Aerospace Engineering

Develop towards a career at the highest level of engineering, with the skills to work in product design and development or senior management within the aerospace industries. Key areas include • aerodynamics (both engineering and computational) • propulsion systems • structural analysis • aerospace materials • flight mechanics and simulation • aircraft systems and design. The first year builds a foundation of mathematics, science and engineering. The basic principles of flight, aerodynamics, mechanics and aircraft systems are introduced, and other areas including engineering practice, computer methods and personal skills are also be developed. In second year you start to apply core mechanical engineering principles together with the analysis and design to airframe structures and a specialised version of thermofluid dynamics applicable to aerospace engineering. You develop specialist knowledge on flight dynamics, control, instrumentation and materials in preparation for the next year's aircraft design and individual project practices. You improve your mathematical skills with focuses on numerical, simulation and computer-modelling techniques, including the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) methods to relevant engineering problems. You also study business, management and environmental issues to broaden your knowledge of the commercial aspects of the engineering industry. In your final year, you gain specialist knowledge of • aerodynamics • propulsion systems • structural integrity and analysis • flight mechanics and simulation • aircraft design principles. You have the opportunity to experience a flight test at Cranfield. The culmination of your final year is a major individual project. This allows you to apply your knowledge and skills to an aerospace topic of your choice, under supervision. **Placements and work experience** In year three, you take an optional one-year work placement. It’s your chance to work as an engineer or designer, applying what you've learned in a commercial environment, learning how industry works and making connections for your future career. Previous students have worked in a variety of technical roles for companies including • Rolls-Royce • Airbus • Boeing • Bombardier • Lockheed Martin • Meggitt Aircraft Breaking Systems • Jaguar Land Rover and many others. As well as your placement, you have opportunities throughout your course to gain extra-curricular experience on a variety of projects within the aerospace community. For example, by joining our student UAV society or rocket team, or by becoming a student ambassador or a student peer. You may also have the opportunity to spend time on a pilot training programme in the USA, run by Northwestern Michigan College. You can also take part in national and international engineering competitions, including • The Heavy Lift Challenge or UAS competition, which involves designing and building a remote-controlled UAV model and testing it in a competition • Formula Student, where you design and build a race car and race it at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix • Engineering Without Borders, a competition to find an engineering solution to a problem in the developing world Each year one or two students attend the annual national conference of the Association of Aerospace Universities, showcasing their final year project work on a national level and networking with aerospace professionals from around the UK. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council. This means that when you complete the course you can register as an Incorporated Engineer, and with further study as a Chartered Engineer.