Engineering Tools and Principles 2

Block 3: Fundamentals of Aeronautical Design 1

Block 4: Fundamentals of Aeronautical Design 2


Year two

Block 1: Mechanical, Energy and Aeronautical Tools and Principles

Block 2: Dynamics, Instrumentation and Control

Block 3: Aircraft Structures and Flight Dynamics

Block 4: Design and Project Management

 

Placement year (optional)

 

Year three

Block 1: Human Factors and Aviation Management

Block 2: Propulsion Systems

Blocks 3 and 4 Choose one of:

  • Modelling and Simulation for Aeronautical Projects 1 and 2
  • Analysis, Programming and Simulation for Aeronautical Projects 1 and 2
  • Materials and Design for Aeronautical Projects 1 and 2

 

Year four (MEng)

Block 1: Engineering Business Environment and Research Methods

Block 2: Advanced Materials, Structures and Design

Block 3: Manned and Unmanned Aircraft Design and Maintenance

Block 4: Group Project

See more detailed module descriptions

 

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching and learning

Aeronautical Engineering is taught by knowledgeable and professionally experienced staff giving you the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of the aeronautical engineering fundamentals along with the personal skills that will enable you to study successfully and embark on a rewarding career.

A combination of different forms of teaching is used throughout Aeronautical Engineering, with an emphasis on lectures, supporting tutorials, seminars, workshops and laboratory classes.

 

Student-centred learning takes place through research and presentation of findings, report writing, individual and group assignments and practical-work-based exercises for the development of required skills and through understanding of delivered material.

Assessment

Assessment includes exams (unseen and open book), phase tests including multiple choice test where appropriate, group presentations, case study analysis, individual lab exercises as well as report portfolios, report and essay writing.

 

 Contact hours

 Course delivery is in block mode, which means each 30-credit module consists of a seven week teaching block. Each 30-credit module usually involves 16 hours of contact per week and we expect you to undertake at least 19 hours of independent study per module.

You can expect final year and MEng modules to require more independent study.

 

 

Accreditation from the will help start your journey towards Chartered Engineer status.

*The BEng programme is currently under review for accreditation from the 2024 intake onwards. It will go forward for Partial CEng accreditation by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in 2024. Formal accreditation can only be granted after an accreditation visit and approval from the IET’s Academic Accreditation Committee.

*The MEng programme is currently under review for accreditation from the 2024 intake onwards. It will go forward for Full CEng accreditation by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in 2024. Formal accreditation can only be granted after an accreditation visit and approval from the IET’s Academic Accreditation Committee.

 

Accredited Programme Web Small1052

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
 

Aeronautical Engineering Facilities

The Aeronautical Engineering facilities have received significant investment, including dedicated Aeronautical Engineering laboratory spaces and equipment.

This investment means that students can work with a purpose-built subsonic wind tunnel for experimental investigation of aerodynamics, considering different shapes and aircraft test models.

Our industry-standard AIRFOX DISO flight simulator provides a first-hand experience in flight simulator technologies, covering topics such as critical flight regimes and loss of control.

 

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, 51Âþ»­ Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘51Âþ»­ Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

51Âþ»­'s award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities 51Âþ»­ Careers Team
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Placements

Work placements are offered as part of this course as one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.

We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team will help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.

Engineering students have taken part in work experience placements at a number of local, national and international companies including BMW, Airbus, and Siemens.

global-1

51Âþ»­ Global

Our innovative international experience programme 51Âþ»­ Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers. 

Through , we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

 

Engineering students had the opportunity to visit New York, where they investigated feats of skyscraper engineering and had a guided tour of some of America's most complex military hardware, including fighter jets, spacecraft and marine vessels.

 

Graduate careers

After completing this programme, graduates have the skills to pursue employment in aeronautical and aerospace industries, civil aviation management, the defence sector, aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul services.

According to a House of Commons briefing paper, the UK aerospace industry is the second largest in the world with a turnover of £34.8 billion in 2020.

"The industry will continue to grow in the coming years and this exciting course will allow us to train the next generation of aerospace professionals" says Dr Hobina Rajakaruna, programme leader.

Take your next steps

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