Aeronautics and Astronautics / Airvehicle Systems Design (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.

Learn to design helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and their avionic systems on our specialist integrated MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics / Airvehicle Systems Design course. You’ll study many advanced engineering, including the design and manufacture of fast-moving aircraft and spacecraft, before specialising on their systems, performance and optimisation requirements. This course is ideal for a career in air vehicle design.

Aeronautics and astronautics looks at the science, engineering and manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft, and how they operate within our atmosphere and in space.

You’ll study the general principles of aerospace engineering, then take more advanced modules specialising in advanced air vehicle systems and avionics systems design.

In Year 3 of this airvehicle systems design degree, you'll complete an individual research project and in Year 4 you’ll participate in a group design project.

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

dedicated student design studios and workshops
the largest wind tunnel in any UK university
jet laboratory with supersonic ramjet, turbojet and rocket engine
Boeing flight simulator
state-of-the-art space propulsion facilities
professional manufacturing centre

As part of this course you can:

showcase your work in our annual Engineering Design Show
attend site visits to experience engineering in practice
apply your engineering knowledge to solve a real-world problem

Year in industry

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

Apply using:

Course name: Aeronautics and Astronautics / Airvehicle Systems Design with Industrial Placement Year
UCAS code: H41H

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 202425

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 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, as follows: AAA or A*AB including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).

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

Career

Careers

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

Aerospace engineer
Aerodynamics engineer
Engineering consultant
Performance and simulation engineer
Propellor design engineer
UAV designer
Pilot
Software and systems engineer
IT consultant

It also provides a great launch pad for further studies at PhD level.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at organisations like:

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

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

This is also a BAE Systems preferred course.

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

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.

You can also join the Southampton University Air Squadron for possible flying opportunities.

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 H41H for the Industrial Placement Year option.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 0

Application Fee

GBP

Aeronautics and Astronautics / Airvehicle Systems Design (MEng)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines