Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering BEng

Course overview

Aeronautical and aerospace engineering is concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft – using science and engineering, computational and analytical skills to design vehicles and structures that interact with the earth’s atmosphere and beyond.

From choosing materials which maximise structural strength to optimising aerodynamics and fuel economy, today’s industry-leading aeronautical and aerospace engineers are developing new technologies for use in aviation, defence systems, and spacecraft.

Studying an aeronautical and aerospace engineering degree at Leeds will develop your abilities in mathematics, physics, materials and computer science, backed-up with a strong design philosophy – all of which will equip you to design, analyse, manufacture and operate aircraft and aerospace vehicles. You’ll be prepared to help meet the challenges facing the aerospace sector.

Our active Industrial Advisory Board helps inform the development of this course to ensure that it is up to date with industry developments and requirements. That’s one of the reasons why our graduates are so in demand from industry, and why our courses are accredited by the leading professional bodies.

Why study at Leeds:

• This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
• Get hands on with practical work in each year of study by putting into practice what you have learned by designing, manufacturing and assembling devices and testing their performance.
• This is a practical course, so you’ll benefit from specialist facilities including extensive lab space and equipment such as wind tunnels, our high-spec computer cluster for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) work and computational modelling, in aerodynamic analysis for example, and workshop facilities for various rapid prototyping systems.
• You’ll develop your programming skills in industry standard languages like Matlab and for microprocessor systems, giving you everything you need to get started on your career in engineering.
• Test your learned knowledge in various practical activities and events throughout the course including designing, building and testing a model aircraft and gaining hands-on flying experience at The National Flying Laboratory Centre.
• Benefit from our globally recognised research that feeds directly into your course and shapes what you learn at Leeds with the latest thinking.
• Develop your experience and boost your career prospects with our industrial placement opportunities or study abroad programmes.
• At the end of your second year, there’s the possibility of transferring to the four-year integrated Masters (MEng, BEng).
• Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society MechEngSoc. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds who share your passion for mechanical engineering.

Related course

Want to give your CV that competitive edge? Take a look at our degree that includes an industrial placement year, giving you the opportunity to build key professional skills and gain invaluable work experience that could set you apart in the jobs market when you graduate.

Accreditation

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council.

This BEng degree is accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Course details

The first two years of our degree courses share the same set of compulsory modules, giving you the flexibility to switch between our different degrees. In your final year, you’ll take specialist modules in aerospace and aeronautical engineering.

You’ll also study engineering ethics throughout your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of study. This training will advance your critical thinking, communication and creative problem-solving skills which are crucial to employers, but it will also help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you may encounter in your professional life in the engineering industry.

Each academic year, you'll take a total of 120 credits.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering BEng in the course catalogue

Years 1 and 2

You’ll study compulsory modules to establish the core mechanical engineering principles required by all branches of mechanical engineering. You’ll also undertake design and manufacture projects. In your first year, you’ll work in a team to design, build and test a small-scale wooden glider, and your second-year project will be to design, build and test a Mars Rover and controller under challenging terrain.

Since many mechanical engineers go on to positions where they have management responsibilities, you’ll also develop your knowledge of business practices by studying economics and management, taught by the Leeds University Business School.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Computers in Engineering Analysis – 20 credits

This is an introductory module that aims to equip you with a practical set of computing skills using MATLAB and Arduino-based microcontroller systems, enabling you to solve engineering problems. Computing skills are increasingly important to engineers seeking to measure, analyse and control physical systems and are hugely valuable when you’re working in industry.

Design and Manufacture 1 – 20 credits

Explore the engineering design of simple assemblies using an engineering methodology, including preparation of simple specifications, sketches and a solid model using a CAD system. You'll also get hands-on experience, manufacturing a simple mechanical prototype using workshop hand tools.

Thermofluids 1 – 20 credits

Discover the fundamental theories of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, along with their practical application. The module covers fundamental concepts of fluid statics and dynamics, as well as the conservation of mass, energy and momentum, applying these to engineering problems. In thermodynamics, you’ll be introduced to real/perfect gases and thermodynamic cycles. This module also includes four laboratory practicals.

Solid Mechanics – 20 credits

Learn the basic engineering principles required for analysing motion and the forces that produce it. You’ll also develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of structural analysis and its application to the general field of engineering. You’ll be able to apply structural analysis techniques to tackle typical dynamics and structural problems and produce solutions for applications in mechanical engineering.

Engineering Materials – 20 credits

Develop a good understanding of engineering principles relating to structure-property relationships and how these can be controlled by various manufacturing methods including heat treatment. You'll learn how to distinguish between microstructure, crystal structure and other material aspects determined by intrinsic bonding.

Engineering Mathematics – 20 credits

This module covers the core mathematical concepts, notation and techniques – including skills in mathematical modelling and problem solving – all of which you’ll need throughout your degree – and beyond.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Engineering Mechanics – 20 credits

Learn how to estimate the safety of mechanical designs from the point of view of mechanics. Therefore, a wide range of mechanics topics (i.e., direct stress in asymmetric bending, shear stress, deflection, buckling, collapse, elasticity theory and reliability analyses) will be addressed. Moreover, the mathematical techniques (e.g. solving second order differential equations using analytical methods, solving differential equations numerically and vector calculus, etc.) necessary for the mechanics topics will also be covered.

Vibration and Control – 20 credits

Vibration control is the management of vibration energy to improve the performance and stability of mechanical devices and structures. This module will introduce you to the nature and significance of free and forced vibrations in machines and their frequency response. The module will also cover examples of open loop and feedback control and briefly introduce digital control systems. There’ll also be extensive use of practical and computer simulation of control systems.

Design and Manufacture 2 – 20 credits

The module includes two team-based design and build activities involving the design and construction of, typically, a buggy. This can include solid mechanics and fluid mechanics principles, use of simulation, and use of controllers with sensors and actuators.

A strip and rebuild of a simple mechanism such as a lock will introduce multi-objective design, and more specifically, design for assembly. Throughout the module, you’ll also build transferrable skills, including the writing of reports, team working and ethics.

Economics and Management – 20 credits

Explore the principles of business management, organisation and economics relevant to an engineering business enterprise.

Mechatronics and Measurement Systems – 20 credits

Learn the principles of mechatronics, including basic analysis and design of circuits (digital and analogue), sensor systems, actuator systems and computer interfacing, as well as simple mechatronic and measurement systems.

Thermofluids 2 – 20 credits

This module expands your knowledge in the area of thermofluids. You’ll also be introduced to new concepts in both fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. These give you a better understanding of the function of relevant engineering applications.

Year 3

You’ll study specialist aeronautical and aerospace modules. You’ll learn to apply design to different aspects of modern aerospace vehicles, leading to detailed design of different aerospace vehicle systems. You’ll understand the fundamental principles of flight mechanics, stability and control, orbital mechanics and space flight, aerodynamics and propulsion systems, finite element analysis and aerospace vehicle design.

You’ll be encouraged to put theory into practice through various practical activities and events during your course. In year 3, you’ll have the opportunity to practise being a flight engineer at the National Flying Laboratory Centre, flying in a unique SAAB 340B Flying Classroom and Laboratory. You’ll also have the chance to design, build and test a model aircraft you have modified as part of a team, using a combination of lab-based measurements and established theory.

To experience some of these aspects in practice, you’ll also attend a flight course where you’ll be a passenger in a small aircraft, taking measurements of its performance during a range of manoeuvres.

Compulsory modules

Individual Engineering Project – 40 credits

This project gives you the chance to choose a project area from a variety of predefined areas and carry out your own research, bringing in the concepts you’ve learned from the core engineering science and design modules.

This is your opportunity to really utilise and develop those professional skills, including project planning, risks and management. You'll also apply critical analysis and detailed research, alongside building your communication skills.

Recent projects have included:

• Design of Unmanned Air Vehicles for Volcano Plume Tracking
• Urban Building Surveillance
• Rainforest Fire Emergency Response
• Aeroelastic analysis of wings using low-fidelity modelling

Aerospace Vehicle Design – 20 credits

Explore the application of design to the modern aerospace industry. Throughout the module, you’ll get chance to design an aerospace vehicle as part of a team.

Aerodynamics and Aerospace Propulsion – 20 credits

This module will provide you with a good understanding of experimental and theoretical aerodynamic analysis methods and their integration in the design process. It emphasises the importance of aerodynamics in engineering product design, particularly for aerospace vehicles. You’ll be able to apply these basic aerodynamic principles to other application areas such as the design of racing cars, wind turbines, fans, buildings, sailing boats, etc. The module also extends your thermo-fluid dynamic knowledge to the analysis of aerospace propulsion systems, such as turbojet and turboprop engines.

Aerospace Flight Mechanics – 20 credits

Build your understanding of three concepts of aerospace flight including (i) aircraft and aerospace vehicle performance, (ii) steady level flight and dynamic behaviour of aircraft in flight and (iii) the basics of aerospace flight and orbital mechanics.

Finite Element Methods of Analysis – 20 credits

Learn how to use the software for finite element model development, solution and post-processing. You’ll cover the basic principles of structural analysis using finite element methods, including shape functions and stiffness matrices (in 1D and 2D). You’ll also explore everything from the phenomenon of vibration to the concepts of composite material, whilst developing models of single and multiple-directional laminates.

Engineering summer internships

As a student in our Faculty, you’ll have the unique opportunity to do a paid summer internship. It’s your chance to get involved in the real-world research projects happening in and around the University – and advance your own professional skills in research and experimentation.

Want to find out more? Check out what our recent students got up to on their summer internships.

One-year optional work placement or study abroad

During your course, you’ll be given the opportunity to advance your skill set and experience further. You can apply to either undertake a one-year industrial work placement or study abroad for a year, choosing from a selection of universities we’re in partnership with worldwide.

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes, project work, and industry sponsored fieldwork allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. We also organise industrial visits and offer additional seminars delivered by practising engineers and other professionals. Our close links with industry also mean that you’ll have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course.

