Aviation Engineering with Pilot Studies BEng

About the Course

Becoming a pilot is one of the most exciting and rewarding of career choices. This specialist degree provides an ideal starting point for you to train to become a professional pilot after graduation. It incorporates fundamental practice and theory, but also presents the opportunity to obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and to undertake training in a flight simulator.

See also:

Course FAQs

Flying Training

About Mechanical Engineering at Brunel 

From jet aircraft to air conditioning plants, 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 the 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.

Aims

This course has been developed to allow graduates the widest possible range of career options within the aircraft industry. The engineering content is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and the pilot training provides the first stepping stone for those hoping to progress to a career as a commercial or military pilot.

As well as covering flying basics, the degree programme examines wider aspects of the aviation industry, for example airport design (BEng), aircraft operations (MEng) and environmental issues. This aims to prepare graduates for the many career opportunities within the aviation industry, as well as for becoming a commercial pilot.

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

Related Courses

• Aerospace Engineering BEng
• Aerospace Engineering MEng
• Aerospace Engineering with Professional Development MEng
• Aerospace Engineering with Professional Development BEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics BEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics with Professional Development BEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics MEng
• Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics with Professional Development MEng
• Aviation Engineering BEng
• Aviation Engineering with Professional Development BEng
• Aviation Engineering MEng
• Aviation Engineering with Professional Development MEng

Special Features

• The ‘Pilot Studies’ element of the course gives you the opportunity to gain a National Private Pilot’s Licence. Flying training will take place at Booker Aviation and all transport to and from the airfield will be provided by the University.
  
  
• You will have the unique opportunity to train on the School’s own flight simulator.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• We have very good links with business and industry in the UK and overseas. This means that:

• degrees are designed to meet the needs of industry and the market place;
• the latest developments in the commercial world feed into your course;
• you have greater choice and quality of professional placements;
• we have more contacts to help you find a job when you graduate.

• Much of our research is undertaken with collaborators outside the University, including major oil companies, vehicle manufacturers, and other leading industrial firms.

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

Three-year BEng Route

Level 1 provides grounding in engineering fundamentals and all students will study for the ground examinations for the European Private Pilot’s Licence, including air law, meteorology, principles of flight and human factors. You will also complete the flying training elements of the UK National Private Pilot’s Licence.*

Levels 2 and 3 will comprise specialist engineering and aerospace subjects, and opportunities exist to continue flying training towards the European JAR-FCL Private Pilot’s Licence, possibly with the addition of either a Night Qualification or an Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating.

Flight simulation, making extensive use of the University’s flight simulator, is used throughout the course.

* Because of the cost of undertaking flying training, there is a major additional cost for the Aviation Engineering with Pilot Studies course, although this is payable in Level 1 only. Please contact the Admissions Tutor for more information.

Modules

Level 1

• Fundamentals of Solid Body Mechanics
• Fundamentals of Thermofluids
• Analytical Methods and Skills
• Aircraft Ground Theory and Flying Practice
• Engineering Materials, Manufacturing and Electrical Machines
• Aerospace Laboratories, Technical Drawing and Workshop Experience

Level 2

• Solid Body Mechanics
• Thermofluids
• Performance and Control of Aircraft
• Principles of Aircraft Design
• Professional Engineering Applications and Practice

Level 3

• Major Individual Project
• Flight Testing and Propulsion Systems
• Aviation Management, Safety and Ethics
• Airworthiness, Aerospace Business and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Airport Environment and Design

(If you choose the placement route, you will take your year-long placement in between Levels 2 and 3)

Four-year MEng Route

The four-year MEng route provides an opportunity to add an aerospace engineering flavour to your degree and so more detailed technical aspects are covered, such as advanced computer modelling and advanced aeronautics.

Level 1

• Fundamentals of Solid Body Mechanics
• Fundamentals of Thermofluids
• Analytical Methods and Skills
• Aircraft Ground Theory and Flying Practice
• Engineering Materials, Manufacturing and Electrical Machines
• Aerospace Laboratories, Technical Drawing and Workshop Experience

Level 2

• Solid Body Mechanics
• Thermofluids
• Performance and Control of Aircraft
• Principles of Aircraft Design
• Professional Engineering Applications and Practice

Level 3

• Major Individual Project
• Flight Testing and Propulsion Systems
• Aviation Management, Safety and Ethics
• Airworthiness, Aerospace Business and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Engineering Systems Design and Numerical Modelling

Level 4

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

(If you choose the placement route, you will take your year-long placement in between Levels 2 and 3)

For more information, please see:

Course FAQ

Flying Training

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.

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

Aviation graduates will leave Brunel with highly marketable knowledge and skills, and will be very well placed to go on to commercial flight training.

Careers

Graduates can enter almost any professional aerospace career, for example as an aeronautical engineer, commercial or military pilot, air traffic controller, aeronautical researcher.

You will also have a major advantage if you are going on to pursue a course of professional flying training.

Graduates have gone on to work for:

• The RAF
• Ministry of Defence
• GE Energy
• Qinetiq Group
• Caterpillar

Placements

You will have the opportunity to carry out high-quality professional placements in the UK or overseas. We have very good links with local and international businesses, and furthermore, Brunel is situated only five miles from Heathrow Airport.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

This programme requires an additional fee for the flying element in Year 1 only.

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five 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 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, including 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 Complete and pass Access to Engineering course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. All Maths and Physics units must be Distinctions 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.