Degrees Offered

• BEng Honours Aerospace Engineering (UCAS Code: H400)
• BEng Honours Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry (UCAS Code: H404)
• MEng Honours Aerospace Engineering (UCAS Code: H402)
• MEng Honours Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry (UCAS Code: H405)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
The Director of Education
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4117
E: mech.aero@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero 

Entrance Requirements

BEng

• A-level
  BBB including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Design/Technology, Further Mathematics or Double Award Applied Science.
  Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade C in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.
  
  
• BTEC Extended Diploma
  A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 10 Distinctions and 8 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
   
• Higher National Diploma
  Those with good grades in a relevant Higher National Diploma will be considered on their individual merits for entry to Stage 2.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry.

MEng

• A-level
  AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Design/Technology or Further Mathematics.
  Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.
  
  
• BTEC Extended Diploma
  A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A and B2 in any order in Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry.

Option to Transfer
Transfers between BEng and MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 1. 

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. See further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Aerospace Engineering concerns aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles and other air vehicles, and aerospace engineers interact in a multidisciplinary environment with some of the most exciting technology. They design, manufacture, operate and maintain air vehicles for operation in extreme environments and under exacting conditions. The School has an international reputation for its contributions to the development of engineering education. For example, it is currently playing a leading role in the Conception and Design to Implementation and Operation (CDIO) initiative to enhance engineering education, involving universities from around the world.

Course Content

The three-year BEng degree covers all the important technologies in Aerospace Engineering, providing students with the basic skills needed for professional practice. The four-year MEng degree consists of core aerospace topics with extended study of selected topics in aerodynamics, structures, systems, management and manufacturing, including industrially-oriented project work, with an additional aim of generating top-quality graduates for management. Major themes of study for Aerospace Engineering are as follows:

Aircraft Design: our key aim is to provide students with the necessary skills to enable them to design aircraft and this major theme runs throughout the degrees, drawing on all of the major Aerospace Engineering topics.

Aerodynamics: when air moves around an aeroplane, it generates aerodynamic forces, the main ones being lift and drag, and the principal role of the aerodynamicist is to minimise the drag produced for a given lift. This is achieved through the shape of the aircraft.

Flight Mechanics: the motion of an aircraft in flight is complicated since it operates in 3D space. The study of this motion is called flight mechanics and includes handling of the aircraft, and testing performance in flight.

Structures and Manufacturing: whatever the proposed configuration of an aircraft it must be built and keep its cargo (including people) safe. The strength and stiffness of the structure are vitally important and must be kept within safe levels during take-off, flight manoeuvres and landing. Modern materials such as carbon fibre composites require sophisticated analysis and design methods to enable performance and cost-effective manufacture.

Supporting Subjects: in order to gain skills necessary in professional practice, some key ancillary subjects are studied, eg mathematics, management, economics, law and entrepreneurship.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

The School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering plays a leading role in an international initiative to reform engineering education which involves over 50 universities worldwide. Support for participation in this initiative was secured through funding to set up a Centre of Excellence in Active and Interactive Learning at Queen's. As a result, our degree programmes have many innovative features that enhance student learning. For example, the first year includes an introductory course focussed on developing important professional engineering skills, built up around a series of team-based design and build projects.  Students are not only provided with the opportunity to learn about engineering practice, but also to engage with the other students within their class, helping to develop a strong sense of identity and community within the student body.  In subsequent years, engineering knowledge is further developed through structured project work – at Stage 2, the group design exercises allows students to demonstrate their technical ability in a team environment, while the individual research project in Stage 3 provides opportunities for in-depth study and engagement with Aerospace engineering design and development.  Through the programme, there is an emphasis placed on the development of a balanced set of personal, interpersonal and professional skills. 

The School offers extensive opportunities to gain valuable overseas experience, either during the summer vacation or by taking a year out from the degree programme. We participate in the IAESTE and Erasmus student exchange programmes, which enable students to obtain work experience in companies and universities throughout the world. In recent years students have worked in countries such as Brazil, Finland, USA, France, Iceland, Argentina, Uruguay, Japan, South Africa and Portugal. The Study USA Initiative offers pre-final year students the possibility of working for a year at a college in the USA, providing an excellent opportunity to gain familiarity with international business techniques.  Our employability programme supports activities such as this, providing help and advice with preparation of CVs, interview skills and providing a point of contact for the duration of placements.

