Overview
The 4 year (5 years with placement option) MEng degree extends study to in-depth specialist topics, with the aim of producing future engineering leaders.
Aerospace Engineering is at the cutting edge of technology, understanding and applying scientific principles to the design, development and service of some of the most technologically advanced engineering products in the world, ranging from commercial aeroplanes and helicopters to spacecraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
With the ability to succeed in 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.
Aerospace Engineering Degree highlights
Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s is ranked 11th in the 2017 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017
Global Opportunities
- 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.
Professional Accreditations
- Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society
Industry Links
- The School has strong links with industry in the form of collaborative projects and student placements. The curriculum is heavily informed by industry representatives who sit on an advisory board within the School.
Career Development
- Students are offered an optional Engineering Leadership Programme and a range of Employability Development workshops.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofMechanicalandAerospaceEngineering/Study/CareerSupport/EngineeringLeadershipProgramme/
World Class Facilities
- The School has a wide range of experimental facilities to support aerodynamics, structures, materials and manufacturing teaching. It also operates a flight simulator and runs an annual flight laboratory course.
Student Experience
- 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.
Course content
Course Structure
| Stage 1 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Laboratory Programme 1 Mathematics 1 Mechanics of Materials 1 Thermo and Fluid Mechanics 1 Dynamic Systems 1 Engineering Design 1 |
| Stage 2 Aircraft Structures 2 Professional Studies 2 Propulsion 2 High-Speed Aerodynamics 2 Manufacturing Technology 2 Maths and Computing 2 Aircraft Design 2 Aircraft Aerodynamics & Performance 2 |
| Stage 2 Optional Course Employability 2 |
| Stage 3 Aerodynamics 3 Finite Element Analysis 3 Avionic Systems 3 Professional Studies 3 Computational Fluid Dynamics 3 Aircraft Structures 3 Aircraft Dynamics 3 Design for Manufacture 3 Aircraft Design 3M |
| Stage 4 Aerodynamics 4 Composite Structures 4 Digital Manufacturing 4 Fracture Mechanics 4 Turbomachinery 4 Project 4 |
People teaching you
Dr Juliana Early
Programme Director for Aerospace Engineering
SMAE
Dr Juliana Early was awarded her undergraduate and PhD from the University of Glasgow and joined the academic staff in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast in 2007, where she is the current Programme Director for the undergraduate Aerospace Engineering courses. She is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (MRAeS), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng), with her research interests in the fields of applied aerodynamics and optimisation strategies.
Contact Teaching Times
| Large Group Teaching 15 (hours maximum) 10-15 hours of lectures per week (varies by stage of study) |
| Medium Group Teaching 15 (hours maximum) 8 -15 hours of tutorials/practical/design activities per week (varies by stage of study) |
| Personal Study 25 (hours maximum) 20-25 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, tutorial sheets and others |
| Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial 0 (hours maximum) 1-2 hours of personal tutorial or individual project supervision per week |
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.
Through the programme, there is an emphasis placed on the development of a balanced set of personal, interpersonal and professional skills.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Personal Tutor
Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them during the year to support their academic development.
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-build-fly activities.
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.
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.
Work placements
As part of our MEng sandwich programme, students may elect to take a work-placement after Stage 3. 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.
Assessment
Details of assessment procedures are outlined below:
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] 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
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 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 you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to 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 you can review in your 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 you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
Facilities
The school offers a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support student activity and project based learning
Design Studio
Computer Based Learning
Flexible Project Environments
Teaching Laboratories
Entry Requirements
Entrance requirements
A level requirements
AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry or Further Mathematics.
Irish leaving certificate requirements
H2H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grades H2 and H3 in any order in Mathematics and Physics (preferred), Biology or Chemistry
BTEC Extended diploma
A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 160 credits at Distinction and 20 credits at Merit. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
Access/Foundation Course
Not considered. Applicants should apply for the BEng Aerospace Engineering degree.
Note
Applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B in GCSE Physics or GCSE Double Award Science grades BB.
