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Attend an Open DayThis new course will replace the hugely successful BEng (Hons) / MEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering over the next few years. Building upon the strengths of Aircraft Engineering, the BEng (Hons) / MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering will commence with Year 1 entry only in September 2026.
The MEng (Hons) / BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering at UWS provide you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the design, build and technological advancement of aerospace vehicles and their systems. You will be able to explore and learn about current and new emerging technologies which includes; low and zero-carbon design for commercial aviation, drone technology, jet and space propulsion systems, and more.
The degrees has been designed, with the input from regional aerospace industry, to shape the specialised skills needed for aircraft design, manufacturing, aerodynamic and structural testing, and system operation and maintenace and overhaul roles.
The increasing demand for air and space travel and also, UAV utilisation in human activity, will require engineers to maintain safety, improvement and regulations for all opearting aerospace systems. By studying Aerospace Enginering you will be a critical role player in the field of aerospace, and be able to apply your learnt knowledge and skills to design and deliver new products or services using new and/or existing technologies. You will have the opportunity to visit major aerospace organisations suchs as; Spirit AeroSystems, British Airways, and GE Aerospace to observe a first-hand experience of the workings of the cutting-edge aerosapce companies. A number of final year engineering projects may be offered to be undertaken in collaboration with these organisations.
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering and MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering are currently seeking accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
This new course is replacing the BEng / MEng Aircraft Engineering which are/were both professionaly recognised by the IMechE. The BEng (Hons) Aircraft Enigneering satisfying, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and also automatically satisfies, in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). The MEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering fully satisfies the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
We expect to meet IMechE professional accreditation requirements for the new BEng / MEng Aerospace Engineering moving forward and will update this entry accordingly.
The Aerospace Engineering degrees have been designed to meet the needs of Scotland’s aerospace sector, which includes companies from the Prestwick aerospace cluster such as BAE Systems, Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, and Ryanair, and also satellite design businesses. However, the skills you’ll develop are appropriate for careers in the UK and international industries too.
A shortage of aerospace engineers locally and globally means that there is a significant employability prospects awaiting you. The career option ranges from working on the design and manufacture of civil and military aircraft, to roles in aerodynamic and structure research, project management and many more.
As an aerospace engineering graduate, you’ll have a wide-range of skills that are applicable not only to the traditional aerospace disciplines but also to the broad spectrum of other engineering fields, this include but not limited to; mechanical, energy, defence, offshore, automotive, etc.
Typical employment engineering roles are found in design, manufacture, maintenance and overhaul, project management, technical analyst, certification and quality control, etc.
Successful completion of BEng (Hons) / MEng (Hons) would allow progression to postgraduate studies on master's (eg MSc) and / or research degree (MRes, MPhil, PhD) programmes of study (depending upon your classification).
Katie Waddell left UWS with no less than four awards for excellence, ranging from top-performing engineering student to best final-year engineering design project for her work on wingtip aerodynamics.
When Katie graduated UWS with a BEng (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering she was already in a graduate role working with Orbital Access Limited, which is developing a horizontal launch system to send satellites into space.
Katie’s time at UWS helped her clarify what she wanted from a career in engineering. Between third and fourth year, she organised herself a three-week placement with Thales.
“I really enjoyed my studies and it really helped to consolidate my education from university. The Aircraft Engineering course was very interesting, with a mix of practical laboratories, demonstrations and theory. The lecturers and course leader have an open-door policy and were always more than happy to help.”
Unpaid short-term summer internships may be available with local aerospace companies, enhancing the practical experience and employability skills of graduates of this course.
Work placement opportunities available through the School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences allow students to put theory into practice in real-world business environments.
UWS has over 100 years’ experience in training engineers. Many of our courses are professionally accredited and designed to anticipate industry demand. Their delivery is supported by excellent on-campus facilities. Our students graduate with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to succeed in engineering.
94% of Aircraft Engineering students were satisfied with the academic support they received (National Student Survey 2024).
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
There are no advanced entry opportunities on either BEng (Hons) or MEng (Hons) course in September 2026.
Advanced entry is only possible to BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering Years 2 and 3 in September 2026.
If you are initially registered and enrolled on the BEng (Hons) course, and meet the performance requirements in Years 1, 2 and 3 you may be eligible to transfer onto the MEng (Hons) in Year 4.
International (non-EEA) applicants are advised that they will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can be considered for an unconditional offer of study on this undergraduate integrated masters course.
Entry Clearance Officers (ECO) will ask to see your ATAS certificate as part of your visa application process.
UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students to study for an ATAS applicable course until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their application.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
Core topics covered include the design of aerospace structures and systems, aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, jet propulsion, and fluid dynamics. The aerospace engineering design process applied to aircraft and space vehicles and their related systems is introduced along with in-depth performance analysis.
Also, numerical techniques in terms of computer-aided design (CAD), fluid dynamic and structure simulations (CFD/FEA), and computer programming are taught on practice-based Learning. Numerical techniques are routinely used in course works and projects.
You’ll also study project and quality management to ensure you’re equipped with the management skills required for a demanding and rewarding engineering career.
The Aerospace Engineering degrees are delivered via laboratories and software sessions to ensure you have a sound academic underpinning and the practical skills necessary to launch a successful career in this industry.
Industrial visits to organisations such as Spirit AeroSystems and British Airways are incorporated into the course and these will allow you to see real-world applications of the subjects you’ll study throughout this course.
It is always possible to augment your studies and broaden your horizons by learning a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities.
Aircraft aerodynamics and systems, materials and mathematics provide a foundation to engineering design. Aspire for professional and career development alongside skills development in communications and IT technology.
Topics include design of aerospace structures and systems, strength of materials, vibration theory, materials and manufacturing technology, aerodynamics (theory, application and measurements), propulsion systems; as well as computer-aided design, information technology related techniques.
Aircraft design and performance; testing and measurements, aircraft design modelling (CAD); computer-based simulation and analysis techniques are introduced, along with project management skills.
Aerodynamic understanding is enhanced whilst design, analysis and testing of composite structures is introduced. Computer-aided engineering design is explored further through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Aircraft Structural Analysis, Aeroelasticity, Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and a major Group Project are amongst the modules to complete the MEng (Hons) programme of study.
A variety of assessment approaches are utilised throughout the course such as examination, written coursework, portfolio and presentations.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
“I’m from Greece and only applied to one university in Scotland, which was UWS. I came to the Open Day and saw that the engineering workshops were really nice, so I decided I should come here.”
Rafail, BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering student
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
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