You’ll have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds, who will be an academic member of staff. You’ll have fortnightly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first two years, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings each semester. In addition, our excellent student support team is based close to where you’ll work and study to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries. You’ll also receive support from fellow students through our peer mentoring scheme.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a variety of assessment approaches to test different knowledge and skills. Assessments will enable you to demonstrate your competency in a particular skill, as well as measuring the extent of your knowledge and understanding. They are designed to be fair and inclusive.

We’ll use different forms of assessment including written examinations (held at the end of each semester) and coursework that also develops key transferable skills that will be relevant to your future professional practice, such as laboratory and project reports, teamworking and presentations.

Assessments will develop your ability to bring together evidence from a variety of sources and to critically understand and evaluate. You’ll also have frequent opportunities to develop your understanding of assessment and to improve your performance, for example through formative assessments with feedback, guided marking, peer review and opportunities to practise key assessment methods.

Entry requirements

A-level: A*AA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Where an A-level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-level at the stated grade.

Extended Project Qualification, International Project Qualification and Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: We do not currently include them as part of our offer-making. We do, however, encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement.

GCSE: English Language grade 4 (C) or higher, or an equivalent English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English instead of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: AAB including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, with an A in Mathematics or Physics if presented, plus a pass in the Access to Leeds Scheme.

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Applicants

If you are a mature applicant and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and Math qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Further information on the support available for mature students can be found at https://www.leeds.ac.uk/mature-students.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

Foundation years

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. A Foundation Year is the first year of an extended degree. We’ve designed these courses for applicants whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university and who don’t meet the typical entry requirements for an undergraduate degree.

We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without science and mathematics qualifications.

You could also study our Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc which is for applicants whose background is less represented at university.

On successful completion of your foundation year, you will be able to progress onto your chosen course.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
The fee for UK undergraduate students is decided by the Government and may vary if policy changes. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 will be £9,535.

The tuition fee for the following programmes with an integrated foundation year is £5,760 for the foundation year, and £9,535 for subsequent years of study:
•    Business Studies with Foundation Year BSC
•    Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
•    Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
•    Social Science (foundation year) BA
 

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.
 

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course and check the deadline for applications through the UCAS website.

We may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Admissions guidance

Read our admissions guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

What happens after you’ve applied

You can keep up to date with the progress of your application through UCAS.

UCAS will notify you when we make a decision on your application. If you receive an offer, you can inform us of your decision to accept or decline your place through UCAS.

How long will it take to receive a decision

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses. For applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline, UCAS asks universities to make decisions by mid-May at the latest.

Offer holder events

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer holder event. This event is more in-depth than an open day. It gives you the chance to learn more about your course and get your questions answered by academic staff and students. Plus, you can explore our campus, facilities and accommodation.

International applicants

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students.

We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Read about visas, immigration and other information here.

If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Mechanical Engineering

Contact us

School of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Admissions

Email: ugmech@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The employment opportunities in the field of aeronautical and aerospace engineering are far-reaching, with the potential to take you all over the world.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Qualifying with a degree in aeronautical and aerospace engineering from Leeds will set you up with the core foundations you need to pursue an exciting career across a wide range of industries, including:

• Aviation
• Construction
• Finance
• Armed forces
• Automotive
• Utilities
• Consultancy

The breadth of knowledge and experience, along with the teamwork, problem solving, engineering ethics, numeracy and analysis skills taught on the course are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Project Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing
• Flight Physics Engineer, Airbus
• Research Engineer, AMRC
• Gas Turbines Design Engineer, Assystem UK
• Avionics Technical Engineer, British Airways
• Nuclear Engineer, EDF Energy
• Helicopter Pilot & Licensed Engineer, Heli-Jet Aviation
• Test Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover
• RAF Officer, RAF
• Manufacturing Engineer, Rolls-Royce Plc

Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

You’ll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to explore the world, whilst gaining invaluable skills and experience that could enhance your future employability and career prospects too.

From Europe to Asia, the USA to Australasia, we have many University partners worldwide you can apply to, spanning across some of the most popular destinations for students.

This programme offers you the option to spend time abroad as an extra academic year and will extend your studies by 12 months.

Once you’ve successfully completed your year abroad, you'll be awarded the ‘international’ variant in your degree title upon completion which demonstrates your added experience to future employers.

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

An industrial placement year is a great way to help you decide on a career path when you graduate. You’ll develop your skills and gain a real insight into working life in a particular company or sector. It will also help you to stand out in a competitive graduate jobs market and improve your chances of securing the career you want.

On this course, you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

If you decide to undertake a placement year, this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you’ll be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability Team, you can find the right placement to suit you and your future career goals.

Here are some examples of placements our students have recently completed:

• Industrial Placement, Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited
• Intern within Defence Aerospace, Rolls-Royce
• Supplier technical assistance, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains
• Nuclear Science & Engineering Placement, EDF Energy
• Test Engineer Intern, Siemens Industry Software Limited

Find out more about Industrial placements.