Best Aerospace Engineering Universities In The UK | 2023

Designing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft require artistry and expertise. To become an aerospace engineer, students must complete an aerospace engineering program.

For individuals who are nursing the intention of becoming aerospace engineers in the UK, this compilation of the best aerospace engineering universities in the UK will help them settle for the right program.

In the UK, a minimum requirement of a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering allows an individual to practice. However, this degree must be obtained from an accredited university. In fact, a degree in aerospace engineering from an unaccredited university is equivalent to no degree.

So, it is essential for students to research the aerospace engineering program they wish to attend. By doing so, they can ascertain the program’s cost, accreditation status, and quality of education in the university.

Interestingly, students in the UK who read this article will definitely be relieved of the stress of finding the best school for them. This article compiles the best universities in the United Kingdom offering aeronautical engineering programs.

A quick glance at the Table of Contents below gives an overview of all that is discussed in this article.

What is Aerospace Engineering?

Generally, engineering, both as a profession and a course is a vast field of study. It houses a lot of sub-disciplines with different roles and responsibilities in the engineering field. Basically, the aerospace engineering field is a branch of engineering that allows students to study the development of aircraft and spacecraft.

Aerospace engineering refers to designing, constructing, and maintaining aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and weapons systems. Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering are two overlapping branches of aerospace engineering.

Individuals who complete at least a four-year degree in aerospace engineering are called aerospace engineers.

You can read this: A review of Aerospace Engineering Salary and Cost of Training.

Why Study Aerospace Engineering in the UK?

The United Kingdom is home to over 150 educational institutions. Most of its institutions are ranked for good and quality education globally. In fact, three out of the top ten engineering and technology teachers are in the UK.

Generally, Engineering colleges in the United Kingdom have created outstanding records that make considering the UK for any engineering course a necessity.

Studying aerospace engineering in the UK means experiencing world-class academic excellence, which allows you to specialize in any of the overlapping branches of aerospace engineering.

In addition, the UK government offers students a series of financial aid to enable them to pursue and realize their dreams. So, studying aerospace engineering in the UK may qualify you for a fully-funded scholarship for aerospace engineering students.

See the best 15 schools in the world to study aerospace engineering

Where Do Aerospace Engineers in the UK Work?

Upon graduation from an aerospace engineering program, students are equipped with the proper knowledge to evaluate designs and ensure that products meet engineering principles.

Aerospace engineers are generally competent in designing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Also, aerospace engineers are charged with the responsibility of creating and testing prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

In the UK, aerospace engineers gain employment in industries or companies that design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, and spacecraft. Their job description usually includes manufacturing, analyzing, and designing for the Federal Government.

Some of them delve into research and development for the federal and private sectors. The main aerospace manufacturing locations in the UK are the South West, the Midlands, the North West, Northern Ireland, the South East, and Wales.

Wondering if Aerospace engineers and Aeronautical Engineers are the same? See the Differences and Similarities between the two professions.

What is the Salary for Aerospace Engineers in the UK?

If you intend to work in the UK as an aerospace engineer, you must know that there are lots of factors that influence your income. Such factors include your years of experience, qualifications, location, level, etc.

However, a research report released by Engineers.co.uk, which is the official website of engineers in the UK, stipulates that the average salary of aerospace engineers in the UK is £47,752.

 Basically, the aerospace industry is worth £35bn to the UK economy, with £30bn coming from exports. So, aerospace engineers in the UK may earn higher than the research stipulates.

In fact, the research further explains that junior aerospace engineers in the UK earn an average salary of £32,920, while aerospace engineers in managerial positions earn £50,015. However, aerospace engineers working as directors and top management staff in these industries earn about £67,512.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Aerospace Engineering in the UK?

Tuition for aerospace engineering schools in the UK is usually left to the schools’ discretion. Obviously, attending a private university in the UK tends to cost more than a public university.

So, how much it costs to study aerospace engineering in the UK will be greatly determined by the school you attend and the level of educational degree you pursue. Generally, it costs an average of £58,600 per year for international students to study in the UK. Students should expect to pay as much as £1,850 per year.

What are the requirements for an aeronautical engineering degree in the UK?

