Aerospace Engineering MSc
Why choose this course?
This course provides a strategic and practical overview of aerospace engineering and management. You will apply techniques such as advanced computer-based design, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Elements Analysis. Complementary subjects include advanced CAD/CAM and green engineering and energy efficiency.
This course will also broaden your understanding of the challenges facing the aerospace engineering industry. To prepare you for your future career, the course covers entrepreneurship, business, finance, research techniques and environmental issues.
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | Delivered in one-week blocks | September 2023, January 2024, September 2024 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | Delivered in one-week blocks plus placement year | September 2023, January 2024, September 2024 |
| Part time | 2 years | Delivered in one-week blocks | September 2023, January 2024, September 2024 |
Important: if you are an international student requiring a Student Route visa to study in the UK you will also need an ATAS certificate for this course.
| Location | Roehampton Vale |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course will enhance your career prospects in the aerospace industry and meets the requirements of the Engineering Council for the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
- Through an individual research-based project, you will be able to specialise in a chosen field. This can be an excellent selling point when seeking a job or promotion.
- Facilities include two teaching flight simulators, a Learjet aircraft, wind tunnels, materials testing, rapid prototyping and high-performance computing facilities.
What you will study
You will gain a broad understanding of the practical requirements of aerospace engineering, as well as an in-depth knowledge of aerospace stress analysis and advanced materials, alongside computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for aerospace applications. Complementary subjects covered include computer-integrated product development, advanced CAD/CAM plus green engineering and energy efficiency. In addition, the Engineering Research Techniques, Entrepreneurship and Quality Management module will develop your business and management skills. The Aerospace Individual Design Project module provides you with the experience of working in a multidisciplinary team within an engineering organisation – with real industrial constraints. You'll get the chance to apply the theory you've learnt to real-world contexts and evaluate methodologies, whilst developing your critical thinking and creativity.
As well as the professional, analytical and management skills necessary for employment, the course will provide you with the transferable skills required in the workplace, such as communication, IT, teamwork, planning, decision making, independent learning ability and problem solving.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Core modules
Optional modules (choose one)
Core modules
Engineering Research Techniques, Entrepreneurship and Quality Management
30 credits
This is a core module for engineering students on various taught MSc programmes. The module is designed to provide the student with the research skills and techniques necessary to select and justify a research topic, plan project execution, use various resources to carry out a literature search and successfully complete the project and other module assignments on the course. It also addresses issues related to presentation of technical reports at MSc level and for the purpose of wider publication in learned media.
The module further develops the students' knowledge and skills in business and management, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. It supports students in producing proposals for enterprise ideas such as new products or services, or innovations in existing processes or organisations. Concepts of total quality management to enhance quality of products and processes in an industrial setting are presented and application of supporting quality tools and techniques are discussed.
The module content will enhance the students' employability potential in a variety of national and international industrial organisations, or career opportunities in research and development arena. It also equips students with a set of skills to set up their own business in an engineering innovation area should they wish to do so.
Computational Fluid Dynamics for Aerospace Applications
30 credits
This module is designed for students in aerospace engineering and allied subject areas that have a prior exposure to relevant computational techniques and advanced mathematics. It intends to extend your knowledge and skills beyond the basic fluid mechanics methods, normally introduced at early undergraduate level, and to provide a theoretical and practical introduction to computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In the practical sessions, emphasis is placed on the solution of fluids problems in a realistic aerospace engineering context and on giving you the opportunity to develop awareness of the limitations of CFD software and to develop an understanding of good practice in your applications. The software used for this module is ANSYS ICEM/CFX/Fluent.
The module is also designed to provide you with advanced computational skills in fluid dynamics hence enhancing your employment potential in aerospace, automotive, energy and other similar industries. Additional support materials including excerpts from core texts will be available through Canvas.
This module consists of two week long block sessions, the lecture programme forms the first block (and is delivered by the mechanical department). The second week consists of additional tutorials, workshops and where possible guest lectures.
Aerospace Stress Analysis and Advanced Materials
30 credits
This module builds on the prior knowledge gained in stress analysis and structure of aircraft materials and other properties or an equivalent course of study. It is designed to extend your knowledge of the analytical techniques of stress analysis, plasticity theory and the importance of modern materials in advanced manufacturing processes.
Some of the more advanced theory behind finite element analysis is investigated. The module is primarily delivered through lectures supported by tutorials and by laboratories where applicable. Course materials are available via Canvas where appropriate.
