MEng Aerospace Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

The MEng Aerospace Engineering with Industrial Experience will provide you with a broad, well-balanced preparation for a professional career in the aerospace industry.

As a graduate from The University of Manchester, you'll be prepared for leadership positions in a successful career in industry. You'll also gain skills useful for work in other areas, such as research, management, technical development and finance. Perhaps you'd prefer to work in areas such as design or development? Or you could end up working in the testing and operation of vehicles and systems.

We'll give you a theoretical knowledge of engineering science, in addition to a solid base of practical skills, an understanding of design, comprehension of the commercial world and competence in transferable skills (problem solving, team working, creativity, adaptability and IT). You'll be taught using interactive learning approaches and using cutting-edge and industry-standard tools.

The additional MEng year combines engineering science taught in previous years into multi-faceted, commercially-realistic projects allowing you to demonstrate your applied skills in addition to your technical skills. Additional specialist units allow you to focus on advanced topics taught by world-leading researchers. The course also includes a year out on placement, working and gaining experience in a relevant industry.

The degree also provides you with an excellent route should you wish to proceed to further postgraduate research.

The sky really is the limit!

Aims

This course aims to give students a comprehensive knowledge of engineering science and a strong base of practical skills.

The year in industry gives students the ability to bring work experience into their studies and an appreciation of the application of engineering science in the workplace.

Our MEng course gives you hands-on industrial and commercial experience to boost your career prospects and therefore our graduates are well prepared to take up leadership positions in a successful career in industry.

When you complete the course, you will have:

  • A comprehensive knowledge of engineering science and a strong base of practical skills
  • The skills to begin a successful career in industry
  • Transferable skills, particularly team working, creativity and adaptability
  • A route into more specialised postgraduate study 

Special features

We're getting ready to move into a £400million Manchester Engineering Campus Development. Learn more

Additional course information

We do not currently offer Erasmus placements in this School. If you have queries about study abroad options, please contact the International Programmes Office  who will be able to advise you further.

Teaching and learning

The course is taught via a combination of lectures, tutorial classes, practical laboratory sessions and computer-based sessions, There is a design project each year, which involves teamwork in small groups, and allows you to apply and develop your problem-solving and project management skills.  In the third year you will undertake an individual project, allowing you to pursue a particular subject or application area in greater depth.

Coursework and assessment

Most course units are assessed through an examination (at the end of the semester) and coursework which is undertaken throughout the year.  Parts of the coursework are, in many instances, associated with practical laboratory sessions, whilst others may be based on problem sheets, reports etc. A few subjects, for example Design, are assessed purely on coursework. For detailed information about how different subjects are assessed, please see the course unit specifications below.

Course unit details

The first year establishes a strategic overview of the main areas of aerospace engineering and introduces the underlying science and mathematics. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of aerospace vehicles and systems as well as developing basic knowledge and skills applicable to all areas of engineering such as mechanics, structures, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and engineering design. 

The second and third years develop the key knowledge and understanding necessary to enter industry, or postgraduate study. You will cover key aspects of aircraft and spacecraft systems, performance and design. Students will also develop further knowledge and skills in the key engineering disciplines of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures, dynamics and control. In the third year students will also have the opportunity to undertake an individual project linking with and supporting industrial or academic research within the university.

Between later years, the year in industry is taken (usually between years three and four) which gives students the opportunity to work alongside professional engineers, learn new skills, and ultimately bring those back to their studies for a final year.

The final year comprises a full-year aerospace vehicle design and build project combining all of the engineering science taught up to this point. In addition to the design project, research-inspired specialist units are taught giving students the option to focus on their exact desired discipline.

Course content for year 1

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Aerospace Design AERO10301 10 Mandatory
Fluid Mechanics for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineers AERO10421 10 Mandatory
PASS (Aerospace Engineering) AERO10930 0 Mandatory
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering AERO12001 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Computer Aided Engineering AERO12101 10 Mandatory
Structures 1 (Aero) CIVL11001 10 Mandatory
Electrical Engineering Fundamentals EEEN10492 10 Mandatory
Mathematics 1M2 MATH19662 10 Mandatory
Materials 1 (Aerospace) MECH10002 10 Mandatory
Workshop Practice MECH10020 0 Mandatory
Manufacturing Engineering 1 (Aerospace) MECH11122 10 Mandatory
Mechanics (Aerospace) MECH11622 10 Mandatory
Aerospace and Mechanical Thermodynamics MECH12012 10 Mandatory
Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 1