Further information
Applicants for the MEng degree will automatically be considered for admission to the BEng degree if they are not eligible for entry to the MEng degree both at initial offer making stage and when results are received.
Option to transfer
Transfers between BEng and MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2.
Selection Criteria
In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance notes on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by a member of administrative staff from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
Applicants for the MEng Honours in Aerospace Engineering must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement; it should be noted that a strong performance at GCSE is essential. For last year's entry, applicants for this MEng programme must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of 6 GCSE passes at grade B or better (to include Mathematics and Physics/Double Award Science). Selectors will also check that any specific subject and grade requirements in terms of A-level can be fulfilled (see Entry Requirements).
Offers are normally made on the basis of 3 A-levels. Applicants repeating A-levels require BBC at the first attempt and offers will be made in terms of A-level grades AA (Mathematics plus a relevant Science) plus grade B. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS are also considered. Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 4 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
Applicants offering a relevant BTEC Extended Diplomas will also be considered.
The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those candidates taking a BTEC Extended Diploma and must include both GCSE Mathematics grade B and GCSE Physics grade B/Double Award Science at grade BB or better. A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering (180 credits at Level 3) is required for entry to this degree and must include Level 3 Mathematics for Technicians and Level 3 Further Mathematics for Technicians. Where offers are made, these are currently conditional on successful completion of the Extended Diploma with 160 credits at Distinction and 20 credits at Merit, with Distinctions required in four specified units, including Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mathematics for Technicians.
Applicants offering Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas are not normally considered for MEng entry but, if eligible, will be made a change course offer for the corresponding BEng programme. Subject to satisfactory academic performance during the second year of the BEng course, it may be possible for students to transfer to the MEng programme at the end of Stage 2 depending on performance.
Applicants offering other qualifications, such as a combination of Scottish Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers, the International Baccalaureate or Irish Leaving Certificate (minimum of 6 Highers), will also be considered.
The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
If you are made an offer then you will be invited to an Open Day, which is usually held on a Saturday in late February or early- mid March. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice; the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service here, giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
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 need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
- Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
- Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - FOUNDATION AND INTERNATIONAL YEAR ONE PROGRAMMES
INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
- Foundation
The INTO progression course suited to this programme is
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses/international-foundation-in-engineering-and-science. - International Year One
The INTO progression course suited to this programme is
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses/international-diploma-in-aerospace-engineering.
INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Careers
Career Prospects
Introduction
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
Close links with employers
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:
Rolls Royce
Airbus UK
Bombardier
BAE Systems
FlyBE
BE Aerospace
Alumni Success
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.
Additional Awards Gained(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee rates for undergraduate students who first enrol at the University in the academic year 2019-20 have not been agreed. Tuition fees for 2019-20 will be based on 2018-19 levels, normally increased by inflation and these are set out below.
| Northern Ireland (NI) | £4,160 |
|---|---|
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) | £9,250 |
| Other (non-UK) EU | £4,160 |
| International | £19,500 |
Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. A programme may have up to 6 modules per year, each with a recommended text.
Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a final year includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Aerospace Engineering costs
Year 2 & 4 students incur travel costs to Belfast Metropolitan College to attend a compulsory module lasting 12 weeks at an approximate cost of £50. Students must also make a payment of £20 in year 2 to cover materials used in Manufacturing Technology 2.
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.
Scholarships
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.
International Scholarships
Information on scholarships for international students, is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.
How and When to Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/apply.
When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2019 from 1 September 2018.
Advisory closing date: 15 January 2019 (18:00).
Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.
The Institution code for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.
Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/
Apply via UCAS
After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions (www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions) which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.
Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students
- Applying through UCAS
Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2019. - Applying direct
The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more. - Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.
Register your interest
Course location
Queen's University BelfastAshby Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast
BT9 5AH
Open Days and Tours
Visit our beautiful campus.
Our Undergraduate Open Days will take place from 6 - 8 September 2018, or book a campus tour.
Accommodation
Some of the most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in the city.