Aeronautics and Astronautics / Aerodynamics (MEng) at University of Southampton

About

This course is full and closed to new applications for 2024 entry. Search similar degrees in related courses or by browsing our course finder.

MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics / Aerodynamics will give you the knowledge and skills to analyse and control aerodynamic behaviour. You'll learn how to design vehicles, wings and propulsion systems. The aerodynamics degree prepares you for a career in the aerospace or Formula 1 industries.

Aeronautics and Astronautics looks at the science, engineering and manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft. You'll learn how they operate within our atmosphere and in space. On this aerodynamics course, you'll focus on vehicles, wings and propulsion systems.

You'll get hands-on experience in extensive facilities, which include:

the largest wind tunnel at any UK university. Formula 1 teams and Olympic athletes have used our wind tunnel for high-performance testing
dedicated student design studios and workshops
jet laboratory with supersonic ramjet, turbojet and rocket engine
Boeing flight simulator
Professional manufacturing centre

As part of this course you can:

take part in practical design modules in every year of your degree
design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft and their wider components
showcase your work in our annual Engineering Design Show
take part in a flight-testing course, on board a flying laboratory aircraft

Our links with employers will enhance your career prospects. This is a BAE Systems preferred course and we have close links with many other key employers.

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Aeronautics and Astronautics / Aerodynamics with Industrial Placement Year
UCAS code: HH41

You'll spend this extra year at an engineering firm, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Physics and 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A in A-level mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
or
D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and physics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A*A in A-level mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
or
D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).

We will consider the BTEC Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and physics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics (minimum grade D3) and physics (minimum grade D3)

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A* or grade D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A. Applicants who have not studied the required Principal subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or A*A from two A levels including mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T level Technical Qualification in a relevant subject can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

This degree will open the door to many exciting career opportunities and aerodynamics graduate jobs in the space industry, engineering and beyond, including:

Aerospace engineer
CFD simulation engineer
Engineering consultant
Performance and simulation engineer
Propellor design engineer
UAV designer
Pilot
Race car designer
Aerodynamics engineer
Software and systems engineer

Recent graduates have gone onto work in many high profile organisations, including:

Airbus Defence and Space
Dstl
BAE Systems
Boeing
Dyson
European Space Agency
Jaguar Land Rover
Rolls-Royce
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
Formula 1 teams

We're also a designated university for the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. This means you could receive military sponsorship.

Your degree will be aligned to the UK Space Agency Civil Space Strategy.

This is also a BAE Systems preferred course.

Employability sits at the heart of our curriculum and our courses are constantly adapted to ensure they meet industry requirements.

Our graduates also often continue their studies to PhD level.

Your personal academic tutor and employability coordinator can advise you on your career paths.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

This course is also available with an industrial placement year in an engineering organisation. During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you've developed during your degree, and gain vital professional engineering experience.

Apply with UCAS code HH41 for the Industrial Placement Year option.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,000

Application Fee

GBP

Aeronautics and Astronautics / Aerodynamics (MEng)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines