Aerospace Technology BEng (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: H402
International Code: EECU093

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Start date

September 2022

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

The Aerospace Technology course concentrates on engineering mathematics, aircraft systems, control systems, aerodynamics, aircraft structures and manufacturing, mechanical engineering and engineering management. Gaining knowledge in these subject areas should provide graduates with a strong base from which to start professional work in aerospace design using the latest software tools.

  • Did you know that the Airbus A380, Boeing Dreamliner and Eurofighter Typhoon each had key mechanical and electrical systems designed and developed here in this country? Also, the UK is one of few countries in the world with the resources to design and manufacture aircraft and advanced helicopters.
  • Previous graduates have gone on to become aircraft engineering officers (both military and civil), design engineers, quality engineers and engineering managers for a wide variety of companies. Our previous students have also become pilots and worked in the whole spectrum of aerospace careers.
  • The course aims to deliver teaching material in an integrated way to reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of the aerospace industry. The variety of teaching, learning and assessment strategies are designed to develop graduates who have the ability to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively within an aerospace engineering company.
  • You will have the opportunity to develop practical system design skills with hands-on access to our modern equipment in the High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC), which includes a Harrier Jump Jet, flight simulation suite, Mercedes Petronas Wind Tunnel, metrology centre and industry standard software.
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • Currently accredited by Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for the 2022-3 intake, as fully meeting the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration and partially satisfying the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
  • Expert free to attend guest lectures (subject to availability), which have previously covered topics such as green landing systems, airship developments, aircraft design and training, and non-destructive testing in aircraft braking systems.
  • On and off site access to commercial engineering software, including 3D CAD, Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Multibody Systems for design and simulation, as well as training in industry standard CATIA, HyperWorks, STAR-CCM+, SIMPACK and Matlab/Simulink software.
  • A range of facilities including a full-size Harrier Jet (used for teaching), 3 full-scale flight simulators, wind tunnels, composites lab, metrology lab, environmental test lab, AVL engine test cell, automotive workshop, fatigue and tensile testing (Instron), stress analysis and fluid dynamic laboratory equipment, a range of CNC machinery, 3D printers and a laser workshop.
95%

Of our students agreed they were satisfied with the quality of the course.

 

Discover Uni, 2021

Accredited by

Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)

Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)

Aerospace Technology BEng (Hons) is currently accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), as fully meeting the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration and partially satisfying the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration.

The University’s accreditation with RAeS shall be up for renewal in 2022/23, and all intakes up to and including May 2023 are covered by the current accreditation. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Three years at Coventry University has completely changed my life. I came to university knowing almost nothing, but I will be leaving equipped with all I need for the rest of my life.

Lord Koomson, Aerospace Technology BEng (Hons), December 2020
Student using aerospace equipment with the harrier jet in the background

My placement at Avast Software

Aerospace Technology student Nathaniel Robinson undertook a placement in 2020 at Avast Software S.r.o in Prague. Avast has over 1,700 employees and is one of the largest security companies in the world, using next-gen technologies to fight cyber-attacks in real time.

Read his story
Nathaniel Robinson

What you'll study

The first year aims to build on your already established skills to provide a foundation of key engineering subjects and an essential grounding in key aeronautical principles, upon successful completion. You will be provided with an introduction to aerospace topics including aerodynamics, power plants, aircraft systems and structures.

This is reinforced with the use of practical laboratory sessions using our full-sized aircraft, wind tunnel and flight simulator hardware. For example, you will have the opportunity to remove, inspect, overhaul and reinstate critical aircraft components like the aircraft braking system, aileron or rudder. You will also have the chance to perform a series of aircraft manoeuvres in a full-scale flight simulator to collect data in order to explore the flying characteristic of the aircraft and design. You may also develop and manufacture crashworthy landing gears for quadcopters using 3D printers.

Throughout your studies, we aim for you to develop a broad range of transferrable core skills, such as problem-solving, creativity and innovation, leadership, team working, business acumen and ensuring quality.

Modules

  • The aim of this module is as part of the first year suite of module that give the student a broad introduction to each of the main Aeronautical Engineering disciplines. It covers the essentials of fluid mechanics and aerodynamics and an introduction to Matlab programming to enable solving of simple engineering problems.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces students to Computer Aided Design (CAD), the design process and develops their professional skills. This module will help students to produce a CAD model ready for processing into a physical engineering product.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to further develop the students' competence in mathematical methods relevant to engineering whilst at the same time emphasising fundamental concepts which the engineer needs to understand in order to produce a mathematical formulation of a problem.

