BEng (Hons) or MEng — 2027 entry Spacecraft Engineering
Learn how to design, build and operate satellites and space missions on our BEng and MEng Spacecraft Engineering degrees. You’ll develop rigorous engineering knowledge through hands‑on spacecraft systems projects, learning within a curriculum shaped by more than 40 years of expertise in small satellites and space systems engineering and strong links to the UK space industry.
Why choose
this course?
- Study spacecraft engineering at a university with a proven track record in space innovation. Surrey launched UoSAT-1 (its first satellite) in 1981 and has built more than 40 years of expertise in small satellites and space systems engineering. That heritage continues to shape the teaching, research and engineering challenges you'll explore throughout your degree.
- Build broad engineering knowledge before specialising in spacecraft systems. You'll study a shared first year alongside Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering students, giving you a strong grounding in core engineering principles before following a dedicated spacecraft engineering pathway.
- Learn from researchers helping to advance the space sector. Teaching is informed by the work of academics from the Surrey Space Centre and our new Space Institute, giving you opportunities to explore real mission data and case studies that connect theory with current engineering practice.
- Develop the practical skills to tackle real engineering challenges. Through individual and group design projects, you'll apply your learning to solve complex problems while building the analytical, technical and collaborative skills expected of professional engineers. You can also choose to take a Professional Training Year in the UK or overseas to gain valuable industry experience.
- Stand out through award-winning extracurricular engineering opportunities. Put your knowledge into practice by joining one of our successful student clubs and societies, where you'll develop practical, teamwork and leadership skills while working on ambitious engineering projects. These include the UAS Challenge team (champions in 2021 and 2022), and our Team Peryton rocketry and satellite design teams (both category winners in 2023).
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
What you will study
In your first year, you’ll build core engineering foundation in mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, materials, electronics and design, alongside students on other Engineering programmes. In your second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge of mechanical and aerospace topics while beginning to apply them to space systems. Through the Space Missions and Environment module, you’ll work in teams to design a complete space mission concept, developing your skills in system-thinking, problem-solving and collaborative engineering.
BEng students then progress to specialist modules in space dynamics, aerospace materials and structures, systems design and engineering management, alongside an individual project where you’ll apply your learning to an engineering challenge.
MEng students continue into an integrated masters year focused on advanced topics such as spacecraft avionics and AIT, launch vehicles and propulsion, space environment and protection, guidance, navigation and control, and a multi‑disciplinary design project.
You can choose to add a Professional Training Year between your second and final years, gaining industrial experience in the UK or overseas.
In Spacecraft Engineering at Surrey, you’ll explore every stage of a space mission – from developing the initial concept and refining requirements, through spacecraft design, manufacture, assembly, integration, testing and operations. You’ll learn to think like a systems engineer, understanding how spacecraft components, payloads, launch vehicles and the space environment work together, and how engineers design reliable and sustainable missions.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the emphasis on authentic, hardware‑rich project work. You’ll work on mission design case studies, spacecraft subsystem laboratories and group design projects that reflect the collaborative approach used in industry and draw directly on Surrey’s expertise in small satellite missions. Your individual and team projects may explore areas such as CubeSat subsystems, attitude control algorithms, structural and materials concepts for space structures, or the effects of the space environment on spacecraft components.
You’ll become part of a wider space engineering community through links with the Surrey Space Centre, the Surrey Space Institute and Peryton Space – the University’s award‑winning student space and rocketry society. These opportunities allow you to collaborate with fellow students, engage with researchers and develop the practical, teamwork and problem-solving skills needed for spacecraft engineering.
Facilities
You'll develop your practical engineering skills in modern laboratories, including facilities for materials and composites, structural testing, electronics and control engineering. These environments help you apply the engineering principles you learn in lectures to real design, analysis and testing challenges.
You'll also benefit from Surrey's specialist space engineering facilities, including vacuum chambers, vibration, radiation and environmental test equipment, cleanroom and spacecraft assembly areas, together with opportunities to engage with ground-segment and mission operations tools through Surrey Space Centre and the Space Institute. These facilities provide valuable insight into how spacecraft are designed, assembled, tested and prepared for launch.
This degree starts with a shared first year in core engineering, then progressively specialises into spacecraft structures, systems and mission design. Each year is delivered over two semesters (120 credits), with an optional Professional Training Year for both BEng and MEng pathways.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
- Spacecraft Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Spacecraft Engineering BEng (Hons) with placement
- Spacecraft Engineering BEng (Hons) with foundation year
- Spacecraft Engineering BEng (Hons) with foundation year and placement
- Spacecraft Engineering MEng
- Spacecraft Engineering MEng with placement
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Teaching and learning
- AI learning
- Laboratory work
- Lectures
- Group work
- Independent study
- Practical sessions
- Project work
- Tutorials
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Presentations
- Reports.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Graduates from the School of Engineering have entered employment with companies including:
- GE Aviation
- Rolls-Royce
- Siemens Rail Automation
- QinetiQ
- Airbus Defence and Space
- Thales UK
- Airbus.