Engineering Individual Project
60 credits
This is a core module for MSc courses in the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, forming a capstone experience for students on these courses. The module allows you to research and study an engineering topic which is of personal interest. This will enable you to demonstrate the mastery of your subject and develop your ability to analyse and evaluate specific areas that may not have been previously covered in depth on the course.
The vigorous structure of the module provides you with an opportunity to identify an industry-based (or research-focused) project area, establish a feasible hypothesis, find creditable solutions, analyse results and offer recommendations. The module enables you to acquire and appraise new knowledge and apply individual judgement to solve new and often complex engineering problems using cutting-edge technology. It also allows you to demonstrate high levels of responsibility, organisational capability and effective communication with others including the supervisor, wider research community and other stakeholders. The module also encourages you to recognise, question and deal with the ethical dilemmas that are likely to occur in engineering professional practice and research.
The project applications can be individually tailored to support your career plan and prepare you to tackle real industrial problems with maturity and rationality hence enhancing your employability potential.
Optional modules
Engineering Projects and Risk Management
30 credits
This module is designed to equip you with the essential project management techniques so that you can take leadership in initiating and managing new projects in engineering companies. Such projects include new products, new services, setting up international collaborations, establishing supply chains, and to name but a few. Many successful organisations use project management as a core management tool to drive their business forward and to explore new territories.
The module is skill-driven and provides a comprehensive learning platform for you to master not only the theoretical techniques of project management, but also assess their applications through a variety of structured hands-on practical sessions and discussion forums. You will study and analyse reasons of success and failure of real projects through a series of case studies, and will learn how to establish and mitigate potential risks associate with a new project. Project and risk management is a sought-after subject area by industry and this module enhances your employability potential in a wide spectrum of national and international industrial organisations.
Green Engineering and Energy Efficiency
30 credits
This option module deals with the criteria and practice of sustainable development within engineering industries. To be able to critically assess energy sources as to usage performance of engineering systems, components and processes in order to minimise industrial waste, scrap and pollution through the use of analytical methods; leading to recommendations for the design, specification and manufacture of environmentally benign products.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Recognise the importance of National and European regulations in relation to renewable technologies in the construction and automotive industries.
- Discuss environmentally related technologies and materials that are fundamental in a range of industries including construction, structural mechanics, automotive and environmental operations.
- Discuss environmental issues related to resource provision and consumption necessary for the manufacture of engineered products, and analyse potential for the application of alternative energy sources.
- Analyse manufactured product design in relation to materials and other resource requirements and apply key concepts to redesign or design products to be recyclable, sustainable with a minimisation of waste.
- Specify and develop energy efficient and environmentally conscious products.
- Critically evaluate the life cycle assessment in incorporation of sustainability at the conceptual design stage.
Advanced CAD/CAM Systems
30 credits
The module covers advanced CAD/CAM techniques in the conceptual design and manufacture and is heavily focussed on the surface modelling and reverse engineering methods prior to manufacture. Also this module will cover rapid manufacturing methods involving mould design and machining tool path optimisation and full machining simulation verification, and machining collision avoidance.
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity. This should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
Read more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Accreditation
The Aerospace Engineering MSc course is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Find out more about the full criteria and validity for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.
Please check the Engineering Council website for more information.
Hear from our students
Women in Engineering
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
The course is taught by the Department of Aerospace and Aircraft Engineering. Staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practise and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry-informed, ensuring you get the most relevant and up-to-date education possible.
We have a dedicated campus for engineering students at Roehampton Vale, on the outskirts of Kingston town centre and close to Richmond Park.
We offer a wide range of specialist facilities on site, supported with software technology and laboratory technicians.
The University has a long historical association with training aerospace engineers, dating back to the Sopwith Aviation company in 1912. Today we are the largest aerospace provider in higher education (HESA data 07/08).
Students benefit from the specialist facilities at Roehampton Vale – from a Boeing 737 fuselage to large scale wind tunnels – all with programmes supported with the latest software technology.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Fees for this course
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Where this course will take you
Graduates have gained positions at Rolls-Royce, CAA, Sterling Aerospace, Marshalls Aerospace, Royal Navy, AmSafe Armour, Solion Solar Energy, EasyJet, Lufthansa, Flybe, Hawker Hind and Precision Press Parts Corp.
Examples of recent graduate destinations for the predecessor of this course (Aerospace Systems MSc) include:
- airload master in the Royal Air Force, Swindon
- lead trial officer in the Army, Wiltshire
- mission system officer in the Royal Air Force, Wiltshire
- research requirement engineer in the Royal Navy, Malvern
- team systems leader in the Royal Air Force, Wiltshire
- trials management officer at the RAF Air Warfare Centre, Waddington
- trials officer at Qinetiq, Wiltshire.