The minimum degree required to become an aerospace engineer in the UK is a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering. Most aerospace engineering schools in the UK will need the following:

•  Three A levels, including Maths and or Physics
• Five GCSEs A-C, including maths, English, and science.
• IELTS requirements: 6.0 overall, with no lower than 5.5 in any one component.
• International Baccalaureate requirements: Minimum 34 points.

What are the Best Universities for Aerospace Engineering in the UK in 2023?

There are quite a number of schools offering aerospace engineering in the UK. However, this article compiles only the best aerospace engineering universities in the UK. In this section, the following important factors were put into consideration:

This article puts the global ranking of these schools into consideration. It also considered aerospace engineering ranking, and the UK system was available for these schools. Generally, all schools on this list have made outstanding reputations both globally and in the UK.

We also put into consideration the acceptance rate of each university. Actually, the lower the acceptance rate, the lower your chances of getting admitted.

To be one of the best aerospace engineering schools in the UK means the school offers fully accredited aerospace engineering programs.

1. University of Cambridge

This is one of the top aerospace engineering universities in the UK. As one of the best aerospace engineering universities, it offers aerospace engineering programs for undergraduate students, graduate students, and research.

It also offers a dual-track degree program that allows students to earn a BSC and MS.ENG in just four years.

The University of Cambridge is globally very reputable, with its research excellence framework exceeding 87%. UC rankings include 1st in the Times University Guide 2023, 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2023, and 3rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.

2. Imperial College London

Imperial College London offers one of the best aerospace engineering programs in the world. However, it offers the best master’s in aeronautical engineering in the UK.

The aerospace engineering master’s program is designed to teach students the science behind the design of vehicles and structures that interact with air.

It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the world, with most rankings placing it in the top 10 globally.

In fact, it ranks 15th in Europe and 49th in the world for the best schools for courses like engineering.

This aeronautical degree in the UK is professionally accredited with the objective of providing students with a broad base of engineering, computational, and analytical skills, as well as the specific knowledge and experience required for careers in the aeronautical industry.

Also, read this: Best Aerospace Engineering Schools in Canada| 2023

3. University of Bath

This university offers one of the best aerospace engineering degrees in the UK. The MEng in the aerospace course covers aircraft performance, control and structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, and helicopter aerodynamics.

Students at Bath learn theoretically alongside practical experience in balanced laboratory work. This, in turn, equips students with the right skills they need to build, analyze, and test a product.

After graduating from this course, you will develop a full understanding of aircraft, from design to manufacture. In fact, you can visit an aerospace manufacturing company and take a flight test course at a local airfield.

4. University of Bristol

The University of Bristol’s aerospace engineering faculty offers two aerospace engineering programs. Students can earn a BEng in Aerospace Engineering in three years or an MEng in Aerospace Engineering in 4 years.

Bristol University aerospace engineering courses cover a broad range of subjects organized into three streams:

• aerodynamics
• dynamics and control
• structures and materials.

Students should expect to pay tuition of £9,250 per year for home students or £24,700 per year for international students.

With 83% of its research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework rated as ‘world-leading or ‘internationally excellent’, Bristol University is acknowledged by the government, research bodies, funding agencies, and industry.

5. University of Leeds

As one of the best engineering universities for aerospace studies in the UK, the BEng in Aeronautical and Aerospace engineering program equips students to design, analyze, manufacture, and operate aircraft and aerospace vehicles.

The program integrates mathematics, physics, materials, and computer science with a strong design philosophy.

It also offers four-year Integrated Master’s (MEng, BEng) programs. This aerospace dual-track degree allows students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years.

UK and EU students enrolling for this aerospace engineering degree will pay a tuition of about £11,000, while international students will pay £24,000.

You can check this: Best Aerospace Engineering Schools in Georgia 2023

6. University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the top aerospace engineering schools in the UK. Basically, it ranks 3rd in the UK and 1st in Scotland.

Located in Scotland, this aerospace engineering school offers a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering program. The course is a multi-disciplinary program that covers all aspects of modern aircraft design.

In fact, for over 60 years, the University of Glasgow has been the home of aerospace research. Aerospace engineers who graduate from this program enjoy access to outstanding facilities.

