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Aerospace engineering courses

If you’re seeking a future that revolves around innovation and assisting mankind in reaching new heights (literally), aerospace engineering will stimulate you to no end. Because aerospace engineering deals with the design, analysis, manufacture and operation of highly-complicated structures and equipment – which exist to defy gravity, safely – the field is large-scope, challenging and highly-demanding. The field combines mathematics, physics and computer science with design and engineering. Graduates can proceed into well-paid sectors such as aerospace, commercial airline, military and computing.

Studying aerospace engineering at university

Example course modules

  • Properties of materials
  • Introduction to aerodynamics
  • Circuits, signals and systems
  • Mechanics of flight
  • Propulsion and turbomachinery
  • Thermodynamics
  • Control systems
  • Aerospace vehicle design
  • Structural dynamics

Who studies this subject

  • Female : 15%
    Male : 85%
  • Mature : 10%
    School leaver : 90%
  • Full-time : 95%
    Part-time : 5%

What you need to get on a course

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

  • Maths
  • Physics

Useful to have

  • No Specific Requirements

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

  • January application
  • October application
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio
  • Interview
  • Entry test
  • Work experience
  • Audition

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Career prospects

Sources: HECSU & KIS
The UK aerospace industry employs over 120,000 people across 400 organisations, so there are lots of opportunities for graduates to progress onto. Many go on to roles such as engineers, researchers, designers and maintenance technicians, applying their knowledge to design, develop and maintain everything from commercial airliners, military aircraft, satellites, spacecrafts, and even racing cars. Graduates can go on to work with world-renowned brands like British Airways, Airbus, Formula One and Rolls-Royce. Additionally, you’re not just limited to opportunities within the UK; these massive brands and organisations attract the top talent in the world to work for them, so you can expect to work in very international teams.
Professional and accrediting bodies:

Six months after graduating

Typical graduate job areas
  • Science, engineering and production technicians

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

  • Aerospace engineer
  • Maintenance engineer
  • Manufacturing systems engineer

Other real-life job examples

  • Production manager
  • Structural engineer
  • Automotive engineer

What employers like about this subject

Employers in the aerospace sector look for graduates who will take initiative and split away from the path previously explored, in order to discover new innovations. Many graduates move on to work in teams made up of individuals from various corners of the world. Therefore excellent interpersonal and communication skills will be important in order to prosper in these kinds of environments, especially when large teams are involved – here, a great deal of technical leadership is required. Meanwhile, the math skills and methodical approach to problem-solving are qualities which can be applied to a number of other fields and roles.