Some graduates have entered employment in roles such as: GE90 Strategic Propulsion Engineer, Graduate Engineer, Graduate Engineer, Graduate Flight Physics Engineer, QinetiQ, Mission Systems Engineer, Quality Engineer and Telecoms Satellite Designer.
Our graduates also find their highly developed skills and abilities are valued in many other fields.
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
Typical offer
- BEng (Hons):
- ABB
- Required subjects: Mathematics and either Further Maths or Physics. Alternatively, Mathematics and two physical science subjects such as Chemistry or Computer Science.
- MEng:
- AAA
- Required subjects: Mathematics at grade A and either Further Maths or Physics. Alternatively, Mathematics at grade A and two physical science subjects such as Chemistry or Computer Science.
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- CCC
- Required subjects: Mathematics and one of Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Further Maths or Physics.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C).
- BEng (Hons):
- DDD and A-level Mathematics at grade B.
- Required subjects: BTEC must be in a relevant subject.
- MEng:
- D*DD and A-level Mathematics grade A
- Required subjects: BTEC must be in a relevant subject.
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- DMM.
- Required subjects: BTEC Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
- Additionally, a Distinction in one of the following modules: Mathematics for Engineering Technicians, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, Further Engineering Mathematics.
GCSE or equivalent : Maths at grade 7 and English language at grade 4 (C)
Please see the alternative qualifications guidance if you are taking a mixture of BTECs and A-levels or if you are taking other qualifications types.
- BEng (Hons):
- 33
- Required subjects: Physics HL5/SL6 and either mathematics analysis and approaches HL5/SL6 or mathematics applications and interpretations HL5
- MEng:
- 35
- Required subjects: Physics HL5/SL6 and either mathematics analysis and approaches HL6/SL7 or mathematics applications and interpretations HL6
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- 29
- Required subjects: Mathematics analysis and approaches HL4/SL6 or mathematics applications and interpretations HL4; and additionally one of Chemistry, Computer Science, or Physics HL4/SL6.
- GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6.
- BEng (Hons):
- AABBB
- Required subjects: Mathematics and Physics
- MEng:
- AAAAB
- Required subjects: Mathematics at grade A and Physics at grade B
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- BBBCC
- Required subjects: Mathematics and one of Chemistry, Computer Science, Further Maths or Physics.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language Scottish National 5 - C.
- BEng (Hons):
- 78%
- Required subjects: Grade 7.5 in Mathematics (5 Period) and 7.5 in Physics
- MEng:
- 85%
- Required subjects: Grade 8.5 in Mathematics (5 Period) and 7.5 in Physics
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- For foundation year equivalencies please contact the Admissions team.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language (1/2) - 6 English Language (3) - 7.
- BEng (Hons):
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit. Additionally, A-level Mathematics grade B
- Required subjects: Modules must be in relevant subjects
- MEng:
- QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma, 45 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
- Additionally, A-level Mathematics grade A
- Required subjects: Modules must be in relevant subjects
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 21 at Pass. Additionally, A-level Mathematics grade C
- Required subjects: Modules must be in relevant subjects.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4(C).
- BEng (Hons):
- ABB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels
- Required subjects: A-level Mathematics and either Further Maths or Physics
- MEng:
- AAA from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels
- Required subjects: A-level Mathematics at grade A and either Further Maths or Physics
- BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels
- Required subjects: A-level Mathematics and one of Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Further Maths or Physics.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.
GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.
This route is only applicable to the MEng course.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
This grade reduction will not combine with other grade reduction policies, such as contextual admissions policy or In2Surrey.
BEng (Hons) with foundation year:
- T – Level with an overall grade of Pass and a grade of D in the Core Component
- Required subjects: Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing, and Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control.
GCSE or equivalent: Maths at grade 7 and English language at grade 4 (C).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
View our Code of practice for Recognition of Prior Credit and Prior Learning and further guidance: Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning - Guide for Applicants (PDF) for more information.
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Fees for the 2027-28 academic year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
- Standard year
- To be confirmed
- Foundation year
- To be confirmed
- Professional training year
- To be confirmed
See fees for Spacecraft Engineering 2026 entry
- Standard year
- To be confirmed
- Foundation year
- To be confirmed
- Professional training year
- To be confirmed
See fees for Spacecraft Engineering 2026 entry
Professional training placement year fees are approximately 20% of the full-time UK fees of the academic year in which you undertake your placement.
- Fees will increase for each year of your programme as detailed in our tuition fee increases disclaimer.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be during October to November of each academic year).
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Additional costs
- Laboratory book: £10 – book purchase for Year 1 and Year 2
- PPE equipment: £20
- UK-based activity: £50 – contribution towards Cranfield Flight Test course.
These additional costs are accurate as of September 2025 and apply to the 2026 year of entry. Costs for 2027 entry will be published in September 2026.
Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives you the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Statistics
Placement Statistics
92%
of students who did a placement entered into graduate level employment*
80%
of placements are paid, with 60% paying between £18,000 - £30,000
48%
of our students have been offered a graduate role from their placement provider**
*Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA
**Professional training year returners survey 2024
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out more about the application process.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
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We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.