Aeronautical Engineering

Gain the skills and knowledge to work as an aeronautical engineer in the aerospace industry, in the UK or overseas. Secure a paid work placement to boost your industry knowledge and career success.

The aerospace industry is one of the UK's most successful sectors. Our well-established course is recognised by major international companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Airbus Helicopters and BAE Systems.

You’ll apply advanced theories to their practical application and work in our specialist laboratories using industry standard design and analysis software. Experience real aircraft systems with our flight simulator and wind tunnel.

For an exhilarating break from study, you can take to the skies, thanks to student membership at a local gliding club!

Research Excellence Frame work 2021 (REF 2021)

We’re extremely proud of the results for our Engineering research submissions:

75% of research impact is recognised as “very considerable” or “outstanding”

87% of research outputs are rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading”

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Aeronautical Engineering

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Work placements

If you choose to complete a work placement, we’ll work with you to identify a suitable organisation.

Course content

You’ll study eight taught modules with topics ranging from Power and Propulsion Systems to Advanced Aeronautical Systems. You’ll undertake a research-based dissertation and be encouraged to apply for and complete a 12-month paid industry placement giving you real-world experience of aeronautical engineering.

Professional body accreditation

Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry. The accredited MSc will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng(Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Advanced Aeronautics	20 credits
Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics And Practical Applications	20 credits
Advanced Structural Analysis	20 credits
Engineering Design, Manufacture And Sustainability	20 credits
Gas Turbines For Power And Propulsion	20 credits
Msc Individual Project	60 credits
Professional Engineering Skills And Project Management	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Structural Analysis	20 credits
Engineering Design, Manufacture And Sustainability	20 credits
Gas Turbines For Power And Propulsion	20 credits
Msc Individual Project	60 credits

Entry requirements

At least a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or equivalent in a related engineering discipline, such as Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering. Alternatively, if you have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, provided that you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work.

If your first language is not English a minimum score of IELTS Academic with overall 6.0 and no less than 5.5 in each band.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Smart Zone

A bustling centre of invention, innovation and creation with two floors of dedicated workshop and collaboration spaces for engineering and creative students. Read more

The Smart Zone fuses state-of-the-art fabrication spaces with augmented and blended reality facilities, allowing you to bring your ideas to life using the latest digital and immersive technologies. Find out more about our Smart Zone.

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Flight Simulator

Our flight simulator runs XPlane software and has a professional PFC flight console and radio stack system.

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Thermofluids and Aeronautical Lab

Facilities in this laboratory allow practical measurement of the interaction between air and objects, with the data then being augmented by computer-based flow simulation and modelling.

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Engineering Laboratories

Packed with state-of-the-art software and hardware resources reflecting current trends in the development of engineering subjects.

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Mechanical Engineering Resources

Mechanical Engineering resources include industry standard hardware and software. Our labs are full of exciting equipment for you to use so that you can prepare yourself for the workplace when you graduate. Read more

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Featured videos

Careers

After completing the Aeronautical Engineering MSc, you’ll be able to apply for a wide range of technical, engineering, analytical, operation or management jobs within the aerospace and airline industries, including:

Aerospace engineer
Aircraft manufacturing
Armed forces
Government agencies
Civil Aviation Authority
Further and higher education

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills. 

For this course, you'll: 

Use computer simulations
Work with people in industry and critically appraise published work 
Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops 
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project. 

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative). 

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module this will include a written technical report and an end exam.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessment you do. We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and an industry placement (if chosen).

Independent learning

In addition to taught time, you’ll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will involve our Virtual Learning Environment; reading journals, articles and books; undertaking research in the library, and preparing for assessment activities and your dissertation.

Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones and a range of laboratories.

Staff

The Engineering team have expertise in many areas of engineering including renewables, plastic electronics, biofuels, manufacturing & prototyping and smart technologies.

Dr Siva Marimuthu

Senior Lecturer

Dr Siva Marimuthu obtained his aeronautical engineering related academic & research experiences from India, Malaysia & UAE. His main area of interest is the implementation of biomimetic surface patterns to solve problems in the fluid regime.

Siva's profile

Dr Abdul Waheed Awan

Senior Lecturer

Currently I am Senior Lecturer in Mechanical & Automotive Engineering and Award Leader for MSc Automotive Engineering within School of Creative Arts and Engineering.

Abdul Waheed's profile

Debi Roberts

Interim Head Of Department

Debi has a keen interest in Automotive and Aeronautical Aerodynamics, Engine Design and Engineering History (Automotive and Aeronautical).

Debi's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time, September start
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£10,925 per course	£17,500 per course

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time, September start
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£10,609 per course	£16,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year. Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project. The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time, September start	21 September 2026	Apply now

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time, January start	26 January 2026	Apply now

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