These state-of-the-art facilities include several wind tunnels; a flight simulation lab; an autonomous unmanned vehicle (UAV) laboratory; helicopter test rig laboratories; structural testing apparatus; and computer labs for modeling and simulation.

7. University of Southampton

Through its Aerospace and aeronautical engineering department, the University of Southampton offers BEng and MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics programs.

It is actually the only Russell Group university that offers a combined course in aerospace and aeronautics.

The program is designed to cover the sub-disciplines of the field of aerospace engineering, with applications to the specification, design, and construction of airframes, engines, satellites, and other spacecraft.

In addition, students can decide to take a specialized course in any of the MEng themes below:

• Aerodynamics
• Airvehicle Systems Design
• Computational Engineering and Design
• Engineering Management
• Materials and Structures
• Semester Abroad
• Spacecraft Engineering

The University of Southampton is ranked in the world’s top 100 best engineering universities and 6th in the UK, Complete University Guide.

8. University of Nottingham

As one of the top aerospace engineering schools in the UK, it offers two programs. This means students may earn a BEng or MEng in aerospace engineering.

The university’s aerospace engineering school teaches students the skills and advanced knowledge needed to work in the aerospace industry. Interestingly, the department has links with Airbus, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce Aerospace.

Enrolling in any of these aerospace engineering programs will give you an opportunity to learn in world-class research facilities from regular guest lecturers who will give fantastic insights into the growing aerospace industry.

Through a varied choice of module options and an individual research project, our MEng final year is ideal preparation for students to enter the aerospace industry.

9. University of Sheffield

Sheffield’s aerospace engineering department offers both BEng and MSC in aerospace engineering. It is actually one of the top schools in the UK to earn an aerospace engineering degree.

Its BEng in aerospace engineering is designed to give students a solid grounding in aerospace engineering. Students in the course will be taught how to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of engineering disciplines.

In this course, students have the liberty to choose either avionic systems or aeromechanics streams after one year of core study.

On the other hand, Sheffield University’s MSC in aerospace engineering is an innovative program that teaches students how to design, build and fly an unmanned aerial vehicle. This is done through a design project assigned to students in groups.

Also, see this: 20 Colleges with Automotive Engineering in 2023

10. Loughborough University

Loughborough University is one of the aerospace engineering universities in the UK. It offers both a BEng and MEng in aeronautical engineering.

The BEng can be completed within four years and costs about £9,250 for EU/UK students, while international students may pay as much as £23,100.

Basically, Loughborough’s aeronautical engineering degree in Uk is designed to teach engineering fundamentals. These fundamentals cover fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, stress analysis, mechanics, control, and mathematical modeling and simulation.

With a strong emphasis on group work and design, students learn aircraft design, aircraft performance, aircraft structures, aircraft aerodynamics, and aero engines.

11. University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool’s aerospace engineering program covers main aerospace engineering topics like aerodynamics, aerostructures, flight dynamics and control, propulsion systems, avionics, aerospace materials, and aircraft design.

Students of the aerospace engineering department at the University of Liverpool gain great depth and breadth of specialist knowledge in the core aerospace subjects with a range of advanced Year Four/Five modules.

In addition, the program offers students the opportunity to learn in an Active Learning Laboratory, two research-standard full-motion flight simulators, manufacturing robotics wind tunnels, and a water flame.

FAQs on Best Aerospace Engineering Universities, UK In 2023

Conclusion

It is very important to attend a good school for any course. One of the criteria for choosing such a wonderful school is ascertaining its accreditation status.

For students who intend to become aerospace engineers, building aircraft and missiles, attending an accredited aerospace engineering university in the UK is a great way to launch a career.

Hence, this compilation of the best aerospace engineering universities in the UK is a must-read. This will help you choose the best aerospace engineering degree program that suits your needs financially and academically.

References

• https://usic.sheffield.ac.uk/blog/categories/study-abroad/why-study-engineering-in-the-uk
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/aerospace-engineer
• https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/aeronautical-and-manufacturing-engineering
• https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study/training-degrees/uk/aerospace-engineering-courses/
• https://www.studyin-uk.com/studyuk/aerospace-engineering/

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