    Compulsory

  • The module introduces students to the basic concepts and principles used in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with an emphasis on Aerospace applications. The module will focus is on steady state DC circuit analysis and AC circuit analysis and its use with appropriate models to investigate the characteristics of common electrical systems.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is, as one of a suite of first year modules, to give the student a broad introduction to each of the main Aeronautical Engineering disciplines. It covers the essentials of thermodynamics, propulsion and an introduction to aircraft systems.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module, as part of a suite, is to give the student a broad introduction to each of the main Aeronautical Engineering disciplines. It covers the essential and fundamental knowledge of solid mechanics needed by all Engineering students, laying the foundation to apply that knowledge to the design of aircraft structures and the associated materials.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

The second year builds on the foundations of the first year to enhance your specialist knowledge of the analysis and design aspects of individual aerospace systems, along with aircraft maintenance management, aerodynamics and structures. The majority of the modules aim to include teaching of industry standard specialist computer aided analysis tools to support your studies and future employability.

Modules

  • This module aims to enhance students' theoretical and practical experience of the aircraft maintenance management by introducing the basic theories of aircraft maintenance engineering and maintenance program management.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of aerospace structures and the application of technology implemented in the aerospace industry. This is achieved through the further study of the aerospace structures.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to present the concepts of signal acquisition and processing required as part of the study of avionic systems. It covers data communication and signal conditioning as applied in aircraft systems.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of the technology and the application of technology associated with the aerospace industry. This is achieved through the further study of the aeronautical discipline Aircraft Systems and Power plants.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of the Human Factors and their application within the aerospace industrial environment.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of the technology and the application of technology associated with the aerospace industry. This is achieved through the further study of the aeronautical discipline Aerodynamics.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution.

Past students have undertaken placements working for Aero Engine Controls, GE Aviation, UTC Actuation Systems, HS Marstons, Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus Bertrandt, Meggitt, Tata Technologies, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, JCB, BMW, Morgan Materials, GKN Aerospace and Arrowsmith.

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between second and third years of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year, however we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.

Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. While the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript.

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

The final year aims to cover control theory, evolving technologies and supersonic aerodynamics alongside aerospace project management, your individual project and a group design project. In this group project, which is designed to mimic a real-life industrial project, you will work as a team to design a system (previously this has been a complete landing gear design) and produce a prototype demonstrator using the rapid prototyping facilities to prove the performance and showcase the design.

The course culminates with your individual research project. Past students have worked with our industrial partners to design landing gear for the latest generation of light aircraft, develop low drag wing design using our wind-tunnel and an innovative vertical wind turbine design using active blade technology.

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to provide preparation for a student to undertake a substantial individual project. Successful completion of the module will require methodical planning, record keeping and self-management, effective communication and delivery of report.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity to research, design, implement and critically evaluate a functional or simulated system, object or concept and to acquire deeper knowledge of a specialist technical area To this end, the student will undertake a substantial project which will exercise in-depth technical, problem-solving, creative and other skills required of a professional practitioner including working to appropriate ethical codes of practice.

    Compulsory

  • Control engineering is a fundamental discipline in supporting the technological advances and developments in the aerospace industry. The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of the basic principles and techniques of control engineering and to provide the student with a practical understanding of real-time aerospace relevant control applications.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide the student with an awareness of the international nature of the aerospace industry. Associated strategic philosophies and practices are presented and discussed. To provide the student with sufficient engineering management skills and terminology for direct entry into an engineering team working on complex aerospace engineering projects.

    Compulsory

  • This module’s aim is to enhance the students’ awareness of technical and professional activities.

    Building on and utilising knowledge and skills gained from earlier years of the course, students undertake work on the design, production and test of an aerospace system or component.

    The module is intended to nurture professionalism and prepare students for employment and business opportunities.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop the student's understanding of the impact that design and evolving technologies have on the performance of different types of aerospace vehicles. The module also aims to enhance the student’s awareness of the theories governing the operation of aerospace vehicles and their testing. Current and future trends in aircraft sustainability are also reviewed.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

We incorporate a wide range of learning and teaching methods as part of our innovative Activity-Led Learning (ALL) approach, taking advantage of our hands-on facilities.

