BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (with Foundation Year)
This course is open for applications
Introduction
Study in the UK's aerospace hub on a course developed with some of the biggest names in engineering.
Accreditations and partnerships:
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?
BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering has been designed in response to an increasing demand for qualified aerospace engineers. Developed with input from regional aerospace partners, it will to give you the industry-relevant skills and attributes you need to become a technical specialist and future leader 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 second year, you'll have the opportunity to specialise through the Systems, Design and Manufacturing pathways.
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 of the latest high-tech equipment, it's purpose-built to support a wide range of engineering disciplines.
The course has been accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society on behalf of the Engineering Council, up to and including the 2024 intake and re-accreditation is currently being sought for the intakes from 2025 onwards.
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.
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year zero (foundation year)
You'll study:
- Engineering Experimentation
- Foundation Group Project
- Foundation Mathematics: Algebra and Calculus
- Foundation Mechanics
- Introduction to Mechatronics.
You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.
Year one
You'll study:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Aerospace Thermofluids
- Dynamics Modelling and Simulation
- Engineering Practice 1
- Solid Mechanics Materials and Manufacturing.
Year two
You'll study:
- Aerospace Systems Design
- Engineering Practice 2
- Engineering Research
- Flight
- Fundamental Aero-Propulsion
- Fundamental Aerodynamics
- Structural Mechanics.
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.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Year three (Final Year for BEng)
You'll study:
- Aerospace Group Design Project
- Engineering Project
- Professionalism for Engineers.*
*Not available to study if you complete the placement year.
Plus, four optional modules from:
- Aero Structures
- Airline Operations**
- Avionics
- Composite Engineering
- Control Engineering
- Digital Manufacturing in Aerospace
- Further Aero-Propulsion
- Further Aerodynamics
- Integrated Electro-Mechanical Systems
- Space Engineering
- Spaceflight.
**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.
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 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.
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.
Learn more about assessments.
Features
Professional accreditation
The course has been accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society on behalf of the Engineering Council, up to and including the 2024 intake and re-accreditation is currently being sought for the intakes from 2025 onwards.
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 study on 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 College 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 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.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Engineering facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Take a look at the Engineering building
Step inside our new School of Engineering building at UWE Bristol.
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
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.
Additional resources
Fees*
Full-time; Sandwich course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further 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
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 80
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
- English Language Requirement:
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 our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering.
International applicants
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644