Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
Study in the UK's aerospace hub on a course developed with some of the biggest names in engineering.
Engineering is where creative thinkers become world changers. An aerospace engineering degree will challenge you to ask questions, take risks and explore new perspectives.
You'll turn ideas into reality, applying the principles of science and technology to the research, design, manufacture and certification of current and future aerospace vehicles.
If you're fascinated by the history, technology and progress of aircraft and spacecraft, we'll take your passion and transform it into career-shaping skill and experience.
Our new inclusive, problem-based curriculum will broaden our engineering audience, enabling students from a wider range of backgrounds to pursue a career in engineering. To date, we're the first university in the UK to transform our curriculum alongside constructing a new engineering building.
The course is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society on behalf of the Engineering Council.
Our BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering has been designed with input from our regional aerospace partners. You'll gain the practical skills needed to become future technical specialists and leaders within the aerospace industry.
You'll be taught in our new state-of-the-art School of Engineering, designed to revolutionise the way engineering is taught. Featuring engine test cells, dedicated collaborative learning spaces and all the latest high-tech equipment, it's purpose-built to support a wide range of engineering disciplines.
As a student engineer, you'll start your professional journey towards becoming an incorporated or chartered engineer from day one. You'll learn by doing, applying and revisiting your early skills through embedded project weeks and development of digital and physical prototypes, as you would in practice.
There's an increasing demand for qualified aerospace engineers, so you'll graduate with sought after skills and good employability prospects. Choose from broad career options, from working on the design and manufacture of civil and military aircraft, to working with helicopters and jet engines.
Read how this course enabled a student to build a car.
Step inside our new School of Engineering building at UWE Bristol.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
You'll study:
If you study on the four year sandwich course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
*This module is not available to study if you complete the placement year.
Plus, four optional modules from:
**Only available to students transferring to this course from our MEng or BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies. Due to its credit value, students who study this module can only choose two further optional modules from this list.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
"My course provided me with the technical knowledge to thrive in a commercial world, including project management, data analysis, initiative and problem-solving skills. These skills helped me to find an engineering role as an Associate Consultant at OnePLM." Amandeep, 2021 Aerospace Engineering graduate
Learn through lectures, tutorials and seminars with a programme of laboratory, practical and project work.
You'll design, develop and optimise a model aircraft in the first year Introduction to Aeronautics module. You'll have the opportunity to undertake a flight test course in a real aircraft in your third year and you'll also work in group projects to such as the ImechE Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Challenge.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29% | 71% | 0% |
| 2 | 25% | 75% | 0% |
| 3 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Learn through lectures, tutorials and seminars with a programme of laboratory, practical and project work.
You'll design, develop and optimise a model aircraft in the first year Introduction to Aeronautics module. You'll have the opportunity to undertake a flight test course in a real aircraft in your third year and you'll also work in group projects to such as the ImechE Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Challenge.
Learn more about assessments.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 64% | 25% | 11% |
| 2 | 43% | 56% | 1% |
| 3 | 27% | 69% | 4% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
The course is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society on behalf of the Engineering Council.
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
If you choose the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend your third year away from the University on a work placement.
We work in partnership with Bristol employers like Airbus, Rolls Royce, GE Aviation and Leonardo Helicopters. We also have strong relationships with smaller companies across the UK.
They provide work placements and graduate employment opportunities for our students. Past students have worked with Airbus, GE Aviation, E-Stress, Rolls Royce, Qinetic and Lockeed Martin.
Get help to find your placement and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
Throughout the course, you'll see aerospace engineering in action at a range of facilities.
This includes visits to Airbus, GKN and the National Composites Centre and museums such as the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil.
In First year, you'll design and build a model glider aircraft's wings, then race it against the competition.
Our new engineering building is designed to inspire the engineers of the future. Built for hands-on investigation, with engine test cells, wind tunnels and collaborative learning spaces. An ideal environment for encouraging you to explore, take risks and discover ways to change the world for the better.
Apply what you've learned and develop vital professional skills in well-equipped facilities.
Design, model and simulate new aerospace concepts using industry-standard computer-aided design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation and planning software on our extensive PC network.
Test vehicle aerodynamics in our subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels. Develop and test materials using our composite manufacturing facilities and stress and materials laboratories.
Try out designs using our industry standard flight simulator, which you can update with your prototype aircraft's model data to validate its handling qualities and performance.
A mix of traditional and hands-on learning environments helps you quickly take on essential knowledge and skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Get a feel for the Engineering facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Our BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering will equip you with industry knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the aerospace design and build process. You'll study materials and manufacturing, stress and dynamics, energy and thermodynamics to gain a solid grounding in aerospace engineering principles.
Graduate ready to take up your place within the exciting, fast-paced aerospace industry. You'll develop core skills that you'll take with you through your career, such as innovation, teamwork and creativity.
Our course will prepare you for employment in leading aerospace companies such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, MBDA, Boeing and GE Systems. Past graduates have gone into careers in the design and manufacture of civil and military aircraft, helicopters and jet engines.
Get an inside track on the industry through regular factory tours and professional briefings from leading aerospace organisations, and work on placements to build up valuable experience and professional skills.
In your second year, you'll also have the opportunity to specialise through the Systems, Design and Manufacturing pathways, allowing you to follow your career aspirations.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
Prospects - careers in engineering
The Guardian - what to do with a degree in mechanical engineering
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in English language requirements.
Maths requirement can also be met by the Cambridge Pre-U Mathematics at Merit 3.
To include Merit in one of the following units: Further Engineering Mathematics or Further Mathematics for Construction. Please list the units you are taking in your application. For further advice on acceptable units please email us.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (with Foundation Year).
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our pre-sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644