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Modelling & Simulation 2 (Aerospace) AERO20062 10 Mandatory
Fluid Mechanics 2 AERO20121 10 Mandatory
Aerospace Field Course AERO20230 0 Mandatory
Aircraft Performance and Design AERO20400 20 Mandatory
Space Systems AERO21111 10 Mandatory
Structures 2 (Aerospace) AERO21211 10 Mandatory
Avionics AERO21412 10 Mandatory
Project Management (Aero/Mech) ENGM22491 10 Mandatory
Mathematics 2M1 MATH29661 10 Mandatory
Workshop Practice MECH20020 0 Mandatory
Applied Thermodynamics (Aerospace) MECH20432 10 Mandatory
Dynamics MECH20442 10 Mandatory
Numerical Methods & Computing (Aerospace) MECH20542 10 Mandatory
Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Control Engineering (Aerospace) AERO30481 10 Mandatory
Individual Project (Aerospace) AERO31030 30 Mandatory
Aerospace Propulsion AERO31212 10 Mandatory
Structures 3 (Aerospace) AERO31302 10 Mandatory
Aircraft Aerodynamics AERO31321 10 Mandatory
Vibrations & Aeroelasticity (Aerospace) AERO31441 10 Mandatory
Conceptual Aerospace Systems Design AERO31521 10 Mandatory
Flight Dynamics AERO32202 10 Mandatory
Modelling & Simulation 3 AERO30052 10 Optional
Heat Transfer MECH30432 10 Optional

Course content for year 4

Course units for year 4

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Aerospace Group Design Project AERO41520 30 Mandatory
Data-driven Modelling & Simulation AERO40041 15 Optional
Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics AERO40122 15 Optional
Autonomous Mobile Robots AERO40492 15 Optional
Helicopters AERO41222 15 Optional
Experimental Methods AERO42021 15 Optional
Launch and Re-entry Gas Dynamics AERO42111 15 Optional
Legal Issues ENGM40461 15 Optional
Engineering Foresight ENGM41011 15 Optional
Advanced Heat Transfer MECH40051 15 Optional
Composites and Polymers MECH40102 15 Optional
Advanced Power MECH40562 15 Optional
Structural Integrity MECH43002 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 4

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. 

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see further details on our Department website.

What our students say

'I originally decided to study Aerospace Engineering because I was fascinated by aviation technology and wanted to pursue a career which would be rewarding and exciting.

The staff and facilities at the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil engineering are excellent. Not only can you expect the equipment and teaching to fully support your academic studies, but there are also many opportunities for personal development through mentoring other students and leading or being a member of a society or taking part in an industrial partnership. Importantly, it is well known that as a university student, it is not all work. Living in Manchester gives you plenty of choice when it comes to activities and having a good time.

My Industrial Experience year at Rolls-Royce was invaluable. I was able to get an early insight into how the theory learnt in the first two academic years can be applied to develop some truly impressive technology and products. The experience also helped me in my final two years during the challenges faced in my individual and group projects.

Having thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University of Manchester, I completed my course and I am now employed in an engineering role at Rolls-Royce. The skills and knowledge I gained at University have allowed me to enter into an exciting industry with opportunities to travel and live abroad. An Aerospace Engineering degree from The University of Manchester is a solid foundation for a future career in Engineering and other fields'.

Tom Hanson, MEng Aerospace Engineering with Industrial Experience

Facilities

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The future of engineering education at Manchester, MECD.

The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering has an incredible array of facilities, including fixed flight simulators, laser labs, wind tunnels and much more. 

Our facilities allow us to conduct innovative research on real-world problems. Explore the machinery and equipment available throughout our Department .

The University of Manchester also offers extensive  library and online services  to help you get the most out of your studies.

Manchester's Engineering Campus Development, MECD. 

Get ready to collaborate, create and innovate in a brand-new £400m purpose-built building which will allow you, our future engineers and material scientists, to come together and make your mark on the world. The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) will officially open from September 2022 and will include hundreds of flexible teaching and learning spaces with unrivalled world-class research facilities - whatever your inspiration, with MECD the possibilities are endless.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk