Aeronautics and Astronautics (BEng)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

The first 2 years are the same across our Aeronautics and Astronautics degrees. They focus on core aerospace engineering science.

The course has the perfect balance between theory and practice, with several opportunities for practical engineering experience.

You will visit industry and research establishments and learn workshop training and research techniques.

Year 1 overview

You'll take an induction programme with all our Aeronautics and Astronautics students. This will give you your first practical experience and the opportunity to get to know your fellow students.

We'll develop your design and programming skills and teach you to build and test engineering systems, components and mechanisms.

You'll also learn manufacturing skills in our workshops so that you can make your ideas a reality.

Core modules include topics such as:

• aircraft operations and flight mechanics

• design and computing

• electrical and electronic systems

• mathematics

• thermofluids

• mechanics, materials and structures

Year 2 overview

You'll build on your core knowledge from the first year, and increases your focus on Aeronautics and Astronautics disciplines. Compulsory modules include:

• aerodynamics

• astronautics

• mechanics of flight

• propulsion

These modules feature hands-on teaching, using facilities such as our wind tunnels, turbojet and rocket engine.

You’ll take a systems design and computing module, and participate in a team project to design, create and test a robot, drone, responsive system or other device.

At the end of the second semester you’ll take a flight test course, in which experiments are performed on board a Jetstream aircraft.

Year 3 overview

You'll deepen your understanding of aircraft design, including their environmental impacts. Core modules include:

• aerothermodynamics

• aircraft structural design

• aerospace control design

You'll choose optional modules from topics including:

• applications of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

• finite element analysis

You'll carry out an individual research project using many of the concepts that you've learnt over the previous 2 years. For example, students have investigated how to deflect asteroids, use 3D-printed metal jet engines, design Formula-1 race-cars and build bio-inspired unmanned air vehicles.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Sean Symon is the course leader.

This degree will open the door to jobs for aerospace engineers and many other exciting career opportunities in the space industry, engineering and beyond, including:

• Aerospace engineer

• Pilot

• CFD simulation engineer

• Engineering consultant

• Performance and simulation engineer

• Propellor design engineer

• Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer

• UAV designer

• Race car designer

• Software and systems engineer

It also provides a great launch pad for further studies at Masters or PhD level. 

Recent graduates have gone on to work for aerospace engineering companies and organisations like:

• Airbus Defence and Space

• BAE Systems

• Dstl

• Dyson

• European Space Agency

• Formula 1 teams

• Jaguar Land Rover

• Rolls-Royce

• Royal Air Force

• Surrey Satellite Technology Limited

We are a designated university for the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. This means you could receive military sponsorship. This is also a BAE Systems preferred course.

You can also join the Southampton University Air Squadron for possible flying opportunities.

Employability sits at the heart of our curriculum and our courses are constantly adapted to ensure they meet industry requirements.

Your personal academic tutor and employability coordinator can advise you on your career paths.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

This course is also available with an industrial placement year in an engineering organisation. During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you've developed during your degree, and gain vital professional engineering experience.

Apply with UCAS code H40P for the Industrial Placement Year option.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: H422
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000