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Aeronautical Engineering

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C-B,B,B

Must include a minimum Grade C in A-Level Mathematics, and a minimum Grade C in one of the following: Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Design and Technology, or Physics. AS-Level Physics at Grade C would also be accepted. A Pass must be achieved in all science practicals.

120 UCAS Tariff points from a QAA approved Engineering or Science subject required with Distinctions in Mathematics units. Other subjects considered on a case-by-case basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

Must be in an Engineering and Science subject with Distinctions in all Mathematics units. Acceted BTECs include Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations and Maintenance. Aviation Operations will only be accepted with additional Grade C in A-Level Mathematics and Physics. Applied Science and Electrical Engineering are not accepted for this course.

A minimum Grade C in Advanced Higher Mathematics and Physics is required.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Aeronautical engineering

**Flight remains one of mankind's greatest achievements. With technology taking aviation further, prepare for a future career in this thrilling and lucrative sector with our BEng (Hons) Aeronautical Engineering degree.**

Aeronautical engineering is the application of scientific and technological methods to research, design, develop, maintain, and performance test both civil and military aircraft. We’ve designed this BEng course to equip you with relevant technical and transferable skills in these areas, so you are ready for exciting career opportunities.

**Develop in-demand engineering knowledge and skills**
Delivered over three years – or four with a placement – you’ll study a suite of modules design to embed theoretical knowledge and creative application to help you become a world-class engineer. With a focus on real-world problems solving, you’ll explore how to improve fuel efficiency, ensure flight safety and apply using technology to take flight even further.

Initially covering core engineering topics in relation to mathematics, electrical systems, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures and dynamics, you will start to explore aircraft design, including aircraft structures, flight systems, navigation, aerodynamics and performance. As you progress, you will focus on advanced flight systems, the aerodynamics of high-speed vehicles, and structural analysis using finite element methods.

Learning takes place at our Peel Park campus, minutes from central Manchester. As an engineering student, you will experience hands-on learning using aeronautical laboratories, flight simulators and flight training system. You will also have the opportunity to gather real-time flight data with practical teaching using aircraft from Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory Centre. During the flight, the aircraft will conduct specific manoeuvres to gather flight data for your later analysis.

Collaboration is core to our values, so we strive to embed this throughout your studies. You will experience group projects that will build your confidence and capabilities in team working, problem-solving and communication - all desirable skills for real-world aeronautical engineering careers.

**Get closer to industry**
The course team has long-standing connections with the aviation industry, both in the North West and beyond. You will benefit from stimulating range of external guest lecturers, project and placement opportunities, and engagement with professional networks, as you learn about the decision-making methods used by industry.

You will also have the option to include an industry placement year between years two and three, where you can gain additional professional and transferable skills, and boost your employability once you graduate.

**Our new home for engineering**
In Autumn 2022, we opened our new £65 million hub for science, engineering and the environment - and our new home for engineering. Sustainability-designed and 100% electric powered, the building offers unrivalled teaching, learning and research facilities and provides exciting new spaces for industry collaboration.

**Features**
• Develop a deeper understanding of the theory of statics and dynamics and flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft
• Learn about aircraft design, including detailed refinement of component design and major interactions that influence the overall design effectiveness
• Assess aircraft performance by modelling aerodynamic loads and propulsion system performance, leading to key results in both steady and accelerated flight
• This course is also available with an integrated masters pathway (Ucas code: H404)

Modules

Year one modules may include: Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Materials and Electrical Systems, Engineering Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics, Engineering Structures and Engineering Dynamics, Product Engineering, Aviation Business Enterprise. Year two modules may include: Aerodynamics, Aircraft Design Enterprise, Aircraft Structures, Engineering Mathematics, Flight Systems, Navigation Systems and Aircraft Performance. Year three modules may include: Aerodynamics, Aircraft Design Enterprise, Finite Element Analysis and Structural Mechanics, Flight Systems, Industrial Management and Project Preparation, Final Year Project.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Salford

Department:

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

70%
Aeronautical engineering

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

54%
Staff make the subject interesting
70%
Staff are good at explaining things
59%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
51%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

73%
Library resources
95%
IT resources
73%
Course specific equipment and facilities
51%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

92%
UK students
8%
International students
88%
Male students
12%
Female students
69%
2:1 or above
15%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

D
D
C

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.

£20,000
low
Average annual salary
85%
low
Employed or in further education
54%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

21%
Engineering professionals
13%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
8%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals

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.

£23k

£23k

£27k

£27k

£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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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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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:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here