Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is the discipline concerned with the design, analysis and manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft and the systems they carry, from the aerodynamics of wings and the thrust of jet engines to the structural integrity of airframes and the navigation, avionics and propulsion systems that make flight reliable and safe. It is one of the most technically demanding and exciting areas of engineering, combining fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, structural analysis, control systems and materials science in the service of some of humanity's most impressive technological achievements.

At the University of Leicester, this three-year programme takes you from flight dynamics to aero-engine design, developing the knowledge and skills needed to make a mark in this field, as the university's own description puts it. The degree includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placement opportunities, providing structured routes to develop professional experience and international perspective alongside your technical education. You will study the core engineering sciences of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, structural analysis and materials science, alongside specialist topics in aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design, avionics and spacecraft engineering.

Leicester's strong research profile in space science and engineering provides an additional dimension to the programme, connecting teaching to live research activities.

Aerospace engineering graduates are among the most technically sought-after in the graduate market, with the rigorous problem-solving and analytical skills the degree develops valued across the aerospace and defence sectors and well beyond.

Graduates go on to careers in commercial and defence aviation, spacecraft design, satellite systems, propulsion engineering, systems engineering, structural analysis, consultancy and research. Chartership with the Royal Aeronautical Society or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the professional standard for the field. Further study at masters level is common for those seeking specialist expertise or chartered engineer status.