MSc Aerospace Engineering

Why choose Herts?

Industry accreditation: This course is RAes and IMechE accredited and meets the further learning requirement for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration.
Fantastic facilities: You will have direct access to extensive labs exclusively open for aerospace engineering students including flight simulators, industry-level CAE software packages, and wind tunnels.
Industry connections: Benefit from industry-led skills-sessions supported by our established links in the aerospace industry which include strong relations with organisations including Rolls Royce, Thales, and MBDA.

This course is up for periodic review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by December 2023.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

An honours degree (at least 2:2 or above) in aerospace or aerospace systems engineering. Other disciplines may be considered.

International qualifications will be considered on the basis of their equivalence to UK qualifications, typically guided by a resource such as the National Academic Recognition Information centre (NARIC). Candidates will be required to demonstrate a suitable level of proficiency in written and spoken English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) would typically be required from candidates whose first language is not English. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK on acceptance to this course you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate before you are eligible to apply for UK entry clearance. Details of this requirement will be included in your offer.

Find out more about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Full Time, 1 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

This programme will help you to develop your critical thinking skills as a future engineering manager or technical specialist as it will enable you to effectively analyse technical and management issues. This blend of technical and managerial content is invaluable in job applications as well as helping to fast track your career in the industry.

Professional Accreditations

The MSc Aerospace Engineering course is accredited by RAeS as meeting the further learning requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration.

About the course

This is an integrated degree programme that brings together the key generic skills of management and research methods with specific modules focusing on aerodynamics and flight mechanics. This approach will help you to develop your critical thinking skills as a future engineering manager, or technical specialist enabling you effectively to analyse technical and or management issues. The programme aims to:

equip you with the theory and the practice of relevant subjects, technologies and analytical tools to provide solutions for aerospace and related manufacturing problems
provide a blend of knowledge and application experience through case studies and project work
focus on the links between analysis and design and the supporting skills of management
provide education and experience which enhances prospects of professional employment within the industry.

The programme offers two award routes that you can choose to study:

One-year full-time MSc Aerospace Engineering (September entry)
18-months full-time MSc Aerospace Engineering (September and January entry)

Why choose this course?

The School has over 50 years experience of teaching aerospace and has established an excellent international reputation in this field.
We offer extensive lab facilities for aerospace engineering students, including a flight simulator, the latest software packages and wind tunnels.
This MSc combines analysis and design with management skills to produce highly-employable postgraduates.
1st in the East of England for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering (2023 Complete University Guide).

What will I study?

The School has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning, where nearly all MSc modules are delivered through a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and backup tutorial's using the University's StudyNet web based facility. StudyNet allows students to access electronic teaching and learning resources, and conduct electronic discussion's with staff and other students. A heavy emphasis is placed on theory and practice, and the School has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. The School also operate an open access laboratory, and computer policy, that will help students complete coursework and assignments, at a scheduled pace and on time.

Where will I study?

Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.

You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Flight Mechanics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module develops student knowledge and understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability and control beyond BEng Honours level. Topics covered include compressibility, thrust-offset, and static aeroelastic effects on aircraft static stability and control; quasi-steady asymmetric flight; sideslipping and turning, aircraft dynamics at high incidence; methods for estimating aerodynamic derivatives and an introduction to parameter identification methods. Student learning will be supported by assignments making use of simulation packages and a flight simulator.
Procurement & Supply Chain Management	15 Credits	Compulsory
By studying this module, the students will be able to explore and develop an understanding of procurement & supply chain issues through case studies, group work and lectures. Key areas that will be developed include the role of procurement and supply chain management and the increased importance of managing the internal and external supply chain.
MSc Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.
Sustainable Business of Engineering	15 Credits	Compulsory
Recognition of the implications relating to regulatory constraints and risks including legal, ethical, environmental and commercial. Analyse and gain skills in the management processes in an organisational context in the area of specialisation. Develop the interpersonal skills through learning how to negotiate, present defensible recommendations, working in a team and leading people.
CAE & Applications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to: (i) Construct computer simulation models for a range of mechanical engineering requirements, from industrial complex models to models requiring sophisticated numerical solutions using CAD surface/solid information. (ii) Examine the effect of mesh density, domain size, boundary conditions, material properties and appropriate numerical schemes on the accuracy of results through the use of FEA software. (iii) Validate and correlate the simulation results against benchmark solutions or analytical approximations.
CFD & Applications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to develop student knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics. It comprehensively reviews the governing equations of fluid flow and their areas of application within the context of real-world engineering problems. Practical CFD skills are developed through laboratory activity, including geometry representation, the selection of appropriate meshing strategies (e.g. mesh element types, mesh refinement, mesh quality) and physics settings. Teaching on this module includes the fundamentals of fluid flows, field theory, boundary layer modelling, turbulence modelling and strategies for domain sizing/discretisation.
Flight Simulation	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module further develops the student's knowledge in the mathematical modelling of aircraft with an applied focus in the implementation of flight simulation techniques. Students will look at the design and use of flight simulators for both pilot training and engineering design and the associated design requirements for each case. Students will then develop their modelling and simulation skills by studying the modelling of navigation in the Earth's environment, dynamic behaviour of aircraft, modelling of propulsion systems. Students will also be introduced to techniques for programming and numerical computation of flight models. Students will make extensive use of industry-standard numerical software packages (such as MATLAB/Simulink) to implement the theory and techniques delivered in the taught part of the module, as well as using commercial flight simulators to simulate aircraft dynamics and analyse flight behaviour.
Aeroelasticity	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the dynamic structural analysis of aerospace vehicles, together with static and dynamic aeroelastic phenomena such as divergence, control reversal and flutter. Some typical aerospace vehicle structural dynamic problems are considered, while aeroelastic analysis is introduced through the consideration of the behaviour of a typical aerofoil and a high aspect ratio wing in bending and torsion. Student learning will be supported by assignments making use of aeroelastic analysis software and a finite element analysis package.
Aerospace Aerodynamics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module develops the student's knowledge of aerodynamics and experience of using CFD. Students will develop their knowledge of the use of potential flow theory including its application to the panel method for aerodynamic prediction. Other topics covered will include lifting line and slender body theory together with hypersonic aerodynamics. The CFD applications part of the module provides an overview of the governing flow equations and their range of application. Students will make extensive use of commercial codes to simulate airflows. Apart from applications to external flows, methods for multi-phase flows and flows with conjugate heat transfer will be reviewed. There is also an introduction to subroutines and user functions in commercial codes.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Aerospace Engineering	Download

Programme specifications
MSc (Modular) Aerospace Engineering	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students

Full time
- £11655 for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
28/09/2024	25/09/2025	Apply online (Full Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Link
28/09/2025	25/09/2026	Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Aerospace Engineering

Why choose Herts?

Careers

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025