Aerospace Engineering including an Industrial Year

Aerospace engineering is one of the most demanding and prestigious of the engineering disciplines, concerned with the design, development and operation of aircraft, spacecraft, propulsion systems and the wider technologies of flight and space exploration. It draws on mechanics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, materials science, structural analysis and control systems, combining these in systems of extraordinary complexity and performance. The sector includes commercial aviation, military aircraft, satellites, launch vehicles and the rapidly growing fields of urban air mobility and commercial spaceflight.

At Nottingham, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year and an industrial year, providing both an accessible academic entry route and substantial professional experience in the aerospace sector. The foundation year builds the mathematical, physical and engineering foundations needed for degree-level aerospace study. The industrial year gives you the opportunity to work in the aerospace industry, gaining experience that is highly valued by employers and that strengthens your graduate profile significantly in a sector where the transition from student to professional engineer can be demanding.

You will study aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, structural analysis, materials and the design and manufacturing processes relevant to aerospace systems. Nottingham's engineering department is research-active, and undergraduates benefit from proximity to work at the frontier of the field.

Graduates work in aerospace and defence manufacturing, commercial aviation, space agencies, satellite technology companies, research institutions and the emerging urban air mobility sector. Many graduates pursue professional engineering accreditation with the Royal Aeronautical Society or the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Postgraduate study in specialist aerospace or engineering disciplines is an option for those who want to deepen their expertise.