Master of Science
MSc Aerospace Engineering
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Overview
Course overview
- Number-one most targeted university by top graduate employers (THE Graduate Market, 2023)
- The first English university to offer an engineering degree, and we continue to lead the way - from computational fluid dynamics to how engineering impacts public policy
- 2nd in the UK for Research Power in Engineering in latest REF Results (2021)
- The preferred academic partner for BAE Systems in both experimental aerodynamics and dynamic loads
- Our strong links with industry also include: Airbus, Rolls-Royce, EADS, Dstl, MBDA, and ESTEC/ESA
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Explore how you'll make your mark
Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.
You will explore the following goals in your course:
- Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Open days
We're delighted to hear you're interested in studying with us for your master's.
Take a look at our Meet Us page to find out when our next information sessions are taking place, and when you can next join us at a study fair near you.
For any further questions, we encourage you to get in touch - we're happy to help.
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 5300
- pg.mae.ce@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.manchester.ac.uk/mae/
- School/Faculty overview
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The School of Engineering creates a world of possibilities for students pursuing skills and understanding. Through dynamic research and teaching we develop engineering solutions that make a difference to society in an ethical and sustainable way. Science-based engineering is at the heart of what we do, and through collaboration we support the engineers and scientists of tomorrow to become technically strong, analytically innovative and creative. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
The standard academic entry requirement for this programmeis an Upper Second Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.Please note that we consider grades achieved in key relevant modules in your undergraduate degree as well as the overall degree result.
English language
• IELTS: overall score of 7.0 with no sub-test below 6.5.
• TOEFL iBT: at least 100 overall with no sub-test less than 22. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
• Pearson PTE: at least 76 overall with no sub-test below 70.
• Pre-sessional English run by the University Centre for Academic English
• An acceptable equivalent English Language qualification.
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
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MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £16,300
International, including EU, students (per annum): £38,400
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our Manchester Master's Bursaries are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.
We also welcome the best and brightest international students each year and reward excellence with a number of merit-based scholarships. See our range of master’s scholarships for international students .
And, if you have completed an undergraduate degree at The University of Manchester, or are currently in your final year of an undergraduate degree with us, you may be eligible for a discount of 10% on tuition fees if you choose to study on a taught postgraduate course here. Find out if you're eligible and how to apply .
For more information on master's tuition fees and studying costs, visit the University of Manchester funding for master's courses website to help you plan your finances.
Application and selection
How to apply
The application deadline for this course is 31 March 2026. We may consider late applications if it is possible. All places are subject to availability. We therefore recommend that you apply early.
Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must meet all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2026.
Advice to applicants
- Transcript of your studies to date including credit weighting and grades achieved. If your academic documents are in languages other than English, please provide them in their original version and official translations. 2+2 and 3+1 applicants must provide official transcripts and certificates from both institutions.
- An official document from your university verifying your current weighted average mark (not arithmetic average) if this information is not included in your transcript of study. Please note : where grades are given as a percentage, the weighted average mark must also be recorded as a percentage, not as a GPA grade.
- If still studying, please provide an official list of all the modules you are taking in your final year.
- Degree certificate if you have already graduated.
- A CV if you graduated more than three years ago.
How your application is considered
We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.
If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
CAS Information
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
If you have previously studied in the UK on a Student Route Visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Student Route Visa application.
ATAS Information
If you receive an offer from us you should apply for an ATAS clearance certificate if your course requires it, unless you're exempt because you're a national of the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA.
Your Student Route Visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one. For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate, please see the information in our ATAS Guidance .
Do not apply for ATAS until contacted by your admissions team, as the information required is subject to change. Failure to obtain a correct ATAS certificate will prevent our ability to issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
Deferrals
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
Immerse yourself in the innovative world of Aerospace Engineering, guided by globally-renowed research at The University of Manchester.
Our comprehensive course prepares you for a career in everything from helicopters and heat transfer, to aerodynamics and aerospace design, providing you with the ideal balance of pioneering research and hands-on application. Computational fluid dynamics, turbulence modelling, flow diagnostics - with this foundation, you can specialise as you choose.
Designed to match cutting-edge research with industry problem-solving, our graduates find themselves in the fortunate position of entering the workforce as the most sought-after in the UK (THE Graduate Market, 2023). Our robust connections with industry include: BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls Royce, DSTL, USAF, SBAC, and North West Development Agency.
Whether you're a recent engineering or science graduate, a seasoned engineering professional in technical and commercial management, or even someone transitioning from closely related disciplines like Mechanics, Mathematics, or Physics, this Master's programme is meticulously designed to nurture your potential and launch you into the thriving world of aerospace innovation.
Teaching and learning
The Aerospace Engineering MSc is a full time course which is studied over 12 months and there is one start date each year in September.You will develop advanced technical skills in Aerospace Engineering that will enable you to pursue a career in both general and specialised engineering industries or develop an in depth knowledge for a career in research in industry or academia.
Course unit details
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
AERO61520 | 30 | Mandatory | |
AERO62000 | 60 | Mandatory | |
AERO62021 | 15 | Mandatory | |
AERO65001 | 15 | Mandatory | |
AERO60122 | 15 | Optional | |
AERO60492 | 15 | Optional | |
AERO60711 | 15 | Optional | |
AERO61222 | 15 | Optional | |
AERO62211 | 15 | Optional | |
MECH60102 | 15 | Optional | |
Displaying 10 of 12 course units | |||
Display all course units |
Related research
- Low and high speed wind tunnels
- Shock tubes
- Flight simulator
- Finite Element and Computational Fluid Dynamics software
- Computing laboratory with parallel computing clusters
- Low speed water tunnel
- Instrumentation for flow and heat transfer measurements
- Optical diagnostic systems for flow measurement and visualisation
- Combustor and heat transfer rigs for gas turbine related experiments
- Aerospace structures and composite materials research laboratory
- Systems and dynamics research infrastructure
- Impact and explosion research facilities
- Manufacturing and Laser Processing research laboratory
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
With a strong focus on employability and excellent industry connections, this course is designed to provide you with the opportunities and options needed to enter a career in the area you're truly passionate about.
Upon completion of this course, you will be in a strong position to seek employment with companies such as: Airbus, Rolls Royce, GE Aviation, Airbus, Bombardier Transportation, BAE Systems, MBDA, SAFRAN, GKN Aerospace, Spirit, Finmeccanica, EDF, BP, Schlumberger, and more.
Not only are our graduates the most sought-after in the UK (THE Graduate Market, 2023), but the UK Aerospace sector is currently the second largest in the world. Furthermore, each year our careers fairs, workshops and presentations attract more than 600 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors to target Manchester graduates - so you will be able to explore your avenues across a multitude of sectors.
Example careers:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Airframe Manufacturer
- Defence Laboratory Specialist
- Drone Developer
- Engineering Consultant
- Gas Turbine and Aircraft Systems Specialist
- Postgraduate Research
- Project Management
- Satellite Engineer
- Spacecraft Systems Engineer
Accrediting organisations
This course is currently in the process of being re-accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society under license from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council for the 2025 to 2030 intakes. The process of renewing accreditation takes place regularly, at intervals of no greater than 5 years, to assure continued compliance with the academic requirements of professional accreditation. This course has been consistently accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers since 2009, and the outcome of the current re-accreditation process for September 2025 entry is due to be confirmed in June after which we will be able to update you further.
Students completing an IMechE/RAeS accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.