We aim to motivate you to learn through activities, such as disassembling and inspecting the Harrier jet, building models and prototypes in our workshops and investigating a project, problem, scenario, case study or enquiry in a classroom, laboratory or work setting. This approach should challenge you to build your professional awareness and should help you learn technical, personal and professional skills. When exploring the effect of human factors within the aerospace industry, such as error, you may also study a number of real-life case studies, including air-accident investigations.

Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst:

  • Lectures with associated practice
  • Laboratory work
  • Workshop exercises and tutorials
  • Problem-based learning in groups with tutor or industrial mentor support
  • Group learning
  • Formative modelling exercises
  • Independent research
  • Online teaching may also be used

In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 16-20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 16 contact hours per week in the first year and around 15 contact hours per week in the second and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include formal examinations, coursework, tests, practical or project work, group work and presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Job Ready

On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • Aerospace systems
  • Mechanical and electrical science
  • Materials and design
  • Operation of the aerospace industry
  • Management of engineering (including social, economic, ethical and environmental concerns)

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Solve engineering problems
  • Analyse engineering systems
  • Design system solutions
  • Search and evaluate information sources
  • Adopt a holistic approach to aerospace systems in a commercial context
  • Undertake experimental investigations
  • Employ appropriate engineering tools
  • Work on aircraft systems
  • Construct and maintain engineering documentation
  • Use software tools

International experience opportunities

The University is committed to providing a global educational experience and we encourage you to undertake a placement year or study year abroad* after your second year of study. We will endeavour to support you in finding a placement anywhere in the world and in seeking financing for that experience.

Placements are currently primarily available in Europe, America or Asia. Previous students have been placed in GKN Aerospace (Munich, Germany), Bertrandt (Hamburg, Germany), Airbus (Toulouse, France) and studied Aerospace Engineering (UPM, Spain).

We have traditionally organised a range of foreign field trips* and, as part of a new partnership deal with Emirates Aviation University, our students recently had the chance to visit the Emirates Maintenance Centre and explore Dubai, which provided the opportunity to experience Middle Eastern culture, the modern architecture of Dubai, the climate, food and interact with other multi-ethnic university students studying in Dubai.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A Level BBB-BCC to include Mathematics and one from Engineering, Physics, or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC DDM-DMM in an engineering subject, to include Merits in 'Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems' and 'Further Engineering Mathematics' units.
IB Diploma 29 points to include Mathematics and one from Physics, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
GCSE requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with UK admissions

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2022/23 Tuition fees

Student Full time Part time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £18,050 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Facilities

The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building house an impressive range of industry standard equipment.

Flight Simulators

Flight Simulators

Our simulators create an exciting way to learn, with 61 channels of flight data which can be analysed to assess the accuracy of a students’ own design. The simulators are incorporated into an air traffic control environment.

Harrier Jet

Harrier Jet

Our Harrier T4 allows students to gain hands-on experience with the parts, tools and mechanical aspects of a real aircraft. It is used by many engineering disciplines to learn how an aircraft works and how to maintain it.

Model Making Shop

Model Making Shop

Used by our aerospace students to build model aircrafts. The workshop includes laser cutting, wood working and foam cutting technology to help bring our students designs into the real world.

Careers and opportunities

The UK aerospace industry is considered the largest in Europe and second only to USA (according to ADS Aerospace Facts & Figures). The industry had turnover of £35 billion in 2018 and includes BAE Systems, GKN and Rolls-Royce, and a range of international companies with operations in the UK, such as Airbus, Cobham, AgustaWestland, Finmeccanica, Thales, Boeing and Bombardier.

This course aims to produce graduates with the skills to become successful design engineers and engineering managers, both in aerospace and the wider engineering context, in fields such as aircraft and components design and manufacture, maintenance and testing, propulsion systems, flight simulation, aviation, avionics, patent engineering, financial services and many more.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have gone on to become aircraft engineering officers (both military and civil), design engineers, quality engineers and engineering managers for a wide variety of companies. Our previous students have also become pilots and worked in the whole spectrum of aerospace careers.

How to apply

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Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

Discover Uni stats

  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).