Aerospace Engineering MSc

Course overview

Demand for aerospace engineering graduates is rising, both in the UK and overseas. In fact, the UK aerospace industry is the second biggest in the world after the USA, home to leading aerospace companies such as Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, GKN, Leonardo and Rolls-Royce. That’s why specialising in this field could open a lot of doors in terms of career opportunities when you graduate.

You’ll study advanced aerodynamics and aerospace structures along with optional, specialist modules that'll help you hone your skills in an area that interests you. Our School’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) is actively engaged in ensuring this course meets the needs of industry and reflects trends in the sector. IAB members also contribute to talks that feed into our taught modules and project work, ensuring the curriculum is challenging and relevant.

This means that, once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the most up-to-date practices and industry-relevant knowledge to pursue an exciting career in this area.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in aeronautical/ aerospace, mechanical, civil or general engineering. Applicants should have strong grades in relevant modules including advanced mathematics, strength of materials, dynamics and fluid mechanics.

We may ask for further detailed module information if these are not clear on your transcript.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Career opportunities

The aerospace industry is one of the most successful parts of UK engineering and is truly global in nature.

You’ll be able apply the skills you gain from this course to numerous areas of the aerospace industry, such as aerospace fundamental research, airline management and operations, satellite operations, aerospace design and manufacture in both the civil and military environments as well as motorsport racing.

By taking this MSc, you’ll develop skills that will allow you to enjoy a rewarding and challenging career, whether you choose to join an aerospace company in the UK – such as Airbus, BAE Systems or Rolls-Royce – or elsewhere in the world.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.

Here’s an insight into jobs and organisations graduates in aerospace engineering have secured:

• Flight Physics Engineer, Airbus
• Design Engineer, Electroimpact UK Ltd
• Graduate Engineer Trainee, Rolls-Royce
• Graduate Engineer, British Airways
• Engineer, Expert Tooling and Automation Ltd.
• Graduate Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover
• Graduate Engineer, BAE Systems
• Pilot, RAF
• Strategy Manager, BAE Systems
• Graduate Engineer, GKN Aerospace
• Product Development Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover
• Flight Physics Engineer, QinetiQ