The Benefits

  • A master’s in MSc Aerospace Engineering will allow students to expand their existing knowledge and expertise and specialise in fields such as aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, combustion, propulsion, aerospace structures, and more.

  • Students graduating with an MSc Aerospace Engineering can pursue a different path. They can use the problem-solving skills they gain to engage in scientific research and experimentation, pursuing a PhD or they can pursue a career in defence, manufacturing, design and development, field service, software development, and others.

  • There is an abundance of opportunities within the aerospace field in the UK in engineering, research and innovation, and management capacities.

  • Aerospace engineering is a booming field, providing graduates to work with emerging new technology, discover new metrics, and make contributions to innovations that will change how we see and use space systems, flight dynamics and mechanics, aircraft design, etc.

What is Aerospace Engineering?

The definition is right in the name. Aerospace engineering concerns one of the most exciting, innovation-driven, and incredible feats mankind has obtained since the invention of the first powered aircraft that Jules Henri Giffard flew for the first time in 1852.

Aerospace engineers design machines that are powered to fly much like the one Giffard flew. Compared to chemical, industrial and electrical engineering, aerospace is a relatively new field. It involves the study of aerodynamics and the development of technology or machines that are powered by it.

Aerospace engineers design aeroplanes, jets, autogyros, helicopters, gliders, spacecraft, and other types of aircraft. With an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, you can specialise in aeronautics, studying and innovating machinery that moves within the Earth’s atmosphere.

In addition to space and aircraft, engineers design satellites and missiles, along with components and gear such as airframes, wings, landing gear, control systems, instruments, engines, and others.

Aerospace Engineering MSc and Fee Structure

The fee structure for an MSc in Aerospace Engineering varied greatly from one UK university to the other. The programmes are offered to both UK and non-UK international students on a full-time and part-time basis (in very limited universities).

While online classes have been conducted, the degree is highly technical and involves lab courses and projects, which require on-campus attendance.

The programme is year-long and mostly full-time, requiring students with previous mechanical engineering, materials science & engineering, or electrical or electronic engineering degrees.

While the fee varies for an aerospace engineering MSc, home- or UK-based students can expect to pay up to £13,000 to £15,000, while international students can expect to pay £26,000 per academic year.

Depending on the UK university you apply to, there might be additional fees and administrative costs that students might have to pay.

What Does Aerospace Engineering Entail?

Masters in Aerospace Engineering is a highly technical programme, requiring students’ full immersion. Students will study a wide range of specialisation courses that include traditional subjects such as materials, structures, aerodynamics, and propulsion to design aircraft and components, improve flight control, integrate systems, and other concepts.

Students will also study how to modify crafts and technology to sustain their environmental friendliness. Some of the core modules students can expect to study include the following:

  • Aero propulsion

  • Aircraft design

  • Advanced industrial control

  • Multi-sensor and decision systems

  • Advanced materials

  • Engineering alloys

  • Aviation safety and aeroelasticity

  • Industrial applications of finite element analysis

  • Design and manufacture of composites

  • And various others

After graduating with an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, students will have the prospect of pursuing a career where they can implement modern methods in research and development in sectors such as automotive, energy, defence, telecommunication, communication, and others.

You can also have posts such as:

  • Design engineer

  • Project engineer

  • Innovation manager

  • Sales and customer service, consultant

When Should You Consider Taking Aerospace Engineering?

Whether you have a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering or a degree in an engineering field that relates to the discipline, the master’s degree as well as the career after it will be competitive.

You should consider furthering your education and choosing to attain a post-grad degree if you want to achieve a higher level in research or leadership. You’ll be able to build a new defence system, design a self-driving car, invent high-speed vehicles, write new algorithms for navigation and tracking purposes, and explore new innovative territories.

A master’s in aerospace engineering also makes sense if you want to pursue further research in another area of aerospace or aeronautical engineering.

UK Universities for MSc Aerospace Engineering

Here are a few UK universities offering an MSc in Aerospace Engineering to both UK and international students:

University of Cambridge

With a 21% acceptance rate, the University of Cambridge is considered to offer the best MSc Aerospace Engineering Programme, which is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society. In addition to undergraduate, graduate, and research degrees separately, it also offers an MS ENG that you can complete in four years.

It’s a competitive programme with great repute for its research framework.

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow has a 74% acceptance rate and ranks 19th on the 2021 University League Table. The degree ranks second in the UK and first in Scotland, sustaining a strong reputation as one of the top aerospace engineering schools.

Their master’s programme is multi-disciplinary and covers a wide range of aircraft design principles. Students have access to wind tunnels, a flight simulation lab, an autonomous unmanned vehicle, a testing apparatus, and other labs for simulation and testing.

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is ranked in the 16th position. The master’s degree in aerospace engineering is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and has a 77% acceptance rate. It also offers a four-year integrated master’s degree where you can earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in four years.

After graduating, students holding an MSc in aerospace engineering can design, analyse, develop, and manufacture aircraft and aerospace vehicles. It integrates physics, materials, computers, and math.

An MSc in Aerospace Engineering opens up ways for innovators to explore new opportunities. You can be a part of an industry that is set to change the world and create spacecraft, satellites, missiles, weapons systems, and other crafts that can confront and mitigate the scientific challenges of modern times.

If you find an MSc in aerospace engineering the right way forward for your engineering career, we can help you find a programme and school that meet your academic goals. Chat with us today to begin the process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost to study aerospace engineering in UK?

Tuition fees for studying aerospace engineering in the UK range from £19,400 to £37,900 per year. It depends on the university, place, and courses.

Why should I study aerospace engineering in the UK?

Studying aerospace engineering in the UK offers numerous benefits, including access to world-class universities, cutting-edge research facilities, and close collaboration with industry leaders. The UK also provides excellent career opportunities in the aerospace sector, with a range of companies specialising in aircraft manufacturing, defence, and space technology.

What are the entry requirements for studying aerospace engineering in the UK?

Entry requirements for aerospace engineering programmes may vary depending on the university and the specific course. Generally, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent qualification with strong grades in mathematics, physics, and engineering-related subjects. International students are usually required to demonstrate proficiency in English through tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

What topics are covered in a typical aerospace engineering programme in the UK?

A typical aerospace engineering programme in the UK covers a wide range of subjects to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field. These may include aerodynamics, flight mechanics, aerospace materials, aircraft and spacecraft design, propulsion systems, structural analysis, avionics, space mission planning, and systems engineering.

What career opportunities are available for aerospace engineering graduates in the UK?

Aerospace engineering graduates in the UK have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work for aircraft manufacturing companies, aerospace research organisations, defence industries, space agencies, and consulting firms. Graduates may find employment as aerospace engineers, aircraft designers, avionics engineers, propulsion specialists, systems engineers, and flight test engineers, among other roles. The aerospace industry in the UK offers exciting and rewarding career prospects.

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