Aerospace Engineering MSc

Demand for aerospace engineering graduates is rising, both in the UK and overseas. In fact, the UK aerospace industry is the second biggest in the world after the USA, and it’s home to some of the world’s leading aerospace companies such as Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, GKN, Leonardo and Rolls-Royce.

Taught by expert academics in a leading research environment, this programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in an exciting and challenging sector.

You’ll study aerospace structures and systems engineering, along with optional, specialist modules in areas such as aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics, optimisation methods, rotary wing aircraft and propulsion. Our Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board is actively engaged in ensuring this course meets the needs of industry and reflects trends in the sector.

In addition to our advanced CAD facilities for design work, we have the latest industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics and finite element modelling of material stress analysis, programming and structural and multidisciplinary optimisation.

Course highlights

• Gain a wide range of knowledge and skills that will prepare you for an exciting and challenging career.

• Be taught in world-class facilities by researchers who are making breakthroughs in their fields.

• Participate in a team design project, using multi-disciplinary approaches to achieve a solution to a programme specific and industry relevant design problem.

Programme team

The Programme Manager, Dr Bilal Kaddouh, has a wealth of experience in autonomous UAS development and operation and has been involved in numerous flight tests. He is also a member of the University’s Institute of Design, Robotics and Optimisation.

The wider programme team is made up of academics and researchers from across the School of Mechanical Engineering, who work within the School’s research institutes and groups.

Active research environment

Specialising in engineering systems and design, thermofluids, surfaces and interfaces, medical devices and regenerative medicine, our School is at the heart of solving real world problems through high-quality research.

Throughout your degree you will be taught by experts who are leaders in their fields, and be directly engaged with their cutting-edge research.

Industry links

During this course you could have the chance to meet employers from organisations operating within this sector through seminars and talks and by attending our careers fair. In previous years there have been talks from colleagues at Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce to provide additional industrial perspectives to the course and career guidance to students.

We also have an Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board which was established as part of the accreditation requirements set by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institution of Mechanical Engineers for aerospace specific taught degree programmes in the School of Mechanical Engineering. The board meets twice annually with the School's aerospace specific staff members to develop student education, transfer knowledge, and participate in research activities ensuring that course content is up-to-date and industry relevant.

Student projects are co-supervised by Board Members who provide valuable formative feedback at these meetings. This also generates other ongoing opportunities for students including placements, internships, and exposure graduate employers.

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Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

You will take specific compulsory modules on advanced topics, from aerospace structures and the theory behind structural analysis, to systems engineering and understanding how engineering psychology and human factors influence aircraft design. You’ll also develop and apply your knowledge to solving real-world problems and situations.

This will inform the rest of your studies where, depending on your background, you’ll select from a range of optional modules allowing you to pursue the topics that appeal to your interests or suit your future career plans. You could gain sophisticated knowledge in areas such as aerodynamics and aerospace propulsion, rotary wing aircraft, computational methods (CFD and advanced FEA) or materials failure analysis.

Throughout the programme you’ll complete a team based design project in semester 1, and a Professional Project in semester 2 – an independent piece of research on a topic within aerospace engineering that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. You’ll review the literature around your topic and plan the project, before completing the design, analysis, computation, experimentation and writing up in the summer months.

Projects

The professional project allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Typical projects could include:

• Design of a stiffened titanium aircraft structural component for additive manufacturing

• Development of software based on Swarm Intelligence Methodologies for Structural Optimisation

• Circulation control using air jets to improve the performance of aircraft wings and wind turbines

• Design and optimisation of a Flexible Structural Support for a Mars Rover Umbilical Release Mechanism

• Aerodynamic analysis of the Bloodhound supersonic car using Computational Fluid Dynamics

• Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling of turbulent combustion processes

• The control of flow separation using vortex generators

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry, and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look our Aerospace Engineering module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

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 Aerospace Engineering MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and youcould have the opportunity to be taught by academics who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with staff through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

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 using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in aeronautical/ aerospace, mechanical, civil or general engineering. Successful applicants will have strong grades in relevant modules including advanced mathematics, strength of materials, dynamics and basic fluid mechanics. We may ask for further detailed module information if these are not clear on your transcript.

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

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2022 – International applicants

9 September 2022 – UK applicants

Applications for 2022 entry will open on Friday 1 October 2021. From that date this page will contain a link to take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

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

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.

To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH10-01-04 and the descriptor is Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering.

More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022

Fees

• UK: £11,500 (total)
• International: £25,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

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 about additional costs

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 may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.

The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2021 report.

The aerospace industry is one of the most successful parts of UK engineering and is truly global in nature.

You’ll be able apply the skills you gain from this course to numerous areas of the aerospace industry, such as aerospace fundamental research, airline management and operations, satellite operations, aerospace design and manufacture in both the civil and military environments as well as motorsport racing.

By taking the MSc, you will develop skills that will allow you to enjoy a rewarding and challenging career, whether you choose to join an aerospace company in the UK – such as Airbus, BAE Systems or Rolls-Royce – or elsewhere in the world.

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. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.

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

There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.