MEng
Aerospace Engineering
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About this course
- Entry year:
- 2019/20
- Course code:
- H404
- Applications:
- UCAS
- Level:
- Undergraduate
- Tariff points:
- 120
- Department:
- Engineering Design and Mathematics
- Campus:
- Frenchay
- Duration:
- Four years full time; five years sandwich.
- Delivery:
- Full time, sandwich
- Programme leader:
- Dr Budi Chandra
- Key fact:
- Study in the UK's aerospace hub on a course developed with aerospace partners.
Page last updated 1 August 2019
Introduction
Why study aerospace 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 as you apply 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.
Why UWE Bristol?
MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering has been designed in response to an increasing demand for qualified aerospace engineers and with input from regional aerospace partners to give you the industry relevant skills and graduate attributes needed to become the technical specialists and leaders of tomorrow within the aerospace industry.
This course equips you with industry knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the aerospace design and build process.
Study materials and manufacturing, stress and dynamics, energy and thermodynamics to gain a solid grounding in aerospace engineering principles in your first year. Specialise in your second year through the Systems, Design and Manufacturing pathways.
From 2020, you'll be taught in our new multi-million pound Engineering building. Featuring engine test cells, wind tunnels and dedicated learning spaces, it's purpose-built to support a wide range of engineering disciplines.
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.
Graduate ready to take up your place within the exciting, fast-paced aerospace industry.
Where can it take me?
As a graduate, you'll be set for a career in the aerospace industry.
Job opportunities range from working on the design and manufacture of civil and military aircraft, to working with helicopters and jet engines.
Read why Jana transferred to UWE Bristol to finish her BEng(Hons) in Aerospace Engineering.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You will study:
- Stress and Dynamics
- Design, Materials and Manufacturing
- Engineering Mathematics
- Energy and Thermodynamics
- Introduction to Aeronautics.
Year two
You will study:
- Aerodynamics and Flight
- Engineering Mathematics 2
- Project Management
- Aero-Structures.
Plus one of three optional pathways:
Design:
- Design, Materials and CAD/CAM
- Stress Analysis.
Manufacturing:
- Design, Materials and CAD/CAM
- Mechatronics.
Systems:
- Aircraft Systems, Avionics and Control
- Mechatronics.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Year three
You will study:
- MEng Individual Project Part A
- Aero-Propulsion.
Plus one optional module from:
- Business Environment
- Industrial Placement
- Engineering and Society.
You'll then continue with your chosen pathway:
Design:
- Structural Design and Inspection
- Systems Engineering.
Plus one optional module from:
- Applied Aerodynamics
- Spaceflight.
Manufacturing:
- Structural Design and Inspection
- Managing Advanced Manufacturing
- Machine Vision.
Systems
- Systems Engineering
- Avionics and Control 3.
Plus one optional module from:
- Applied Aerodynamics
- Spaceflight.
You can leave after year three with a BEng or continue to year four to complete your MEng.
Year four (MEng)
You will study:
- MEng Individual Project Part B
- MEng Group Project.
You will then continue with your chosen pathway:
Design:
- Aerodynamics C
- Aeroacoustics
- Aircraft Structures
- Aeroelasticity.
Manufacturing:
- Electromechanical Systems Integration
- Concurrent Engineering
- Principles of Lean Engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing.
Systems:
- Electromechanical Systems Integration
- Concurrent Engineering
- Principles of Lean Engineering.
Plus one optional module from:
- Flight Test and Airworthiness
- Avionic Systems
- Safety Critical Embedded Systems
- Industrial Applications of Vision and Automation.
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 will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
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 undertakea flight test course in a real aircraft in your third year and you'll also work in group projects to such as the ImechE Umnanned 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 | 22% | 78% | 0% |
| 4 | 18% | 82% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Assessment
You can expect to be assessed through a mix of assignments, exams, continuous assessment and group work depending on the module. In your final year, a project report and presentation will form part of the assessment.
We encourage you to exhibit your final year work at our annual degree show, where you can discuss your work and celebrate your achievements with family, friends and potential employers.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
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 | 30% | 66% | 4% |
| 4 | 19% | 70% | 11% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
Placements
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 five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
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 department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Read more about our partner employers and how students benefit from their placements.
