Aeronautical Engineering
De Montfort University
UCAS Code: H410 | Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)
De Montfort University
UCAS Code: H410 | Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) - BEng (Hon)
Entry requirements
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 Diploma Programme
with Mathematics or Physics at higher level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Engineering or Physics BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma
T Level
UCAS Tariff
from at least two A-levels including Mathematics or Physics at grade C. Plus, five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.
About this course
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 DMU 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.
Modules
**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
**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
Assessment methods
**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.
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.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Leicester Campus
Computing, Engineering and Media
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Just over a thousand UK graduates got a degree in aerospace engineering in 2015. There are a few dedicated employers, unevenly spread around the country, and so there's often competition for graduates looking for their first job - which leads to a relatively high (although improving) early unemployment rate, and a good grade is particularly important for graduates. Sponsorship and work experience can be key if you're after the most sought-after roles in the industry. Starting salaries are usually good and graduates commonly go into the aerospace (yes, this does include manufacture of equipment for satellites and space operations) and defence industries. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£29k
£29k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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