Aerospace Engineering with Professional Development BEng

About the Course

This specialist degree has arisen from the demand for graduates who have a rigorous and traditional academic education coupled with a well-developed appreciation of the highly technical nature of the aerospace industry. The subjects studied are what would be encountered on a mechanical engineering course but with a strong flavour of aerospace in the application of these topics.

If you enter on the BEng route, you can transfer to the MEng programme at the end of Level 2 by obtaining an average of 60% at that level.

About Mechanical Engineering at Brunel

From jet aircraft to air conditioning plant, from tunnelling machines to body-scanners, from technical consultancy to financial services such as insurance, mechanical engineers deal with the design and production of the machines, systems and structures that are taken for granted in the modern world.

The range and diversity of career choice is consequently tremendous. In response to this diversity, we offer a variety of courses.

Interacting with students from different specialisms and with different interests is an important part of the University experience. To help with this, we have introduced a multidisciplinary project for Level 1 students. This is a design-based competition between teams made up of students from a number of subjects.

We also offer a Foundations of Engineering year.

The range of courses reflects several of our research interests:

• energy and environmental engineering;
• internal combustion engines and their fuels;
• structures and materials;
• fluid mechanics.

Enquiries

Mrs Petra Gratton
Admissions Tutor

School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex

UB8 3PH

Tel +44 (0)1895 266633
Email me-ug-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Special Features

• You can enter the course on either the MEng or the BEng route. If you enter on the BEng route, you can transfer to the MEng programme at the end of Level 2 by obtaining an average of 60% at that level.
  
  
• You have the opportunity to study abroad, either in Europe as an Erasmus exchange student or at Iowa University in the US, during your second year.
  
  
• Much of our research is undertaken with collaborators outside the University, including major oil companies, vehicle manufacturers, and other leading industrial firms.
  
  
• We have very good links with business and industry in the UK and overseas. This means that:

Accreditation

The programme  is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which will allow you to train to become a Chartered Engineer in the future.

Facts and Figures

The School of Engineering and Design has about 1,900 undergraduate students, 800 postgraduates and around 150 teaching and substantial research staff.

Course Content

This course delivers fundamental engineering knowledge and understanding of basic materials at Levels 1 and 2. Greater depth, applications and understanding of materials specific to aerospace are provided at Level 3. Tools for design and engineering analysis are introduced at all levels. Practical skills are introduced through modules which cover workshop skills and technical drawing. Laboratory work and use of the flight simulator is introduced at Level 1, then strengthened and applied.

The MEng route involves a further year of study (Level 4), bringing your degree up to Master’s level. In this final year, you will develop a deeper understanding and the ability to deal with more complex applications in the aerospace field. Management and research methodologies are also explored, and skills strengthened through a major group project.

Typical Modules

Level 1

• Fundamentals of Solid Body Mechanics
• Fundamentals of Thermofluids
• Analytical Methods and Skills
• Engineering Materials, Manufacturing and Electrical Machines
• Introduction to Engineering Design
• Aerospace Laboratories, Technical Drawing and Workshop Experience
  

Level 2

• Solid Body Mechanics
• Thermofluids
• Principles of Aircraft Design
• Professional Engineering Applications and Practice
• Computing, Analytical Methods, Control and Instrumentation
  

Level 3

• Major Individual Project
• Introduction to Aircraft Design and Application of Numerical Modelling
• Aircraft Airworthiness, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Aircraft Structures, Stability and Control
• Aircraft Aerodynamics, Propulsion Systems and Flight Mechanics
  

Level 4

• Major Group Project
• Strategic Management and Enterprise
• Research Methodology and Innovation
• Design and Analysis of Aircraft and Aerospace Vehicles
• Advanced Aerodynamics, Propulsion Systems and Space Mechanics
• Current Topics in Aerospace

Teaching and Learning

All students study a common set of modules at all levels to ensure that everyone graduates from the course with the same core knowledge and skills. Levels 3 and 4 are directly related to aerospace engineering.

