Learn the skills to work on every aspect of air vehicles from design, development, manufacture, flight testing and certification, to preserving airworthiness and sustainable aircraft operations, with our top-rated aeronautical engineering course.

## DESIGNED FOR

This course is ideal for curious students who have an analytical mind and a strong interest in air vehicles and enjoy a practical way of learning. Our aeronautical engineering course allows students to gain Chartered Engineer status with further learning after graduation.

### Accredited by

* Engineering Council

* This course is currently undergoing its scheduled five-year re-accreditation process with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). The outcome of the current review is expected by November 2026.

### Career Paths

* Design Engineers

* Project Managers

* Researchers

* Military Personnel

* Certification and Airworthiness Engineer

### Skills Taught

* Research

* Critical thinking

* Teamwork

* Strong communication skills

* Management and leadership

Image: Still from aeronautical course video - student and lecturer inside of the simulator Play Video

## Course Highlights

### State-of-the-art facilities

Our aviation hangars have been recently refurbished to include simulators

### Professionally accredited courses

Our course is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

### Work placements with industry leaders

Learn on the job with employers such as GE Aviation Wales and Airbus Filton

## Module Overview

[Button: Overview][Button: Year One][Button: Year Two ][Button: Year Three ]

Our Aeronautical Engineering students start learning the minute they begin as our two-storey Aerospace Centre provides a practical workshop and laboratory space for engineering students. Here, our two aircraft hangars with aircraft, flight simulators and more encourage that practical way of learning.

Year One

Mathematics for Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineers

Design and Manufacture

Engineering Computing Applications

Engineering Mechanics 1

Electrical Science

Thermofluids 1

Year two

Further Engineering Mathematics

Aircraft Systems Integration and Performance

Aeronautical Design

Control and Instrumentation

Thermofluids 2

Engineering Materials

Year three

Individual Project

Engineering Computational Analysis

Aircraft Structure

Propulsion

Aircraft Flight Dynamics

The first year of our course looks at the essential scientific principles and practices associated with aeronautical engineering. You’ll be introduced to design tools, general manufacturing and workshop techniques and learn to use industry-standard CAD packages and programming languages.

Develop a solid confidence in mathematics and learn about the relevance of mathematics in engineering.

You’ll gain a basic knowledge of engineering design, manufacturing and materials as well as the skills you’ll need for manufacturing practice.

This module will introduce you to the use of computer applications in engineering through programming and computer-aided design known as CAD.

Learn all about engineering mechanics and the mechanics of materials and be exposed to the issues in mechanics via real-world scenarios to prepare you for the future.

Explore the cross-disciplinary nature of engineering in professional practice, gaining insight into the importance of electrical theory and circuit design.

Grasp a basic understanding of the thermodynamic and fluid mechanic properties of both liquids and gases.

In your second year, you'll explore key areas such as thermofluids, basic aerodynamics, aircraft performance and aircraft systems engineering. You’ll also work as a team to develop a conceptual aircraft design which is tested on our engineering flight simulator.

You'll learn how to apply a range of mathematical analyses to solve engineering problems and develop an understanding of the mathematical models of engineering systems.

Learn about aircraft systems; their architecture, design and integration. You'll learn about flight mechanics and design characteristics on performance.

You’ll be introduced to all aspects of aircraft design focusing on the conceptual design of civil aircraft, cumulating in the production of an RC aircraft model.

Learn to assess static and dynamic behaviours of instrumentation and control systems using basic analytical approaches and control theory in time and frequency domains.

Explore the principles of thermodynamics applied to a range of engineering and industrial applications further. You’ll analyse more complex applied phenomena in terms of fluid flow.

Gain knowledge of standard material testing methods and material failures and explore the relationship between structure, properties, processing and using engineering materials.

The third-year modules look at aerodynamics, propulsion and aircraft structures. Learn about advanced computational tools, modelling techniques and create a dissertation. You'll also have the opportunity to take part in real aircraft flight testing.

This is your chance to choose your research area to explore and analyse, working independently and developing your understanding of aeronautical engineering in your capacity.

You’ll develop your understanding of engineering analysis and be introduced to computational methods in finite element, fluid mechanics and aerodynamics analysis.

Explore the basics of structural design and analysis of aerospace structures such as aircraft wings, fuselage, control surfaces, and vertical and horizontal stabilisers.

Build on the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, and apply them to aeronautical propulsion systems such as gas turbine engines, piston engines, and rocket motors.

Understand the static and dynamic stability behaviour of aircraft and assess the flying and handling qualities during a real aircraft flight test.

### How you’ll learn

Our course is taught through a mix of lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions and seminars. You’ll also spend time researching and preparing for your assessments and lectures outside of your class time through self-study.

Experience a mix of theory and practical learning with the chance to go on placement. Assessments happen throughout the year and include exams, coursework, and simulations, as well as problem-solving tasks. You’ll also take part in group projects to build on your presentation and teamwork skills.

In the final year, you’ll test a real aircraft, developing your grasp on aircraft behaviour and control principles.

### Teaching staff

You’ll learn from experienced staff who have a wide range of experience in the aeronautical engineering space. Some of our faculty have developed this expertise through high-quality research, others have expanded their knowledge in successful careers, ready to prepare you for future success.