Careers and recruitment advice
The Faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.
The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting. For example, in the picture here students are practising their interview skills with real employers at a 'speed interviewing' event on campus.
What this course offers you
- The Aerospace Engineering course has been designed to meet the requirements of the Engineering Council for UK-SPEC. It provides you with a strategic overview of engineering and management issues.
- The course will develop your professional, analytical, research, business and management skills, as well as improving your technical skills and knowledge. For example, you will gain communication, teamwork, planning, decision-making, IT and problem-solving skills which enhance your prospects of gaining employment and progressing your career in the aerospace industry.
- The programme is built on a comprehensive application of techniques such as advanced computer-based design, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Elements Analysis (FEA).
- Each module combines a stimulating mix of lectures, practical laboratory work, group work, case studies and presentations.
- The Aerospace Group Design Project gives you the chance to solve a real-world engineering problem.
- You can choose to study either full time or part time to fit in with work commitments. September and January start dates give you extra flexibility.
- There is a strong link between our academic staff research and teaching. Our teaching teams have been actively involved in the research of computational fluid dynamic, aerodynamics and advanced materials.
- Postgraduates of this course have taken up posts in a variety of employment settings including Rolls-Royce, CAA, Sterling Aerospace, Marshalls Aerospace, Royal Navy, AmSafe Armour, Solion Solar Energy, easyJet, Lufthansa, Flybe, Hawker Hind and Precision Press Parts Corp. Some postgraduates have continued their studies in PhD research projects.
- Kingston University is the biggest provider of undergraduate aerospace engineering courses in the UK.
- The University has well-equipped laboratories including two teaching flight simulators, a Learjet business aircraft, large scale low-speed wind tunnels, materials testing, rapid prototyping and high performance computing facilities.
Our modern teaching environment
There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Roehampton Vale campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest technology, including:
- a Learjet 25, providing a real-world environment for gaining practical engineering skills
- the Merlin flight simulator - you can programme a mathematical model of your design into the simulator and then monitor the results
- large-scale wind tunnels that enable testing in winds of up to 90 miles per hour
- industry-standard test and experimental equipment for metrology, robotics, rapid prototyping, fatigue and quality control.
We also have a dedicated postgraduate workroom with high spec PCs and a range of software. Computer-aided design facilities include:
- a range of CAD/CAM packages, such as Ideas, SolidWorks and AutoCad
- finite element analysis
- computational fluid dynamics
- virtual instrumentation.
The recently enlarged library at Roehampton Vale provides collections of specialist engineering books and journals. The Graduate Centre, exclusively for postgraduate students, provides space for private study, meetings and socialising.
The £4 million Hawker Wing provides three floors of extra space for students and staff at Roehampton Vale, including improved learning and teaching facilities.
What our students say
Group Design Project – Christopher Antrobus
Initial concepts
from the top: concept sketch and consequent model development
3 view diagram of the finished model
Final submission model
Structurally accurate model made up of hundreds of parts
Aircraft with skins made transparent to reveal internal structures
Gear design
Cockpit
Diagram to show control connections and final render
Wind tunnel testing
1:50 Scale model of the design for wind tunnel testing aerodynamics
Some final renders produced in Solidworks Photoview
How the engineering staff work with industry partners
Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries. Some examples include work with:
- Matra-Marconi Space Ltd;
- Ericsson;
- Balfour Beatty;
- The National Health Service; and
- British Gas.
Our Industrial Advisory Committee reviews and advises industrial activities. The Committee acts as a forum for discussing teaching, research and consultancy to industry.
Industrial project review
The MSc features an Aerospace Design Project Dissertation module, an aircraft group design project. It provides you with the challenge of undertaking a real-world problem in a virtual engineering environment. You will also develop an awareness of working in a multidisciplinary team within an engineering organisation with real industrial constraints.
Research areas
Engineering research
Many academic staff are engaged in a range of research and consultancy activities funded by the Research Councils, the European Union, the government, trade unions and industry. These activities ensure our staff are in touch with the latest industry thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Research centres
Many of our staff in the Faculty are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
The Aerospace Research Group specialises in space activities, ranging from electric propulsion and planetary robotic exploration to in-orbit servicing technology development. Current research projects are investigating topics within:
- computational fluid dynamics
- aircraft structures
- astronautics and space systems.
Placement profile
- Name: Ruchini Sumithrarachchi
- Course: MSc Aerospace Engineering
- Placement role: System Engineer
- Placement company: NATS
- Year: 2018/19
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