Fieldwork
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 your first year, you'll design and build a model glider aircraft's wings, then race it against the competition.
Study facilities
Our new engineering building is designed to inspire the engineers of the future. Opening in summer 2020, it'll be 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 learnt and develop vital professional skills in our state-of-the-art facilities.
- Design and draw new concepts using CAD, simulation and planning software on our extensive PC network.
- Test aerodynamics in our subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels.
- Develop and test materials using our composite manufacturing facilities, and stress and materials laboratories.
- Test designs using our state-of-the-art flight simulator, which you can update with model data to test the flight mechanics and aerodynamics of design concepts.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Careers
Careers / Further study
This 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 inspired
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
Fees
Full time course
| Fees | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Home/EU-Full Time-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 |
| Home/EU-Full Time-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 |
| International-Full Time-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 13000 |
| International-Full Time-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1625 |
| Offshore-Full Time-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 |
| Offshore-Full Time-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 |
Full time course with placement year
| Fees | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Home/EU-Sandwich-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 |
| Home/EU-Sandwich-Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 |
| Home/EU-Sandwich-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 |
| Home/EU-Sandwich-Placement Year Fee | 1156 |
| Home/EU-Sandwich-Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 |
| International-Sandwich-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 13000 |
| International-Sandwich-Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 13000 |
| International-Sandwich-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1625 |
| International-Sandwich-Placement Year Fee | 1625 |
| International-Sandwich-Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 11375 |
| Offshore-Sandwich-Annual (Per Year) Fee | 9250 |
| Offshore-Sandwich-Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 9250 |
| Offshore-Sandwich-Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1156 |
| Offshore-Sandwich-Placement Year Fee | 1156 |
| Offshore-Sandwich-Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year | 8094 |
Indicative Additional Costs
| Fees | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Additional Course Costs - Full Time - Home/EU - Indicative Maximum Cost Per year | 160 |
Supplementary fee information
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 five year course and then transfer to the four 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
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.
Entry
We are pleased to confirm that our New students webpages are now available for students starting this course in September 2019. Here you can find links to useful information about registering, course start dates, arriving on campus what to expect before and when you arrive.
We automatically send a message via your Welcome website plus an email to notify you once your Preparing to Study information is available. It is important that you regularly check your Welcome website for new messages.
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 120
- GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Grade B/5 or above in Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
- A-level subjects: Grade C or above in Mathematics, plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology; Chemistry; Computing/Computer Science; Design and Technology; Electronics; Engineering; ICT; Further Maths; Music Technology; Physics; Statistics. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-Levels.
- Specific subjects: Maths requirement can also be met by the Cambridge Pre-U Mathematics at Merit 3
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: One of the following BTEC Diplomas: Aeronautical Engineering; Construction and the Built Environment; Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Engineering; Land-based Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; or Operations and Maintenance Engineering. Must include Merit in one of the following units: Further Engineering Mathematics or Further Mathematics for Construction. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
- Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma; to include 15 Level 3 credits at Merit in Mathematics and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit in another science or technology subject. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
- Baccalaureate IB: To include a minimum grade of 5 in higher level Mathematics and a pass at higher level in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies
Entry requirements
We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.
If you don't meet the entry requirements of this course you may be eligible for Foundation Year entry into this or other related degree courses.
If you receive an offer for this course, you may be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day in February or March. These are a great opportunity to find out what it's really like to study here. You'll experience taster lectures or workshops, meet your course tutors, current students and other offer holders.
Read more about entry requirements.
UWE Bristol's International College
If you are an international student and do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
English language support
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Offer Types
If you have not received your exam results, your offer from UWE Bristol will be conditional and will be subject to you achieving the tariff points/grades required for your course.
If you have already satisfied the academic entry requirements of your chosen course, you are likely to be made an unconditional offer. Please note that UWE Bristol will only make unconditional offers if you have already achieved your qualifications.
To make sure our applicants are academically prepared for when they start their studies at UWE Bristol, we do not make unconditional offers to those that are still studying their Level 3 qualifications (such as A levels, BTEC, Access or equivalent). We hope that this will encourage our applicants to value their academic achievements as much as we do.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
For further information
- Email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333