This blend of backgrounds represented in the academic staff gives breadth to the student experience and develops you technically and professionally. You’ll work closely with your tutor throughout the course and enjoy guest lectures from industry giants such as Airbus and Reaction Engines.

### Placements

We have links with the regional aviation industry including GE Aviation, Airbus and other members of the Aerospace Wales Forum. They’ll help prepare you for a possible career in the aeronautical industry whilst demonstrating the real-life challenges engineers face on the job every day.

All our students are actively encouraged to enjoy a placement whilst they learn with us. We offer opportunities for work placements throughout the course and students can take full advantage of our strong industry connections for engineering.

### Facilities

We’ve recently invested £3.3m in our aerospace facilities, including a two-storey Aerospace Centre, and a new FCES building. This now offers our engineering students 1,000m2 of workshop and lab space, two aircraft hangars, and an MP521 flight simulator on campus. The Merlin MP521 can be programmed to any aircraft type and is pivotal in design and flight test preparation.

The centre also houses a Jetstream 31 aircraft, gas turbine maintenance, riveting, hand tools, and welding workshops. It has clean and dirty composite workshops, labs for electronic tasks, avionics, hydraulics, and pneumatics as well as a subsonic wind tunnel for aerodynamic instruction.

## Student Stories

Image: features-eachan-hardie.jpg

How Eachan’s summer in the sky strengthened his engineering knowhow

Eachan Hardie

Aeronautical Engineering student

Image: Khadijatul Kaba, in an aircraft hangar at the University of South Wales, stood in front of a propeller aircraft.

Inspiring the next generation of STEM learners

Khadijatul Kubra Kaba

My love for aircrafts has turned into a successful career

Aboobakar Shahjahan

Aeronautical Engineering graduate

## Accredited By

Top 10 in the UK and top in Wales for Aerospace Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2025)

## Top in the UK

### Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering at USW is top in the UK for teaching quality.

National Student Survey 2024

* ### Top 10 in the UK and top in Wales for Aerospace Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2025)

## Innovation Hub at USW

Image: A photo thumbnail for the Play Video

## Careers and Employability

[Button: Graduate careers][Button: Possible career paths][Button: Careers Support][Button: Industry Partners][Button: Sandwich years]

### Graduate careers

It’s an exciting time to be an engineer – the world is facing some major challenges, and we are at the forefront of developing solutions to many of these.

Aeronautical engineering graduates are in demand across the UK, and the civil and defence sectors worldwide. Some of our UK graduates have gone on to work with companies like MBDA, Airbus, Boeing, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the UK Ministry of Defence.

### Possible career paths

You may have a clear career path that you are aiming for, and we can help you get there. On the other hand, you may still be unsure about the direction you wish to take and that’s why our lecturers, industrial contacts and careers services will want to talk to about these opportunities.

It’s an exciting time to be an Aeronautical Engineer – the world is facing some major challenges and we are at the forefront of developing solutions to many of these.

### Careers Support

Our faculty is proud of their open-door policy, supporting students throughout their studies. Our team will help with CV writing, applying for jobs, confidence in interviews and navigating the recruitment process.

We regularly host skills workshops and careers fairs to connect you with future employers and equip you with the tools to progress.

### Industry Partners

As a keen engineer in the making, you may already have an idea about the kind of job you want or will be looking for guidance on potential career paths. Our team can help you get there. Our lecturers, industry contacts and the career services team at the university will want to talk to you about the multiple opportunities available for aeronautical engineers in the world of work.

Students can expect to work with industry giants like Airbus, Boeing, Rolls Royce and GE Aviation to get a better understanding of what possible roles could look like after graduation.

Learn more about sandwich years

### Sandwich years

A sandwich year enables you to apply the knowledge gained during your degree to real-world work situations. You’ll equip yourself with a transferable skillset and gain invaluable work experience that will help you to stand out to potential employers in future job applications. A sandwich year also provides a fantastic opportunity to network and, if you impress your employer, you may even find you have a job waiting for you when you graduate.

Many employers like to take on dedicated employees as showcased via a sandwich year placement scheme.

Image: student-25

## Inspiring the next generation of STEM learners

Our Engineering students don’t just study flight, they help shape the future of it. Read how aeronautical engineering student Kaba is inspiring the next generation of STEM learners through passion, innovation and community engagement.

Explore the full story

## ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

## UCAS points: 96 (or above)

### Typical qualification requirements:

* A Level: CCC to include Mathematics and one other Science subject

* Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and CC at A Level to include Mathematics and one other Science subject.

* BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject which must include Maths modules

* Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths, Science or Engineering and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points

* T Level: P

### Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

### International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages .

### English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages .

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages .

### Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

### We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

## Fees and Funding

International Full-time Fee

per year*

### Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.

We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

### Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Read about campus developmentsOur new STEM Hub

## Introducing Calon

We are investing in the future of STEM with the exciting new Calon building at the heart of our Pontypridd Campus.

Introducing Calon Pontypridd Campus

## University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

### How to apply

There are still places available for September 2026. Apply through Clearing and get support and benefits worth up to £3k. Call our admissions team to secure your place: 03455 76 06 06 or apply online now.

You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).

* September 2026 Sandwich

* September 2027 Full-time

* September 2027 Sandwich

* September 2026 Full-time

### Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.

### International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.

## Next Steps

How to apply

Apply Through UCAS

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