Hours

In Level 1 contact between students and academic staff is relatively high at 17 hours per week. This will assist you in adjusting from school/college to university life. As the course progresses the number of contact hours is steadily reduced as you undertake more project-based work.

How will I be taught?

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of the main concepts and ideas that you need to understand, and give you a framework on which to expand your knowledge by private study.

Laboratories – Practicals are generally three-hour sessions in which you can practice your observational and analytical skills, and develop a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts.

Design Studios – In a studio you will work on group projects with guidance from members of staff. You may be required to design and produce an artefact or develop a solution to an engineering problem. These sessions allow you to develop your intellectual ability and practice your teamwork skills.

One-to-one – On registration for the course, you will be allocated a personal tutor whose role is to provide academic and pastoral support during your time at university. You will have one-to-one supervision on all Level 3/4 project work. If you go on an industrial placement, you will also be allocated an industrial tutor who will help you to achieve the training objectives necessary to satisfy the requirements for Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. You will also be visited by a member of the academic staff to monitor the progress of your training.

Assessment

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark but you have to pass this year to continue with the course. Students wishing to transfer from the BEng to the MEng must achieve at least 60% at Level 2.

Several methods of assessment are employed on the course. There are written examinations at the end of each term, but work is also continuously assessed throughout. You will undertake projects, assignments, essays, laboratory work and short tests.

Project work is commonplace and is usually completed in groups to imitate the everyday experience in an engineering firm, where specialists must pool their talents to design a solution to a problem.

In this situation you can develop your management and leadership skills and ensure that all members of the group deliver their best. Group members share the mark gained, so it is up to each individual to get the most out of everyone else.

Employability

You will cultivate transferable skills throughout the programme, including communication, writing technical reports, teamwork, oral presentations and the use of engineering software.

Careers

Aerospace Engineering graduates take up employment 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.

Brunel Engineering students have excellent employment opportunities – recent graduates have gone on to work for GE Energy, Vodafone, Qinetiq Group, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, the Ministry of Defence and Thales.

Placements

Sandwich students undertake high-quality, paid work placements within prominent companies and organisations.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £9,000 full-time, £6,750 part-time

International students: £13,860 full-time

Brunel is introducing over 1000 new scholarships for 2012, meaning that one in three applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

• GCE A-level BBB, including Grade B in Maths and Grade B in Physics (General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted).
• Irish Leaving Certificate ABBBB, including Grade B in Higher level Maths and Grade B in Higher level Physics.
• Scottish Advanced Highers BBB, including Grade B in Maths and Grade B in Physics
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in Engineering, plus the Specialist Unit in Maths for Engineers at grade B along with 1 AS-level (excluding General Studies) at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDD to include Distinctions in Further Mathematics for Technicians, and Further Mechanical Principles or equivalent.
• IBDP 32 points, including 5 in Higher Level Maths and 5 in Higher Level Physics.
• Foundations of Engineering see the course page; for external foundation courses, please contact the Admissions Tutor.
• Access Pass in Engineering, including Distinctions in all Maths and Physics units at Level 3.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level ABB, including Grade B in Maths and Grade B in Physics (General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted)
• Irish Leaving Certificate AABBB, including Grade B in Higher level Maths and Grade B in Higher level Physics 
• Scottish Advanced Highers ABB, including Grade B in Maths and Grade B in Physics
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Engineering, plus the Specialist Unit in Maths for Engineers at grade C along with 1 AS-level (excluding General Studies) at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning 
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*DD to include Distinctions in Further Mathematics for Technicians, and Further Mechanical Principles or equivalent 
• IBDP 33 points, including 5 in Higher Level Maths and 5 in Higher Level Physics 
• Foundations of Engineering see the course page; for external foundation courses, please contact the Admissions Tutor 
• Access Pass in Engineering, including Distinctions in all Maths and Physics units at Level 3

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.