Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies

Aerospace engineering with pilot studies is a degree that combines the rigorous technical training of aerospace engineering with the practical and theoretical knowledge associated with flight. Aerospace engineering is concerned with the design, development, testing and operation of aircraft and spacecraft, encompassing aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, avionics and systems engineering. The pilot studies element adds a dimension that is unusual in engineering education: direct engagement with the experience and science of flight, which deepens your understanding of what aircraft are required to do and the constraints under which they must perform.

At the University of the West of England, Bristol, the three-year full-time degree was designed with direct input from regional aerospace partners, ensuring that the technical content reflects what the industry needs. You will study aerodynamics, structural mechanics, propulsion systems, control engineering, materials and the principles of flight, developing both the mathematical analysis skills and the systems thinking that aerospace engineering demands. The programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you the opportunity to develop professional experience in an aerospace organisation before graduation.

Bristol is one of the UK's most significant centres of aerospace activity. Major aerospace employers are based in the region, and the university's connections with those employers inform the curriculum and support the placement opportunities available to students. The concentration of industry expertise in the area makes it an excellent environment in which to pursue an aerospace engineering education.

Graduates work in aerospace and defence, aviation, manufacturing engineering, systems engineering, consultancy and research. Many pursue chartered engineer status through the Royal Aeronautical Society or other professional bodies. Postgraduate study in aerospace engineering, systems engineering or avionics is a natural continuation for those who want to specialise further.