BEng in Aerospace Engineering - Space Technology

What you will study

You can choose to take an optional sandwich year between Years 2 and 3 (BEng (Hons)) and Year 3 (MEng only). MEng students have to study and earn 120 credits in Year 3 while taking their industrial placement using work-based learning by carrying out an industrial individual project as well as applied business and management analysis. They also need to study an aerospace engineering science module using a blended/distance learning model (subject to RAeS accreditation).

The Space Technology pathway is the same as the standard programme for the first two years but students are expected to work on a space-related project in the Engineering Project Management module at level 5. In the final year, students must take Space Vehicle Design and work on a space-related individual project and group project.

Year 1

Year 1 provides an introduction to aerospace engineering under Professional Practice and will underpin the skills and knowledge required for further specialised study. You will study a mix of analytical subjects, such as mathematics, structures, dynamics, electronics, thermodynamics and engineering applications, alongside an introduction to the profession of engineering.

Core modules

• Introduction to Engineering Design and Manufacture
• Engineering Mechanics, Structures & Materials
• Engineering Mathematics and Computing Applications
• Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Science

Year 2

Year 2 will introduce you to specialised topics in aerospace engineering such as aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, dynamics and materials. It includes further study of mathematics, electronics, control and computing. A design-orientated module (Aerospace Engineering Design and Project Management) will apply the principles taught in the other modules to problems of aerospace design.

Core modules

• Aerodynamics, Propulsion and Analytical Methods
• Electronic Systems, Control and Computing
• Engineering Project Management
• Aerospace Structures, Materials and Dynamics

Year 3

In Year 3, you will deepen your knowledge of specialised aerospace engineering subjects and will broaden your expertise in other areas of engineering. BEng students undertake a major group design project and an individual research project along with business and management as well as further and more in-depth studies of aerodynamics, propulsion, structure, materials and dynamics including applied computational techniques widely used in industry. MEng students have the opportunity of integrating industrial placement with further studies using a combination of work-based learning as well as blended and distance learning (subject to accreditation by RAeS).

Aerospace Engineering core modules

• Further Aerodynamics Propulsion and Computational Techniques
• Further Aerospace Structures, Materials and Dynamics
• Business Management and Group Project
• Aerospace Individual Project (BEng)

Aerospace Engineering (Space Technology) core modules

• Space Vehicle Design
• Business Management and Group Project
• Aerospace Individual Project (BEng)

Aerospace Engineering (Space Technology) optional modules

• Further Aerodynamics Propulsion and Computational Techniques
• Further Aerospace Structures, Materials and Dynamics

Year 4

Year 4 of the MEng course includes a multidisciplinary group design project that helps to integrate and apply your academic knowledge, develop your teamworking and communication skills, and increase your understanding of real-world engineering issues.

Aerospace Engineering core modules

• Aerospace Stress Analysis and Advanced Materials
• Computational Fluid Dynamics for Aerospace Applications
• Integrated Design Project

Aerospace Engineering (Space Technology) core modules

• Space Mission Analysis and Design
• Integrated Design Project

Aerospace Engineering (Space Technology) optional modules

• Computational Fluid Dynamics for Aerospace Applications
• Aerospace Stress Analysis and Advanced Materials

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Our graduates have gained jobs with Boeing, BAE Systems, Qinetiq, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Thales, General Electric and British Airways. Many graduates go on to study at the master's and doctoral levels.

Types of jobs

• Production engineer
• Repair engineer
• Applications engineer
• Contract loader
• Civil servant
• Telemetry and loads analysis engineer
• Bid manager