Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons) or MEng

What you'll study

Programme overview

The aim of our Aerospace Engineering programmes, uniting aeronautical, mechanical, materials and satellite engineering, is to provide you with an enjoyable learning experience and the academic expertise, practical training and commercial acumen needed to succeed in this dynamic, high-technology area. You will make use of our extensive facilities for aerodynamics and materials testing, demonstrator jet engine testing and flight simulation. A highlight is the flight test course using the Jetstream National Flying Laboratory.

These programmes share a common first year with our Mechanical Engineering and Medical Engineering programmes, giving you a more general background and providing the opportunity to change your degree choice. Direct entry to the second year is possible for candidates with qualifications that match our first year.

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

In Year 1, not only do you study the technical topics such as mechanics, design and thermodynamics, but you also develop the key broader transferable skills of communication and teamwork. All first-year students are also given practical training in standard workshop and laboratory practice.

Modules include:

• Mathematics
• Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics 1
• Materials and Statics
• Design and Component Production
• Solid Mechanics 1
• Experimental and Transferrable Skills
• Electronic Instrumentation 1

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

In Year 2, the Aerospace Engineering programmes are distinct from other engineering programmes. You are taught aerodynamics, flight mechanics, aerospace structures and materials, alongside experimental laboratory work and other core engineering modules, concluding with the flight test course. You also have the opportunity to work in a team on a design project, for which you will need to draw upon the knowledge you have gained throughout the programme.

Modules include:

• Group Design Project
• Solid Mechanics 2
• Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics 2
• Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics
• Numerical and Experimental Methods
• Control
• Aircraft Structures and Materials

Professional Training placement (optional)

One of the key features of our degrees is the option to take a Professional Training placement as an integral part of your programme. Take advantage of this opportunity and you could gain impressive experience in prestigious aerospace companies and related institutions, both here and overseas.

Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

In Year 3, topics include aerodynamics, structures and propulsion, plus (for BEng) individual and group design projects, allowing you to research a topic of your choice. Recent projects include ‘Evaluation of computing requirements for Rolls-Royce whole engine finite element analysis’, ‘Robots and Martian rovers’ and ‘Testing of a device for drag reduction’.

Modules include:

• Group Design Project
• Final-Year Project (BEng only)
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Materials
• Numerical Methods and CFD
• Aerodynamics
• Advanced Stress Analysis
• Turbomachinery and Aircraft Propulsion

Year 4 (MEng only, FHEQ Level 7)

In Year 4 (MEng only), there are modules on spacecraft and computational fluid dynamics/aerodynamics, plus a multidisciplinary project involving collaboration with both industrial consultants and students from other engineering disciplines. You also conduct an extensive individual research project. Recent projects include ‘Operation of unmanned air vehicles’, ‘Design and test of a nozzle for a jet engine’ and ‘Hybrid carbon nanotubes for improved impact properties’.

Modules include:

• Multidisciplinary Design Project
• Final-Year Project
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Spacecraft Systems Design
• Launch Vehicles and Propulsion
• Advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control

Professional recognition

Fully accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) as fastest routes to Chartered Engineer status (CEng).

Teaching

Our programmes operate on a modular basis, with teaching delivered through a variety of methods. These range from lectures and seminars, through group tutorials, to working in small groups in laboratories, including our flight simulator. You are also able to take advantage of our electronic online teaching resources.

You are allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and advise on your option choices and future career, helping you to get the most out of your time at Surrey.

Assessment

Our degrees are awarded on a combination of examinations and continuous assessment, in the form of written assignments, laboratory practicals, project work and presentations. Year 1 marks do not count towards your degree but provide an opportunity to ensure that you are progressing well with your studies.

In the BEng programmes, Years 2 and 3 (plus the Professional Training placement year, if taken) contribute to the final degree award. For MEng programmes, Years 2, 3 and 4 contribute (plus a Professional Training year, if taken). Generally, about 60 per cent of the degree award is based on examinations and 40 per cent on continuous assessment.

Facilities

Specialised facilities include:

• Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre
• SAVAG, Surrey’s Advanced Vehicle Analysis Group
• Flight simulator
• Six wind tunnels including an environmental wind tunnel, unique within the UK, and high-quality instrumentation
• A dedicated engine test cell with a jet engine
• £500,000 investment in fluid dynamics computer modelling to complement existing facilities

Career opportunities

Our graduate employment record is truly outstanding. This is due to the professional focus of our degrees, with accreditation by professional institutions (RAeS and IMechE), and the quality of our professional placements leading to high-quality graduate employment.

Most of our graduates proceed directly to employment in an engineering profession. Recent examples include careers with well-known companies such asAirbus UK, Airbus (Toulouse), BAE Systems, British Airways, QinetiQ/DSTL, Thales and Rolls-Royce.

As well as enjoying an outstanding choice of routes to professional recognition in their own disciplines, our graduates also find that their highly developed computer skills and analytical and managerial abilities are valued in many other fields, in addition to those specifically related to aerospace engineering.

Graduate prospects

Our recent Aerospace Engineering graduates have gone on to roles such as:

• Airbus – Graduate Engineer
• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd – Design/Propulsion Engineer
• AgustaWestland Helicopters – Graduate Engineer
• Ministry of Defence – Graduate Engineer

MEng and BEng transfer

Direct entry to the MEng programme normally requires higher qualifications, but transfer from the BEng to the MEng is possible during the first or second year of the degree programme, depending on academic performance.

Transfer is also possible from the MEng and BEng programmes without a Professional Training placement year to ones with (and vice versa). This transfer can be made after Year 1, giving students who are initially undecided time to consider the benefits of a Professional Training year.

Taster courses

We run taster courses for Year 12 students each July. Living on-campus, you learn about what engineering is, what it has to offer you and society, and what you need to know to be successful in the field. Please contact us for further details.

• Come to an Open Day
• Build your own prospectus

Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.

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