A range of various scholarships and awards are available. Applicants may be eligible for the University's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Awards. Details of these and other University awards can be found on the Queen’s University website.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential. Students studying for a BEng in Aerospace Engineering are provided with a broad range of learning experiences to enable them to develop as individuals, to engage with subject experts from both academia and industry, and to develop an enquiring mind to enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners.  Access to industry standard engineering tools, a world class library facility and courses taught by industrial experts provides a breadth of opportunity to develop students’ interests in the aerospace sector, supported by formal lectures and tutorials.   There are a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

• Lectures:  Formal lectures are timetabled to introduce basic information and concepts about key topics and themes in Aerospace engineering, and to provide a starting point to guide further self-directed private study.  This provides an invaluable opportunity to both engage with academic subject experts and also to gain feedback and advice.  Through the degree course, a number of lectures are also given by industrial subject matter experts, to ensure that students have the opportunity to discuss the industrial applications.

• Tutorials:  The majority of lectures are supported through tutorial sessions, providing opportunities for discussion about problems posed in accompanying lectures.  Again, tutorials provide valuable opportunities to engage with academic staff to obtain help and feedback outside of the formal lecture environment.

• Practicals:  A key aspect of any engineering degree is the ability to be able to competently transfer engineering scientific principles into practice.  Students will be provided with numerous opportunities to develop core technical skills through practical laboratories and design exercises during your degree programme, and will become confident in the use of a wide range of industrial standard engineering design and analysis tools. For example, in Stage 1, students would be expected to attend 3 hours of laboratories per week, and in Stage 3, this will rise to 6 hours per week of practical design exercises. 

• E-Learning technologies:   The Queen’s Online Virtual Learning Environment provides access to a wealth of information and supporting learning information, including additional module resources, reading lists and message boards to communicate with class members. 

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Work placements:  As part of our BEng sandwich programme, students may elect to take a work-placement after Stage 2.   An employability programme provides support on application and CV completion, interviews and what to expect on placement, while our dedicated Placement Officer provides both information on current placement opportunities, and ‘on placement’ support. 

• Field Trips:  Northern Ireland has a vibrant Aerospace industry, and as part of the BEng Aerospace Engineering degree programme, students will undertake a number of visits to Aerospace companies across Northern Ireland to understand what the role of a practicing Aerospace Engineer is in industry, and to relate module content to a real-life work environment.

• Individual research projects:  As part of the degree, students will undertake a research project in their final year in conjunction with an academic supervisor, looking in detail at a specialist topic in Aerospace Engineering.    This will provide students the opportunity to engage with the aerospace engineering design and development process, while embedding core skills in project management, reporting and presentation skills.

• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them during the year to support their academic development

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module.  Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Some modules [e.g. final year Honours Project module (BBC3025)] are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work. 

Careers

A degree in Aerospace Engineering from Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions alike.  Our graduates are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and the versatility of Aerospace Engineering graduates makes them well suited for a wide range of future careers, both within engineering and in the wider graduate sector. 

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Engineering, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries)that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

• Engineering professionals: £22, 823
• Information and Communication Technology professionals: £22, 244
• Public Service professionals: £22, 657
• Business and Finance associated professionals: £22, 217

Employer Links – Consultations: Queen’s University Belfast has strong links with both the local and international aerospace community, and we participate in regular consultations with local aerospace and wider engineering employers, including Bombardier, Rolls Royce, Thales Air Defence, BE Aerospace, and FG Wilson. 

Placement Employers: Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Graduate Careers and Achievements: Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

• Michael McKay: Flight Operations Director for ESA Mars and Lunar Missions, European Space Agency
• Michael Ryan: Vice President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast
• Bob Bell: Technical Director of Mercedes GP.
• Air Commodore David Case: Royal Air Force.

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.ukfor further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Aerospace Engineering Graduates. Further study is also an option open to Aerospace Engineering graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofMechanicalandAerospaceEngineering/Research/AerospaceandManufacturing

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Facilities: excellent experimental facilities in both aerodynamics (with three wind tunnels) and aircraft structures used extensively to reinforce theoretical classes. To support classes in flight mechanics, the School operates a flight simulator and runs an annual flight laboratory course.

Accreditation/Registration: the degrees are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society. The BEng fulfils the educational requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially fulfils the educational requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). The MEng fulfils the educational requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). BEng students who perform well during Stage 1 may be invited to transfer to the MEng degree in Stage 2.

Placement/Study Abroad: sandwich students spend one year on an industrial placement, normally between Stages 2 and 3. Students may spend a summer vacation working abroad through the School's participation in the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Programme. They may also take their final year at another European university.