South East Technological University
Master of Engineering in Flight Test Engineering
Carlow, Ireland
M.Eng. (Master of Engineering)
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 Aug 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Master of Engineering in Flight Test Engineering at South East Technological University in Ireland develops theoretical and applied skills for testing manned and unmanned aircraft. You'll study vehicle design, propulsion and avionics, systems and instrumentation, and data-analysis methods to plan safe certification test flights, reduce flight-test data to standard atmospheric conditions and prepare results for pilots' manuals. Related keywords: UAV, flight testing, instrumentation, propulsion, avionics, certification, airworthiness.
Career Outcomes: Prepare for Avionics Engineer, Mechanical Systems Engineer, Navigation Engineer, Systems Test Engineer, Flight Control Engineer, Airworthiness Engineer, and related roles such as flight-test data analyst and UAV test specialist.
The aim of the Master's of Engineering in Flight Test Engineering is to develop theoretical and applied skills to allow graduates to work in the field of flight testing for both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. Students will learn about the overall design of flight vehicles and their associated engineering systems in order to develop the appropriate test flights as part of the certification process.
The programme will teach students how to test aerial vehicles safely, measure their performance from raw data and determine their flying qualities. Students will learn the necessary measurement techniques, instrumentation and data analysis methods required to collect and reduce flight test data to standard atmospheric conditions and then expand those results for publication in pilots' operating manuals.
As part of the programme, students will acquire comprehensive knowledge of propulsion and avionics systems, allowing them to evaluate their shortcomings and determine what flight test techniques should be used.
- Aerial Vehicle Platforms
- Electric and Hybrid Propulsion
- Flight Control Systems
- Quality and Environmental Testing
- Flight Testing
- Research Methods for Engineering
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Data Acquisition and Analysis
- Aviation Finance and Legislation
- Avionics Hardware and Software Certification
- Spacecraft Systems Engineering
- Dissertation (Engineering)
Graduates will acquire the knowledge and technical expertise to work cross-functionally and manage complex test campaigns throughout the entire lifecycle of a Flight Test project.
- Work and collaborate with test pilots, design engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers and certifying staff.
- Analyse, design, interpret performance data, pinpoint improvement strategies, and understand safety and ethical requirements related to the flight test.
- Develop the skill and technical knowledge to be the focal point of the team.
- Successful graduates of this programme may apply to undertake a PhD at SETU Carlow or other third-level institutions.
Potential employment opportunities include:
- Avionics Engineer
- Mechanical Systems Engineer
- Navigation Engineer
- Systems Test Engineer
- Flight Control Engineer
- Airworthiness Engineer
