Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is the discipline that designs, builds, and operates aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, and the systems that guide and propel them. It divides broadly into aeronautical engineering, which focuses on vehicles that fly within Earth's atmosphere, and astronautical engineering, concerned with spacecraft and operations in space. The field requires a deep command of fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, structural analysis, propulsion systems, materials science, avionics and control systems, and manufacturing engineering, making it one of the most technically demanding and multi-disciplinary of all engineering specialisms.

Aerospace engineers work on projects that push the boundaries of what is technically feasible, from commercial airliners designed for fuel efficiency to satellites, launch vehicles, and human spaceflight.

At the University of Manchester, this five-year full-time programme includes a foundation year that provides the scientific and mathematical foundations needed to enter an engineering degree at the highest level, ensuring all students have a rigorous and consistent grounding before the main programme begins. Manchester has long been associated with innovation in aerospace and engineering more broadly, and the programme gives you the chance to develop expertise across the core technical disciplines while also engaging with design projects that build your capacity to integrate knowledge and make informed engineering decisions. Laboratories and computational tools are central to your training throughout.

Aerospace engineering graduates are in strong demand by major employers in the aviation and space sectors, including aircraft manufacturers, defence contractors, satellite operators, and space agencies. Roles in aerodynamics, structural engineering, propulsion, systems integration, and project management are all common graduate destinations. The transferable engineering skills you develop are also valued in related sectors including automotive, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Many graduates pursue chartered engineer status through institutions such as the Royal Aeronautical Society, and postgraduate study is a natural next step for those aiming at research or highly specialist technical roles.