MEng Honours Aerospace Engineering (UCAS Code: H402)
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: www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero
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BEng Honours
Aerospace Engineering 3 yrs (H400)
Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry 4-yr SW (H404)
MEng Honours
Aerospace Engineering 4 yrs (H402)
Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry 5-yr SW (H405)
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 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 acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs
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
Aerospace Engineering is at the cutting edge of technology, applying scientific principles to the design, development and service of some of the most technologically advanced engineering products in the world. Aerospace engineers are responsible for not only the development of commercial aeroplanes and helicopters, but also spacecraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Aerospace engineers work in multidisciplinary environments, designing and supporting vehicles which operate in extreme settings. With the ability to succeed in such diverse and challenging situations, aerospace engineers are naturally versatile, opening up a wide range of career opportunities, and our graduates can be found in leading private and public sector companies worldwide.
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 CDIO initiative (www.cdio.org) to enhance engineering education, involving universities from around the world.
The BEng degree provides a solid foundation in all the basic engineering technologies required by an aerospace engineer in the development of the next generation of aerospace products. The MEng extends study to in-depth topics, with the aim of producing future leaders in engineering. BEng students who perform well during Stage 1 may be invited to transfer to the MEng degree in Stage 2. Major study themes are:
Aircraft Design: core to our degrees is the understanding of the aircraft development process, and students are guided through the development of the skills necessary to transform customer requirements into state-of-the-art aerospace technology.
Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Propulsion: the study of air flow around and through objects is key to understanding how forces such as lift, drag and thrust are generated. Modules in aerodynamics, fluid mechanics and propulsion explore these concepts in detail, developing both fundamental understanding and expertise in state-of-the-art computational simulation.
Flight Mechanics and Avionics: the motion of aircraft in 3D space is highly complex, and students are introduced to how aircraft handling and performance are linked to the many systems within an aircraft. Avionics demonstrates how instrumentation can be used for navigation and for understanding concepts such as GPS and communications systems.
Structural Design, Manufacturing and Materials: structural strength and rigidity are vitally important and must be kept within safe levels during all phases of flight. Students combine an understanding of properties and manufacturability of materials with the use of sophisticated computational analysis and design methods to develop high-performance aerospace structures.
Professional Studies: to understand the role of the engineer in society, technical modules are accompanied by professional studies, ie skills in accounting, economics, law and management.
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 the MEng 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:
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:
Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.
Back to topA 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:
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:
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Graduate Careers and Achievements: Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:
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.
Back to topAccreditation/Registration: both degrees are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Facilities: we have a wide array of experimental facilities to support aerodynamics, structures, materials and manufacturing teaching activities. The School also operates a flight simulator and runs an annual flight laboratory course.
Placement/Study Abroad: past students have gained placements with organisations such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems, BE Aerospace, Bombardier, Flybe and Rolls Royce. Students also have the opportunity to work or study outside the UK through our participation in the IAESTE and Erasmus student exchange programmes, and the Student Abroad and Study USA programmes. In recent years, students have been placed in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Malaysia and the USA.
Last updated: 12.09.13
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