aero-engineering

Aeronautical Engineering BEng/MEng (Hons)

Master the theoretical, experimental and computational skills required for careers in the aeronautical and aerospace industry.

Overview

Dean of Engineering David Mba discusses the significance of the UK's aerospace sector and how Aeronautical Engineering at DMU equips students to excel in the industry.

Aeronautical and Aerospace engineering is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK, with extensive career opportunities in research and development, testing, and maintenance.

This course covers the basic principles of aeronautical engineering, including experimental and theoretical aerodynamics, aircraft design, flight dynamics and control, aircraft propulsion, flight simulation technologies, aircraft structures and computational aerodynamics.

Employment opportunities include careers in aeronautics and aerospace, namely aircraft aerodynamics, wind turbine design and maintenance, aviation management, defense sector, aircraft maintenance, repair and operation services (MRO).

You can study Aeronautical Engineering either as a three-year BEng (Hons) programme, or as a four-year integrated master’s. At the end of year three, you have the option of graduating with a BEng or continuing your studies for a further year for a MEng, subject to meeting the progression requirements.

Key features

  • Study a range of topics including aircraft structures and materials, flight dynamics and control, and aircraft propulsion systems.
  • Benefit from the academic expertise of researchers who have experience of collaborating with international institutions such as the National Aerospace Laboratories India, Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute Russia and AMST-Systemtechnik GmbH Austria.
  • Develop your practical and professional skills in our AIRFOX DISO flight simulator.
  • Use our instrumented low speed wind tunnel facility to understand the fundamentals of aerodynamics, test prototype aircraft models and acquire experimental skills relevant to aeronautics and wind tunnel testing.
  • Access industry-standard software packages used in aeronautical engineering applications and research, such as MATLAB, ANSYS and OpenFOAM, which will give you the ability to work confidently in industry. 
  • Meet like-minded people and gain hands-on practical skills by joining our student societies, such as DMU Flyers. 

Studying Aeronautical Engineering at DMU was the best decision I could have made. I have met so many people with similar interests to me which improves the whole experience. The lecturers are always helpful and something that you notice straight away is how student-focused they are. Everyone here wants you to succeed and is willing to support you. It is truly a place of discovery and growth.

Ana Moura

 

 

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: 

BEng: H410

MEng: H403

Duration: Four years full-time, five years with placement 

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: 

BEng: H410

MEng: H403

Duration: Four years full-time, five years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras. 

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

Entry criteria

  • A typical offer is 112 UCAS points (120 UCAS points for MEng) from at least two A-levels including Mathematics or Physics at grade C, or
  • Engineering or Physics BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM (DDM for MEng)

Plus, five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Alternative qualifications include:

Pass in one of the following QAA accredited Access to HE course with at least 15 level 3 credits in the relevant subject at distinction:

  • Access to HE Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Engineering Science and Mathematics
  • Physics and Engineering
  • Physics and Mathematics

If you are studying an alternative Access course that is related to Engineering, Mathematics or Physics please contact us for more details.

English and Mathematics GCSEs are required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ points (30+ points for MEng) with Mathematics or Physics at higher level
  • Engineering Year Zero: Pass


Portfolio Required: No
Interview Required: No

 

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

English language

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer 

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find our more about contextual offers.

 

 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and contact hours

 

 

 

Year one

  • Engineering Mathematics 1
  • Engineering Mathematics 2
  • Mechanical Principles - Statics
  • Mechanical Principles - Dynamics
  • Thermofluids 
  • Aircraft Design Principles
  • CAE and Programming
  • Mechanics of Flight

Year two

  • Aircraft Structures and Materials
  • Fundamentals of Aerodynamics
  • Project Management
  • Engineering Mathematics 3
  • Introduction to Control Engineering
  • Flight Dynamics and Control
  • Product Design
  • Fluid Mechanics 

Placement Year (Optional)

Year three

  • Individual Project
  • Flight Simulation Technology
  • Aircraft Propulsion
  • Human Factors and Flight Safety
  • Computational Aerodynamics 1
  • Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity
  • Management Concepts in Aviation (optional)
  • Navigation and Pilot Studies (optional)

Year four (MEng)

  • Group Project
  • Advanced Flight Dynamics
  • Aircraft Handling Qualities and Control
  • Engineering Business Environment
  • Systems Operations Management (optional)
  • Computational Aerodynamics 2
  • Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamical Systems (optional)
  • Unmanned Aero Vehicle Design (optional)
  • Composite Materials (optional)

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching

Aeronautical Engineering is taught by knowledgeable and professionally experienced staff giving you the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of the aeronautical engineering fundamentals along with the personal skills that will enable you to study successfully and embark on a rewarding career.

A combination of different forms of teaching is used throughout Aeronautical Engineering, with an emphasis on lectures, supporting tutorials and laboratory classes.

Student-centred learning takes place through research and presentation of findings, report writing, individual and group assignments and practical-work-based exercises for the development of required skills and through understanding of delivered material.

 

 

Contact hours

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, essays and reports) and usually an exam or test. Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however, you will normally attend around 15 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 30 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

 

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Facilities and features

Aeronautical Engineering Facilities

The Aeronautical Engineering facilities have received significant investment, including dedicated Aeronautical Engineering laboratory spaces and equipment.

This investment means that students can work with a purpose-built subsonic wind tunnel for experimental investigation of aerodynamics, considering different shapes and aircraft test models.

The centrepiece of our facilities is an industry-standard flight simulator AIRFOX DISO, where you can gain piloting skills flying a number of civil and military aircraft models, and also validate flight performance, stability and control of your own aircraft designs.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Placements

Work placements are offered as part of this course as one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.

We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team will help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.

Engineering students have taken part in work experience placements at a number of local, national and international companies including BMW, Airbus, and Siemens.

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DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Engineering students had the opportunity to visit New York, where they investigated feats of skyscraper engineering and had a guided tour of some of America's most complex military hardware, including fighter jets, spacecraft and marine vessels.

 

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Graduate careers

After completing this programme, graduates have the skills to pursue employment in aeronautical and aerospace industries, civil aviation management, the defence sector, aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul services.

According to a House of Commons briefing paper, the UK aerospace industry is the second largest in the world with a turnover of £34.8 billion in 2020.

"The industry will continue to grow in the coming years and this exciting course will allow us to train the next generation of aerospace professionals" says Dr Hobina Rajakaruna, programme leader.

Take your next steps

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