In your first year, you will study the fundamental skills and knowledge required by a modern engineer including principles of flight and aircraft operations. In particular you will be introduced to computer packages commonly used in aerospace industry.

In your second year, the first year core themes are developed for application in aerospace engineering. You will learn about the design process through both group design and detail design work, and expand your knowledge of aerodynamics, with wind tunnel experiments. You will also have the opportunity to fly at a local flying school.

You may take a placement year if you wish, where you will gain excellent work experience, and this will be followed by your fourth year where for many students, the highlights of the course are the group design projects in which you will join other aerospace students to design a complete aircraft, and work with the astrophysicists to design a space vehicle in conjunction with a major space industry employer. For others the self-confidence developed during the Individual Major Project that challenges them to research an aerospace relevant topic entirely by themselves using either the University or industrial facilities is the most rewarding part of your degree and can lead to future employment. There is also the opportunity for flying lessons.

You will then enter your final year where you will study at a Masters level, deepening your knowledge and understanding of aerospace topics as well as developing your business and management skills. The team project is a multidisciplinary and involves applying your skills to solve an unusual and challenging problem, for example the design of an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle.

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

Career prospects for graduates are excellent across the space, aircraft, and defence sides of the aerospace industry. Graduates of this course are strong candidates for employment on projects such as the development of missile systems, satellites and space vehicles.

Career prospects for our graduates are excellent across the space, aircraft and defence sides of the aerospace industry. Graduates of this course are strong candidates for employment on projects such as the development of missile systems, satellites and space vehicles. An MEng makes you even more attractive to employers.