Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is the discipline concerned with the design, development, testing, and operation of aircraft and spacecraft. It encompasses aeronautical engineering, which focuses on vehicles that fly within the Earth's atmosphere, and astronautical engineering, which addresses the challenges of space. The field requires a demanding combination of physics, mathematics, materials science, and systems engineering, applied to problems of extraordinary complexity, from the aerodynamics of a wing to the guidance systems of a satellite.

At Swansea University, this four-year full-time programme provides expert training in the theory and operation of aeronautical and astronautical vehicles, covering jet-powered and propeller-driven aircraft, gliders, helicopters, and spacecraft. The title indicates that the programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution overseas and gain an international perspective on aerospace engineering education and research. You will study aerodynamics, structural mechanics, propulsion, flight mechanics, control systems, and materials, developing both analytical depth and the practical engineering judgement that the aerospace industry demands.

The degree builds on rigorous mathematics and physics throughout, and you will develop computational skills alongside theoretical understanding.

Swansea has a strong research profile in aerospace and related engineering fields, and the programme benefits from that research culture. Laboratory and project work are central to your development as an engineer.

Graduates go on to work in the aerospace and defence industries, working for aircraft manufacturers, engine makers, defence contractors, space agencies, and the companies that supply them. Roles include aerodynamics engineer, stress engineer, systems engineer, flight test engineer, and project engineer. Many graduates pursue further professional development or postgraduate study, and chartered engineer status through a recognised engineering institution is the standard professional qualification.